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.
Smelly 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 smelly 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 smelly stools is often associated with stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, abdominal pain and abdominal fullness in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of smelly stools we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause smelly stools
In Chinese Medicine smelly stools is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
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 smelly 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".
A herbal formula that might help with smelly stools
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with smelly stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which smelly 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.
Kudzu root might help with smelly stools
Why might Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) help with smelly stools?
Because it is a key herb in Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' (a pattern with smelly stools as a symptom)
Kudzu Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves muscle tension especially in the neck and shoulders. Relieves the Exterior and scatters Wind. Supports the Fluids and eases thirst. Assists in the expression of measles. Relieves diarrhea. Relieves hypertension.
Other symptoms often associated with smelly stools
Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium Abdominal pain Abdominal fullness Diarrhea Bloody stools Mucus in stools Burning sensation in the anus Scanty and dark urine Fever Feeling of heat