Chronic Gastritis - Blood Stasis in the Stomach Pattern

TCM differentiation and treatment for chronic gastritis

Chronic Gastritis · Blood Stasis in the Stomach Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen


Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis in the Stomach is a chronic pattern in advanced chronic

gastritis, characterized by **gastric mucosal microcirculatory

disturbance, epigastric stabbing pain, worse at night, and fixed

location. The core pathogenesis is prolonged disease causing blood

stasis in the gastric collaterals**, leading to microcirculatory

disturbance, impaired epithelial renewal, atrophy, and intestinal

metaplasia.


Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

Differentiation Dimension Manifestations
Primary Symptoms

at night |

Associated Symptoms

purple tongue, palpable mass |

Tongue and Pulse

coating, hesitant pulse |

Pathogenesis Blood stasis obstructing the gastric collaterals
Etiology

microcirculation |


Acupuncture Point Prescription

Point Location Function
Zhongwan (RN12) 4 cun above the umbilicus

Stomach; harmonizes the Stomach |

Geshu (BL17) Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7

of the Blood; invigorates Blood and resolves stasis |

Xuehai (SP10) On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella

Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |

Zusanli (ST36)

to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

Neiguan (PC6)
Regulates Qi and relieves pain

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may

combine with cupping on Zhongwan to enhance blood stasis resolution.


Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Shi Xiao San (失笑散) + Dan Shen Yin (丹参饮)

Composition:

Trogopterus Dung (Wu Ling Zhi), Pollen Typhae (Pu Huang), Salvia (Dan

Shen), Sandalwood (Tan Xiang), Amomum (Sha Ren), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, and relieves pain.

Modifications

Associated Symptoms Additions/Subtractions
Severe pain

pain |

Atrophic changes

invigorate blood |

Intestinal metaplasia

Heat and detoxify |

Fatigue Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation

Western Mechanism Reference

Gastric mucosal microcirculatory disturbance causing local ischemia,

impaired epithelial cell renewal, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia.

Blood Stasis in the Stomach corresponds to advanced chronic atrophic

gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, where impaired microcirculation

and reduced epithelial renewal contribute to mucosal atrophy and

precancerous changes.


References

1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Stomach Pain with Blood Stasis.

2. DB-XJB: Dan Shen Yin, Shi Xiao San.

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


Explore More

Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for digestive

health.

research papers and clinical case studies on TCM digestive health.


Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.