Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that digestive and excretion issues typically involve imbalances in the functions of the spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, large intestine, and small intestine. TCM views the spleen and stomach as the core of the digestive system, responsible for digesting food and absorbing nutrients. When the spleen and stomach are out of balance, it can lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
Common Digestive and Excretion Issues and TCM Explanations
- Spleen and Stomach Deficiency: This condition often arises from irregular eating habits or prolonged illness leading to physical weakness. Symptoms include loss of appetite, poor digestion, abdominal bloating, and loose stools. TCM treatment usually focuses on strengthening the spleen and stomach and replenishing qi and blood, using formulas like Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder).
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with emotional stress and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal fullness, belching, abdominal pain, and constipation. TCM believes that liver qi stagnation affects the digestive function of the spleen and stomach. Treatment often involves using formulas that regulate liver qi and relieve stress, such as Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Powder to Dredge the Liver) and Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder).
- Stomach Heat: Stomach heat is often seen in individuals who consume excessively spicy or greasy foods or experience high stress. Symptoms include burning sensation in the stomach area, a bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and dry or hard stools. TCM treatment aims to clear stomach heat and resolve fire using formulas like Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder) and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity).
- Cold Dampness Obstructing the Spleen: Cold dampness obstructing the spleen usually results from consuming excessively cold foods, living in a damp environment, or having a weak constitution. Symptoms include cold abdominal pain, fullness in the stomach, poor appetite, and loose stools. TCM treatment emphasizes strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, and warming the middle burner using formulas like Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) and Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder).
- Intestinal Dryness and Constipation: Intestinal dryness and constipation are often due to yin deficiency and insufficient body fluids. Symptoms include dry stools and difficulty in bowel movements. Treatment typically focuses on moistening the intestines and relieving constipation with formulas like Zeng Ye Tang (Increase the Fluid Decoction) and Ma Zi Ren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill).
Methods of TCM Treatment for Digestive and Excretion Issues
TCM treatment for digestive and excretion issues emphasizes holistic and individualized care, commonly using:
- Herbal Medicine: Selection of different formulas based on the patient’s specific condition to regulate spleen and stomach function, relieve liver qi stagnation, clear heat, resolve dampness, or moisten the intestines and relieve constipation.
- Acupuncture: Using acupuncture at specific points, such as Zu San Li (Stomach 36), Zhong Wan (Stomach 12), and Tian Shu (Stomach 25), to regulate spleen and stomach functions and improve digestion and excretion.
- Dietary Therapy: Adjusting dietary structure based on the patient’s constitution and condition, choosing easily digestible and light foods, and avoiding spicy, greasy, and cold foods.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintaining good lifestyle habits, engaging in moderate exercise, avoiding overwork and emotional stress, which are also important for maintaining and restoring digestive and excretion functions.
In summary, TCM treatment for digestive and excretion issues focuses on pattern differentiation and treatment, emphasizing the regulation of organ functions and the balance of qi, blood, yin, and yang to achieve a fundamental resolution of the problem.
Chinese herbs mentioned, along with their uses in treating digestive and bowel movement issues
- Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome): Strengthens the spleen, boosts qi, dries dampness, and promotes urination. Often used for spleen and stomach weakness leading to loss of appetite, indigestion, and bloating.
- Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel): Regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and resolves phlegm. Suitable for addressing spleen and stomach qi stagnation, which can cause bloating, belching, and indigestion.
- Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit): Aids digestion, promotes stomach function, and invigorates blood circulation. Primarily used for the digestion of meat, loss of appetite, and abdominal bloating.
- Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome): Clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies. Commonly used for stomach heat conditions causing stomach pain, bitter taste in the mouth, and constipation.
- Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange): Breaks up qi stagnation, reduces accumulation, resolves phlegm, and alleviates fullness. Used for spleen and stomach qi stagnation and food accumulation.
These herbs can be used alone or in combination, but it’s advisable to consult with a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine to ensure they are appropriate for individual conditions and constitution.