A Brief Discussion on the Treatment of Gastric Pain, July 20, 1978

A Brief Discussion on the Treatment of Gastric Pain, July 20, 1978

The treatment methods for epigastric pain have been discussed many times before. Now, reviewing the medical records of Ye Xichun, we find that for this condition, he often adds three herbs—Sheng Yiren, Hongteng, and Pugongying. The condition for adding these three herbs is not necessarily the traditional presence of heat signs; even patients with a predominantly deficient-cold constitution can benefit. The indication is a long disease course with acute exacerbations. Huang Wendong, director of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, treats this condition and believes that burning pain in the epigastric region is not always a heat syndrome. Acid regurgitation accompanied by a burning sensation is often caused by excessive gastric acid. If there is also overall deficiency-cold, white peony and calcined oyster shell can be added to warming and dispelling-cold formulas. Huang's treatment often involves using Muxiang and Xiangfu together, with Yanhusuo and Chuanlianzǐ added for rib and flank pain. For long-standing pain, he consistently adds Danggui, Chishao, and Honghua. When the tongue is slightly yellow and greasy, and there is abdominal distension, he adds Pingweisan, Huoxiang, and Peilan. In addition, Huang's treatment of this condition often includes using Qingchenpi and Chibai Shao together, which is a characteristic of his medication regimen. This experience overlaps with the medication rules of my mentor, Old Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Mao Youfeng. Qin Bowei's "Clinical Notes" states that when encountering cold, one should use Houpu Wenzhong Tang with Liangfu Wan for warmth and pressure relief. For those who already have stomach cold and it flares up in the wind, they can take cinnamon powder orally, 1 gram each time. For stomach bloating, pain, and chest tightness accompanied by abdominal distension, use Xiangsha Zhishu Wan, and for severe cases, add Chenxiang. Qin also believes that there is another type of stomach heat pain, where the pain resists pressure and the tongue is yellow and greasy. In such cases, use Qingzhong Yin, Huanglian, Shan Zhi, Erchen Tang, and Caodoukou.