Intestine stagnation

Summary of Consequences for Intestinal Microflora Failure of intestinal clearance caused by impaired motor activity or local stagnation for anatomical reasons results in Gram-negative colonization of the small bowel. Small bowel aspirate, mucosal brush, or biopsies are optional samples for culture, which is still the gold standard for detecting this type of overgrowth. 

In a severe condition, promoting bowel movement is a quick and effective way to purge accumulation, drain the heat, protect the fluid in the intestines and relieve pain and distension due to Qi stagnation. 

In a moderate case of constipation or in a case of chronic habitual constipation, moistening the intestines, increasing the fluid and activating the Qi are more important than clearing heat and purging the stagnation. 

Mu Xiang is aromatic, pungent, bitter and warm, and has a drying nature. It can effectively move the Qi and reduce pain due to Qi stagnation. As it also enters the Liver meridian, it is particularly suitable for use in conditions where the Liver-Qi attacks the Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine. 

Cold is a Yin pathogenic factor. It has a contracting nature and can easily injure the Yang. When internal cold accumulates in the intestines, the Yang fails to spread warmth and Qi and is unable to transform and transport food, resulting in Qi stagnation. All of these cause constipation, abdominal pain, distension and fullness, reduced appetite, cold limbs and tiredness. 

Sha Ren is pungent and warm, and enters the Spleen, Large Intestine and Kidney meridians. In particular, it can relieve distension in the abdomen and treat Qi stagnation with dampness in the Large Intestine. 

Food stagnation is a condition where the food is not properly digested and transported. The undigested food accumulates in the stomach and intestines, obstructs the Qi and causes related symptoms. The accumulated food can further generate or transform into dampness and phlegm that disturb the functions of the internal organs. 

Chen Pi, Mu Xiang and Sha Ren are all aromatic herbs and warm in nature. They can promote digestion and Qi movement and reduce distension. Chen Pi is particularly selected for treating Qi obstruction in the Stomach Mu Xiang is for stagnation in the intestines and Liver and Sha Ren is for Qi obstruction in the Large Intestine. 

Syndrome of Qi stagnation in the Stomach, Spleen and Large Intestine. . . 258... 

Although Qi moves in every organ of the body, the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Lung directly influence Qi movement. As the syndromes of Qi stagnation are more often seen in these organs, in this chapter the syndromes and compositions of formulas are introduced particularly for these organs. 

These herbs can be selected in cases of food accumulation. Moreover, they can be used to prevent food accumulation, which often happens when the Stomach-Qi stagnates. The first three substances are often used together as they aid digestion of starch, cereal, fat and protein-rich food. Lai FuZi can effectively regulate the Qi and remove phlegm in the intestines it aids the digestion of all types of food. 

These herbs are able to promote Qi movement in the Lower-Jiao and stimulate blood circulation there. They also treat Qi stagnation and reduce distension directly. They are all strong herbs and can effectively reduce pain caused by Qi stagnation. Since they enter different meridians, they can treat Qi stagnation in different regions Wu Yao enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians, Qing Pi the Liver meridian and Zhi Shi the Large Intestine meridian. 

Hemorrhoids are often caused by dryness in the intestines, heat in the blood and stagnation of blood. 

They are often selected as assistants in formulas to treat disharmony between the Liver and Spleen. Fang Feng enters the Liver and Spleen meridians, can effectively disperse Qi stagnation and relieve cramp and distension when the Liver attacks the Spleen. Since it ascends and spreads the Spleen-Qi, it can treat borborygmi and diarrhea. Chen Pi can promote Qi movement in the Stomach, reduce the sensation of fullness in the Stomach and improve appetite. Zhi Shi can descend the Qi in the intestines and reduce pain and distension in the abdomen. 

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