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Have you ever talked about it with your friends or relatives? Do you think when it gets outside your mouth it is unclean and impolite? Is it something we mostly keep invisible in public? What is it? Salvia. Yes, it is saliva, slimy and sticky. It is something Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees as a treasure and that treasure is crucial for improving our IBS.
Why is saliva so awkward? a TCM look at an everyday habit
Think about this: Is spitting—or even swallowing saliva in public—considered impolite or unsanitary in your country?
Most people go out of their way to avoid drawing attention to this natural bodily function, making it almost invisible in our everyday lives.
Yet, while people tend to view saliva with a sense of discomfort or embarrassment, Traditional Chinese Medicine encourages us (IBS people) to look beyond these social taboos and appreciate the essential role saliva can play in improving our IBS conditions.
Saliva: the golden liquid of TCM
In the Ultimate Ancient Wellness Guide—The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (黃帝內經)—saliva is described as “golden liquid.” This is not just something poetic. In fact traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners view saliva as a life-giving essence.
(The practitioners include renowned experts such as Professor Zhizheng Lu, National Master of Chinese Medicine, and Jianjiao Wu, an executive committee member of the New Chinese Medicine Branch of the China Association for the Promotion of Chinese Medicine Research.)
They believe that consciously swallowing saliva can nourish your body, support your digestive health, and may help ease your IBS symptoms.
Why swallowing saliva works: TCM and modern science unite
Still think saliva is still salvia? Read knowledge from from TCM and modern science on saliva to get a better understanding of it.
Strengthening the spleen and boosting digestion
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that swallowing saliva strengthens the Spleen, a key system in digestion and nutrient absorption. When you consciously swallow, you stimulate Spleen Qi, helping your body transform and transport nutrients efficiently.
What is Spleen Qi? The energy in your digestive system that moves Qi up to help you digest better. (Want to know more about Spleen Qi, read this post.)
Scientific proof: enzymes, immunity, and healing
Well, you may think the slimy and sticky liquid is not as golden as TCM thinks. However, knowledge from modern science may make you think twice.
Modern science backs up these ancient claims. Saliva is rich in:
- Digestive enzymes (such as amylase) that kickstart food breakdown.
- Immunoglobulins (Immunoglobulin A), which boost oral and digestive immunity.
- Growth factors (such as Epidermal Growth Factor) that may help repair the stomach lining.
How to swallow saliva: the TCM way
So, what follows is a step-by-step guide to harnessing your body’s “golden liquid” suggested by Pro Lu and TCM Dr Wu.
Step 1: Preparation
Sit or stand comfortably. Relax your body, rest your tongue gently against the upper palate, and breathe naturally.
Step 2: Stimulate Saliva Production
- Rotate your tongue inside your mouth, clockwise and counterclockwise, nine to eighteen times to activate your salivary glands.
- Puff out your cheeks and mimic rinsing your mouth until saliva accumulates.
Step 3: Swallowing Technique
- Divide the saliva into three portions.
- Swallow each portion slowly and mindfully.
- Visualize the saliva flowing down to your lower abdomen, nourishing your organs.
Final Word: Give your gut a little ancient TLC
Swallowing saliva for IBS relief might sound quirky, but sometimes the simplest habits can make a surprising difference. If you are looking for a gentle, natural way to give your digestion some extra support, why not try this time-honoured trick from Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Sources of knowledge
Zhizheng Lu (路志正), 2022. Remove Body Dampness: Prevent Stomach Diseases, Skin Diseases, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome. 2nd edition. New Taipei City: Renren Culture Publishing Co., Ltd. (Text in Chinese)
Jianjiao Wu (武建設), 2017. Don’t Let Deficiency, Cold, Dampness, and Heat Drag Down Your Body. Hong Kong: Feel Company Ltd. (Text in Chinese)
