Large Intestine Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine Heat in the Large Intestine Dryness of the Large Intestine Cold in the Large Intestine
Large Intestine main function: to receive food from the Small Intestine, absorb fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. Diet Can directly affect the Large Intestine. Excessive consumption of Cold and raw food can cause Interior Cold (diarrhea: loose stools) Excessive greasy and hot foods can cause Damp-Heat in Large Intestine (foul urgent and loose stool with burning) Emotions Lung/Large Intestine belong to Metal element; affected by SADNESS and also by worry. Worry causes Lung Qi to become deficient and fail to descend, which can contribute to stagnation of Qi in Large Intestine (abdominal pain and constipation). Also Stagnation of Liver Qi can affect the Intestines in the same way. Exogenous Pathogens Cold can directly invade the Large Intestine causing abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Abdominal Pain Excess pattern Diarrhea Dampness impairs fluid absorption in the intestines Mucus and Blood in the Stool Damp causes mucus, heat causes extravasation of Blood Foul stool, burning anus Heat Scanty and dark urine Heat Fever and sweating
Heat
Thirst without a desire to drink Heat causes thirst, Dampness causes a lack of desire to drink Heavy sensation in the body and limbs Dampness Stuffiness in the chest and epigastrium Dampness
Tongue
Pulse
Etiology
Too much hot and greasy foods plus emotional problems
Example: worry and anxiety over long period. All cause interior Heat. May accompany other patterns involving Interior Heat such as Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Fire.
Treatment Principle
Points
SP 9 (Yinlingquan ) Clear Damp from Lower Burner SP 6 (SanYinjiao) Clear Damp from Lower Burner REN 3 (Zhongji ) Clear Damp from Lower Burner BL 22 (Sanjiaoshu) Clear Damp from Lower Burner BL 25 (Dachangshu) Back Shu of Large Intestine; stops diarrhea BL 17 (Geshu) Stops Bleeding REN 12 (Zhongwan) Resolves Dampness LI 11 (Quchi)
ST 37 (Shangjuxu) Lower Sea point of Large Intestine Stops diarrhea BL 20 (Pishu) Regulates Spleen to resolve Dampness
Method
Constipation with Dry Stools Heat burning fluids Burning sensation in mouth Heat Burning sensation in Anus Heat Scanty and dark urine Heat in the Lower Jiao
Tongue
Pulse
Etiology/Pathology
Too much hot foods (alcohol, lamb, beef) and dry foods (baked or broiled meats)
Treatment Principle
Clear Heat in Large Intestine and Stomach, Promote Body Fluids
Points
REN 4 (Gyanyuan) Tonifies Yin and Fluids LI 11 (Quchi) Clears Heat in Large Intestine ST 37 (Shangjuxu) Lower He Sea point of Large Intestine. Good for chronic conditions
ST 44 (Neiting) Clears Stomach Heat LI 2 (Erjian) Clears Heat in Large Intestine SP 6 (SanYinjiao) Nourish Yin and promote Body Fluids REN 12 (Zhongwan ) Nourish Yin and promote Body Fluids Ki 6 (Zhaohai) Nourish Yin and promote Body Fluids
Dry stools that are hard to pass Dry mouth and throat, possible thin body type Chronic Yin or Blood Deficiency
Tongue
Dry, pale, and red with no coating
Pulse
Fine
Etiology/Pathology
This pattern usually accompanies other patterns,
Example: Yin or Blood Deficiency. Yin Deficiency produces a red or red and peeled Tongue, whereas Blood Deficiency produces a Tongue that is pale.
This pattern is most common in older people and in women after childbirth.
Treatment Principle
Promote fluids in Large Intestine
Points
ST 36 (Zusanli) Promotes fluids in Large Intestine (Stomach is the Origin of Fluids) SP 6 (SanYinjiao ) Tonify Yin and promote Fluids
Ren 4 (Guanyuan) Tonify Yin and promote Fluids KI 6 (Zhaohai) Tonifies Yin and promotes Fluids, moistens stool.
Method
Loose stools Yang fails to transform fluids Dull abdominal pain Deficiency Borborygmus Spleen and Large Intestine Qi Deficiency Pale urine Yang Deficiency Cold Limbs
Tongue
Pale tongue
Pulse
Fine
Treatment Principle
Points
REN 6 (Qihai) Tonifies Qi and stops chronic diarrhea ST 25 (Tianshu) Front Mu point of Large Intestine. Stops diarrhea and pain. ST 36 (Zusanli) Tonifies Spleen Qi ST 37 (Shangjuxu) Lower Sea point of Large Intestine. Stops chronic diarrhea
BL 25 (Dachangshu) Back Shu point of Large Intestine. Tonifies Large Intestine BL 20 (Pishu) Tonifies Spleen Qi