The Relationship Between Gallbladder and Nausea
Wen Dan Tang(“Heat the Gallbladder Decoction”) is a fascinating formula that bridges the gap between physical complaints (nausea) and psychological complaints (anxiety/indecisiveness).
The Pattern: Gallbladder-Stomach Disharmony
In traditional Chinese medicine, the gallbladder and stomach work together. The stomach is supposed to send Qi downward. The gallbladder is supposed to assist in decision-making (“Courage”). If phlegm-heat enters this system, things go wrong.
Physically:The Stomach Qi does not descend, but rebels → Nausea, vomiting, bitter taste.
Mental:The Gallbladder is disturbed by Mucus → The person becomes jumpy, indecisive, dizzy and suffers from insomnia or bad dreams.
The Operation
Wen Dan Tangdoes two things:
It clears the mucus and heat (Zhu Ru, Zhi Shi).
It restores the cooperation between the stomach and gallbladder.
Modern Application
Today, this formula is often used for people with anxiety disorders, PTSD, or severe nausea (e.g., pregnancy or chemotherapy), who also experience mental unrest and a foggy mind. It demonstrates that, in traditional Chinese medicine, “courage” and a “strong stomach” are literally linked.