Diarrhoea is a fairly common problem for adults, children and babies, however, it should be stressed that anyone who experiences persistent changes in their normal bowel movements should always consult a doctor. If however, there is nothing serious underlying the condition, it can be helped by Chinese medicine.
Chinese medicine theory holds that there are several factors that are responsible for causing diarrhoea and that the condition can be catergorsied as either acute or chronic.
- Invasion of external pathogenic factors including Cold, Dampness or Summer-Heat
- Irregular diet
- Emotional stress
- Overwork and chronic illness.
Causes of Acute Diarrhoea
- Viral or bacterial infections such as norovirus, rotavirus, Salmonella or E.coli
- Parasites – Giardia lamblia
- Medicines such as anti-biotics or chemotherapy
- Imflammatory conditions such as appendicitis.
Causes of Chronic Diarrhoea
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Coeliac disease
- Chronic inflammatory disorders such as Chron’s Disease or ulcerative colitis.
In terms of Chinese medicine theory, the main organs involved will be the Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Kidneys. A Chinese medicine practitioner will make a differential diagnosis on the basis of your symptoms, past and present case history and tongue and pulse information.
Treating Diarrhoea with TCM
A Chinese Medicine practitioner will use Pu Gong Ying (Herba Taraxaci), Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) and Mu Mian Hua (Flos Gossampini) for acute stage. For chronic and persistent diarrhoea, a Chinese Medicine practitioner will prescribe Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), Bu Gu Zhi (Fructus Psoraleae) and Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis).
Other medicinal herbs such as Huo Xiang (Herba Pogostemonis), Fu Ling (Poria), Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) and Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) are often used to eliminate Damp, which is one of the main factors involved in diarrhoea.
Your attending practitioner may also discuss possible lifestyle or dietary changes which may help as part of the overall treatment of your condition.
If you wish to enquire about treatment or purchasing Chinese Herbal Medicines to help this condition please email us at info@asante-academy.com