Bloating

腹脹 / 腹胀

Abdominal fullness or distension, often after meals.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Abdominal bloating, Gas and bloating, Distended abdomen, Feeling full and bloated, Belly distension
Common Symptoms	A sense of fullness, tightness or visible distension in the abdomen. It often appears after meals, may come with belching, gas or a heavy, uncomfortable feeling, and can ease after passing stool or wind. Appetite and bowel regularity may also be affected.
Related TCM Patterns	Qi Stagnation · Dampness · Food Stagnation · Spleen Qi Deficiency · Stomach Heat · Blood Stasis
Related Classical Formulas	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang · Liu Jun Zi Tang · Shen Ling Bai Zhu San · Chai Hu Shu Gan San · Yue Ju Wan · Si Ni San · Da Cheng Qi Tang · Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang · Wei Ling Tang · Ping Wei San · Bao He Wan · Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San · Xiao Cheng Qi Tang · Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan · Wu Pi Yin · Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan · Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang · Tong Xie Yao Fang · Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang · Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang · Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang · Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang · Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan

Bloating in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bloating is understood through pattern differentiation rather than as a single digestive complaint. The same distension may be associated with dampness, Qi stagnation, Spleen Qi deficiency, Stomach Heat, Blood stasis or food stagnation. Differentiation looks at whether the bloating is soft or firm, better after movement or worse with pressure, whether there is a greasy tongue coating, emotional constraint, constipation or undigested food in the stool. The classical tradition matches formulas to these broader patterns, not to bloating alone.

TCM Patterns Associated With Bloating

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Chai Hu Shu Gan San Yue Ju Wan Si Ni San Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang Tong Xie Yao Fang Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan
Dampness濕阻證Damp Patterns	A heavy, sluggish body feeling, abdominal fullness, sticky sensation in the mouth, and reduced appetite. Stools may be sticky or incomplete, and the person often feels worse in humid weather. There can be oedema of the limbs or a greasy facial sheen. Tongue with a thick greasy white coating; pulse soft or slippery.	Wei Ling Tang Ping Wei San Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San Wu Pi Yin Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Food Stagnation食積證Stagnation Patterns	Epigastric or abdominal fullness and distension after eating, foul belching or sour regurgitation, and reduced appetite for the next meal. Stools may be foul-smelling or sticky, and the person often feels better after vomiting or passing stool. Symptoms clearly relate to overeating or irregular meals. Tongue with a thick greasy coating; pulse slippery.	Bao He Wan Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Spleen Qi Deficiency脾氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Poor appetite, loose or unformed stools, fatigue that worsens after meals, a pale or sallow complexion, and a soft or low voice. There may be abdominal fullness after eating, easy bruising, or a tendency toward thin white phlegm. The person often feels better with rest and simple warm food. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Liu Jun Zi Tang Shen Ling Bai Zhu San Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang
Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns	Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid.	Da Cheng Qi Tang Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang