The Stomach Canal in Chinese Medicine



The Stomach meridian runs through our body anteriorly and laterally and its energetic direction is yang, from top to bottom.

The canal connects 45 energy points starting from under the eye and reaching the external nail end of the melluce, the second toe.

Traditional Chinese Medicine experts do not want this simplification, but it is always difficult to explain, outside of the technicalities, the characteristics of the meridians and their energy pathways and the purpose of this intervention is to illustrate to non-experts how it is structure a network of such subtle correlations.

On Chinese medicine manuals we will often find wordings such as E36 or ST36. "E" stands for Stomach - estomac in French, the language adopted to shorten the name of the reference organs, combined with the numbers of the powerful points of the meridians taken into consideration.

Traditional Chinese medicine: the points of the stomach meridian

The powerful points of the Stomach meridian are:

> ST1 (Container for Tears) and ST8 (Head Support) : they are indicated for the treatment of disorders involving the head and face, such as migraine, sinusitis, toothache, conjunctivitis, eye pain.

> ST21 (Porta dei Cereali), ST25 (Perno Celeste), ST29 (Regular Return) : respond to treatment for abdominal function imbalances, such as digestive difficulties, constipation, diarrhea, uterine prolapse, dysmenorrhea.

> ST36 (Tre Distanze del Basso) : very important point that serves for various disorders of functional imbalance of the abdominal organs, to strengthen the stomach meridian and for the energy flow of the blood, anemia, asthenia, insomnia.

> ST40 (Great Abundance) : energy point that helps stimulate concentration and rebalances the abdominal organs, due to depressive syndrome, epilepsy, vertigo.

> ST45 (Strict Exchange) : point with analgesic properties, useful for headaches, teeth and stomach, insomnia.

Also read Swelling of the stomach, causes and remedies >>

The Stomach in Chinese Medicine

" The stomach is the sea of ​​water and food and is the greatest source of nutrition for the six Fu organs. When the five flavors enter the mouth they accumulate in the stomach and then are transformed and transported through the Taiyin meridian of the foot (Spleen) to feed the five Fu organs ", " Spleen disorders cause acid regurgitation, stomach disorders cause a flow of contrary qi, hiccups and apprehension (exaggerated reflection ) "

This brief description taken from the text Su Wen, Classic Text of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor, illustrates us in a "simply complex" way the energetic functions of the Stomach, linked to our cerebral and emotional side and introduces the complementary element Spleen, which in Chinese medicine is directly related to the stomach in the Earth movement.

In the stomach an alchemical process of the alimentary bolus takes place : the noble part is brought to the Spleen to be distributed to the whole organism, with an energy, a qi, ascending; the other part is instead pushed towards the intestine, with a descending qi.

When the qi of the stomach, upward and downward, is reversed, discomfort is expressed like nausea, vomiting, swelling, belching.

Stomach Disorders in Chinese Medicine

In MTC 4 main syndromes of the unbalanced stomach are identified:

> Stomach Yin deficit : dull pain in the stomach, dryness of the oral cavity, regurgitation, constipation, lack of appetite. The causes can be a prolonged weight loss diet, incorrect nutrition. Stomach meridian points will be treated in toning to nourish the yin.

> Stomach Fire : burning, acidity, halitosis, constipation, thirst with desire for cold drinks, swollen gums. The causes can be a diet rich in spicy, fried foods, chocolate, alcohol. The points of the Stomach meridian and also Liver in dispersion will be treated to eliminate excess heat from the stomach.

> Stomach Cold : characterized by a pain that worsens with cold and improves with the ingestion of hot food. Sensation of cold in the arms and legs, absence of thirst and diarrhea. The causes are of various origins: external cold affecting the stomach, incorrect diet with too many cold foods, qi deficiency due to a disease. The points of the meridian must be treated to disperse the cold and the stomach must be heated.

> Undigested food in the stomach : feeling of fullness, regurgitation, belching, epigastrium pain, flatulence. It is necessary to promote digestion or expel food from the stomach. The points of the meridian of Stomach and large intestine in dispersion are treated .

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