When people mention diabetes, their first thoughts are usually "high blood sugar" or "insulin problems." However, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), persistent hyperglycemia often has its root cause closely related to spleen and stomach dysfunction. TCM theory states that "the spleen governs transformation and transportation," meaning our spleen-stomach system is responsible for converting the food we eat (food essence) into usable energy (qi, blood, and body fluids) and distributing it throughout the body.

If spleen qi is deficient and its transformative capacity declines, it's like having a malfunctioning conveyor belt:

On one hand, when nutrients (including sugar) from food cannot be effectively converted and absorbed, leading to insufficient nourishment of the internal organs, people may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, and low energy.

On the other hand, when the sugar that should be converted accumulates in the bloodstream, it manifests as elevated blood sugar.

Simultaneously, spleen deficiency disrupts the distribution of body fluids, preventing proper hydration of the oral cavity, which results in constant dry mouth and thirst; when fluids directly descend to the lower burner, frequent urination may occur.

If spleen deficiency persists over time and damages spleen yang (the warming function of the spleen), it may also affect water metabolism, leading to issues such as lower limb edema and loose stools.

Therefore, the approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine in managing diabetes is not solely focused on the goal of "lowering blood sugar," but rather aims to restore the spleen and stomach's digestive and transformative functions. This allows the body to regain the ability to efficiently metabolize and utilize nutrients, thereby fundamentally improving constitution and promoting stable blood sugar levels. This is the true path to addressing the root cause.

A classic approach to regulation: Seven Ingredients Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder

This formula is based on the renowned "Four Gentlemen Decoction" (ginseng, white atractylodes, poria, and roasted licorice), with its core function of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, essentially "refueling" a weakened spleen-stomach system to enhance its transportation and transformation power. On this foundation, the following ingredients are also added:

Agastache and Aucklandia: These two herbs can invigorate the spleen to resolve dampness, promote qi flow and stimulate appetite. Dampness encumbering the spleen aggravates spleen deficiency while impaired qi movement also affects transportation and transformation functions. They help the spleen and stomach overcome damp-turbidity obstruction, restore motility, improve food digestion and absorption, thus contributing to muscle nourishment (the spleen governs the muscles).

Pueraria (Annotation: The original formula typically includes Pueraria, which was not mentioned in the text, but as it is a classic pairing, its function is explained here): Pueraria can elevate the clear qi of the spleen, aiding in the upward distribution of nutrients derived from food and water transformed by the spleen. This helps alleviate symptoms of thirst caused by failure of body fluids to ascend, while also assisting in blood sugar reduction.

The overall approach of this formula is to: Strengthen the spleen and replenish qi (with Four Noble Herbs) as the foundation, supplemented with herbs that awaken the spleen and stimulate appetite (Agastache rugosa, Aucklandia lappa), as well as those that raise clear qi and promote fluid production (Pueraria). Together, these restore the spleen and stomach’s core function of transforming and transporting nutrients (including sugar), thereby helping improve diabetic constitutions and related symptoms.

Here’s a real-life case:

Mr. Zhang, 62 years old, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago. Despite taking glucose-lowering medication, he often felt physically weak, particularly fatigued after meals. His appetite was mediocre, yet he frequently experienced thirst, drank a lot of water, and urinated excessively. His stools were also often loose. A TCM practitioner diagnosed him with “spleen deficiency with dampness stagnation and impaired fluid distribution.” While continuing his regular glucose-lowering medication and blood sugar monitoring, the practitioner prescribed a modified version of the Seven Ingredients Bai Zhu Powder to regulate his spleen and stomach. After adhering to the regimen for about three months, Mr. Zhang reported feeling lighter, with reduced fatigue, improved thirst and frequent urination, and gradually firmer stools. Follow-up tests showed more stable blood sugar fluctuations compared to before. He remarked, “I feel more energetic, my appetite is better, and I don’t feel as weak as before.”

Important reminder:

Seven-Ingredient Atractylodes Powder (or similar formulations) is a common TCM approach for regulating spleen and stomach deficiency-type diabetes, aiming to improve constitution and enhance the body's own utilization of nutrients.

TCM emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment: Diabetes has multiple TCM patterns (such as yin deficiency with dryness-heat, qi-yin deficiency, yin-yang deficiency, etc.), and not all types are suitable for spleen-strengthening approaches. Always apply pattern differentiation under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner.

Integrated Chinese-Western medicine is the mainstream approach: TCM regulation of spleen and stomach functions serves as an important adjuvant therapy that can improve symptoms and constitution. However, it must never replace standard Western hypoglycemic treatments (such as medications or insulin) and blood glucose monitoring. The combination of both often yields better results.

Lifestyle is fundamental: Regardless of the approach, a balanced diet (controlling total intake and glycemic index), moderate exercise, and regular routines form the cornerstone for blood sugar control and physical improvement.