The Stomach & Spleen: the Root of Health in Modern Medicine
Master Li Dongyuan: An Ancient Voice Guiding Modern Gut Health
When it comes to digestive health in Chinese medicine, few names carry as much weight as Li Dongyuan (also known as Li Gao). Living in the 12th century, he saw something that’s only now getting widespread attention in Western medicine: that your digestion isn’t just about food—it's the foundation of your whole health.
In a world where stress, fatigue, autoimmune issues, and gut imbalances are on the rise, Li Dongyuan’s teachings feel more relevant than ever.
The Spleen and Stomach: The Core of Daily Health
Li Dongyuan’s big idea was simple but powerful: if the Spleen and Stomach (our digestive system, in Chinese medicine terms) are weak, the whole body suffers.
He saw that poor diet, overwork, and emotional strain could wear down digestion, leading to fatigue, chronic illness, and even mental health issues. In his major work, the Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach (Pi Wei Lun), he laid out how restoring digestive strength could treat all kinds of health problems—long before we had terms like “gut-brain axis” or “systemic inflammation.”
A 12th-Century Take on 21st-Century Problems
Li Dongyuan’s writings describe patterns that match up surprisingly well with what we see in modern clinics:
Digestive issues like IBS or leaky gut? That’s classic Spleen Qi Deficiency.
Burnout, chronic fatigue, brain fog? Li would say your Qi is depleted from overwork.
Autoimmune issues and immune weakness? He believed a strong Spleen was key to keeping illness at bay.
His work shows us that gut health isn’t a new trend—it’s been central to wellness for centuries.
Li’s Herbs vs. Modern Pills
Modern medicine often manages symptoms with medications like antacids, antidepressants, or steroids. And sometimes, those are needed. But they don’t always fix the underlying problem.
Li Dongyuan’s approach was different. He focused on building up the body’s strength, especially through herbal formulas that nourish the Spleen, support digestion, and restore Qi. Instead of suppressing symptoms, he worked to support the root cause—helping people bounce back stronger and stay well longer.
Stress, Digestion, and the Gut-Brain Connection
Li also talked about how emotions like worry and overthinking could damage digestion—a view that modern research now supports. We know that stress affects gut health, impacts the immune system, and plays a major role in anxiety and depression. It’s all connected.
Li said that when the Spleen gets weakened by mental strain, you start to see low energy, poor digestion, and lowered resistance. Today, we call it the gut-brain axis. He just saw it 800 years earlier.
How We Use Li Dongyuan’s Wisdom Today
In modern integrative medicine—especially acupuncture and herbal practice—we still use Li Dongyuan’s principles all the time. His approach helps us support patients dealing with:
Ongoing digestive problems
Chronic fatigue and burnout
Autoimmune flare-ups
Stress-related health issues
By focusing on the Spleen and Stomach—strengthening digestion, calming the nervous system, and replenishing Qi—we help people not just feel better, but build long-term resilience.
Final Thoughts: Healing from the Inside Out
Li Dongyuan may have lived centuries ago, but his wisdom is right at home in today’s health conversations. His teachings remind us that real healing often starts with something simple: taking care of how we eat, how we work, and how we respond to stress.
Whether it’s through herbs, acupuncture, or small lifestyle shifts, Li’s approach gives us a roadmap to rebuild from the inside out—restoring energy, calming the mind, and helping the body do what it’s naturally designed to do: heal.