Chronic Indigestion: What Korean Herbal Medicine Does a Korean Medicine Doctor Prescribe? (Top 3 Prescriptions by Symptom) | Incheon Indigestion

Every time you eat, you might feel bloated, and even if you take digestive aids from the pharmacy, the relief is only temporary... You must have felt frustrated and upset, wondering, "Why is my stomach so weak?"

The problem is that not all indigestion has the same cause. Since the causes differ, but you keep taking the same digestive aids, a fundamental solution has been difficult to achieve.

In Traditional Korean Medicine (Hanbang), entirely different herbal medicine prescriptions are used, tailored to your specific 'type' of indigestion.

What type of indigestion do you have?

To find the precise prescription suitable for your body, it's crucial to first understand which type of indigestion you have. Let me introduce the three most common types.

1. Sikche (食滯): The 'Traffic Jam' Type Where Food is Stuck

This is the most common form of indigestion, a state where food eaten in excess or too quickly remains undigested and is completely stuck in the stomach.

Key Symptoms:
A suffocating, blocked feeling in the epigastrium, as if a stone is stuck there.
Sour regurgitation or food odor rising with burps.
Feeling comfortable when hungry.

2. Biwi Heoyak (脾胃虛弱): The Type Where the 'Digestive Engine' Has Weakened

This is a state of 'functional decline' where the stomach and intestines themselves have lost their strength.

Key Symptoms:
Feeling full quickly even after eating a small amount, and very slow digestion.
Feeling drained, sluggish, and sleepy after meals.
Usually having cold hands and feet, and experiencing chronic fatigue.

3. Gan-gi Beomwi (肝氣犯胃): The Type Where 'Stress' Attacks the Stomach

This is 'nervous' indigestion, with stress as the main cause.

Key Symptoms:
Symptoms worsen when stressed or anxious.
Frequent abdominal gas, and sometimes sharp, dull pain in the sides (flanks).
Indigestion may be accompanied by headaches or dizziness.

Different Medications for Different Symptoms (Key Prescriptions)

Now, I will introduce representative 'renowned prescriptions' for each type, whose efficacy has been proven through hundreds of years of clinical experience.

1. For Sikche (食滯) → Pyeongwisang (平胃散)

Prescription Name: Pyeongwisang (平胃散)
Meaning: "Powder for pacifying the stomach"
Composition (Key Herbs): Changchul (Atractylodes rhizome), Hubak (Magnolia bark), Jinpi (Citrus peel), Gamcho (Licorice root), etc.
Efficacy: Pyeongwisang is like a 'traffic police officer' for a congested stomach. Changchul, a key herb, powerfully removes unnecessary waste products and dampness accumulated in the stomach, while Hubak and Jinpi clear the stagnant Qi, promoting smooth flow. It is one of the first prescriptions used to refreshingly alleviate bloating and discomfort caused by acute indigestion or overeating.

2. For Biwi Heoyak (脾胃虛弱) → Bojungikgitang (補中益氣湯)

Prescription Name: Bojungikgitang (補中益氣湯)
Meaning: "Decoction to tonify the middle and benefit Qi"
Composition (Key Herbs): Hwanggi (Astragalus root), Insam (Ginseng), Baekchul (Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome), Dangqui (Angelica gigas root), etc.
Efficacy: As its name suggests, it is a representative tonic that replenishes (補) and elevates (益) the Qi (氣) of our body's center (中), meaning the digestive organs. Hwanggi and Insam, key herbs, boost the output of the weakened 'digestive engine,' improving both chronic indigestion and post-meal fatigue.

3. For Gan-gi Beomwi (肝氣犯胃) → Siho Sogansan (柴胡疏肝散)

Prescription Name: Siho Sogansan (柴胡疏肝散)
Meaning: "Powder for soothing the Liver Qi with Bupleurum"
Composition (Key Herbs): Siho (Bupleurum root), Jakyak (Peony root), Cheongung (Cnidium rhizome), Hyangbuja (Cyperus rhizome), etc.
Efficacy: This prescription focuses on soothing the 'Liver (肝)' that has become congested due to stress. Siho, a key herb, stabilizes over-sensitized nerves and disperses stagnant Qi (疏肝). Through this, it manages nervous indigestion and abdominal pain that invariably appear with stress.

Lifestyle Habits to Complete 'Your Own Prescription'

No matter how good a traditional Korean herbal medicine is, its effectiveness may be halved if not supported by proper lifestyle habits. Practice lifestyle habits suited to your indigestion type to complete 'your own prescription.'

1. If you are the 'Sikche (食滯)' type?

→ Reduce your meal portions and eat slowly. The most important thing is to give your stomach a break. Aim to eat only two-thirds of your usual meal portion, and try to chew each mouthful at least 30 times.

2. If you are the 'Biwi Heoyak (脾胃虛弱)' type?

→ Warm foods and adequate sleep. You need to focus on protecting your weakened 'digestive engine' and recharging your energy.

3. If you are the 'Gan-gi Beomwi (肝氣犯胃)' type?

→ Light walks and meditation. Soothing the 'angry general (Liver)' is the top priority.

Accurate Diagnosis is Paramount

Today, I introduced three representative prescriptions, but these are merely examples to aid understanding. The most important thing is not to self-diagnose and take medication, thinking, 'I have indigestion, so I should take Pyeongwisang.'

'Golden Time' for Treating Chronic Indigestion

If temporary indigestion recurs for more than a month, and daily life feels uncomfortable without digestive aids, this is a very important sign that the function of your stomach and intestines is chronically declining.

Clinic Information

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Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic
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