The Large Intestine

The large intestine and the lungs form a yin-yang relationship with each other, and they control the waterways of the human body. The lungs are in charge of sending fluids downward, while the large intestine is in charge of excreting waste matter, which are two important functions for maintaining a balance of water in the body. When the large intestine is suffering from deficiency, it may fail to transport waste matter to the anus for excretion, leading to constipation and dry stools.

Conversely, when the large intestine is suffering from excess, it may excrete too much water, leading to diarrhea or loose stools. The large intestine is in charge of the transformation and transportation of food residue, including waste matter, and water absorption. When the large intestine fails to absorb enough water, it will lead to diarrhea, and when it absorbs too much water, it will cause constipation. In addition, the large intestine is also involved in the regulation of the immune system, and its disorders may lead to the occurrence of various gastrointestinal diseases. The large intestine is in charge of opening and closing of the anus, and is also related to the external genitalia. Therefore, when the large intestine is diseased, it may lead to anal prolapse, hemorrhoids, or other diseases of the external genitalia.

The large intestine is related to the liver, as they share the same meridian. Therefore, when the large intestine is diseased, it may also lead to liver disorders, such as liver-qi stagnation or liver-yang rising. In traditional Chinese medicine, the large intestine is closely related to emotions, especially sadness and grief. Emotional disorders may affect the function of the large intestine, leading to constipation or diarrhea. Therefore, emotional regulation is an important part of the treatment of large intestine disorders.