The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, chronic pancreatis is sometimes associated with Dryness in Large Intestine, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's chronic pancreatis might be caused by the pattern Dryness in Large Intestine, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from chronic pancreatis alone. Indeed if chronic pancreatis is caused by Dryness in Large Intestine, patients also experience symptoms such as constipation, thirst, dry stools and dry mouth. Similarly, patients with Dryness in Large Intestine typically exhibit fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale, red tongue.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Dryness in Large Intestine so that you can have a better understanding of where chronic pancreatis might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Zeng Ye Tang, a formula that can help treat Dryness in Large Intestine.
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale, Red
Recommended herbal formula: Zeng Ye Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Dry mouth Dizziness Dry stools Dry throat Bad breath Constipation Thin body lacking strength
Chronic pancreatis might be due to Dryness in Large Intestine if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as constipation, thirst, dry stools and dry mouth. Similarly, patients with Dryness in Large Intestine typically exhibit fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale, red tongue.
The top herbs in Zeng Ye Tang are Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen), Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Dryness in Large Intestine, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic pancreatis. If it looks like you might suffer from Dryness in Large Intestine, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Constipation Thirst Dry stools Dry mouth Dry throat Thin body lacking strength Dizziness Bad breath