Dry Stools in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different dry stools patterns according to TCM theory

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11
TCM Patterns
49
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 11 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each dry stools pattern
Classical remedies 49 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dry stools are seen not just as a physical discomfort but as a symptom signaling an imbalance within the body's internal systems. TCM interprets this condition through the lenses of Qi (energy), Yin and Yang balance, and the interaction between the body's organs and meridians.

Identifying the specific pattern of disharmony is essential in TCM, as it guides the treatment strategy, whether through herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary adjustments, or a combination of therapies.

TCM Patterns for Dry Stools

Heat

Causes: Dry stools

10 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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 dry stools

Dry stools

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

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Liver Fire Blazing
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Stomach Heat or Fire
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Dry stools

9 variations documented
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach and Spleen Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Loss of appetite, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry lips, Nausea, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Yin and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Dry stools

3 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: General sensation of tightness, Absence of thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Dry stools

2 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: General sensation of tightness, Absence of thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Dry stools

2 variations documented
Large Intestine Dryness
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Dry mouth, Dry throat, Emaciation, Dizziness, Bad breath

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dryness in Large Intestine
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Body Fluids Deficiency

Causes: Dry stools

1 variation documented
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue,

Yang Excess

Causes: Dry stools

1 variation documented
Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth,

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Dry stools

1 variation documented
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

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

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Dry stools

1 variation documented
Yin and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Rebellion

Causes: Stools sometimes dry and in small pieces

1 variation documented
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen
How it presents with dry stools

Stools sometimes dry and in small pieces

Along with: Irritability, Abdominal distention, Abdominal pain, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Dry stools, Excessive gas and flatulence,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Dry stools

1 variation documented
Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with dry stools

Dry stools

Along with: General sensation of tightness, Absence of thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Dry Stools

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry stools

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Wind Cold Dampness

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Wind Yang Excess

Liang Di Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency

Zeng Ye Tang

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

Addresses these dry stools patterns:

Heat Qi Stagnation