Indigestion

消化不良

Discomfort or impaired digestion after eating.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Dyspepsia, Upset digestion, Poor digestion, Digestive discomfort after eating, Hard to digest
Common Symptoms	Discomfort after eating such as fullness, heaviness, belching or a prolonged sense that food is sitting in the stomach. Appetite may drop for the next meal, and stools can become irregular. Symptoms often relate to meal size, speed of eating or food type.
Related TCM Patterns	Food Stagnation · Qi Stagnation · Spleen Qi Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang · Yue Ju Wan · Bao He Wan · Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan · Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan

Indigestion in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, indigestion may be associated with food stagnation, Qi stagnation or Spleen Qi deficiency. Differentiation looks at whether there is sour regurgitation and foul belching, emotional constraint with rib-side distension, or chronic poor appetite with loose stools. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern distinctions rather than to post-meal discomfort alone. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Indigestion

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
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
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.	Yue Ju 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