Stomach Deficient and Cold

This pattern is affiliated with eating habits; for example vegetarians who primarily eat cold and raw foods. The main cause is malnourishment and lack of protein, but it can also be caused by excessive consumption of cold drinks, ice-cream, salads, fruit and iced drinks. Symptoms: Discomfort in the epigastrium which is worse after bowel movements, […]

Stomach Yin Deficiency

This pattern is affiliated with diabetes mellitus, chronic gastritis and gastritis neurosis. It is caused by irregular eating habits: eating late, skipping meals, having a sandwich for lunch while rushing around; eating while working; stressful business lunches; worrying while eating, and going straight back to work immediately after a meal. These behaviours weaken stomach yin, […]

Stomach Fire

This pattern is affiliated with heartburn and gastric ulcer and is a combination of the wrong foods, stress and strong emotions; excessive consumption of hot (this is an energetic quality not actual temperature) foods; smoking, overwork, juggling too many projects at the same time; sleep deprivation, lack of rest, anger, frustration, jealousy and worry. These […]

Cold Invading the Stomach

This pattern is affiliated with severe stomach pain; a cramping or stabbing pain that can make you double-up and vomit clear fluids. One cause is weather (when exterior cold invades the stomach) or the excessive consumption of cold foods and iced drinks. Symptoms: Sudden pain in the epigastrium, feeling cold, nausea, preference for warm drinks, […]

Lung Chi Deficiency

This pattern is affiliated with immunity and commonly results from a sedentary lifestyle and prolonged hunching over desks or devices, which constricts your breathing. It is also affiliated with the misuse of antibiotics (if taken for a cold, for example, they can lock the cold in the chest). These things create lung chi deficiency which […]

Stomach Chi Rebelling Upwards

This pattern is affiliated with sudden vomiting, hiccups and belching and is caused by eating in a rush; eating while working, and eating while standing or walking around. This pattern can also be caused by emotional problems such as anxiety and worry which interfere with the descending of stomach chi, causing it to rebel upwards […]

Lung Yin Deficiency

This pattern is a drying of the lungs and is connected to a deficiency of bodily fluids. Lungs and kidneys work together to provide vitality and strength, but also a calm mind and mental health. So lung yin deficiency can develop into lifestyle diseases such as dementia, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Lung yin […]

Retention of Food in the Stomach

This pattern is affiliated with binge eating, and caused by overeating, eating too quickly (as a habit), eating in a hurry because you are pressed for time; worrying while eating, or eating too close to bedtime or having a heavy meal right before bed. It can also be caused by food that is too rich […]

Invasion of Lungs by Wind Cold

This pattern is the common cold. In Chinese medicine it is due weakness of the body’s chi in relation to pathogenic factors such as exposure to wind and cold. This pattern can also be caused by too-cold air-conditioning weakening the body’s chi; or activities such as working out inside and then going outside into cool, […]

Stasis of Blood in the Stomach

This pattern develops over a long period of time due to heartburn, gastric ulcer, regular binge eating; constantly eating in a hurry or while working; difficulty in managing stress, anger and frustration; ongoing resentment; constant financial pressure causing intense worry; unresolved emotions such as bitterness about your life, and constantly criticising, arguing and quarrelling with […]