Functional Dyspepsia - Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Functional Dyspepsia · 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 functional dyspepsia, characterized by delayed gastric emptying with weak motility, early satiety, bloating, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools. The core pathogenesis is Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency failing to transform and transport, leading to delayed gastric emptying, reduced antral contractility, and impaired gastric accommodation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Early satiety, bloating, poor appetite, fatigue |

| Associated Symptoms | Loose stools, pale complexion, cold limbs, weak voice |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with teeth marks, thin white coating, weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency with impaired motility |

| Etiology | Irregular eating habits, overwork, chronic illness, constitutional deficiency |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

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

| Taibai (SP3) | Medial foot, behind the base of the 1st metatarsal | Source point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied at 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), Licorice (Gan Cao)

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

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Poor appetite | Add Sha Ren, Mu Xiang to harmonize the Stomach |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Delayed gastric emptying with weak motility, reduced antral contractility, and impaired gastric accommodation. Spleen-Stomach Deficiency corresponds to functional dyspepsia with impaired motility, where reduced antral contractility and impaired gastric accommodation contribute to early satiety and bloating.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Functional Dyspepsia with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency.

  2. Xiong Jibai: Spleen-Stomach Deficiency uses Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang.

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

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