How Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Digestive Health

Restore Balance – From Bloating to Bowel Movement

Digestive health is the foundation of overall well-being. If your digestion is off, it can affect everything from your energy levels to your sleep, skin condition, emotional state, and immunity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the digestive system is central to good health, governed primarily by the Spleen and Stomach organ systems.

At our clinic, we’ve helped many patients of all ages suffering from common digestive complaints such as:

• Bloating after meals

• Loose or frequent stools

• Constipation

• Irritable bowel and sensitivity

• Poor appetite or slow digestion

💡 TCM View of Digestion

In Chinese medicine, digestion is governed by the Spleen and Stomach. The Stomach is in charge of receiving and breaking down food, while the Spleen is responsible for transporting and transforming nutrients into Qi (vital energy) and Blood.

Common Imbalances We See:

1. Spleen Qi Deficiency – fatigue, bloating, loose stools, poor appetite.

2. Stomach Heat or Cold – nausea, reflux, foul breath, cravings, or aversion to food.

3. Liver overacting on Spleen – IBS-like symptoms, alternating constipation/diarrhoea, bloating worsened by stress.

4. Dampness – heaviness, thick tongue coating, sluggish digestion.

5. Yang Deficiency – chronic cold belly, water retention, very slow digestion.

6. Yin Deficiency – dry mouth, constipation, heartburn with little substance.

🌿 How We Help

1. Herbal Medicine

Our herbal formulas are customised based on your pattern diagnosis. We use gentle, natural herbs to strengthen digestion, regulate bowel movements, reduce bloating, clear Damp, or tonify Qi and Yin. Commonly used herbs include:

• Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Chen Pi for Spleen Qi support

• Shan Zha, Mai Ya, Shen Qu for food stagnation

• Huang Lian, Ban Xia, Lian Zi for Damp-Heat or IBS

• Dang Shen, Shan Yao, Zhi Gan Cao for energy and Spleen support

We provide herbs as granules or soup packs.

Spleen & Stomach Tonic Soup Pack:

https://www.harmonyhealthacuherb.com/product-page/spleen-stomach-tonic-soup-pack

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps regulate digestive function by:

• Strengthening Spleen and Stomach Qi

• Calming Liver Qi to relieve stress-related digestion

• Promoting bowel movement or regulating motility

• Reducing bloating, reflux, and abdominal discomfort

Common acupuncture points used:

ST36 (Zusanli) – strengthens digestion and energy

CV12 (Zhongwan) – regulates the Stomach

SP6, LV3, LI11 – address heat, stress, and bowel issues

3. Paediatric Tui Na Massage

For children with weak digestion, we offer gentle Tui Na massage to improve appetite, relieve constipation or diarrhoea, and support growth. Many parents have seen great improvements after just a few sessions.

4. Diet and Lifestyle Advice

We help patients understand which foods or habits may be harming their digestion. Some common advice includes:

• Eat warm, cooked foods – avoid cold/raw if you’re often bloated

• Eat at regular times and avoid overeating

• Reduce sugar, fried foods, dairy if Dampness is an issue

• Manage stress – emotional tension greatly affects digestion

• Improve sleep and rest

🌱 Your Free Consultation

If you or a family member suffers from digestive problems, we’re here to help. Our clinic offers a free consultation to assess your condition from a TCM perspective and provide a personalised plan.

Whether it’s chronic bloating, irregular bowel movements, or indigestion – we’ll tailor a solution for your unique constitution.