Rectal prolapse 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.
Rectal prolapse factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Symptoms: Deafness Tinnitus Dizziness and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Aversion to cold Spontaneous sweating Thirst for warm drinks and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, rectal prolapse 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 rectal prolapse can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's rectal prolapse 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 rectal prolapse alone. For instance when rectal prolapse is caused by the pattern Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, blurred vision and deafness. Similarly, patients with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the three patterns associated with rectal prolapse 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 five formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with rectal prolapse, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with rectal prolapse
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Deafness Tinnitus Dizziness Weak voice Unsteadiness Loose stools Poor appetite Blurred vision Pale complexion Shortness of breath
Rectal prolapse might be due to Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, blurred vision and deafness. Similarly, patients with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the key herb for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency Fever
Qi Deficiency Fever
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Aversion to cold Spontaneous sweating Thirst for warm drinks Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
Rectal prolapse might be due to Qi Deficiency Fever if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold and thirst for warm drinks. Similarly, patients with Qi Deficiency Fever typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Asthma Dysuria Coughing Impotence Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Persistent diarrhea Prostatic hypertrophy Spasms of the lower abdomen Cold in the lower extremities Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Rectal prolapse might be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, cold in the lower extremities, impotence and spermatorrhea.
The five herbal formulas that might help with rectal prolapse
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with rectal prolapse?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency and Qi Deficiency Fever which are sometimes associated with rectal prolapse. 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).
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with rectal prolapse?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with rectal prolapse. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, 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 rectal prolapse?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rectal prolapse. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with rectal prolapse?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rectal prolapse. 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 rectal prolapse?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rectal prolapse. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to rectal prolapse
Dizziness Unsteadiness Blurred vision Deafness Tinnitus Shortness of breath Weak voice Pale complexion Poor appetite Loose stools
