Functional Dyspepsia - Stomach-Yin Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Functional Dyspepsia · 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 functional dyspepsia, characterized by impaired gastric secretion with mucosal atrophy, epigastric discomfort, dry mouth, poor appetite, constipation, and thirst. The core pathogenesis is Stomach-Yin deficiency failing to moisten the Stomach, leading to impaired gastric secretion, mucosal atrophy, and reduced digestive function.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Epigastric discomfort, dry mouth, poor appetite, constipation |

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

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

| Pathogenesis | Stomach-Yin deficiency with impaired gastric secretion |

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

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

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

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Nourishes Kidney-Yin and supports Stomach-Yin |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; may combine with moxibustion on Zusanli to tonify Qi and nourish Yin.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Yi Wei Tang (益胃汤) + Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang (沙参麦冬汤)

Composition:

Glehnia (Sha Shen), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Polygonatum (Yu Zhu), Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Nourishes Stomach-Yin, moistens dryness, and promotes gastric secretion.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

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

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

| Heat in palms and soles | Add Zhi Mu, Huang Bai to clear deficiency heat |

Western Mechanism Reference

Impaired gastric secretion with mucosal atrophy, reduced gastric acid and digestive enzyme secretion, and impaired mucosal repair. Stomach-Yin Deficiency corresponds to functional dyspepsia with impaired gastric secretion, where reduced gastric acid and digestive enzyme secretion contribute to poor appetite and epigastric discomfort.

References

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

  2. Xiong Jibai: Stomach-Yin Deficiency uses Yi Wei Tang.

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

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