In general, gastrointestinal ailments involve different degrees of upper abdominal pain. Chinese medicine categories this as part of stomach disease, and reckoned that gastrointestinal ailments are caused by exposure to cold air on the stomach, eating and drinking habits, as well as energy from liver damaging gastric functions. From this diagnosis, they would prescreen the appropriate treatment.

(A) Liver energy that hurts the stomach

It is usually manifested as dilation of the stomach, and can be caused by emotional reasons. Sini Powder is used to soothe the liver and regulates energy.

(B) Exposure to cold that harms the stomach

It is usually seen as cold pains on the upper abdomen, and the pain subsides as temperature rises, and increase as temperature drops. Treatment is focused on gaining warmth and expelling cold. Galangale soup is prescribed to treat this ailment.

(C) Harm to the stomach gue to eating and drinking habits

Symptoms displayed are swelling of the stomach cavity, belching of stomach acids, or vomiting undigested food. Baohe pills are prescribed to aid digestion and clear stagnation.

(D) There is not enough stomach-yin for nourishment

Long-term illness hurts the spleen and stomach. Displayed symptoms include blistering pain of stomach cavity, dryness of mouth and throat, little intake of food, dry stools. Yangyin-yiwei decoction is prescribed to reduce the symptoms.

(E) Cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach

Recurrence of gastritis, vomiting of clear fluids, lack of strength and energy, infrequency of excretory stolls. Treatment is focused on strengthening the spleen and reducing pain in a warm setting. Astragalus soup is prescribed to heal this ailment.

(F) Stagnation and stasis of blood

When having gastrointestinal ailments, the pain is sustained at a fixed location. If it is as prickling pain, then it is classified as stagnation of blood. Treatment is focused on reducing pain, invigorating blood to remove extraverted blood. Shixiao powder is prescribed to this condition.

(G) Damp heat obstructing the middle passage

Displayed symptoms include burning sensation of stomach cavity, sticky and bitter mouth, and yellowish urine. Qingzhong decoction is prescribed to clear heat and expel dampness, as well as regulate stomach function and energy.

DIETOTHERAPY FOR GASTROINTESTINAL AILMENTS

(I) 3-5 slices of fresh ginger, moderate amounts of brown sugar; immerse ingredients in hot water ans consume. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments caused by exposure to colds.

(II) 1g of pepper, 3 stalks of fiveleaf gynostemma herb, 3-5slices of ginger. Boil the fiveleaf gynowstemma herb and ginger for a while then add pepper to the concoction and consume the soup when warm. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments caused by colds.

(III) Add water to 65g of honey, stir and consumes with an empty stomach. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments due to secretion of too much gastric acid.

(IV) Prepare 250g of fresh mutton, cut them into cubes and cook till soft; then add polished round-grained rice and make porridge. Consume 2 servings a day, it can treat gastrointestinal ailments related to cold vacuity of the stomach. (V) 100g of polished round-grained rice, 25g of pork floss; cook polished rice into porridge form, add pork floss and stir evenly. Consume when it’s hot. Useful treating gastrointestinal ailments related to cold vacuity of the spleen and stomach.

(VI) Boil 20g of bergamot orange and remove residue, place 100g of polished rice in water and cook into porridge form. Add the Bergamot orange extract and cook for a while before consumptions. It is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments related to liver energy that hurts the stomach.

(VII) 30-60g of cactus, 1 pig’s stomach. Stuff cactus into pig’s stomach, and put all ingredients in a pot with appropriate amounts of water. Cook with a slow fire till contents are mashed form. Drinking the soup and eating the pig’s stomach helps to treat patients who experience stagnation of vital energy flow and blood stasis, as well as those who suffer from chronic gastrointestinal ailments.