Chronic Gastritis - Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Gastritis · Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Spleen-Stomach Deficiency is a common pattern in chronic gastritis, characterized by gastric mucosal atrophy, epigastric pain, poor appetite, fatigue, and loose stools. The core pathogenesis is Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency failing to transform and transport, leading to mucosal atrophy, reduced gastric secretion, and digestive dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Epigastric pain (dull), poor appetite, fatigue, loose stools |

| Associated Symptoms | Bloating, pale complexion, cold limbs, weakness |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with thin white coating, thready and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency failing to transform and transport |

| Etiology | Irregular eating habits, overwork, chronic illness, poor nutrition |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Zhongwan (RN12) | 4 cun above the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Stomach; harmonizes the Stomach |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen Qi |

| Weishu (BL21) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T12 | Back-Shu point of Stomach meridian; harmonizes the Stomach |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

| Gongsun (SP4) | Medial foot, below the base of the 1st metatarsal | Luo-connecting point of Spleen; harmonizes the Stomach |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Pishu and Zusanli to warm and tonify Spleen Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (香砂六君子汤)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Pinellia (Ban Xia), Amomum (Sha Ren), Aucklandia (Mu Xiang)

Action: Strengthens Spleen, harmonizes Stomach, and transforms Phlegm.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Bloating | Add Hou Po, Zhi Ke to regulate Qi and relieve distension |

| Loose stools | Add Shan Yao, Yi Yi Ren to strengthen Spleen and stop diarrhea |

| Cold pain | Add Gan Jiang, Gui Zhi to warm the Stomach and disperse Cold |

Western Mechanism Reference

Gastric mucosal atrophy with reduced gastric acid and digestive enzyme secretion, decreased glands, and gastric mucosal microcirculatory disturbance. Spleen-Stomach Deficiency corresponds to chronic atrophic gastritis, where reduced gastric secretion and mucosal atrophy contribute to digestive dysfunction and pain.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Stomach Pain with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold.

  2. DB-XJB: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Digestive health. World Health Organization.

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