Do you often feel bloated after eating just a little, as if there's a trapped gas in your abdomen, along with occasional belching and acid reflux? Sometimes you go days without a bowel movement, other times you feel sluggish all over, and your temper becomes irritable. Why does this happen? From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is often caused by stagnation of the middle burner and obstructed qi flow.

The middle burner is essentially the area around the abdomen, functioning like the body's nutritional distribution center. The spleen and stomach work here to transform ingested food into absorbable nutrients and then distribute them throughout the body. When this distribution center becomes sluggish, the food you eat accumulates there, leading to bloating, frequent flatulence, as well as symptoms like belching and acid reflux.

Interestingly, whether the middle burner is blocked or not is also closely related to the liver. The liver governs free flow and is responsible for ensuring the smooth circulation of qi throughout the body. If one often holds in anger or harbors resentment, it is easy to develop liver stagnation. The liver wood restricts the spleen earth, so liver stagnation can also affect the spleen and stomach. People with this condition often have a tongue that appears swollen at the sides with a bulge in the middle, which is a sign of liver stagnation invading the spleen and stomach.

Some people not only feel bloated in the stomach but also experience heavy limbs, a sticky sensation in the mouth, poor appetite, and nausea after eating. This is because the spleen and stomach not only manage digestion but are also responsible for eliminating excess dampness from the body. If the spleen and stomach are too weak to perform their functions, dampness cannot be expelled and may transform into phlegm-dampness. The stickiness of phlegm-dampness can obstruct the flow of qi. When you stick out your tongue in such cases, you may notice obvious teeth marks, a thick and greasy coating, and a slippery, moist surface.

In these situations, targeted treatment is necessary. For liver stagnation invading the spleen, trying the Liver-Soothing and Spleen-Strengthening Pill can help regulate liver qi and invigorate the spleen and stomach. Once the qi flows smoothly, the spleen and stomach will naturally become more active. For those experiencing heavy limbs, a sticky mouth, and other symptoms, it is essential to first clear the phlegm-dampness. The Two Cured Substances Pill is quite suitable for this purpose, as it helps the spleen and stomach transform excess dampness. If both conditions are present, it is necessary to consult a knowledgeable practitioner to determine the best combination of treatments.

The content of this article is intended for educational purposes only. Of course, individual circumstances vary. If medication is required, it is essential to consult a professional practitioner and avoid blindly following trends or self-medicating.