In Chinese Medicine one of the many patterns that can be the cause of your Heartburn, GERD, or Reflux is Food Stagnation. This is part 4 of a series on this subject.

Food Stagnation is the accumulation of foods in the stomach and intestines usually due to overeating. Eating large quantities of food, combined with a sedentary lifestyle will damage the spleen whose function is the transformation and transportation of food. As a result, the food just sits there and winds up heating the stomach and the liver. Once heat is in the stomach it will rise, as heat does, carrying stomach acids up through the esophagus. This is a common cause of reflux and requires a simple regulation of the diet, such as eating smaller and more frequent meals. This can also be the result of complications from other patterns already discussed in this series, Liver Qi Stagnation, Phlegm Damp or Phlegm Heat. The signs and symptoms of Food Stagnation Acid Reflux are:

• Heartburn, or Acid Reflux
• Belching that could be sour
• Nausea and vomiting
• fullness and discomfort which can be relieved by vomiting, or made worse by pressure and eating even more.
• epigastric distension
• Diarrhea or constipation that relieves the pain

Food stagnation can be complicated further by clogging up the qi mechanism with dampness which is the result of over consumption of dairy products, processed carbohydrates, sweets and rich foods. As I recommend for all heartburn sufferers, change your diet, eat three hours before bed, and identify and rectify the emotional stress triggers that lead to constant worry (the spleen is easily damaged by worry) and practice techniques to reduce stress such as meditation, yoga, tai chi or other relaxation techniques. The practitioner's treatment principle in this case will be to eliminate food stagnation, harmonize the stomach, direct the Qi down and regulate digestion. The Chinese practice of sipping small amounts of warm tea at meals helps to assist in digestion. Wine and bitters, with or after a meal, also reduces the risk of food stagnation. Stick with light, bland or mildly spicy foods, do not fry any foods, use steaming, poaching and baking techniques. Diet should be high in vegetables and fruits (40-60%), grains (30%), protein (10%) such as beans and fish and low in meat. The spleen loves rice, barley, millet , oats and rye (bland grains). Stay away from processed foods--eat only whole foods and limit your alcohol and caffeine. Please do not eat while agitated, angry or stressed. Do not overuse over the counter heartburn treatments, they have serious side effects. For a list of foods to avoid or restrict and a natural remedy visit www.royalcareherbalremedies.com.