Chinese Medicine for Vomiting of Blood

In Chinese medicine, vomiting of blood (hematemesis) occurs when internal organs—especially the stomach, liver, or spleen—are damaged by heat, weakness, or poor blood control. Each type of pattern shows a distinct cause and group of symptoms. Treatment focuses on cooling the blood, stopping bleeding, and restoring harmony within the body.

Hot Stomach

Common Signs

  • Vomiting of fresh blood or food mixed with blood

  • Stomach pain or discomfort that feels empty or hot

  • Vomiting right after eating

  • Bad breath or swollen gums

  • Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or pain in the throat

  • Thirst and craving for cold drinks

  • Perspiration on the head

  • Hiccups or morning sickness

Treatment Principle
Clear heat from the stomach, sedate internal fire, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Xie-Xin-Tang

Helpful Foods: Salt, lily flower, bitter endive, camellia, cattail, black fungus, spinach, strawberry, banana, cucumber, licorice

Liver Heat Rising (Liver Fire)

Common Signs

  • Sudden vomiting of red or dark blood

  • Vomiting large amounts of blood

  • Bleeding from gums or nosebleeds

  • Headache, fever, or toothache

  • Swollen red gums or throat pain

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Eating often yet staying underweight

  • Dry mouth or constipation

  • Restlessness or irritability

  • Children screaming during sleep

Treatment Principle
Clear excess heat from the liver and stomach, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Yu-Nü-Jian

Helpful Foods: Areca nut, buckwheat, common carp, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s tears, liver, beet leaf, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, lily flower, cattail

Spleen Unable to Govern the Blood

Common Signs

  • Repeated vomiting of dark or mixed-colored blood

  • Poor appetite or abdominal fullness

  • Swelling in the stomach or abdomen

  • Paleness or yellowish complexion

  • Fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath

  • Blood in the urine or from the anus

  • Loose, sticky, or muddy stools

  • Weakness or mental exhaustion

  • Palpitations

Treatment Principle
Strengthen energy and blood, support the spleen, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Huang-Tu-Tang

Helpful Foods: Chicken, grape, longan nut, maltose, mandarin fish, Irish potato, sweet rice, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, ham, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job’s tears, royal jelly, string bean, whitefish, yam, red and black dates, mutton, squash, rock sugar, chicken egg yolk

Vomiting of blood in Chinese medicine can arise from excess heat in the stomach or liver or from a weakened spleen that fails to control the blood. Proper treatment focuses on cooling internal fire, nourishing energy, and stabilizing circulation. By balancing the organs and cooling the blood, the bleeding can stop and the body can return to strength.