Gastric pain is often referred to as discomfort or pain experienced in the upper abdominal region. Additional symptoms usually encompass heartburn, bloating, belching, and nausea. Another name for gastric pain is non-ulcer dyspepsia or functional dyspepsia which is when there are no organic causes such as ulcers, inflammation and cancer causing the pain in the stomach. The pain is usually persistent or recurrent and centered in the upper abdominal region.

Although non-ulcer dyspepsia lacks a definitive cause, it is believed there may be a connection to stress.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, imbalances such as deficiency of Stomach Qi, Cold Invasion of Stomach, Stagnation of Liver Qi are some reasons for the causation of gastric pain.

For relief of gastric pain, the root cause of the pain needs to be diagnosed and addressed. However there are also simple food and diet therapies that can bring ease to the pain symptoms at the gastric abdominal region first.

Here are some of the foods according to Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine that may be able to help:

Watch my video on What to Eat When You Have Gastric Pain on my Youtube or Instagram.

White porridge or congee

White porridge or congee are easily digestible as the rice is broken down completely by the slow cooking process, creating a demulcent, “gluey” consistency that coats and soothes the stomach and intestines lining, easing any pain and discomfort from the acidity and inflammation.

Banana

Bananas are cooling in nature and have sweet flavor. This cooling property can help clear heat from any forms of inflammation, therefore easing any pain in the gastric.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sweet flavor has the ability to relax tension and comfort the muscular and nervous system (甘能缓急止痛), alleviating any spasms, cramps and various types of pain.

Bone broth

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, bone broth can help build Blood and boost Qi, which is beneficial to strengthen weak digestive system to counter any pain and discomfort.

According to Science, the gelatin derived from collagen in bone broth helps repair and rebuild the gut lining. This heals inflammation in any part of the digestive tract that can give rise to pain.

hot water

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a kind of gastric pain that arises from Excessive Cold in the Stomach, resulting in poor circulation and stagnation in the gastric. Hot water helps to expel the Excessive Cold and promote circulation in the gastric, easing any pain and discomfort as a result.

In Science, heat and warmth can relax the smooth muscles of the gut and intestines, which helps to ease spasms and thereby relieving pain.

Milk Powder mixed with Hot water

This is a folk method from my mum in which she mixes milk powder with hot water to form “milk water drink” (牛奶水). Although it is said that milk is not recommended to take during gastric pain, this concoction has been proven effective for every gastric pain episode I experienced.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, the milk water drink is nourishing Yin which may heal the lining of the gut and bring soothing effect on any pain or spasms in the gastric. The warmth from the hot water will promote circulation and relaxes any tension and spasm in the gastric.

From a Scientific point of view, the fats from the milk powder may heal the gut lining which is also made of fat tissues and relieve any form of inflammation and pain that the inflammation brings.

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Further reading:

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What to Eat When Your Stomach is Bloated

What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea

What to Eat When You Have Cough

Everything you need to know about Acupuncture

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