TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Diseases of the Abdomen in General

Crooke, Mikrokosmographia, 1618

Abdominal Swelling & Pain

Western Tradition

TCM Classification

Qi Stagnation

swollen abdomen, pain in the hypochondria, poor appetite, abdominal distension, belching, flatulence, irritability, emotional, scanty urine
Bai Zhu Shao Yao San
Chai Hu Shu Gan
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Ping Wei San
Chen Xiang Jiang Qi Tang

Cold Spleen and Stomach

swollen abdomen, no appetite, nausea, heavy head and body, aversion to cold, edema, scanty urine, loose stools
Liang Fu Wan
Li Zhong Wan
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Wen Pi Tang
Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang

Spleen Qi Deficiency with Damp

poor appetite, nausea, fatigue, pale tongue with a moist coat, low pulse
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Damp Heat

swollen distended abdomen, epigastric and/or abdominal pain, bitter taste, flushing, feverish, thirst, dry mouth, high colored urine, constipation or diarrhea.
Lian Po Yin
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Da Cheng Qi Tang

Blood Stasis

hard distended abdomen, abdominal and hypochondriac pain, dark complexion, dark rings under the eyes, dry scaly skin, easy bruising, purple nails and lips, choppy pulse
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Dan Shen Yin

Yang Deficiency

epigastric discomfort, swollen distended abdomen, poor appetite, pale complexion, lethargy, fatigue, feels the cold, general edema, scanty urine, maybe diarrhea
Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Shen Qi Wan (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) (Rehmannia 8)
Wu Ling San
Wen Pi Tang

Yin Deficiency

chronic hard distended abdomen, dark complexion, dry mouth, emaciation, irritable, sensation of heat in palms and soles, night sweats, scanty urine
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Yi Guan Jian

Abdominal Masses

Abdominal Tumors and Masses–Blood Stagnation

Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca) (Mesue)
Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minor) (Mesue)
Cowrie Ash 6 (Mgron thal drug pa)
Cowrie Ash 8 (‘Gron thal brgyad pa)

Liver Qi Stagnation

Acute formation of masses that may come and go, hypochondriac distention, poor appetite, stress or emotional
Xiao Yao San
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Food Stagnation with Phlegm

swollen or painful abdomen, constipation, poor appetite, bad breath, hard and palpable mass in the abdomen, coated tongue
Bao He Wan
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San
Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan

Damp Accumulation

hard abdominal mass, painful abdominal, dull complexion, weight loss, no appetite, fatigue, emaciation, coated tongue
Er Chen Tang
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Blood Stasis

chronic palpable mass, soft on the surface becoming harder as it gets bigger, becoming painful, swelling and pain, alternating hot and cold, aching body, poor digestion and appetite, weight loss, dull complexion, purple lips and nails
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang + Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

Prolapse, Intestinal, Anal

Prolapse

‘Take Pomegranate bark, Myrrh, inner rinds of Acorns (or, chestnuts), Rose, burnt horn, Alum of Yemen, nails of Goats, Pomegranate blossoms (unopened) and nails of Fowls. Take equal parts, thoroughly boil them together in water until their virtue has come out. Then give as an enema, tepid.’ (Avicenna)

In East and West, a cup applied to the Navel has been used to tighten and draw upwards in prolapses.

Qi Deficiency, Sinking Of Qi

Low energy, dragging feeling in the lower abdomen, weak pulse, poor digestion
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Jian Pi Wan (with Food Stagnation)
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

Internal Coldness, Yang Deficiency

Feeling of coldness in lower body, cold feet, pale face, low or deep pulse, copious pale urine.
Li Zhong Wan
Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

Special Formula

TO CLEANSE THE GUTS

Fenugreek meal ½ oz.
Boil in a pint of water briefly, strain out the clear water and add an ounce of Honey.
Give to drink warm. (Brunschwig, 1561)

TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Diseases of the Abdomen in General

Abdominal Swelling & Pain

Western Tradition

Abdominal Distention and Swelling from Obstruction (Qi Stagnation)

Abdominal Swelling from Cold

Abdominal Swelling, Distention and Pain from Deficiency

Abdominal Pain from Cold

Abdominal Pain from Heat

Abdominal Pain from Wind

Abdominal Pain from Blood Stagnation

TCM Classification

Qi Stagnation

Cold Spleen and Stomach

Spleen Qi Deficiency with Damp

Damp Heat

Blood Stasis

Yang Deficiency

Yin Deficiency

Abdominal Masses

Abdominal Tumors and Masses–Blood Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation

Food Stagnation with Phlegm

Damp Accumulation

Blood Stasis

Prolapse, Intestinal, Anal

Prolapse

Qi Deficiency, Sinking Of Qi

Internal Coldness, Yang Deficiency

Special Formula