Hemorrhoids according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Hemorrhoids factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Thirst Dry mouth Dizziness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Zeng Ye Tang
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, hemorrhoids can be associated with three 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", as a matter of fact here hemorrhoids can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's hemorrhoids might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from hemorrhoids alone. For instance when hemorrhoids is caused by the pattern 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 description of the three patterns associated with hemorrhoids so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities 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 nine formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with hemorrhoids, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with hemorrhoids
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Dryness in Large Intestine
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
Hemorrhoids 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.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Severe constipation Tense and firm abdomen Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Hemorrhoids might be due to Heat in Yang brightness Organs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Yang Excess
Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Hemorrhoids might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
The nine herbal formulas that might help with hemorrhoids
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Why might Da Cheng Qi Tang help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess which are sometimes associated with hemorrhoids. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Zeng Ye Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Why might Zeng Ye Tang help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Dryness in Large Intestine, a pattern sometimes associated with hemorrhoids. 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).
Huai Jiao Wan
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat from the Intestines. Stops bleeding. Disperses wind. Regulates Qi.
Why might Huai Jiao Wan help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with hemorrhoids. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Intestines. Invigorates Qi. Unblocks the bowels. Drains Heat.
Why might Ma Zi Ren Wan help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with hemorrhoids. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with hemorrhoids. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to hemorrhoids
Constipation Thirst Dry stools Dry mouth Dry throat Thin body lacking strength Dizziness Bad breath Severe constipation Flatulence
