Constipation in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different constipation patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Stool and Bowel Irregularities
10
TCM Patterns
81
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 10 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each constipation pattern
Classical remedies 81 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets constipation as a symptom of underlying disharmony within the body's organ systems, particularly the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys.

TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying the specific pattern of disharmony causing constipation to effectively restore balance. This approach contrasts with Western medicine by focusing on the root cause rather than merely addressing the symptom.

TCM Patterns for Constipation

Heat

Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes

Causes: Constipation, Severe constipation

16 variations documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Red face/eyes • Thirst for cold drinks • Restlessness • Yellow/dark secretions

Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.

Heat in the Blood
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Dry stools,

Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Mouth burning sensation, Anal burning, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Dry tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face,

Liver Fire Blazing
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Shortness of breath, Asthma, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Heat or Fire
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Dry mouth,

Toxic-Heat
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule,

Toxic-Heat Stagnation
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Excess-Heat
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Fever, Flushed face, Red skin eruptions, Mottled skin, Irritability, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Heat in Yang brightness Organs
How it presents with constipation

Severe constipation

Along with: Excessive gas and flatulence, Focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Abdominal tightness, Pancreatitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes sudden symptoms, movement disorders, and serves as the vehicle for other pathogens

Causes: Constipation

4 variations documented
Onset Sudden
Location Often upper body/exterior
Features Rapid onset • Moving/migrating symptoms • Itching • Symptoms change location

Wind is the predominant pathogenic factor of spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is considered the leader of the six external pathogens. Wind is described as "the leader of the hundred diseases" (百病之长), serving as the primary factor in external pathogenic invasions. Wind represents a pathogen characterized by constant movement, changeability, and a tendency to affect the upper and outer portions of the body.

Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Dry stools,

Interior Wind
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Wind-Phlegm
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body

Causes: Constipation

3 variations documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Night sweats • Dry mouth/throat • Heat in afternoon/evening • Malar flush

Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Scanty and dark urine,

Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Qi Stagnation

Blocked or disrupted flow of vital energy causing distending pain, emotional distress, and symptoms that worsen with stress

Causes: Constipation

3 variations documented
Onset Gradual (can be sudden)
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Distending/moving pain • Emotional stress worsens • Sighing • Pain relieved by movement/burping

Qi Stagnation is a fundamental pathological pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the smooth flow of vital energy becomes obstructed, creating areas of pressure, pain, and dysfunction throughout the body.

Large Intestine Qi Stagnation
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Abdominal distention, Abdominal pain, Anxiety, Bitty stools

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body

Causes: Constipation

2 variations documented
Onset Gradual
Location Local or systemic
Features Nodules/lumps • Heavy sensation • Mucus/expectoration • Mental confusion (if affecting mind)

Phlegm is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It results from impaired fluid metabolism when the body's transformative functions fail, particularly affecting the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys. Classical texts emphasize that "the Spleen is the source of phlegm production, while the Lungs are the storage vessel for phlegm."

Wind-Phlegm
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Congeals body fluids, damages Yang Qi, and causes pain with fixed location

Causes: Constipation

2 variations documented
Onset Sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Aversion to cold • Prefers warmth • Pain relieved by heat • Tight/contracted feeling

Cold is the predominant pathogenic factor of winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cold represents an environmental pathogen that, when excessive, causes disease characterized by its cold, congealing, and contracting nature. While Cold is the main pathogen of winter, it can cause illness in any season through exposure to cold temperatures, getting caught in rain, sweating followed by wind exposure, or excessive air conditioning.

Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Dry stools,

Exterior Cold invading the Interior
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Abdominal pain, Hypochondriac pain, Chills, Low grade fever, Cold extremities, Sweating that doesn't reduce fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Collapse

Acute, critical depletion of body's yin fluids with uncontrolled yang floating upward, representing imminent life-threatening failure

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
Onset Sudden
Location Systemic/Critical
Features Life-threatening • Profuse sweating • Extreme thirst • Collapse/shock

Yin Collapse (Wang Yin) is an emergency syndrome representing the sudden, severe exhaustion of the body's yin fluids (essence, blood, and body fluids), leading to the loss of yin's anchoring function and causing yang to float uncontrolled. Classical texts describe this as a critical juncture where "yin is exhausted while yang becomes rootless," creating a dangerous state of systemic failure that, without immediate intervention, rapidly progresses to complete yin-yang separation and death.

Collapse of Yin
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Low grade fever, Night sweats, Restlessness, Dry mouth with desire to sip liquids, Heat sensation in palms, Flushed cheekbones,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Always cold • Fatigue • Pale face • Prefers warmth • Cold limbs

Yang Deficiency represents a fundamental weakness of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as an inability to warm the body, transform substances, and maintain normal physiological activities, resulting in various cold-type symptoms and functional decline.

Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Yang Excess

Excessive yang energy that generates heat, agitation, and hyperactivity throughout the body systems

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Systemic
Features True excess heat • Strong constitution • Full/forceful presentation • Red complexion

Yang Excess represents pathological hyperactivity of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as excessive heat, inflammation, and overstimulation that disrupts the normal balance between yin and yang, causing various acute and intense symptoms.

Yang Excess or Full Yang
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Feeling of heat, Hyperactivity, Lack of sweating, Heat intolerance

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Depletes body fluids and primarily damages the lungs

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic, especially Lung/skin
Features Dry skin/lips/throat • Dry cough • Autumn association • Cracked/rough texture

Dryness is the predominant pathogenic factor of autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It represents environmental dryness that damages the body's fluids and particularly affects the respiratory system.

Dryness in Large Intestine
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

Along with: Thirst, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor constitution, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Constipation

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address constipation

Da Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yang Excess Heat

Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Qi Stagnation

Gua Lou San

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Qi Stagnation Heat

Huang Lian Jie Du Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Wind Heat

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Wind Yin Deficiency

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat