Explanation
This remedy clears Intestine-Heat and moves downwards. It is suitable for constipation from
Heat in the Stomach and Intestines. The tongue presentation appropriate to this remedy is a Red
body with a dry-yellow coating.
Please note that some books describe this remedy as being suitable for chronic constipation in
the elderly or in women after childbirth: but it cannot be appropriate in such cases as it contains
Da Huang which should not be used for months on end, especially in old people or people in a
weak condition (such as women after childbirth).
Case History 19.1
Constipation: Heat in the Intestines-Female, Age 34
A 34-year-old woman had been suffering from constipation for 10 years. She had only 2-3 bowel
movements a week and the stools were dry and small. Her breath had a bad smell. Apart from
this, she had no other symptoms. Her tongue-body colour was normal but it had a dry-yellow
coating which was thicker on the root. Her pulse was unremarkable.
Diagnosis This is a case of Heat in the Intestines. Dry and small stools indicate
Heat and this is confirmed by the yellow tongue coating and the breath
smell which indicates that there is Heat also in the Stomach.
Treatment principle The treatment principle adopted was to clear Heat in the Intestines and
benefit fluids. This patient was treated with both acupuncture and herbs.
Acupuncture The main acupuncture points used were:
SP-15 Daheng to clear Heat in the Intestines and move the stools.ST-25 Tianshu and L.I.-11 Quchi to clear Intestine-Heat.ST-44 Neiting to clear Stomach-Heat.Ren-10 Xiawan to promote the descending of Stomach-Qi.ST-36 Zusanli to promote the bowel movements.The points were all needled with even method, except for ST-36 which
was reinforced.Herbal treatment The herbal formula used was a variation of Ma Zi Ren Wan Cannabis
Pill:
Huo Ma Ren Semen Cannabis sativae 9 g