Anal pain 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.
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Anal pain can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like anal pain here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here anal pain is often associated with abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and constipation in the pattern “Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause anal pain.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of anal pain we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat anal pain.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause anal pain
In Chinese Medicine anal pain is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
In addition to anal pain, other symptoms associated with Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines include abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and constipation.
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines is often treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner".
Read more about Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines here
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to anal pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine include scanty and dark urine, abdominal fullness and abdominal pain.
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine is often treated with Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Kudzu Roots - Ge Gen - as a key herb). Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to anal pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat invading the Spleen include scanty and dark urine, feeling of heat and feeling of heaviness.
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Heat in the Large Intestine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
In addition to anal pain, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Large Intestine include scanty and dark urine, constipation and dry stools.
Heat in the Large Intestine is often treated with Ma Zi Ren Wan, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Hemp Seeds - Huo Ma Ren - as a key herb). Ma Zi Ren Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that moisten intestines and unblock bowels", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Moistens the Intestines".
Five herbal formulas that might help with anal pain
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Why might Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang help with anal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines' of which burning sensation in the anus is a symptom.
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with anal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which burning sensation in the anus is a symptom.
Shao Yao Tang
Source date: 1186 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Regulates and harmonizes the Qi and Blood. Clears Heat. Dries dampness. Resolves Toxicity.
Why might Shao Yao Tang help with anal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which burning sensation in the anus is a symptom.
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with anal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat invading the Spleen' of which burning sensation in the anus is a symptom.
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 anal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Large Intestine' of which burning sensation in the anus is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for anal pain
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat anal pain
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with anal pain?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat anal pain as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Shao Yao Tang for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with anal pain?
Because Goldthread Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat anal pain as a symptom, like Lian Po Yin or Shao Yao Tang for instance.
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with anal pain?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat anal pain as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with anal pain?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat anal pain as a symptom, like Shao Yao Tang or Ma Zi Ren Wan for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) help with anal pain?
Because Houpu Magnolia Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat anal pain as a symptom, like Lian Po Yin or Ma Zi Ren Wan for instance.
Houpu Magnolia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.
Other symptoms often associated with anal pain
Scanty and dark urine Abdominal fullness Abdominal pain Constipation Dry stools Feeling of heat Feeling of heaviness Dark Urine Irritability Delirium