Tongue: thick-sticky coating in the centre and root which could be white or yellow.
Pulse: Slippery.
This condition is very simply due to accumulation of undigested food in the stomach. This can
result either from over-eating or from deficient Stomach-Qi being unable to make food descend.
The accumulation of undigested food in the Stomach causes the dull pain and characteristic
feeling of distension and fullness. Undigested food obstructs the Stomach and prevents
stomach-Qi from descending: this causes belching, sour regurgitation, nausea and vomiting. The
fact that vomiting relieves the pain indicates that the obstruction in the Stomach is of a
substantial nature, i.e. accumulated undigested food. When the obstruction is of a non-substantial
nature, such as stagnation of Qi, then the pain is not relieved by vomiting.
Whether there is constipation or loose stools depends on the relative strength of Spleen and
Stomach. If the Spleen is deficient, the accumulated food in the Stomach prevents the Spleen
from transforming food essences properly and this results in loose stools. If Spleen-Qi is
relatively strong, then constipation may result from Stomach-Qi not descending and not moving
the digestate downwards towards the Intestines.
The thick and sticky tongue coating in the centre and root reflects the accumulation of
undigested food in the Stomach and Intestines. It will be white if there is Cold and yellow if
there is Heat. The Slippery pulse reflects the accumulation of undigested food in the Stomach.
Treatment Principle
Dissolve accumulation, eliminate stagnation and restore the descending of Stomach-Qi.
Acupuncture
General Prescription
Ren-13 Shangwan, Ren-10 Xiawan, ST-21 Liangmen, ST-20 Chengman, ST-44 Neiting, ST-45
Lidui, SP-4 Gongsun, P-6 Neiguan, ST-25 Tianshu. Reducing or even method.
Explanation
- Ren-13 subdues rebellious Qi and relieves belching, sour regurgitation, nausea and
vomiting. - Ren-10 stimulates the descending of Stomach-Qi.