🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Children’s loss of appetite, emaciation, constipation, and anemia are often linked to stomach problems. The root cause lies in poor spleen-stomach function—especially noticeable in early autumn.
Professor Ding Xuesheng, a renowned senior TCM practitioner in Shanghai, believes children are born with weak spleen-stomach function, predisposing them to gastrointestinal issues. Due to limited language skills, children rarely complain of discomfort. If obvious stomach pain appears, the condition is likely severe—possibly indicating superficial gastritis or ulcers. For common pediatric spleen-stomach problems, improving digestive function and cultivating good habits matter more than medication. Dr. Shi Saibao, head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Ruisi Hospital in Shanghai, has developed a “Three Nourishments” theory.
Cultivate Good Eating Habits
First, children must establish good lifestyle and eating habits. Modern medicine confirms that Helicobacter pylori spreads via oral-oral transmission. Thus, children should adopt separate dining—reducing the risk of parents passing H. pylori to them. In China, asymptomatic children’s H. pylori infection rates are rising—many cases stem from parental transmission. Children should ideally dine separately from family members to prevent cross-infection. Also, correct bad habits like biting fingers or chewing foreign objects—preventing bacterial entry into the stomach.
Some parents excessively spoil children, fostering unhealthy habits leading to digestive dysfunction. Limit children’s intake of fried chicken, ice-cold sodas, and chocolates—foods that harm the stomach. Children are in growth phases, with immature organs. Without restraint on raw, cold, or greasy foods, the stomach lacks rest, forming stagnation. Over time, this leads to loss of appetite, indigestion, abnormal bowel movements, and various stomach diseases. Maintain proper balance between main and side dishes. TCM holds that grains nourish the stomach—grains are best for digestive health.
Establish Healthy Feeding Practices
Second, parents must establish proper feeding habits—especially grandparents caring for grandchildren. Feeding must include good personal hygiene. Many children face study stress and fatigue, stimulating the gastrointestinal tract. Long-term, this leads to repeated loss of appetite, stomach pain, and gastritis—if untreated, it may affect growth and development.
Gastric issues often show no obvious early symptoms, easily overlooked by parents. Parents must take seriously signs like loss of appetite or stomach discomfort—don’t ignore subtle changes due to busy schedules. Also, protect children from abdominal cold—after weather turns cold, avoid giving them cold foods.
Emphasize Gastrointestinal Regulation and Care
Finally, focus on regulating and nurturing children’s gastrointestinal function. A child’s stomach is delicate—adjustment must be done carefully. Dr. Shi believes that treating pediatric gastritis with antibiotics alone causes significant irritation, worsening stomach discomfort and leading to non-compliance and treatment discontinuation—potentially causing gut flora imbalance and diarrhea. Treatment requires continuity to prevent recurrence. Integrating TCM and Western medicine is fundamental. Use TCM to stimulate appetite and restore digestive function first; then use antibiotics after improvement. However, herbal medicine is bitter—children often refuse it. Thus, altering taste to make it palatable is crucial.
Notably, some parents wrongly administer digestive aids or stomach tonics to children—simply reducing adult dosages. This is absolutely unacceptable. Pediatric and adult treatments differ fundamentally. When children experience stomach discomfort or loss of appetite, do not self-medicate. Always consult a doctor for examination, diagnosis, and use of appropriate pediatric formulations.