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.
Mucus in 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 mucus in 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 mucus in stools is often associated with red face, feeling of oppression of the chest and dry mouth in the pattern “Phlegm-Heat”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause mucus in stools.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of mucus in stools we’ve identified three 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 mucus in stools.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause mucus in stools
In Chinese Medicine mucus in 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.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Wen Dan Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Heat
Phlegm-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Swollen
Phlegm-Heat arises when Dampness or Body Fluids combine with pathogenic Heat. Common symptoms include the coughing of a thick, yellow, viscous sputum that is difficult to expectorate and a red, flushed face.
In addition to mucus in stools, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Heat include red face, feeling of oppression of the chest and dry mouth.
Phlegm-Heat is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Hot-Phlegm".
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 mucus in stools, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine include stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, abdominal pain and abdominal fullness.
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 "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Three herbal formulas that might help with mucus in stools
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot-Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with mucus in stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat' of which mucus in stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Heat include red face, feeling of oppression of the chest and dry mouth.
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with mucus in stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which mucus in stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Large Intestine include stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, abdominal pain and abdominal fullness.
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Source date: 1584 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Directs Rebellious Qi downwards. Stops coughing.
Why might Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan help with mucus in stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat' of which mucus in stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Heat include red face, feeling of oppression of the chest and dry mouth.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat mucus in stools
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with mucus in stools?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat mucus in stools as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with mucus in stools?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat mucus in stools as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with mucus in stools?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat mucus in stools as a symptom, like Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan 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 Spleen, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung and the Small intestine.
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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with mucus in stools?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat mucus in stools as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Apricot Seed (Xing Ren) help with mucus in stools?
Because Apricot Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat mucus in stools as a symptom, like Ding Chuan Tang or Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan for instance.
Apricot Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation.
Other symptoms often associated with mucus in stools
Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium Abdominal pain Abdominal fullness Diarrhea Bloody stools Smelly stools Burning sensation in the anus Scanty and dark urine Fever Feeling of heat