What is spleen deficiency? TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment method

Spleen deficiency is a state of unhealthy body. In life, there are many factors that lead to spleen deficiency. So, what is spleen deficiency? How does traditional Chinese medicine treat spleen deficiency?

What is spleen deficiency?

Spleen deficiency is a term in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It refers to a series of pathological phenomena and symptoms of spleen physiological dysfunction caused by spleen deficiency. It includes syndromes such as spleen qi deficiency, spleen yang deficiency, sinking of middle qi, and spleen failure to regulate blood. It is mostly caused by eating disorders, improper work and rest, or long-term illness and physical weakness. The spleen has the functions of transporting and transforming nutrients in food, distributing fluids, and controlling blood. Spleen deficiency will lead to abnormal transportation and transformation, nutritional disorders, failure of water distribution to produce dampness and phlegm, or blood loss.

TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment method for spleen deficiency:

1. Vomiting due to spleen deficiency

Symptoms: Vomiting is easy to occur if eating carelessly, and the vomiting comes and goes, poor appetite, difficulty in digesting food, abdominal distension, bland mouth without thirst, pale face, fatigue, pale tongue, thin white fur, and weak pulse. Vomiting due to spleen deficiency is caused by spleen weakness and upward flow of stomach qi. Treatment principle: Strengthen the spleen and stomach and stop vomiting. Main prescription: Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction with modifications.

2. Diarrhea due to spleen deficiency

Symptoms: loose stools or diarrhea, prolonged and recurrent symptoms, indigestion, decreased appetite, abdominal distension and discomfort after eating, increased frequency of bowel movements after eating greasy food, sallow complexion, fatigue, pale tongue with white coating, and weak pulse. Diarrhea due to spleen deficiency is caused by spleen deficiency and dysfunction, which leads to dampness in the intestines. Treatment principle: Strengthen the spleen, drain dampness and stop diarrhea. Main formula: Shenling Baizhu powder with modifications.

3. Edema due to spleen deficiency

Symptoms: body swelling, with areas below the waist that are sunken and difficult to recover when pressed, abdominal distension, decreased appetite, sallow complexion, fatigue, cold limbs, scanty urination, pale tongue, white and slippery tongue coating, and a deep and slow pulse. Spleen deficiency edema is caused by water retention in the spleen, which overflows into the skin. Treatment principle: Warm the spleen, promote diuresis and reduce swelling. Main prescription: Shipiyin with modifications.