Gastric pain is a common clinical manifestation of stomach disorders. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often uses this term to describe conditions equivalent to modern medical diagnoses such as acute/chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric neurosis. These conditions may present with upper abdominal pain accompanied by epigastric distension and fullness, sometimes progressing to sharp, shooting pains, acid reflux, and heartburn. They are frequently linked to emotional factors like anger, anxiety, and depression. TCM attributes this to liver-stomach disharmony or liver qi invading the stomach.
Nourishing the Stomach Through Mental Well-being
Traditional Chinese medicine has long recognized the detrimental effects of emotional distress on gastric disorders, with extensive literature on this topic. The Suwen chapter of the Huangdi Neijing records: "When wood energy becomes stagnant, people suffer from pain in the epigastric region centered on the heart." Here, "wood stagnation" refers to liver qi stagnation, explaining that indigestion and gastric discomfort stem from emotional depression.During the Yuan Dynasty, physician Zhu Danxi refined the theory of liver regulation and further identified emotional factors as a major trigger for gastric disorders. He systematized ancient psychosomatic approaches to treating stomach pain through diagnostic frameworks like "liver qi stagnation," "liver qi rebellion," and "liver qi invading the stomach," advocating the therapeutic principle of "soothing the liver to protect the stomach."Regarding gastric pain associated with sociopsychological factors, modern medical research confirms that intense emotional fluctuations, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, sympathetic nervous system excitation, and increased catecholamine release can disrupt gastrointestinal function, constrict blood vessels, and cause gastric discomfort.Moreover, patients with gastric pain often exhibit typical personality traits and predisposing characteristics, making them prone to anxiety, tension, suppressed anger, and pent-up frustration, which frequently exacerbate gastric disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine often attributes gastric pain episodes to emotional distress, frustration, and unresolved anger, which subsequently impair the stomach's descending and descending functions.I recall a story from my student days while assisting the late renowned TCM master Zhou Zhicheng. When discussing treating stomach disorders through the liver, my teacher offered a vivid analogy: "Imagine you're famished, but after making a mistake, your mother scolds you. Your heart naturally feels distressed, and suddenly you experience abdominal distension and loss of appetite." This illustrates the onset and progression of liver qi invading the stomach."The six腑 organs function smoothly through unimpeded descent." When liver qi rebels, it obstructs the stomach's normal descent. This leads to stagnation of stomach qi: mild cases present as abdominal distension, severe cases as stomach pain. When stomach qi rises in rebellion, symptoms like belching with sour, putrid odors, nausea, vomiting, and hiccups appear. When qi stagnation transforms into fire, heartburn and acid reflux occur. Over time, qi stagnation and blood stasis injure the collaterals, potentially causing gastric hemorrhage.
Thus, nurturing the stomach through mental well-being requires first building confidence in treatment, followed by maintaining emotional ease, balancing work and rest, and avoiding excessive stress or emotional fluctuations. Physicians and family members should also assist patients in cultivating flexible, positive emotions and socially adaptive behaviors, fostering supportive home and workplace environments.Patients may also benefit from practicing Tai Chi or Tai Chi Sword exercises, complemented by music therapy to soothe the mind and emotions, and engaging in appropriate social activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Cold foods are highly irritating Cold foods exert significant irritation on the stomach, causing rapid contraction of the gastric mucosa and resulting in gastric ischemia and hypoxia. This can trigger gastritis or exacerbate existing gastric conditions.
Autumn diets for gastric patients should prioritize warm, soft, light, plant-based, and fresh foods. Avoid frozen items and beverages, maintain regular meal times with moderate portions, and eat smaller, more frequent meals. This keeps the stomach constantly supplied with food to neutralize gastric acid, preventing erosion of the gastric mucosa and ulcer surfaces that could worsen the condition.
Daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains accelerates intestinal transit and absorbs moisture, making it particularly beneficial for preventing constipation. To maintain gastrointestinal health, adults should aim for approximately 30 grams of fiber daily.
Barley and Wheat Sprout Stew with Duck Gizzards
For dietary therapy, try this medicinal dish—"Barley and Wheat Sprout Stew with Duck Gizzards"—to regulate digestion and nourish the stomach during autumn.
Method: First, thoroughly clean the inner lining of the gizzards (meaning duck stomachs) without removing the membrane (as it enhances digestive power). Then, take 50 grams each of barley malt and grain malt. Place all ingredients in an earthenware pot, add 4 bowls of water, and simmer gently with the duck gizzards until reduced to one bowl. Allow to cool before consumption.
This remedy effectively treats indigestion, loss of appetite, and other digestive issues, particularly for elderly individuals and children with weak spleen-stomach function and slow digestion. Barley malt contains amylase, phospholipids, and vitamin B, which aid digestion, harmonize the middle burner, and promote qi descent. Duck gizzards enhance spleen-stomach function and facilitate digestion.
Contraindications: Pregnant women should avoid this remedy.