A bitter taste in the mouth refers to the symptom of a perceived bitterness, which is a common clinical condition. Many people experience bitterness and dryness in their mouths upon waking, affecting their appetite and causing significant distress to their mood and daily life. A bitter or dry mouth can be triggered by eating spicy food, “getting heat” (a TCM term for inflammation), staying up late, excessive alcohol consumption, emotional stress, anger, and other factors. It is also a symptom of diseases such as cholecystitis, liver cirrhosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gingivitis. Therefore, it requires attention. While actively treating the underlying disease, massaging acupoints like Yanglingquan, Qiuxu, Ligou, and Laogong can effectively alleviate a bitter taste in the mouth.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Understanding of Bitter Taste in Mouth
According to TCM, a bitter taste in the mouth is commonly seen in cases of damp-heat, particularly when there is an excess of fire in the heart, liver, and gallbladder. When accompanied by irritability and insomnia, it indicates an upward inflammation of heart fire. When accompanied by irritability, quick to anger, and flank pain, it suggests an excess of liver and gallbladder fire. Since bile tastes bitter, an upward inflammation or overflow of gallbladder fire can cause a bitter taste in the mouth.
The tongue, which is associated with the heart in TCM, plays a primary role in taste perception. The heart governs blood circulation, and its blood and qi nourish the tongue through meridians, enabling it to discern flavors. The collateral meridian of the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin “travels along the meridian into the heart and connects to the root of the tongue,” and the symptoms of disorders in the Heart Channel's meridian include “dry throat, heartache, thirst, and desire to drink.” In the Five Elements, the heart belongs to fire, and among the five flavors, it corresponds to bitterness. When the heart's functions of governing blood and storing spirit are normal, the sense of taste is normal and sensitive. However, if there is an upward inflammation of heart fire, ulcers may form on the tongue, and the dryness and bitterness of the mouth occur due to the depletion of body fluids by fire pathogen.
The gallbladder is the first of the six fu-organs and also one of the extraordinary fu-organs. Storing and discharging bile is one of its main physiological functions. Bile is produced from the essence and blood of the liver or condensed from the residual qi of the liver, and the gallbladder's qi descends smoothly. The symptoms of disorders in the meridian of the Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang include “bitter taste in the mouth and frequent sighing.” If the rising of Shaoyang qi becomes abnormal and fails to spread properly, the gallbladder's qi stagnates, and the qi flow ascends, causing bile to overflow, resulting in symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth, often more pronounced in the morning.
The liver governs free flow and regulates emotions, facilitating the secretion and discharge of bile. The symptoms of disorders in the meridian of the Liver Channel of Foot-Jueyin include “severe cases of dry throat.” If liver qi stagnates and transforms into fire, leading to a failure in free flow, it can obstruct the secretion and discharge of bile, not only affecting the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach, causing symptoms like anorexia and abdominal distension, but also leading to bile accumulation, presenting with symptoms like flank pain and jaundice. If emotional stress leads to liver stagnation transforming into fire, an excess of liver and gallbladder fire, and overactive free flow, it can cause bile mixed with liver fire to overflow upwards, manifesting as a bitter taste in the mouth and regurgitation of bile.
Acupoint Regulation
Yanglingquan is an acupoint of the Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang, located on the outer side of the lower leg, in the depression below and in front of the head of the fibula. Yanglingquan is the He (Confluence) point of the gallbladder meridian, indicating that the qi of the gallbladder meridian enters this point, deep like a spring, and converges with the gallbladder organ. It is also the Lower Confluence point of the gallbladder, where the qi of the gallbladder converges with the Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang. As a result, it has the effects of regulating the liver and gallbladder, clearing heat and dampness, and treating disorders of the gallbladder organ. Therefore, according to Ling Shu – Evil Qi and Diseases of the Organs, “For those with gallbladder disease, sighing frequently, bitter taste in the mouth… Yanglingquan should be selected.” Subsequent generations of acupuncture and moxibustion texts have all discussed the treatment of gallbladder organ disorders using Yanglingquan. Additionally, 2 cun directly below this point is the Extraordinary Point Gallbladder Point. Massaging this area can improve the bitter taste in the mouth. Based on a sensation of soreness and fullness, the region can be appropriately expanded to include both points, better facilitating the regulation of the gallbladder organ.
Qiuxu is an acupoint of the Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang, located in the depression on the outer side of the foot, below the anterior aspect of the ankle, beside the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus muscle. This point is the Yuan (Source) point of the gallbladder meridian, where the original qi of the gallbladder organ resides. When the gallbladder organ is diseased, corresponding changes appear at Qiuxu. Therefore, needling or massaging this point can adjust both deficiency and excess conditions of the gallbladder meridian and organ, as stated in Ling Shu – Nine Needles and Twelve Original Points: “When there is illness in the five zang organs, the Twelve Yuan points should be selected for treatment.” It can regulate the liver and gallbladder, alleviating a bitter taste in the mouth caused by stagnation of gallbladder qi and damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Ligou is an acupoint of the Liver Channel of Foot-Jueyin, located on the inner side of the lower leg, 5 cun above the tip of the inner malleolus, in the center of the inner side of the tibia. Ligou is the Luo (Connecting) point of the liver meridian, playing a role in connecting the Liver Channel of Foot-Jueyin and the Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang. It can treat disorders of both the liver and gallbladder meridians. Clinically, Luo points are often used in conjunction with the Yuan points of the corresponding meridians, forming the “Yuan-Luo Combination Method.” Using Ligou in combination with the aforementioned Qiuxu can better regulate the liver and qi, clear the liver and gallbladder from excess fire, and alleviate a bitter taste in the mouth.
Laogong is an acupoint of the Heart Channel of Hand-Jueyin, located in the center of the palm, between the second and third metacarpal bones, slightly towards the third metacarpal bone, at the location where the middle fingertip rests when making a fist. The Heart Channel of Hand-Jueyin substitutes for the heart and receives evil influences, and its acupoints have the function of treating diseases related to the heart. Laogong is the Ying (Spring) point of the Heart Channel of Hand-Jueyin, having the effects of clearing heart heat, regulating liver and expelling fire, and nurturing the heart and calming the mind. Therefore, massaging Laogong can effectively alleviate symptoms such as a bitter taste and bad breath caused by an upward inflammation of heart fire.
It is important to emphasize that experiencing a bitter taste in the mouth in daily life does not necessarily indicate illness. However, if it persists for some time or worsens, it could be a warning sign of disease. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and even weight loss should be taken seriously, and timely medical examination is required to clarify the cause of the disease to avoid delaying treatment. For a bitter taste in the mouth that occurs after staying up late, high work pressure, or irregular diet, in addition to adjusting the diet, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and keeping a pleasant mood, selecting the aforementioned acupoints for daily massage can effectively alleviate and improve a bitter taste in the mouth.
Editor: Zhang Zhiyuan