Bloody stools 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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Bloody stools 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 bloody stools 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 bloody stools is often associated with bloody sputum, dizziness and eczema in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause bloody stools.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bloody stools 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 bloody stools.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bloody stools
In Chinese Medicine bloody stools is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include bloody sputum, dizziness and eczema.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
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 bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine include diarrhea, fever and feeling of heat.
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with bloody stools
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which bloody stools 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 bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Shi Hui San
Source date: 1348g
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Blood and . Stops bleeding. Clears Heat and drains Fire.
Why might Shi Hui San help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for bloody stools
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bloody stools
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with bloody stools?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Gui Pi 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with bloody stools?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Shao Yao Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with bloody stools?
Because Red Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with bloody stools?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Shao Yao Tang or Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang for instance.
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with bloody stools?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with bloody stools
Abnormal uterine bleeding Hematuria Bloody sputum Diarrhea Nosebleed Sores Dysentery Blood in urine Hematemesis Epistaxis