Chronic Gastritis - Stomach-Yin Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Gastritis · Stomach-Yin Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Stomach-Yin Deficiency is a chronic pattern in chronic gastritis, characterized by gastric mucosal atrophy, epigastric pain, dry mouth, poor appetite, and heat in palms and soles. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Stomach-Yin failing to moisten the mucosa, leading to mucosal atrophy, reduced gastric secretion, and impaired repair.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Epigastric pain (dull), dry mouth, poor appetite |

| Associated Symptoms | Thirst with desire for small sips, dry throat, heat in palms and soles, constipation |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with little or peeling coating, thready and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Stomach-Yin deficiency failing to moisten and protect the mucosa |

| Etiology | Prolonged illness, spicy food intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, aging |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

| Neiting (ST44) | Between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones | Spring point of Stomach meridian; clears Stomach Heat |

| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; Neiting may be used with reducing method to clear Stomach Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Yi Wei Tang (益胃汤) + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang (芍药甘草汤)

Composition:

Glehnia (Sha Shen), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Polygonatum (Yu Zhu), White Peony (Shao Yao), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Nourishes Stomach-Yin, relieves pain, and promotes mucosal repair.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe dry mouth | Add Tian Hua Fen, Shi Hu to generate fluids and moisten dryness |

| Constipation | Add Huo Ma Ren, Yu Li Ren to moisten the intestines |

| Epigastric pain | Add Bai Shao, Gan Cao to relax muscles and relieve pain |

| Poor appetite | Add Mai Ya, Gu Ya to strengthen the Stomach and promote digestion |

Western Mechanism Reference

Gastric mucosal atrophy with reduced parietal and chief cells, decreased gastric acid and intrinsic factor secretion, and impaired mucosal repair. Stomach-Yin Deficiency corresponds to chronic atrophic gastritis with significant mucosal atrophy, where reduced gastric secretion and impaired mucosal repair contribute to symptoms.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Stomach Pain with Stomach-Yin Deficiency.

  2. DB-XJB: Yi Wei Tang.

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

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