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What Chinese herbal medicine is best for chronic superficial gastritis?

Nov 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Herbal medicines commonly used for chronic superficial gastritis include Chenpi (Citrus peel), Xiangfu (Cyperus rhizome), Dangshen (Codonopsis root), Baizhu (Atractylodes rhizome), and Pugongying (Dandelion), which can be selected according to different syndrome patterns. Chenpi is warm in nature, with a pungent and slightly sweet taste, and functions to regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm. It helps regulate the flow of qi in the spleen and stomach, alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal distension, belching, and acid regurgitation associated with gastritis. It is particularly suitable for gastritis caused by damp-phlegm or qi stagnation.

Herbs commonly used for chronic superficial gastritis include Citrus Peel (Chen Pi), Cyperus (Xiang Fu), Codonopsis (Dang Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), which can be selected according to different syndrome patterns. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Citrus Peel (Chen Pi): Chen Pi is warm in nature, with a pungent and sweet taste, and functions to regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm. It helps regulate the flow of qi in the spleen and stomach, alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal distension, belching, and acid regurgitation caused by stagnation of spleen and stomach qi. It is suitable for gastritis with phlegm-dampness or qi-stagnation patterns.

2. Cyperus (Xiang Fu): Xiang Fu excels at soothing the liver and regulating qi, as well as regulating menstruation and relieving pain, while also strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach. For gastritis triggered by emotional fluctuations or accompanied by liver qi invading the stomach—manifesting as gastric distension and pain—it can soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize qi and blood, thereby improving gastrointestinal dysfunction.

3. Codonopsis (Dang Shen): Dang Shen is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, known for its effects of tonifying the middle-jiao, replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen, and benefiting the lungs. It is suitable for gastritis due to spleen-stomach qi deficiency, helping to improve symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, and dull gastric pain. It enhances digestive function and nourishes the vital energy of the spleen and stomach.

4. Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Bai Zhu is warm in nature, with a sweet and bitter taste, and functions to strengthen the spleen, tonify qi, dry dampness, and promote urination. It is effective for gastritis caused by spleen-stomach weakness and internal retention of dampness. It enhances spleen function and relieves symptoms such as loose stools, epigastric fullness, and indigestion, thus stabilizing the foundation of digestive transformation and transportation.

5. Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying): Pu Gong Ying is cold in nature, with a bitter and slightly sweet taste, and has properties of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, resolving nodules, promoting diuresis, and relieving urinary discomfort. It is suitable for patients with gastritis accompanied by stomach heat, helping to relieve symptoms such as burning sensation in the stomach, dry mouth, bitter taste, and acid reflux. It also supports the repair of gastric mucosa.

Herb selection should be based on individual syndrome differentiation; blindly using excessively cold or hot herbs should be avoided. It is recommended to use herbal combinations under the guidance of a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner to enhance therapeutic effects and minimize irritation. If symptoms persist or worsen, gastroscopy should be performed to clarify the condition and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

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