Hemorrhoids 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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Hemorrhoids 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 hemorrhoids 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 hemorrhoids is often associated with dizziness, poor appetite and anus prolapse in the pattern “Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hemorrhoids we’ve identified two 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 hemorrhoids.
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause hemorrhoids
In Chinese Medicine hemorrhoids is a symptom for the pattern "Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In a Qi Collapsing (also called 'Sinking Qi') situation, a weakened Qi is unable to perform its holding function, resulting in a prolapse of the Organs. This condition mostly applies to the Qi of the Spleen.
In addition to hemorrhoids, other symptoms associated with Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking include dizziness, poor appetite and anus prolapse.
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking 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)".
Two herbal formulas that might help with hemorrhoids
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 hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' of which hemorrhoids is a symptom.
Du Shen Tang
Source date: 1348 AD
Number of ingredients: 1 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Original Qi . Stabilizes from collapse.
Why might Du Shen Tang help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' of which hemorrhoids is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for hemorrhoids
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hemorrhoids
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a key herb in Du Shen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' (a pattern with hemorrhoids as a symptom)
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).
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' (a pattern with hemorrhoids as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' (a pattern with hemorrhoids as a symptom)
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 hemorrhoids?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' (a pattern with hemorrhoids as a symptom)
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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with hemorrhoids?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' (a pattern with hemorrhoids as a symptom)
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.
Other symptoms often associated with hemorrhoids
Constipation Carbuncles Boils Fever Dizziness Scrofula Snake bites Dysentery Poor appetite Anus prolapse