Diarrhea 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.
chronic diarrhea and watery stools redirect here
Diarrhea 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 diarrhea 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 diarrhea is often associated with vomiting, coughing and nausea in the pattern “Rebellious Qi”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause diarrhea.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of diarrhea 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 diarrhea.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause diarrhea
In Chinese Medicine diarrhea is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) is the king ingredient for Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, a formula used for Rebellious Qi
Rebellious Qi
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Red sides
Rebellious Qi is when Qi flows in the wrong direction. For instance, if one suffers from a rebellious Stomach Qi (a common case), the normal downward flow of Stomach Qi is disrupted and it goes upward instead. This may result in nausea, vomiting, belching or hiccupping.
In addition to diarrhea, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Qi include vomiting, coughing and nausea.
Rebellious Qi is often treated with Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Inula Flowers - Xuan Fu Hua - as a key herb). Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang belongs to the category of "formulas for a rebellious qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi".
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Yang Deficiency is an Empty-Cold condition characterized by Coldness and Deficiency. It can cause a general hypoactivity of Organ functions and Oedema. Qi and Blood is more likely to stagnate. Yang Deficiency is mostly related to Spleen Yang, Kidney Yang, Heart Yang or Lung Qi. It is a result of lack of activity or exercise, excessive sex, over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to diarrhea, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang include edema, impotence and feeling of cold.
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to diarrhea, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen include abdominal pain, irritability and tiredness.
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Read more about Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen here
Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) is the king ingredient for Li Zhong Wan, a formula used for Greater Yin stage
Greater Yin stage
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to diarrhea, other symptoms associated with Greater Yin stage include vomiting, feeling of cold and tiredness.
Greater Yin stage is often treated with Li Zhong Wan, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Li Zhong Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Middle Burner".
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine collapse
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
In addition to diarrhea, other symptoms associated with Large Intestine collapse include poor appetite, fatigue and cold limbs.
Large Intestine collapse is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with diarrhea
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with diarrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Qi' of which diarrhea is a symptom.
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 diarrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which watery stools is a symptom.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with diarrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen' of which alternating constipation and diarrhea is a symptom.
Li Zhong Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Li Zhong Wan help with diarrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Greater Yin stage' of which diarrhea is a symptom.
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 diarrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine collapse' of which chronic diarrhoea is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for diarrhea
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat diarrhea
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with diarrhea?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diarrhea as a symptom, like Li Zhong Wan 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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with diarrhea?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diarrhea as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Li Zhong Wan for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with diarrhea?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diarrhea as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with diarrhea?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diarrhea as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with diarrhea?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diarrhea as a symptom, like Du Shen Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Other symptoms often associated with diarrhea
Abdominal pain Vomiting Loss of appetite Edema Dysentery Impotence Abnormal uterine bleeding Poor appetite Fever Coughing