Causes of Constipation According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine

by Joel Harvey Schreck

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Rhubarb, an Alternative Chinese Herbal Remedy for Constipation

Pregnancy and Constpation Remedies

More Chinese Herbal Remedies for Constipation

Alternative Chinese Medicine for IBS (Irritable Bowel)

Acupuncture Treatment for Constipation

E-Mail Consultations for Herbal Constipation Remedies

Constipation causes and remedies

Good digestion, like good overall health, depends on good flow. Constipation is a sign of poor flow. There are several causes of constipation, each with its own Chinese medicine remedy. The best of these constipation remedies are shown below.

A Constipation Remedy for Most Types of Constipation

Herbal Constipation Remedies

90 tablets, 700 mgs.

RHUBARB PILL,
Chinese Herbal Remedy for Constipstion
Far Better than Senna

In Marco Polo's time, everyone knew about using Chinese rhubarb for constipation. Chinese rhubarb rhizome (not the same as the rhubarb the food) was the most sought after medicine of its time and a big reason for East-West trade for almost a thousand years.

Dr.Shen's Rhubarb Rx is an herbal blend that brings out the best qualities of Chinese rhubarb. Safer than senna or other herbal laxatives, it's a tonic (strengthening) formula with laxative effect, not a simple purgative. These qualities make it better for long term use than common constipation remedies or laxatives.

If constipation does last more than a week, it is prudent to consult a physician
.

Using this or any laxative during pregnancy should be avoided.

SOURCE
Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu (Master Shen's Book for Revering Life), by Shen Jin-Ao, 1773 AD, and Pi Wei Lun (Treatus on the Spleen and Stomach) by Li-Ao, 1249 AD

PRACTITIONER NOTES
This herbal remedy will work for several causes of constipation, but it is most suited for constipation arising from deficiency of Yin or Blood. The original remedy is also known as Fructus Persica and Peach Kernal Pills
.

Dr. Shen's Rhubarb Rx draws on two versions of Run Chang Wan (Moisten Intestines Pill). It uses Mai Men Dong (Opthopogon) instead of Huo Ma Ren (marijuana seeds), making the formula more tonifying without loss of lubrication.

Cooked or processed rhubarb can have an astringent, binding effect. Dr. Shen's Rhubarb Rx uses quality unprocessed Chinese rhubarb rhizome. This maximizes the plant's anthraglycosides, potentiating its laxative properties. Therefore, this product should not be used to treat diarrhea, and is always contraindicated for patients with loose stool, spleen deficiency or diarrhea.

Like any strong downward-draining medicine, Dr. Shen's Rhubarb Rx should not be used during pregnancy.

THE HERBS
And Their Traditional Functions

Rhubarb rhizome, Rhei Rhizoma Da Huang
Moves stool, drains heat, invigorates the blood, detoxifies fire poison

Chinese Foxglove root, Rehmannia Glutinosa Radix, Sheng Di Huang
Nourishes Yin and Blood, Generates Fluids, Clears Heat, Cools Blood,

Ophthipogon tuber, Ophiopogonis, Tuber, Mai Men Dong
Moistens the Intestines, Nourishes the Yin, Clears Heat

Tang Kwei root, Angelica Sinensis, Dang Gui
Tonifies Blood, Invigorates Blood, Mosistens the Intestines and Moves Stool.

Peach seed kernel, Persica Semen, Tao Ren
Breaks Congeled Blood, Moistens Dryness, Lubricates the Intestines

Unripe Bitter Orange, Citri Immaturus Fructus, Zhi Ke
Directs the Qi Downward, Moves Stool, Breaks Stagnations, Reduces Accumulations

Constpation and Pregnancy:
Alternative Medicine to Use When Ordinary Constipation Remedies Are NOT Safe.

According to TCM, strong purgative herbs like rhubarb and senna are contraindicated for pregnant women, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, as these herbal remedies could cause miscarriage. The following herbal constipation remedy contains only safe tonic herbs. The same formula can be used by elderly or weak people for whom strong downward draining substances should be avoided.

Herbal Constipation Remedy for Pregnancy

shu di huang

zhi ke

suo yang

rou cong rong

mai men dong

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Take one tablespoon mixed in food or beverage 3 times a day, preferably on an empty stomach.. Because of its mild nature, this constpation remedy may take several days to begin working.

More Chinese Herbs and Medicine: Other Alternative Constipation Remedies

Remedies for Constipation with Pain

Bowel obstructions, drug reactions, parasitic, viral, or bacterial invasions, and depletion of fluids by high fevers are examples of excess type constipation. This type of constipation is often extreme, painfull, and sudden, and requires the use of strong purgative herbs. Remedies such as Da Cheng Qi San, are useful in cases of obstruction, where constipation is accompanied by marked abdominal pain.

Major order of the Qi Powder (Da Cheng Qi San) NOT FOR PREGNANCY

Take one tablespoon mixed in food or beverage 3 times a day, preferably on an empty stomach.

da huang

mang xiao

zhi shi

hou po

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR OTHER TYPES OF CONSTIPATION:

CHINESE HERBAL CONSTIPATION REMEDIES

DEFICIENT YIN OR DEFICIENT BLOOD TYPE CONSTIPATION

Deficiency of blood, or other body fluids can lead to constipation. Lacking enough fluids, the body reabsorbs too much water from the stool, creating dry stool and constipation. These deficiencies are often accompanied by other signs of dryness such as dry skin, dry eyes, dry scalp, itching or thirst. Internal "heat" may also be a factor in depleting the fluids. A good remedy for this kind of constipation is Moisten Intestines Pill, also known as Rhubarb Pill, Peach Kernal Pill, or Run Chang Wan. (see above)

DEFICIENT QI TYPE CONSTIPATION REMEDY

Deficient qi or deficient yang can cause constipation, particlarly in elderly or extremely weak people. An excellent remedy for this is Benefit the River Powder first published in 1624 AD.

Benefit the River Remedy
NOT FOR PREGNANCY

rou cong rong

dang gui

niu xi

ze xie

sheng ma

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E-MAIL CONSULTATIONS

for herbal constipation remedies

$60 USD

A consultation consists of several e-mail exchanges resulting in an herbal prescription, treatment plan and possibly other suggestion.

Consultations do not include the cost of herbs.

In your first e-mail, briefly describe yourself. Mention your gender, age, occupations, symptoms (including how long you've had them for) and any Western diagnosis.

List the medicines you use and occasions when you have been hospitalized for any reason.

Attachments such as photos or videos are OK, but not necessary.

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Chinese Herbal Remedies for Other Common Ailments

Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Shen Herb Inc.makes no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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