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.
Severe constipation 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 severe constipation 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 severe constipation is often associated with flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness in the pattern “Heat in Yang brightness Organs”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of severe constipation we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Da Cheng Qi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heat in Yang brightness Organs, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause severe constipation
In Chinese Medicine severe constipation is a symptom for the pattern "Heat in Yang brightness Organs". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
In addition to severe constipation, other symptoms associated with Heat in Yang brightness Organs include flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness.
Heat in Yang brightness Organs is often treated with Da Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Da 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: "Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines".
A herbal formula that might help with severe constipation
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Why might Da Cheng Qi Tang help with severe constipation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Yang brightness Organs' of which severe constipation is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat In Yang Brightness Organs include flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness.
Rhubarb might help with severe constipation
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with severe constipation?
Because it is a key herb in Da Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in Yang brightness Organs' (a pattern with severe constipation as a symptom)
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.
Other symptoms often associated with severe constipation
Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure Tense and firm abdomen