Differentiation and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Theory of "Yin Qi Descends，While All Yang Qi Ascends"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.11.008
- VernacularTitle:基于“阴气在下，诸阳气浮”的化疗所致恶心呕吐辨治思路
- Author:
Borun LI
1
;
Bo PANG
1
;
Yi LI
2
;
Qian SHEN
2
;
Yuwei WANG
2
;
Run YAN
1
Author Information
1. Xiyuan Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing，100091
2. Guang'anmen Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
malignant tumor;
chemotherapy;
nausea and vomiting;
yin qi;
yang qi
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(11):1173-1177
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This paper discussed the differentiation and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting （CINV） in traditional Chinese medicine， based on the theory of "yin qi descends， while all yang qi ascends” from Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）. The core pathogenesis of CINV is attributed to chemotherapy-induced injury to the middle jiao （焦）， resulting in the separation of yin and yang and loss of their mutual communication. Acute and explosive CINV is often characterized by "all yang qi ascends"， with stomach yang constraint transforming into fire， and qi counterflow leading to vomiting， which can be treated by unblocking stomach yang， draining fire and scattering the counterflow， with Huoxiang Zhengqi Powder （藿香正气散） and medicinals of clearing function. For delayed cases， which are often due to "yin qi descends"， and the accumulation of turbid yin obstructs and constrains the deficient yang， the treatment should focus on promoting qi flow to eliminate turbidity， unblocking and boosting yang qi， and Chengqi-series Formulas （承气类方） or Xiao Banxia Decoction （小半夏汤） can be considered. Refractory and anticipated cases usually involve stomach-kidney deficiency and zang-fu （脏腑） organs disharmony， making yin and yang difficult to restore balance， for which the treatment should focus on nourishing both the stomach and kidneys and harmonize the zang-fu organs， with formulas such as Fuzi Lizhong Decoction （附子理中汤） or Xiaoyao Powder （逍遥散） modified as appropriate.
