Seeing many people receive gastroscopy reports and seeChronic Atrophic GastritisThese words, the first reaction is that the stomach lacks some nutrients or has accumulated dampness.
Then began to frantically supplement, eating all kinds ofStomach Nourishing Powder, Health Products for Repairing Gastric Mucosaor follow the old method of consumptionShenling Baizhu PowderDampness removal, the results showThe bloating and stomach pain have not improved at all, and even the acid reflux and heartburn have become more severe.
In fact, many people's atrophic gastritis,The root cause does not lie in "tonifying," but in "unblocking" and "dredging."There is a type of atrophic gastritis called liver depression and spleen deficiency type.
Liver qi stagnation and obstructed qi movement may only cause bloating in a few days, but if the stagnation persists for a long time, it will directly affect the production of qi and blood in the spleen and stomach, leading to atrophy of the gastric mucosa due to lack of nourishment.
The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi throughout the body, while the spleen and stomach are in charge of digestion and absorption. When a person experiences prolonged emotional suppression and tends to harbor resentment, the liver qi becomes obstructed and is unable to "knock on the door" to prompt the spleen and stomach to function. With no attention from the liver, the spleen and stomach become like an idle machine, operating increasingly slowly. Food residues and dampness accumulate in the stomach, and over time, the glands in the stomach wall begin to atrophy.
Modern people suffering from atrophic gastritis mostly cannot escape the vicious cycle of liver stagnation affecting the spleen.
To determine if it is this type of gastritis, you can look for two core signals.
One is the "blockage" in the bodyOften feeling chest tightness, with a dull pain inside the ribs on both sides, a tendency to sigh frequently, or experiencing stomach pain when emotions fluctuate—these are signs of liver stagnation sounding an alarm.
Second, the "deficiency" of the spleen and stomachEven though you haven't eaten much, your stomach feels uncomfortably bloated. Your stools are consistently loose or sticky, and you often feel exhausted, speaking with little energy. These are signs of spleen deficiency.
If these two types of situations occur simultaneously in you, it is highly likely thatAtrophic gastritis of liver depression and spleen deficiency type。
How can we solve it then
First we cannot simply focus on treating the stomach alone we need to regulate the liver and spleen as a whole
Now I will share a classic approach to regulation and conditioning. It is not a single proprietary Chinese medicine, but rather a set of formulation logic.
Shugan Jianpi Hewei Decoction (can refer to Chaihu Shugan Powder combined with Sijunzi Decoction with modifications):Bupleurum, Bitter Orange, White Peony Root, Dried Tangerine Peel, Codonopsis Root, White Atractylodes, Poria, Licorice Root, Salvia Root, Dandelion
This classic formula is a small expert specifically designed to deal with this kind of "mixed syndrome".
Among the prescriptions,Bupleurum, Bitter Orange, CyperusIt is the "iron triangle" for soothing the liver and regulating qi, specifically responsible for dispersing the pent-up energy stuck in the chest and stomach, unblocking the liver qi pathways, and promoting the flow of qi.
However, it is not enough to just soothe the liver; one must also strengthen the spleen.Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensisThis forms the foundation of the Four Gentlemen Decoction, a master at tonifying spleen qi. It can replenish the weakened digestive function caused by spleen and stomach deficiency, restoring the stomach's ability to digest food and repair damaged mucosa.
Considering that prolonged qi stagnation tends to transform into heat, there may beHelicobacter pylori or inflammationTherefore, the formula usually includesDandelionIt can clear heat and detoxify, dissipate inflammation in the stomach, and does not harm stomach qi.
Additionally, atrophic gastritis is often accompanied by poor blood circulation,Salvia miltiorrhizaThis medicine comes into play, as it can invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, improve the microcirculation of the gastric mucosa, and help the atrophied glands regain blood nourishment.
Its applicable scenarios are actually different from those of the simple Xiaoyao Wan or Xiangsha Liujun Wan.
Xiaoyao Pills focus on soothing the liver and are insufficient in strength for severe atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency; Xiangsha Liujun Pills focus on replenishing qi and may trap pathogens in patients with severe qi stagnation.
This liver-soothing and spleen-invigorating formula works by dispersing liver stagnation, invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi, as well as activating blood circulation and clearing heat.
Therefore, it is more suitable for patients with a long course of illness, significant emotional fluctuations, both distending pain and dull pain in the stomach, thick and greasy tongue coating, and tooth marks.
For example, those who experience prolonged work stress, juggle family responsibilities and career ambitions, tend to suppress anger, have an impatient temperament, suffer from recurring stomach issues, and after examination show no major ulcers but rather gastric mucosal atrophy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treats stomach diseases not only by focusing on the word "atrophy" in gastroscopy reports but also by assessing whether the overall qi flow in the body is smooth.
