Constipation in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different constipation patterns according to TCM theory

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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

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

Causes: Constipation, Severe constipation

16 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with constipation

Constipation

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

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,

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,

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: Constipation

4 variations documented
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

Causes: Constipation

3 variations documented
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

Causes: Constipation

3 variations documented
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,

Phlegm

Causes: Constipation

2 variations documented
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

Causes: Constipation

2 variations documented
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

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
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

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
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

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
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

Causes: Constipation

1 variation documented
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

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Qi Stagnation

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat Qi Stagnation

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Wind Heat

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat

Gua Lou San

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Qi Stagnation Heat

Da Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Yang Excess Heat

Zi Xue Dan

Addresses these constipation patterns:

Heat Wind