Phlegm Intestine

Although accumulations can result from several pathogenic factors, such as food, phlegm, water and blood, in this chapter only accumulation of the intestines and accumulation of water are discussed. Accumulations of food, phlegm and blood are discussed in other chapters. 

Herbs that activate Qi movement in the Stomach, Large Intestine and Liver are selected. Herbs that regulate the blood, clear heat, remove phlegm, soothe the Stomach-Qi and tonify the weakness of Qi, blood, Yin or Yang can be added if these disorders are present. 

Zhi Shi is bitter and cold, and can strongly direct the Qi downwards in the Large Intestine. It is an important herb to break up the stasis of Qi, phlegm and food. 

Hou Po is bitter and warm, and can effectively descend the Qi in the Lung, Stomach and intestines to reduce fullness, dry dampness and eliminate phlegm. 

Gua Lou Ren is sweet and cold, and enters the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. As a seed, it can directly moisten the intestines and move the stool. Since it enters the Lung meridian, it can eliminate phlegm and descend the Qi, which can accelerate the downward movement of the Qi in the intestines and promote bowel movement. It is usually used in cases of chronic constipation. 

Qian Niu Zi is bitter, cold and poisonous, and enters the Lung, Kidney and Large Intestine meridians. It can purge accumulation from the intestines and treat constipation, as well as drive out water accumulation and treat edema. It can eliminate phlegm and open up the San Jiao meridian. Although less poisonous than Da Ji, Yuan Hua and Gan Sui, it is still a very harsh herb. 

Hou Po is pungent and warm, and enters the Lung, Spleen and Large Intestine meridians. It is an excellent herb to regulate the Qi in the San Jiao passage, and can effectively dissolve phlegm and dampness. 

Gua Lou Ren and Zhi Shi are cold in temperature. Both can clear heat in the Lung and Large Intestine, remove phlegm in the Lung and at the same time promote bowel movement. They are principally selected in the formula to treat cough with green sputum and fullness in the chest and abdomen. They can descend the Qi in the intestines, as well as treating constipation. 

There are many factors that can cause abnormal discharge of the body fluids and essence besides Qi deficiency. For example, diarrhea can be caused by damp-heat in the intestines excessive urination or spermatorrhea can be the result of damp-heat in the Lower-Jiao shortness of breath can be the consequence of phlegm accumulation excessive sweating is often caused by excess heat or empty-heat in the body. Thus a correct differentiation of the syndrome is required. 

Hou Po is bitter, pungent and warm. Bitterness can descend the Qi pungent and warm can disperse and dry the dampness. It is a very effective herb to transform dampness and phlegm, and to descend the Qi, thereby reducing the fullness in the chest and distension in the abdomen. Since it enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine meridians, it can be used to treat Qi obstruction due to dampness and phlegm in the Upper-, Middle- and Lower-Jiao. 

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. 

Hou Po is pungent, warm and bitter, and enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Lung meridians. It can effectively regulate the Qi in the chest and the whole abdomen, and reduce distension. It can also remove phlegm and dampness. 

If the phlegm accumulates in the intestines, it presents as mucus or pus in the feces. 

Moreover, some herbs enter the Large Intestine meridian, can descend the Qi and promote bowel movement in order to enhance the herbs that descend the Qi of the Lung and remove phlegm. This strategy regulates the function of the Lung. 

Phlegm accumulates in the intestines Figure 9.2 Invisible and visible phlegm. 

Chief Descend the Qi in the Stomach and Large Intestine remove dampness and phlegm in the Middle-Jiao... 

Xuan Fu Hua is bitter, pungent, salty and slightly warm, and enters the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. It can strongly descend the Qi and remove phlegm from the Stomach. Its function is enhanced by Dai Zhe Shi. Dai Zhe Shi is a mineral substance it is bitter and cold, and enters the Liver meridian. As it moves downward rapidly, it can direct the rebellious Stomach-Qi downwards. 

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. 

Meng Shi is a mineral substance and is used to remove phlegm-heat. It has a very strong descending ability and can eliminate phlegm and reduce heat. It is used in a syndrome where phlegm-heat covers the Heart and obstructs the Heart meridian. The manifestations are mental confusion, anxiety and restlessness, such as in schizophrenia. It is only used for a short period of time as it can cause uneasy sensations in the stomach and intestines. 

Zhi Shi [Aurantii fructus immaturus] Descends the Qi in the intestines and removes phlegm ... 

Hou Po [Magnoliae cortex] Descends the Qi in the Lung, Spleen and intestines, removes phlegm. 

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