In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), colitis is categorized under “dysentery” and “intestinal masses,” with the Shire Repletion Type (Shī Rè Yùn Jié Xíng) being one of the common patterns.
Patients with this condition often suffer from external invasion of damp-heat pathogenic factors or excessive consumption of spicy and rich foods, leading to the accumulation of dampness and heat in the intestines, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, purulent and bloody stools,tenesmus, and anal burning sensations.
The “Essential Readings of Medicine” states: “When blood flows, purulent stools heal on their own; when qi is regulated, tenesmus is alleviated.” If improperly treated, the damp-heat toxins and stasis can congeal, potentially leading to ulceration and bleeding of the intestinal mucosa, ultimately evolving into chronic colitis.
Today, I would like to share a classic modified formula in the form of a TCM patent medicine—Hudi Chang Rong Capsules, specifically designed for Shire Repletion Type Colitis.
This formula has the effects of cooling blood, promoting diuresis, and clearing heat, and is effective in treating diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and purulent bloody stools caused by colitis..
Patient Mr. Li, 35 years old, a food delivery rider, came for treatment due to abdominal pain and diarrhea for over two months. He reported purulent bloody stools, 5-6 times daily, accompanied by anal burning, tenesmus, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and slippery rapid pulse. Mr. Li’s irregular diet due to work, preference for spicy takeout, and frequent sweating during cycling led to internal damp-heat accumulation and external dampness invasion, damaging the intestinal network. A colonoscopy indicated “ulcerative colitis“. The diagnosis was damp-heat toxin stasis obstructing the intestines. The treatment was to clear heat, promote diuresis, cool blood, detoxify, and resolve stasis. I prescribed him Hudi Chang Rong Capsules, with the following ingredients: Zhu Sha Qi, Hu Zhang, Bai Hua She She Cao, Bei Bai Jiang, Er Se Bu Xue Cao, Di Yu (charred), Bai Ji, Gan Cao.
Formula Explanation:
Zhu Sha Qi is bitter and cold, entering the large intestine channel, clearing heat, detoxifying, and invigorating blood to alleviate pain, targeting the core pathogenesis of intestinal heat toxins and blood stasis.
Hu Zhang is bitter and slightly cold, clearing heat, promoting diuresis, invigorating blood, and dispersing stasis, working synergistically with Zhu Sha Qi to enhance detoxification and stasis resolution.
Bai Hua She She Cao is sweet and cold, clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis.
Bei Bai Jiang is pungent, bitter, and slightly cold, clearing heat, detoxifying, resolving abscesses, and expelling pus, helping to eliminate putrid substances in the intestines.
Er Se Bu Xue Cao is sweet, slightly bitter, and neutral, nourishing blood and stopping bleeding, preventing the damage of bitter cold herbs to the righteous qi;
Di Yu cools blood and stops bleeding, specifically entering the large intestine channel, treating purulent bloody stools caused by damp-heat stasis in the intestines.
Bai Ji is bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly cold, promoting hemostasis, reducing swelling, and generating muscle.
Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs, alleviating the bitter and cold nature while tonifying the spleen and benefiting qi.
During the treatment, I also advised Mr. Li to avoid spicy foods and seafood, refrain from drinking cold water, and maintain a regular diet.
Treatment Results: After one week of treatment, the purulent blood decreased to 3 times/day, abdominal pain alleviated, and anal burning relieved. After two weeks, the purulent blood disappeared, stools became formed, and the feeling of tenesmus was gone. One month later, colonoscopy showed ulcer healing, and follow-up after six months showed no recurrence.