What is the method of TCM to treat esophageal reflux?

Many people suffer from esophageal reflux problems, so they naturally need to understand some effective treatments and improvement methods. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is a relatively effective way, but it must be symptomatic. Chinese medicines such as Bupleurum and White Peony Root are usually used.

1. Emotional distress syndrome

Symptoms include pain or burning sensation behind the sternum, which is often triggered or aggravated by emotional distress, as well as bloating and pain in the stomach and flanks, acid reflux, and loss of appetite. The treatment adopts the method of soothing the liver and regulating qi, harmonizing the stomach and relieving counterflow. The prescription is: 6 grams of bupleurum, 15 grams of white peony root, 15 grams of cuttlefish bone, 10 grams each of turmeric, Corydalis, processed Cyperus rotundus, Sophora flavescens, Pinellia, and Citrus aurantium, and 5 grams of liquorice.

2. Liver depression-heat syndrome

Symptoms include pain behind the sternum or burning pain, acid reflux and belching, irritability, hot head and face, dry and bitter mouth, polydipsia, dry and hard stools, and red tongue. The treatment method of soothing the liver and clearing heat, harmonizing the stomach and relieving counterflow can be adopted. The prescription is: 10 grams each of moutan bark, gardenia, rhubarb, pollen, white peony root, 6 grams of bupleurum, 20 grams each of raw rehmannia root, 30 grams of stone cassia, and 12 grams of bamboo shavings.

3. Spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome

Symptoms include a dull burning sensation under the xiphoid process or behind the sternum, fullness in the stomach, loss of appetite, acid reflux or vomiting of clear water, and irregular bowel movements. The treatment adopts the formula of invigorating the spleen and regulating qi, warming the stomach and relieving counterflow: 3 grams of cloves, 20 grams of persimmon calyx, 10 grams each of Atractylodes macrocephala, Corydalis yanhusuo, and ginger, 15 grams each of Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, and Sophora flavescens, and 12 grams of Pinellia ternata.

4. Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome

Symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, pain behind the sternum, fatigue, dull complexion, emaciation, pale tongue, and petechiae on the edges of the tongue. The treatment method is to invigorate qi and nourish yin, resolve blood stasis and disperse nodules. The prescription is: 20 grams each of salvia miltiorrhiza, Poria cocos, and Pseudostellaria baicalensis, 15 grams of Fritillaria thunbergii, 15 grams each of lotus leaves and stalks, 12 grams each of Angelica sinensis and Curcuma aromatica, 3 grams of Panax notoginseng powder, 10 grams of peach kernel, and 10 grams of Corydalis yanhusuo.

5. Spleen deficiency and stomach heat syndrome

Symptoms include burning sensation under the xiphoid process, dull pain and fullness in the stomach, poor appetite, acid reflux, vomiting of clear water, belching, etc. The treatment method is to strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, clear the stomach and reduce counterflow. The prescription is: 10 grams each of Codonopsis pilosula, Pinellia ternata, Scutellaria baicalensis, Corydalis yanhusuo, and jujube, 5 grams each of dried ginger, Coptis chinensis, and roasted licorice, 20 grams of cuttlefish bone, and 15 grams of Poria cocos.

Patients with reflux esophagitis should try to maintain an upright position or keep their torso upright after meals. They should also pay attention to reducing abdominal pressure, avoid strenuous activities, and not wear tight clothes or belts. Drink less hot tea or beverages before going to bed, quit smoking, and limit alcohol, acidic and irritating foods, as well as sugar, chocolate, coffee and other foods.