Large Intestine syndrome

Besides causing loss of appetite and quality of life, longstanding and severe constipation can lead to diverticulosis, diverticulitis and in worst cases perforation of the large intestine with life threatening peritonitis (McConnell et al. 2003). Diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome and haemorrhoids are caused by chronic constipation and can lead to bleeding and anaemia. 

Yu Li Ren is pungent, bitter, sweet and neutral, and enters the Spleen, Small Intestine and Large Intestine meridians. It is moist in nature and has a descending tendency of action. It is able to descend the Qi, promote bowel movement and urination and is usually used in excess syndromes. 

Syndrome of damp-heat in the Spleen and Large Intestine... 

The Spleen is regarded as a Yin organ and it is easily injured by exterior damp-heat or cold. If the Spleen fails to transport water and food that has accumulated in the Middle-Jiao, this will eventually generate heat in a Yang constitution. Persistent accumulation of damp-heat in the Middle-Jiao may develop damp-heat in the Large Intestine. Both syndromes have a lingering process of pathological development. 

These herbs are able to promote digestion, regulate the Qi in the Middle-Jiao and revive the function of the Spleen and Stomach. They are often used in the recovery period of syndromes of damp-heat in the Spleen and Large Intestine. 

Qin Jiao is pungent, bitter and neutral, and primarily enters the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Pungent can disperse the dampness, and bitterness can drain and dry the dampness. In particular, this herb expels the dampness from the subcutaneous region and the muscles and can therefore relax the tendons and muscles. It can be used as chief in a formula to expel dampness in the Upper-Jiao. Since it is a neutral herb, it can be used in either damp-cold or damp-heat syndrome. 

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. 

Internal dryness is caused directly by the consumption of body fluids. Some diseases, medicines, herbs or food products can injure the body fluids and cause dryness. Long-term stress and emotional disturbance can also cause consumption of the body fluids. As the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine are mainly involved, the syndrome of dryness can be respectively divided into dryness in the Upper-, Middle- and Lower-Jiao. 

This syndrome is generally referred to as disharmony between the Liver and Spleen. In fact, it can be divided into several sub-syndromes besides disharmony between the Liver and Spleen, such as disharmony between the Liver and Stomach, and disharmony between the Liver and Large Intestine. Since the Stomach and Large Intestine are directly finked to the transportation function of the Spleen, and both belong to Earth in the Five-Element theory, the liver often attacks these organs if it overacts on the Spleen. Hence they are often considered and discussed as one syndrome under the name of disharmony between the Liver and Spleen. 

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