Bleeding Gums — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this concern is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

• Gardenia, Lotus Node and Gypsum Congee: 10 g gardenia fruit, 15 g lotus root nodes, 15 g gypsum, 100 g japonica rice; cook into congee.
• Daylily, Lotus Node and Rehmannia Congee: 60 g daylily, 15 g raw rehmannia root, 30 g fresh lotus root nodes, 100 g japonica rice; cook into congee.
• Snow Fungus, Fleeceflower and Peanut Skin Congee: 15 g snow fungus, 15 g prepared fleeceflower root, 3 g peanut skin, 60 g japonica rice; cook into congee.
• Pear, Lotus Root, Water Chestnut and Rehmannia Soup: 2 pears, 250 g fresh lotus root, 125 g water chestnuts, 15 g raw rehmannia root; simmer into a soup.
• Red Pepper and Lotus Root Salad: 2 red bell peppers, 1 lotus root, sugar, shredded ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar; slice and toss.

Dietary Principles

• Favor vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits: green pepper, red bell pepper, kiwi, citrus, tomato.
• Favor foods that may clear heat, cool the blood, nourish yin, and generate fluids: lotus root, pear, water chestnut, mung bean, winter melon, snow fungus, lily bulb, raw rehmannia root.
• Favor a light diet, drink plenty of water, and rinse the mouth with light salt water after meals.
• Avoid spicy and heat-generating items: chili, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon bark, fried foods, barbecue, hot pot.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and rich, sweet, greasy foods.
• Avoid staying up late, overeating, and intense emotional swings.

Understanding the Condition

In TCM, bleeding gums (chi nü) is traditionally attributed to exuberant stomach heat, yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, and deficiency of qi and blood. Stomach fire ascending along the Yangming meridian to attack the gums was associated with reckless movement of blood; kidney yin deficiency allowed deficiency fire to flare upward; and spleen qi deficiency was associated with failure to govern the blood.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.