Poor spleen and stomach function often shows externally. In my clinic, I frequently encounter patients with: pale complexions and dull lips; extreme thinness, as if a breeze could knock them over; or excessive weight with a large frame lacking firmness;Others speak weakly, lack vitality, and appear prematurely aged despite their youth... Most often, these symptoms stem from impaired spleen and stomach function. Therefore, to assess spleen and stomach health, I typically examine the following areas:
Lips. Generally, those with strong spleen and stomach have rosy lips that are moderately moist, smooth, and glossy. Conversely, weak spleen and stomach manifest as pale, bloodless lips that appear extremely dry, prone to peeling and cracking.Symptoms like bad breath and swollen, painful gums are often linked to insufficient digestive capacity of the spleen and stomach. Additionally, drooling during sleep is another sign of deficient spleen qi.
Nose. The meridians of the spleen and stomach connect to the nose. Dry nasal passages, loss of smell, clear nasal discharge, and nosebleeds are mostly caused by spleen and stomach weakness.Reddened nostrils often indicate stomach heat, while a bluish nose accompanied by abdominal pain suggests poor spleen and stomach function. Eyes. Poor spleen and stomach function can lead to qi and blood deficiency, which in turn affects the liver. Since the liver opens its orifice to the eyes, this can cause eye fatigue and blurred vision. Furthermore, the spleen plays a significant role in fluid absorption. Frequent eye redness, swelling, or facial puffiness may also indicate spleen issues.
Ears. Spleen-stomach deficiency can lead to kidney qi insufficiency, often manifesting as tinnitus or even deafness.
Moreover, many cases of spleen-stomach dysfunction stem from overwork or emotional stress. Especially in spring, when liver fire is vigorous, people often feel irritable. Those with spleen-stomach disharmony frequently experience lethargy, cold hands and feet, and occasional diarrhea during this season.
Two Highly Effective Methods for Nourishing the Spleen and Stomach
1. Tea Therapy for Nourishing the Spleen and Stomach
Tea therapy offers unique advantages in regulating stomach ailments. It employs the principle of "warming the cold, cooling the heat, tonifying the deficiency, and purging the excess" to adjust the patient's constitution. Based on the concept that "unblocking leads to relief," it regulates qi, promotes blood circulation, harmonizes the stomach, and alleviates pain, thereby addressing the root cause.As the saying goes, "Gastric ailments are treated one-third by medicine and seven-tenths by nourishment." Tea therapy stands as one of the most accessible methods for regulating the spleen and stomach.
Tea therapy offers gentle, sustained effects. Ancient Chinese medicine long held tea as "a remedy for myriad ailments." Beyond tea's general health benefits, it possesses unique medicinal properties. Strategically selecting various tea ingredients yields potent therapeutic results.
While possessing medicinal properties akin to other drugs, tea therapy differs significantly—particularly in enhancing physical constitution, treating minor ailments and chronic conditions, and preventing major diseases. Medicinal teas, brewed from extracts of Chinese herbal ingredients and substituted for daily beverages, directly target pathological areas. Rooted in traditional Chinese medical theory, its health-preserving mechanisms resemble those of other herbal medicines.
Tea therapy involves regulating the body or treating specific ailments through tea consumption. By infusing tea with bio-extracted medicinal herbs, one brews a fragrant medicinal tea tailored to particular conditions. This helps alleviate discomfort, strengthen the body, and maintain vitality—achieving wellness benefits without significant time investment.
(Coarse, fine, or refined salt may be used.) First, dissolve the salt in boiling water. Once dissolved, add a small amount of cooled boiled water to create a "warm salt solution" for consumption.
2. Salt offers remarkable benefits for the spleen and stomach!
1. Cleansing stomach fluids
Drink one cup of diluted salt water on an empty stomach in the morning. This not only clears stomach fire, eliminates bad breath, and removes bitter or bland tastes in the mouth, but also enhances digestive function, boosts appetite, and clears internal heat in the intestines.
2. Treating Liver Qi Stagnation and Gastric Pain
Liver qi stagnation causing stomach pain is a common symptom among gastric patients. A warm compress using salt and fennel can be applied. Method: Crush 31 grams of coarse salt and 16 grams of fennel seeds.Add one bowl of coarse salt (approximately 400–500 grams). Heat all ingredients together in a pan until warm, then transfer to a cloth bag. Wrap the bag in a towel and apply it while hot to the stomach and back areas. This helps relax spasms in the stomach, promoting smooth flow of stomach qi and effectively alleviating gastric discomfort.