Constipation

Large-Intestine Heat

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation with bad breath
• Discharge of blood from the anus
• Discharge of solid, dry, and hard stools
• Discharge of sticky, muddy stools with a rotten and bad smell
• Dry sensations in the mouth
• Gums swelling
• Lips are scorched
• Pain in the anus with swelling and burning sensations
• Short and reddish streams of urine
• Yellow stools like rice pulp with a bad smell

Treatment: To clear heat and lubricate the large intestine

• Herbal formulas: Ma-Zi-Ren-Wan or Zeng-Yi-Cheng-Qi-Tang
• Dietary recommendations: preserved duck egg, flour, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job's-tears, laver, leaf beet, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, sesame oil, and apple

Energy Congestion

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest and ribs discomfort
• Chest pain
• Constipation with a desire to empty the bowel
• Pain in the inner part of the stomach with prickling sensation and swelling
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Retention of urine
• Ringing in ears and deafness
• Stomachache
• Subjective sensation of lump in the throat
• Swallowing difficulty
• Swelling and congestion after eating

Treatment: To promote energy flow

• Herbal formula: Liu-Mo-Yin
• Dietary recommendations: beef, cherry, bird's nest, butterfish, chicken, coconut meat, date, tofu, mustard seed, sweet rice, goose meat, mutton, jackfruit, squash, sweet potato, red and black date, rice, rock sugar, caraway seed, spearmint, common button mushroom, oregano, red bean, ambergris, dill seed, garlic, sweet basil, and saffron

Cold Large-Intestine

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal pain with abdominal rumbling
• Abdominal rumbling
• Clear and long streams of urine
• Cold hands and feet
• Difficult bowel movements
• Discharge of sticky, muddy stools not unlike dung of a goose

Treatment: To warm the large intestine and promote bowel movements

• Herbal formula: Ji-Chuan-Jian
• Dietary recommendations: capers, cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, prickly ash, star anise, white or yellow mustard seed, white or yellow mustard, wine, chicken, clove, herring, nutmeg, and black and white pepper

Energy Deficiency

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation with discharge of soft stools
• Discharge of sticky, turbid stools or diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue following bowel movement
• Headache (severe) that occurs with fatigue after labor
• Headache at intervals, headache in the morning, or prolonged headache
• Lying down with an inability to sit up, which will cause dizziness
• Misty vision
• Numbness
• Palpitations with insecure feeling
• Perspiration on hands and feet
• Prolonged headache
• Ringing in ears that causes deafness
• Shaking of hands

• Shortness of breath
• Swallowing difficulty
• Talking in weak voice
• Tips of four limbs slightly cold
• Underweight with dry skin

Treatment: To strengthen the energy and promote bowel movement

• Herbal formula: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang
• Dietary recommendations: grape, longan nuts, maltose, mandarin fish, Irish potato, sweet rice, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, ham, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job's-tears, royal jelly, string bean, whitefish, yam, red and black date, mutton, squash, and rock sugar

Blood Deficiency

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation with discharge of hard stool
• Cold sensations in the abdomen
• Difficult bowel movement
• Dizziness
• Dry and cracked lips and mouth
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Feeling miserable
• Headache in the afternoon or with dizziness
• Lips lightly colored
• Lying down with an inability to sit up, which will cause dizziness
• Misty vision
• Muscles jumping that cannot be controlled
• Night sweats
• Palpitations with insecure feeling
• Sleeplessness
• Spasms
• Tics of four limbs
• Underweight with dry skin
• White complexion

Treatment: To nourish the blood and lubricate the large intestine

• Herbal formula: Run-Chang-Wan
• Dietary recommendations: abalone, asparagus, cuttlefish, chicken egg, duck egg, white fungus, beef liver, grape, mandarin fish, oyster, milk, beef, cherry, blood clam, and longan nuts

Conclusion

Chinese medicine offers a comprehensive approach to treating constipation by identifying the underlying cause and addressing it with herbal remedies and dietary recommendations. By understanding the different types of constipation and their corresponding treatments, individuals can take a more targeted approach to managing their condition and improving their overall health. As with any medical treatment, it is essential to consult with a qualified practitioner before beginning any new regimen.