Salivating is a common phenomenon in children under three years old. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, saliva is the fluid of the spleen, and the spleen connects to the mouth. When the spleen is harmonious, the mouth is harmonious, so saliva is attributed to the spleen. Now let's take a look at the massage techniques for babies who salivate.
Causes and Pathology of Salivating in Babies
There are two types of causes for salivating in babies: deficiency and excess.
Deficiency of the spleen is due to congenital deficiency or inadequate nourishment after birth, causing weakness in the middle and failure to retain saliva. This leads to excessive saliva flowing directly and accumulating between the jaws, resulting in this condition. Excess is caused by accumulated heat, which steams up and forces the fluid to surge upwards, forming the basis for excessive saliva. The heat also slows down the stomach's function, which in turn delays the retention of fluid, leading to continuous salivation.
Massage for Salivating with Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat Pattern
Main Symptoms: Saliva flowing from the corners of the mouth, sticky and possibly with a taste, redness and soreness at the corners of the mouth, thirst with a desire to drink, short and red urine, constipation, crying and restlessness, red tongue with yellow coating, wiry and rapid pulse, and purple congestion in fingerprints.
Treatment Principle: Clear heat and invigorate the spleen.
Massage Prescription: Clear the Stomach Meridian, clear the Gate of Shu, horizontally stroke towards the Gate of Shu, guide the water into the earth, withdraw from the six fu organs, stroke the four horizontal lines, hold the throat point, knead the Upper Lianquan (ST 11), knead the Tiantu (CV 22).
Massage Explanation: Clearing the Stomach Meridian and guiding the water into the earth, stroking the Gate of Shu, and withdrawing from the six fu organs are all methods to clear heat and promote downward movement. Stroking the four horizontal lines towards the Gate of Shu can reduce counterflow, preventing heat from surging upwards and avoiding excessive pressure. Excessive accumulation of heat is common in children, and accumulation is easily transformed into heat. Heat can promote stagnation, so the four horizontal lines are used to transform accumulation and eliminate heat. Holding the throat point and kneading the Upper Lianquan and Tiantu are local acupoints used to address specific symptoms.
Massage for Salivating with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency-Cold Pattern
Main Symptoms: Saliva flowing from the corners of the mouth, clear and thin saliva, long and clear urine, pale face and pale lips, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, poor digestion, pale red tongue, white coating, and weak fingerprints.
Treatment Principle: Strengthen the spleen and control the saliva.
Massage Prescription: Tonify the Spleen Earth, knead the Outer Labor Point (ST 36), guide the Eight Trigrams inward, stroke the Upper Three Gates, stroke upwards to the Tiantu (CV 22), hold the throat point, knead the Upper Lianquan (ST 11), knead the Tiantu (CV 22).
Massage Explanation: Tonifying the Spleen Earth can enhance qi and strengthen the spleen. Combining it with stroking the Upper Three Gates can warm the middle and dispel cold. The Outer Labor Point has the function of lifting yang and descending yin, and kneading it can promote the ascending of yang and descending of yin. Guiding the Eight Trigrams inward can promote qi movement, harmonize the stomach, transform accumulation, and aid digestion, allowing the spleen to function properly. Stroking upwards to the Tiantu not only promotes the ascending of yang but also focuses on local treatment. Holding the throat point and kneading the Upper Lianquan and Tiantu enhance the efficacy of addressing specific symptoms. Since strengthening the spleen's function is not achieved overnight, treatment for deficiency-cold salivation should be longer in duration.
Tips
In the above-mentioned treatment methods, applying force to the throat point should be directed upward and inward, directly pressing on the root of the tongue. The left and right sides of the tongue root are the Jinjin (Metal Fluid) and Yuyue (Jade Fluid). They are both pivotal in regulating and closing the fluid (saliva). Gentle pressure can promote saliva production and relieve thirst, while stronger pressure can control fluid and stop salivation. These two acupoints can also be pricked to draw blood by opening the mouth and stretching the tongue, but this method is very painful and unbearable for children. Parents also cannot accept it. Therefore, massage is used for external treatment, with the effect occurring internally.
