Heat in the Large Intestine
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.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine The concept of Heat
Key attributes
Chinese name: 大肠实热 Pinyin name: Dà Cháng Shí Rè
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stomach Heat or Fire
Common causes: Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Dry stools Dry tongue Constipation Scanty and dark urine Burning sensation in the anus and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
Tongue description: thick dry coating and the color might be yellow, brown or black
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear Heat in the Large Intestine and Stomach, promote Body Fluids.
Common formulas: Ma Zi Ren Wan
Pathology
Generally speaking, this pattern happens more as acute condition. The Full Heat burns the Body Fluids in the Large Intestine and give rises to Dryness, hence the symptoms of dry stools, burning and swelling of anus, thick yellow dry coating and a Rapid pulse.
The Stomach is closely related to the Large Intestine through the Bright Yang. Therefore the Heat normally co-exists in both Organs and it leads to dry mouth and dry tongue.
Finally, the Large Intestine is located in the Lower Burner and the Heat condenses the Body Fluids there, so that there is less urine and the color is rather dark.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Heat in the Large Intestine can derive from Stomach Heat or Fire
Diet: Over consumption of hot foods can cause this pattern, such as lamb, beef and alcohol. In additional to that, dry foods may also be a cause such as broiled or baked meats.
Diagnosing Heat in the Large Intestine
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu) or full (Shi)
Tongue description: thick dry coating and the color might be yellow, brown or black
Main symptoms: Dry stools Dry tongue Constipation Scanty and dark urine Burning sensation in the anus Burning sensation in the mouth
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the dry stools, burning sensation in the anus and thick yellow dry tongue coating.
Treating Heat in the Large Intestine
Treatment principle
Clear Heat in the Large Intestine and Stomach, promote Body Fluids.
Herbal formulas used to treat Heat in the Large Intestine
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.
Formula summary
Ma Zi Ren Wan is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels.
Besides Heat in the Large Intestine, Ma Zi Ren Wan is also used to treat Large Intestine Dryness.
Diet recommendations
Eat less hot foods such as lamb, beef and alcohol. Try other cooking method than broiling or baking.
Consequence patterns
If the excessive Heat consumes too much Body Fluids, it can injure Yin in the Stomach and the Large Intestine.