Constipation refers to a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements (less than 3 times a week), with hard and dry stools that are difficult to pass, or stools that are not dry but difficult to expel.
Constipation can exist as a functional disease on its own or as a symptom associated with various organic diseases.
In the book Baopuzi by the Daoist Ge Hong from the Eastern Jin dynasty, it is stated: To achieve longevity, the intestines must be cleansed; to avoid death, there must be no residue in the intestines. If one wishes to live a long life, one must first cleanse the intestines thoroughly, leaving no waste behind. The reasons for human aging partly lie in the accumulation of waste from ingested food, dead bacteria, cells, metabolic waste, free radicals, and lactic acid produced during exercise, all of which can accumulate in the body and harm health.
The main causes include irregular diet, emotional imbalance, prolonged sitting, excessive fatigue, aging, post-illness or post-partum conditions, and medication effects.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the basic pathogenesis of constipation is the large intestine’s inability to descend and transmit. Mild cases can be improved by adjusting dietary structure, while some require the assistance of medications.
Today, I will introduce four traditional Chinese medicines used for different types of constipation that effectively improve gastrointestinal function. Be sure to take note!
Ma Ren Wan
Composed of Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seed), Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Kernel), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange, stir-fried), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark, prepared with ginger), Bai Shao (White Peony, stir-fried).
This formula is an addition of Xiao Cheng Qi Tang with Ma Ren, Xing Ren, and Shao Yao.
In this formula, Huo Ma Ren is moist and oily, promoting bowel movements, serving as the monarch herb;
Assisted by Xing Ren to descend qi and moisten the intestines, and Bai Shao to nourish yin and harmonize the interior, together they serve as minister herbs;
With the addition of Zhi Shi from Xiao Cheng Qi Tang to regulate qi and eliminate fullness, Hou Po to harmonize the middle and relieve fullness, and Da Huang to push down and eliminate accumulation;
Honey is used to moisten dryness and facilitate bowel movements, aiming for a gentle laxative effect.
This formula combines purgative and moistening herbs, processed into pills, achieving a gentle yet effective laxative action.
Modern studies show that Ma Ren Wan has a laxative effect and promotes intestinal movement.
It is mainly used for constipation caused by intestinal heat and fluid deficiency, characterized by dry and hard stools, abdominal fullness and discomfort; it is also used for habitual constipation with the above symptoms.
Commonly used for geriatric constipation, to prevent constipation after chemotherapy, abdominal distension after prostate surgery in the elderly, and various types of post-surgical constipation.
The dosage may vary based on different conditions and should be taken under the guidance of a physician. Use with caution in cases of deficiency-cold constipation and during pregnancy.
Ma Ren Run Chang Wan
Composed of Huo Ma Ren, Ku Xing Ren (peeled, stir-fried), Da Huang, Mu Xiang, Chen Pi, Bai Shao.
In this formula, Huo Ma Ren is moist and oily, promoting bowel movements, serving as the monarch herb;
Da Huang attacks accumulation and purges, paired with Ku Xing Ren, Bai Shao to nourish yin and increase fluids to moisten the intestines, sweet and moist to mitigate the purging power of Da Huang, thus purging without harming the righteous qi, together they serve as minister herbs.
Assisted by Chen Pi, Mu Xiang to harmonize the middle and promote the flow, enhancing the purging and laxative effect. The combination of all herbs works together to achieve the effect of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements.
Used for stomach and intestinal heat accumulation, chest and abdominal fullness, and constipation. Commonly used for habitual constipation and functional constipation due to qi stagnation and dry intestines.
Oral administration. Use with caution in cases of deficiency-cold constipation, contraindicated in pregnancy.
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Composed of Zhi Shi (stir-fried), Da Huang, Huang Lian (stir-fried with ginger juice), Huang Qin, Liu Shen Qu (stir-fried), Bai Zhu (stir-fried), Fu Ling, Ze Xie.
In this formula, Da Huang serves as the monarch herb, attacking accumulation and purging heat, allowing the accumulated heat to be expelled through the stool;
Zhi Shi serves as the minister, moving qi and eliminating accumulation, working together with the monarch to expel heat and relieve fullness, while also alleviating abdominal distension and pain due to qi stagnation.
Huang Lian, Huang Qin clear heat and dry dampness, thickening the intestines to stop dysentery;
Fu Ling, Ze Xie promote urination and drain dampness, and can also stop diarrhea;
Bai Zhu strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, assisting Fu Ling in eliminating dampness, and preventing Da Huang and Zhi Shi from damaging the righteous qi and Huang Qin, Huang Lian from being too bitter and cold, harming the stomach;
Shen Qu aids digestion and strengthens the spleen, allowing food stagnation to be resolved and harmonizing the spleen and stomach, serving as an auxiliary herb.
The combination of all herbs allows for the elimination of accumulation, clearing of damp-heat, and smooth flow of qi, thus stopping abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Modern research shows that Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan aids digestion, adjusts gastrointestinal function, promotes bile secretion, and has antibacterial effects.
It is mainly used for food stagnation and damp-heat obstruction causing epigastric and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, and dysentery with urgency and heaviness.
Commonly used for indigestion, chronic constipation, chronic gastritis, and chronic enteritis associated with damp-heat food stagnation.
Oral administration. Avoid raw and cold foods.
Tong Bian Ning Pian
Composed of Fan Xie Ye (Senna) dry extract powder, Qian Niu Zi (Morning Glory Seed), Sha Ren, Bai Dou Kou.
The dry extract powder of Fan Xie Ye is a processed product, with the same properties and effects as Fan Xie Ye.
It is bitter and cold, clearing and purging, sweet and slippery, good at clearing heat, purging, and treating heat constipation, thus serving as the monarch herb;
Qian Niu Zi is bitter and cold, good at purging heat and eliminating stagnation, assisting the monarch herb in clearing damp-heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach, thus serving as the minister herb;
Sha Ren, Bai Dou Kou are aromatic and warm, both good at transforming dampness, moving qi, and warming the middle.
The combination of these two herbs not only regulates qi and relieves the middle but also warms the interior to prevent excessive cold from harming the spleen and stomach, serving as auxiliary herbs.
The entire formula works together, with bitterness to descend and spiciness to move, achieving the effect of regulating qi, relieving the middle, and promoting bowel movements, thus effectively treating constipation caused by intestinal heat accumulation.
It is mainly used for constipation caused by intestinal heat accumulation, characterized by dry and hard stools, abdominal pain upon pressure, abdominal distension, poor appetite, dry mouth, yellow urine, red tongue with yellow coating, and rapid slippery pulse.
Contraindicated in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women during menstruation; use with caution in those with cold constipation; not suitable for those with deficiency.
During treatment, avoid spicy and greasy foods.
In summary:
Ma Ren Wan has the effect of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements, used for constipation caused by intestinal heat and fluid deficiency.
Characterized by dry and hard stools, abdominal fullness and discomfort, and habitual constipation with the above symptoms.
Ma Ren Run Chang Wan has the effect of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements, used for stomach and intestinal heat accumulation, chest and abdominal fullness, and constipation.
Characterized by dry mouth, bitter taste, bad breath, accompanied by a feeling of heat in the body, thirst, profuse sweating, and dry stools.
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan has the effect of eliminating accumulation and clearing damp-heat, used for food stagnation and damp-heat obstruction causing epigastric and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and constipation.
Tong Bian Ning Pian has the effect of regulating qi, relieving the middle, and promoting bowel movements, used for heat constipation.
Characterized by dry and hard stools, several days without bowel movements, abdominal fullness and pain. It can easily lead to vomiting, accompanied by yellow urine, red face, dry mouth, bad breath, irritability, crying, and thick yellow tongue coating among other discomforts.
Additionally, Fang Feng Tong Sheng Wan, Bao He Wan, San Huang Pian, etc., can be selected as functional regulating traditional Chinese medicines, while severe qi deficiency and prolapse can consider Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan and others.
Remember, if you do not understand TCM differentiation, medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician. That’s all for today; if you have any questions, feel free to leave a message below.
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