Digestive disorders are among the most common health problems today. Bloating, fatigue after eating, heartburn or irregular stools are plaguing more and more people. While Western medicine often looks for the cause in specific organs or foods, Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches these problems quite differently - as a result of a disturbed energy balance in the body. The digestive system is not just about the physical processing of food, but is closely related to the psyche, lifestyle and climate.
This article will introduce you to the basic Chinese medicine view of digestion, the most common causes of disorders and typical diagnoses. It will also offer practical advice on how to support the digestive system naturally and restore harmony to the body and mind.
Basics of digestion in traditional Chinese medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, proper digestion is considered one of the fundamental pillars of health. The digestive system is seen not only as a physical process of processing food, but as a complex functional unit that is closely linked to the overall life energy of qi, the balance of yin and yang and the harmonious relationship between the various organs. According to the five element theory, the digestive system is assigned to the Earth element. Earth symbolizes stability, nourishment and the center of the body - it ensures harmony between the other elements and maintains physical and mental balance. The spleen and stomach play a key role in this system, referred to as the "postnatal foundation of life" because they ensure the production of qi and blood from the food and fluids received. The spleen and stomach are the pair responsible for transforming food into essential substances and transporting them throughout the body. The stomach receives and breaks down food, while the spleen provides further processing and distribution of the acquired nutrition.
Causes of digestive problems according to traditional Chinese medicine
According to traditional Chinese medicine, digestive problems often arise due to a disturbance of the body's internal balance. The main causes include emotions, inappropriate diet, weakened qi and congestion of the organs. Over-thinking, worry and stress weaken the spleen and disrupt the flow of qi, leading to bloating, fatigue and indigestion. Cold, raw or heavy food and irregular eating burden the spleen and stomach, slowing digestion and causing dampness to form. External factors such as cold, damp or heat enter the body and disrupt the function of the digestive organs, which can lead to diarrhoea, bloating or heartburn. Prolonged strain on the body reduces vital energy, which manifests itself as fatigue, poor digestion and loose stools. Overeating and an unhealthy lifestyle can cause food stagnation and overheating of the stomach, leading to acute and chronic problems.
Typical digestive disorders and manifestations
Traditional Chinese medicine understands digestive problems as the result of an imbalance between the various organs and energetic principles. The most common are damp heat, spleen deficiency with stagnation of dampness, stagnant liver qi, and kidney yin deficiency.
Humid heat. According to Chinese medicine, dampness in the body is caused by poor spleen function. The spleen is weakened most by improper diet, excessive worry, overwork or mental fatigue. A weakened spleen cannot process food and fluids properly, and as a result, it can accumulate so-called "cloudy dampness" that seeps into the lower part of the body. This accumulated waste moisture then prevents the free flow of qi energy, resulting in stagnation, which later causes heat - the result is a state of damp heat. Examples of damp heat are then inflammation, stones in the digestive tract, but it is also related to other systems and their problems (kidneys, heart, blood vessels, joints, skin).
Insufficiency of the spleen with stagnation of moisture. The spleen becomes exhausted and weakened by increased stress, worry and overthinking, excessive consumption of sweet foods and cold foods. Thus, a weakened spleen cannot process food properly. The consequence is the accumulation of fluid or stagnation of harmful moisture. The accumulated moisture "extinguishes" the natural physiological fire of the spleen. A vicious circle is created where the spleen is too weak to evaporate the moisture using physiological fire and energy, and at the same time the stagnant moisture prevents the spleen from being able to regenerate and replenish its qi and yang energy. The condition represents a deficiency at the spleen level and an excess of moisture. Examples of spleen deficiency with stagnation of moisture are excessive fatigue, sleepiness, exhaustion, inefficiency (mental and physical), non-specific digestive disorders (feeling heavy after eating, softer stools, bloating, flatulence...), gluten allergy or intolerance, lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy.
The stagnant liver qi turns hot and oppresses the spleen and stomach. Any excessive or prolonged emotion can lead to blockage of liver energy and emotional stress is also the most common cause of blockage of liver qi. Anger, frustration, feeling helpless or stuck, which also manifests itself as a lump in the throat or pressure in the chest and lower rib cage, as well as overeating and intake of hard-to-digest foods leads to stagnation of food in the stomach and intestines, followed by stagnation of liver qi. The stagnant liver qi turns hot over time and one feels like a "pap".
Insufficiency of the kidney yin. The kidneys are the reservoir of our energy and it is true that we are only as strong and old as our kidneys. Hectic living leads to faster burnout (burning your candle, with the wax here representing the yin of the kidneys). The yang fire of life of the kidneys is the source of nutrients for the fire of the spleen and stomach, which in turn store all the nutrients produced by this burning back as fuel in the yin reserves of the kidneys. The function of the stomach and intestines, however, begins to weaken after the age of 40, leading to a weakening and deficiency of the kidney yin, which manifests as premature aging, dry and wrinkled skin, sagging and stooping, premature graying or hair loss, periodontal disease, decreased sexual performance, and a slowed and clouded mind. When the spleen is healthy and strong, it produces an excess of qi energy and blood, which is converted into essence stored in the kidneys. Therefore, when the spleen is weak and the kidneys are deficient in yin, the proper functioning of the so-called middle fire, i.e., the spleen and the stomach, must first be ensured, and therefore the therapy for kidney insufficiency is also based on the therapy of the spleen at the same time.
How to support digestion according to traditional Chinese medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, the emphasis is on prevention and harmonization of the overall energy flow of the body. This means that to ensure optimal digestion and overall health, it is important not only to treat symptoms, but also to adjust lifestyle, diet and emotional state. The following tips can help you support your digestive system and restore balance in the body.
Pay attention to the regularity of eating. A regular eating rhythm is crucial for the proper functioning of the digestive system. It is recommended to eat at the same time every day so that the body can efficiently use the energy taken in from food. The body is most active in the morning when digestion is strongest. In the evening, on the other hand, it is advisable to eat lighter meals so that the stomach has time to rest before sleep.
Choose the right foods. To achieve balance in the digestive system, the diet should be in accordance with the season and energy type of the individual. In summer, it is advisable to consume lighter, cooler foods, while in winter the diet should be richer, warm and nutritious. Cooked and warm foods are recommended to aid digestion and not overload the spleen, as opposed to raw and cold foods which can upset the balance and cause moisture stagnation. The basis of the diet should be nutritious and balanced foods such as cereals (rice, barley, oats), vegetables, easily digestible proteins (fish, poultry) and healthy fats (olive, sesame oil). An excess of heavy, fatty foods and sweets can weaken the spleen and lead to a buildup of moisture.
Support digestion with herbal remedies. In traditional Chinese medicine, there are many herbs that can promote digestion and restore balance in the body. For example, ginger is a powerful stimulant for the stomach and spleen, improving digestion and helping to relieve bloating. Sage helps with bloating and improves the movement of qi, which can be helpful for stagnation in the digestive system. However, herbal remedies are best taken under professional guidance, as each herb has a specific effect on the body and can be part of a broader therapeutic strategy.
Reduce stress and worry. Emotions play a key role in influencing the health of the digestive system. Stress, anxiety, frustration and excessive ruminating can weaken the spleen and impair its function. Therefore, in addition to a balanced diet and herbs, it is recommended to engage in activities that help release tension and calm the mind. Meditation, yoga, tai-chi, or simple walks in the fresh air can greatly help to harmonize the energy flows in the body and improve the overall health of the digestive system.
Traditional Chinese medicine views digestion as a reflection of the overall balance of body and mind. The health of the spleen and stomach depends not only on diet, but also on emotions, life rhythm and environment. By taking care of the "center of the body" we can prevent many ailments and support our vitality. Just listen to your body, eat consciously and live in harmony with yourself.
Mgr. Petra Strmisková
This article was published with the kind permission of of the magazine Sphere
casopis-sfera.cz / gnews.cz-HeK
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