How do you know if you have a bad spleen and stomach?

Most modern people have irregular eating habits, and 9 out of 10 will develop stomach problems.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are a good pair of partners. If the stomach is compared to a granary, the spleen is the transportation company.
The food we eat is initially ground and digested in the stomach, then further digested by the spleen, which removes the waste and transports the "essence" — the nutrients — throughout the body.

Therefore, if the stomach function is poor, the spleen's transport ability will also be affected, and the body will not receive sufficient nutritional supply in various parts, leading to multiple discomfort symptoms.

 

 1. Head feels heavy

A heavy head is different from a headache. The most common sensation is: the head feels very heavy, hazy, like a state of confusion, with a dazed expression, as if the head is wrapped in a wet towel, eyes cannot open, and it takes a long time to fully wake up after sleeping. This condition is more pronounced on rainy days.
This is because the spleen has the function of raising the clear yang. Once the spleen and stomach of the human body become weak, dampness easily traps the spleen, impairing its transportation and transformation functions. As a result, the clear yang cannot ascend to the head, causing the head to feel heavy.

Solution: Comb your hair with your fingers to draw the Qingyang to the head.

 2. Yellow complexion 

If the spleen's qi and body fluids are insufficient, it cannot provide enough nutrition to the body, causing the whole person to look somewhat "withered and yellow," which is a sign of spleen deficiency.
The so-called withering yellow refers to a wilted, lifeless, dull yellow, closer to ochre.

Solution: Eat millet porridge regularly.

 

 3. Excessive drooling 

Traditional Chinese medicine says: "The spleen governs saliva." When a person's spleen is sufficient, saliva can function properly, helping us swallow and digest food.
If the spleen is weak and the ability to retain is not strong, "saliva" will not stay obediently in the mouth. For adults, this may manifest as drooling easily regardless of day or night.

Solution: Drink some ginger and jujube tea.

 4. Abnormalities in lips 

Normal lips are light pink with a slight sheen.
Lips are bright red, as if wearing lipstick: indicates heat in the spleen and stomach, often seen in children after indigestion.
Dry and cracked lips: It is caused by spleen deficiency and inability of body fluids to flow upward.
Purple lips indicate that the spleen and stomach are affected by cold.
Pale lips: indicates poor spleen and stomach function and indigestion.

 

5. Heavy breath 

It is normal for a person to have occasional bad breath in the early morning, but if bad breath persists throughout the day, it indicates gastrointestinal problems.

 

6. Tongue coating, middle part 

On weekdays, when we observe the tongue coating, it is generally believed that the middle area of the tongue coating represents the spleen and stomach.

The white and thin coating here is normal. If it is thick, it indicates stagnation; if thick and yellow, it indicates stagnation transforming into heat; if thick and white, it indicates cold dampness in the spleen and stomach; if cracks suddenly appear in the middle, it indicates damage to the stomach qi.

 

To nourish the spleen and stomach is to nourish life

If you want to have a healthy spleen and stomach, three parts rely on treatment and seven parts rely on care.
But strengthening the spleen and stomach is not achieved in a day; it requires us to make some changes in our lifestyle. Additionally, doing some simple exercises can help regulate them.