Objective To summarize professor LI Tianwang's medication rules for treating spleen and stomach diseases based on data mining, learn his diagnostic and therapeutic experiences to provide guidance for clinical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Methods A total of 21, 159 TCM prescriptions for spleen and stomach diseases treated by professor LI Tianwang in outpatient department from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected and selected. TCM database was established, and drug frequencies were statistically analyzed. Association rule analysis and cluster analysis were conducted on the drugs.

Results Excluding Gancao, professor LI Tianwang commonly used 162 TCM herbs (frequency ≥1%) for treating spleen and stomach diseases, with 26 high-frequency herbs (frequency ≥30%). The most frequently used herb was Baizhu, with a usage frequency of 18, 692 times. Commonly used herbs included Baizhu, Fuling, Hehuanpi, Dangshen, Chaihu, and Baishao. The results of association rule analysis indicated high associations in herb pairs such as Dangshen-Baizhu, Fuling-Baizhu, Dangshen-Fuling, Baizhu-Fuling, and Meiguihua-Hehuanpi. Complex network analysis revealed that core drugs included Dangshen, Baizhu, Foshou, Huanglian, Jineijin, Xiangfu, and Hehuanpi. Cluster analysis showed that herb combinations such as Qingpi-Foshou, Zhishi-Houpo, Huanglian-Wuzhuyu-Ganjiang, and Yiyiren-Muxiang-Chenpi-Shanyao were frequently used together.

Conclusion Professor LI Tianwang believes that the basic pathogenesis of spleen and stomach diseases involves deficiency mingled with excess. The deficiency syndrome is mainly characterized by spleen deficiency, while the excess syndrome is mainly characterized by liver stagnation, phlegm-dampness, and qi stagnation. The treatment principles focus on soothing the liver and relieving depression, invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi, and drying dampness and resolving phlegm, supplemented by promoting digestion, warming the middle, and lowering adverse qi.