Constipation
Constipation is a difficult or incomplete emptying of the Bowels. In general, in Humoral Treatment, the Humor associated is Purged. The Humoral Treatment can be seen under Purging the Humors. Softening, cooling, loosening foods are used. Enemas of Oil and Herbal Decoctions are a main part of Treatment in Traditional Medicine.Medicines used for Constipation can be divided into three classes:
1. Laxatives: gentle, safe; used in children, pregnancy and in the weak. They are mostly moistening, lubricating medicines from various seeds and Fruits pulps such as Cassia Fistula, Tamarind and Prunes.
2. Purgatives: these promote bowel movement and are of medium strength. They should be used carefully and long-term use in forbidden. Aloe, Senna and Rhubarb are of this class.
3. Cathartics: these are the strongest class, capable of passing water via the bowels in full doses. They are often toxic and are generally only used in formula with Laxative or Purgative medicine to facilitate their activity. They are also used for serious types of Edema such as Ascites, but only in strong patients.
Also see
Purging the Humors
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Western Tradition Laxatives These are used for Constipation in the Old, Young or Weak, and for Chronic Constipation. Infusion of Linseed Common Decoction Decoction of Fruit Potion to Purge the Delicate Syrup of Fresh Roses Oil of Sweet Almond Electuary of Prunes (Nicholas) Purgatives Electuary of Dates (Mesue) Elixir of Health Stomach Pills (Mesue) Pills of Mastic (Mesue) Pills of Aloe and Mastic Pills to Clarify (Pilulae Lucis Majores) (Mesue) Bruhath Triphala Churna (Ayurveda) Constipation from Weakness of the Bowels Triphala Electuary of Coriander (Itriphal Kishneez) Constipation caused by Heat Syrup of Fresh Roses Syrup of Apples Purgative (King Sabors Syrup) (Mesue) Compound Syrup of Senna |
TCM Classification Qi Stagnation with Heat Irritable, restless, emotional, tender breast, hypochondriac pain, headache, insomnia, dry mouth, dry eyes, premenstrual syndrome, red edges to the tongue with thin white or yellow coat, wiry, rapid pulse Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Dryness of the Intestines or Yin or Blood Deficiency Dry stool, constipation with weakness, dryness and qi stagnation: Si Wu Tang (Blood deficiency) Ma Zi Ren Wan Run Chang Wan Heat i. Heat in the Stomach and Intestines: constipation or diarrhea, abdominal distention, fullness in the epigastric region, dirty and dry yellowish coating on the tongue, slippery and rapid pulse Xiao Cheng Qi Tang Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang ii. Liver Heat: dizziness, vertigo, restless, angry, dark urine or dysuria, red tongue or red edges on the tongue, yellow coat, wiry or big pulse Dang Gui Long Hui Wan iii. Shao Yang / Yang Ming: alternating Fever and Chills, vomiting, bitter taste, nausea, fullness in the chest and abdomen, constipation, maybe with alternating diarrhea, thick yellow coating, forceful pulse Da Chai Hu Tang iv. Yang Ming: severe Constipation, abdominal pain, Fever (no Chills), sweating, dry mouth, irritable, dry yellowish or blackish tongue coat with heat spots (papillae), deep and strong pulse, maybe fast Da Cheng Qi Tang v. Heat with Qi and Blood deficiency. with Constipation with passage of clear, watery mucus, adbominal pain and hardness, low energy, weak voice, dryish yellow or blackish tongue coat with a weak pulse. Huang Long Tang vi. with Blood Stagnation: abdominal pain, tension and hardness; irritability, fever, thirst, dysmenorrhea or obstructed menstruation, purplish tongue coat, nails, lips; deep, choppy pulse. Tao He Cheng Qi Tang vii. Heat and Water accumulation: severe constipation, obstructed urine, water accumulating in the Lungs, chest or abdomen, edema, forceful, rapid and deep pulse Zhou Che Wan Cold or Yang Deficiency Abdominal pain, cold limbs, feels cold, aversion to Cold, white greasy tongue coating or puffy tongue, wiry and tight pulse Da Huang Fu Zi Tang (Cold obstruction) Wen Pi Tang (Yang deficiency) Food Stagnation With Damp and Qi stagnation: fullness in the stomach, abdominal distention and pain, flatulence, foul belching, acid regurgitation, sour taste, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, greasy yellow tongue coat Bao He Wan (excess cases) Jian Pi Wan (deficient cases) Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan (with Damp-Heat) |
Special Formula
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1. Honey Roasted Sesame oil 1 spoonful each mix together, then stir into hot water and take once daily. This is suitable for deficient and dry type constipation, as seen in the weak and elderly. 2. Rhubarb 4 grams Infuse in boiling water for 5 minutes, strain and sweeten with sugar. 3. Cassia seed (Jue Ming Zi) Cistanche Rou Cong Rong 10 grams each Decoct and add Honey. This is suitable for chronic constipation, constipation in the old or weak, and constipation from dryness. FIG SAUSAGE for CONSTIPATION. Figs, washed and minced 500 grams Senna leaves, finely ground 5 grams Knead them together to form sausages, then wrap in aluminium foil and store in the refrigerator. To use, a piece the size of a hazelnut (a third for children) is taken every morning on an empty stomach (Maria Treben) |
COMPOUND SYRUP of FIGS. Figs 3 oz. Tamarind Cinnamon 2 oz. ea. Senna leaf 1 ¾ oz. Prunes 1 ½ oz. Coriander seed 6 drams Licorice Peppermint 1 ½ drams ea. Simple Syrup 1 pint Cover the fruits and herbs with water, boil them well down until thick, then add the Syrup FOUR SEED TEA Apricot seed (Xing Ren) Pine nut (Song Zi Ren) Cannabis seed (Huo Ma Ren) Biota seed (Bai Zi Ren) 9 grams each Beat the seeds and infuse in boiling water. It is a gentle moist laxative suitable for the old and weak. This can be drunk freely. (TCM) |