Causes of Constipation According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

COMING THIS FALL from BayTree Publications Dr. Shen's Handbook: A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine

Rhubarb for Constipation: Why Marco Polo Went to China

More Chinese Herbal Medicines for Constipation

Chinese Medicine for IBS (Irritable Bowel)

 

 

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Marco Polo Went to China
   For the Rhubarb.

       RHUBARB PILL
FOR CONSTIPATION          Way Better than Senna      
90 tablets, 700 mgs. $14.95

View Cart           or       Mail Order Call : Toll Free: 877-922.4372

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 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 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 formula will work for a variety of etiologies, but it is most suited for constipation arising from deficiency of Yin or Blood. 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
Their Traditional Functions and Constituents

Rhubarb rhizome, Rhei Rhizoma Da Huang
Moves stool, drains heat, invigorates the blood, detoxifies fire poison
Major known constituents: anthraquinone glycosides, chrysophanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rheum, tannic acids

Chinese Foxglove root, Rehmannia Glutinosa Radix, Sheng Di Huang
Nourishes Yin and Blood, Generates Fluids, Clears Heat, Cools Blood,
Major known constituents: B-sitosterol, mannitol, stigmasterol, camesterol, rehmannin

Ophthipogon tuber, Ophiopogonis, Tuber, Mai Men Dong
Moistens the Intestines, Nourishes the Yin, Clears Heat
Major known constituents: opthiopogonin, ruscogenin, B-sitosterol, stigmasterol

Tang Kwei root, Angelica Sinensis, Dang Gui
Tonifies Blood, Invigorates Blood, Mosistens the Intestines and Moves Stool.
Major known constituents: butylidene phthalide, n-valerophenone-o-carboxylic acid, Vitamin B-12, carotene, beta-sitosterol

Peach seed kernel, Persica Semen, Tao Ren
Breaks Congeled Blood, Moistens Dryness, Lubricates the Intestines
Major known constituents: amygdalin, emulsin, oleic acid, glyceric acid, linoleic acid

Unripe Bitter Orange, Citri Immaturus Fructus, Zhi Ke
Directs the Qi Downward, Moves Stool, Breaks Stagnations, Reduces Accumulations
Major known constituents: neohesperidin, naringin, rhoifolin, lonicerin, vitamin C

90 tablets, 700 mgs. $14.95 View Cart        

    Mail Order Call : Toll Free: 877-922.4372

Chinese Herbs for Constipation

Good digestion, like good overall health, depends on good flow. Constipation is an obvious sign of poor flow.

EXCESS TYPE CONSTIPATION

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 and sudden and requires the use of strong purgative herbs. Herbs such as senna (fang xie ye), rhubarb (da huang), and epsom salts, as well as formulas such as Da Cheng Qi Tang, are useful in cases of obstruction, where constipation is accompanied by marked abdominal pain.

DEFICIENT YIN TYPE CONSTIPATION
Deficiency of blood, or other body fluids can lead to constipation. Lacking enough water, the body reabsorbs too much 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. A remedy for Yin deficient heat is Da Bu Yin Wan.

DEFICIENT QI TYPE CONSTIPATION
Deficient qi or deficient yang can cause constipation in elderly or extremely weak people. An excellent fomula for this is Benefit the River Powder  first published in 1624 AD.  See below.

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HERBAL FORMULAS FOR CONSTIPATION

EXCESS TYPE CONSTIPATION

Da Cheng Qi Tang
Da Huang                     Radix et Rhizoma Rhei 
Mang Xiao                    Mirabilitum   Epsom Salt      
Zhi Shi                         Citri Aurantii, Fructus Immaturus
Hou Po                        Magnoliae Officinalis, Cortex

 

DEFICIENT YIN TYPE CONSTIPATION

See Rhubarb Pills Above

 

DEFICIENT QI TYPE CONSTIPATION   Benefit the River Powder

Rou Cong Rong            Cistanches Deserticolae, Herba 
Dang Gui                      Angelicae Sinensis, Radix
Niu Xi                           Achyranthis Bidentatae, Radix
Ze Xie                           Alismatis Orientalis, Rhizoma    
Zhi Ke (Qiao)                Citri Aurantii, Fructus               
Sheng Ma                     Cimicifugae, Rhizoma   

 

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Chinese Medicine for IBS

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