Stomach Yin Deficiency
Hungry but with no wish to eat, mouth and throat drying out in the afternoon, and a dull burning at the pit of the stomach that never quite becomes pain.
In plain words
Hungry but with no wish to eat, mouth and throat drying out in the afternoon, and a dull burning at the pit of the stomach that never quite becomes pain.
A long fever, years of spice and alcohol, or simply the wear of age and of always eating in a hurry, dry up the juice the stomach needs to work. Without it the stomach is a pan left on the flame with no water: it heats emptily and it nags. That is why neither the hunger nor the thirst is solved by eating or drinking more.
Characteristic symptoms
- Hunger but no desire to eat, or poor appetite
- Dry mouth and throat, especially in the afternoon
- Dull, burning discomfort or pain in the epigastrium
- Dry hiccup or regurgitation without marked acidity
- Constipation with dry, pellet-like stools
- Sensation of heat in the palms, soles and chest (five centers heat)
- Nausea or gastric dryness without vomiting
- Dry tongue and thirst that is difficult to quench
Key clues to recognize it
- Red, dry tongue with no coating, or peeled in the center, sometimes cracked.
- Thirst taken in small frequent sips, not in whole glasses.
- Heat in the palms, soles and chest at the end of the day.
Tongue and pulse
- Tongue
- Red tongue with little or no coating, dry or with central cracks; cracks may appear in the center
- Pulse
- Thin (xì) and rapid, or thin and empty in the Stomach position
Treatment principle
Nourish Stomach Yin, moisten dryness and harmonize the descent of Qi
Common points
Reference formula
Yi Wei Tang (Nourish the Stomach Decoction) with Sha Shen and Mai Dong
What not to confuse it with
What aggravates it
- Spice, coffee and alcohol.
- Very late dinners and short nights.
- Eating in a hurry, standing up, or in the middle of an argument.
- Very dry rooms or heating turned high.
Lifestyle advice
Eat soft, moist and easily digestible foods: rice broth, tofu, honey, almond milk, pear, grapes, asparagus. Eat at regular times without rushing. Avoid very hot, spicy and dry foods. Drink fluids at room temperature or slightly warm, frequently and in small amounts.
When to see a doctor
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
