Understanding Gastritis: A Chinese and Western Medicine Perspective

A Natural Approach to Healing the Stomach

Gastritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-lasting), and may lead to symptoms such as burning pain, nausea, and indigestion. Left untreated, it may increase the risk of ulcers or, in rare cases, stomach cancer.While Western medicine often treats gastritis with antacids, acid blockers, antibiotics (for H. pylori), and dietary changes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a holistic, gentle approach that seeks to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of the digestive imbalance.

🔹 What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Burning or gnawing stomach pain

Nausea or vomiting

Bloating, belching, or early satiety (feeling full quickly)Loss of appetite

Acid reflux or sour taste in the mouth

In some cases, blood in vomit or stools (medical emergency)

Common causes include H. pylori infection, excessive NSAID use, alcohol, stress, spicy or acidic foods, and autoimmune reactions.

🔹 How TCM Understands Gastritis

In Chinese medicine, gastritis is typically understood as a disharmony of the Stomach and Spleen, often involving Heat, Dampness, Cold, or stagnation. The key patterns seen in gastritis include:

Stomach Heat or Fire → Burning pain, bad breath, dry mouth, thirst, red tongue with yellow coating

Food Stagnation → Bloating, belching, foul-smelling gas, poor appetite, thick tongue coating

Liver overacting on the Stomach (Liver Qi Stagnation) → Stress-related symptoms, pain triggered by emotions, sighing, irritability

Spleen Qi Deficiency → Fatigue, loose stools, poor appetite, pale tongue, and cold limbs

Stomach Cold → Dull pain relieved by warmth or food, sensitivity to cold, watery stool

TCM treatment focuses on balancing digestion, promoting Qi flow, clearing excess Heat or Cold, and strengthening the Stomach and Spleen.

🌿 TCM Treatments for Gastritis

✅ Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps:

Regulate the digestive system

Reduce stomach inflammation and pain

Calm emotional stress affecting digestion

Promote better appetite, absorption, and metabolism

✅ Herbal Medicine

Herbal formulas are customized to the patient’s specific pattern. They may:

Clear Stomach Heat

Resolve food stagnation and bloating

Tonify Spleen Qi and improve digestion

Soothe Liver Qi to reduce stress-related symptoms

✅ Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations

In TCM, food and emotion are deeply connected to digestion. We offer guidance to:

Avoid spicy, greasy, raw, and cold foods

Eat regular, warm, cooked meals

Chew slowly and eat mindfully

Avoid eating under stress or emotional disturbance

Maintain proper sleep and activity balance

✅ ZiQia Self-Consistent Medicine System

At our clinic, we use the ZiQia System developed by Dr. Pan Xiaochuan. This system uses pulse-based diagnosis and individualized herbal prescriptions, often with morning and evening formulas tailored to different phases of digestion and symptom cycles. It provides both symptom relief and long-term regulation of Stomach health.

💬 Healing the Stomach from Within

Gastritis is more than just inflammation—it’s a signal from the body that the digestive system needs care and rebalancing. Chinese medicine offers a safe, natural, and deeply restorative path to reduce symptoms, support healing, and prevent recurrence.Whether you're managing chronic gastritis, recovering from H. pylori, or looking for an alternative to medication, we’re here to help—gently and holistically.