Folio Bound VIEWS - Chinese Medicine

Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis praeparata

Explanation

Although of the constituents of this formula only Dang Gui actually moves the stools, the
remedy nourishes Blood and may be helpful, in conjunction with acupuncture, in the treatment
of chronic constipation from Blood deficiency.

The tongue presentation appropriate to this remedy is a Pale and Thin tongue.

Case History 19.3

Constipation: Liver-Blood Deficiency-Female, Age 39

A 39-year-old woman had been suffering from constipation for 20 years. She had only two
bowel movements a week but her stools were not particularly dry or small. Her periods were
rather scanty and she suffered from pre-menstrual tension. Her memory was poor. Her tongue
was Pale and partially peeled (Plate 19.2(412)), and her pulse was generally Choppy.

Diagnosis This is a clear example of constipation from Blood deficiency: this is
apparent from the Pale tongue, the Choppy pulse, the poor memory and
the scanty periods. A Pale and peeled tongue (often referred to as
"chicken-flesh tongue", i.e. looking like uncooked chicken) indicates
severe Blood deficiency. There is also some stagnation of Liver-Qi
originating from deficiency of Liver-Blood.

Treatment principle The treatment principle followed was to nourish Liver-Blood and
moisten the Intestines. This patient was treated with herbs.

Herbal treatment The formula used was a variation of Run Chang Wan Moistening the
Intestines Pill:

Dang Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis 9 g

Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae praeparata 12 g

Huo Ma Ren Semen Cannabis sativae 6 g

Tao Ren Semen Persicae 4.5 g

Zhi Ke Fructus Citri aurantii 6 g

Shou Wu Radix Polygoni multiflori 9 g

Chai Hu Radix Bupleuri 4.5 g

Yu Li Ren Semen Pruni 6 g

Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis praeparata 3 g

Hong Zao Fructus Ziziphi jujubae 3 dates

Explanation Dang Gui, Shu Di, Huo Ma Ren and Shou Wu nourish Blood. Dang
Gui, Huo Ma Ren and Shou Wu also move the stools.