Large Intestine Dryness
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 concept of Dryness The Large intestine in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 大肠干燥 Pinyin name: Dà Cháng Gān Zào
Pattern nature: Empty
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stomach Qi Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Dry and warm weather, 2. Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Dry mouth Thin body Dizziness Dry stools Dry throat and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
Tongue description: Dry tongue with pale or red color and rootless coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Generates Body Fluids in the Large Intestine
Common formulas: Zeng Ye Tang Ma Zi Ren Wan
Pathology
This pattern is featured by a state of Dryness and Body Fluids Deficiency in the Large Intestine and the Stomach, hence the symptoms of dry mouth, dry throat and dry stools. Also, it always happens together with Stomach Yin Deficiency, because the Stomach and the Large Intestine are closely related.
The bad breath is not caused by Heat but by the food retention after constipation.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Large Intestine Dryness can derive from Stomach Qi Deficiency
Dry and warm weather : Some dry and warm environment can cause this pattern.
Diet: Irregular eating habit, such as eating late at night, eating in a hurry, eating while working, can consume Body Fluids as well as Yin. It causes Stomach and the Intestines Dryness.
Diagnosing Large Intestine Dryness
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): Fine (Xi)
Tongue description: Dry tongue with pale or red color and rootless coating
Main symptoms: Dry mouth Thin body Dizziness Dry stools Dry throat Bad breath
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the thin body and the dry stools that are difficult to get ride of.
Treating Large Intestine Dryness
Treatment principle
Generates Body Fluids in the Large Intestine
Herbal formulas used to treat Large Intestine Dryness
Zeng Ye Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Formula summary
Zeng Ye Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that enrich Yin and moisten Dryness.
Besides Large Intestine Dryness, Zeng Ye Tang is also used to treat Body Fluids Deficiency or Dryness in 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 Large Intestine Dryness, Ma Zi Ren Wan is also used to treat Heat in the Large Intestine.
Consequence patterns
Dryness in the Large Intestine consumes Body Fluids. If this situation lasts for a while, it can hurt Yin in the Large intestine and the Stomach.