Nobody likes to talk about this, but most of us have experienced acute diarrhea (probably a few times!) in our life. Not fun!
Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, can be a nightmare for those who experience it. Back when I was in TCM school, I barely could contain myself on my very first day in clinic observation. Finally, I was going to see my teacher in action: using TCM to help people.
Our first patient’s chief complaint was chronic diarrhea. As our clinic supervisor went through the inquiry part of our consultation, I felt so sad for this poor woman. She had been dealing with this issue for over 8 years! She had quit her job because the emergency diarrhea attacks happened daily at random times. On the way to our clinic, her husband mapped out all the public bathrooms they could use, in case. She had done all the tests (bacteria, virus, parasites…), colonoscopy, endoscopy, blood tests, stool sample, but her doctor could not figure out what caused it. They gave her meds to manage it.
Creating a treatment plan
Our teacher was simply brilliant. She diagnosed her with SP Qi def. leading to Yang def. and created a treatment plan that included acupuncture 2 times/week, a custom herbal formula, and a very bland diet of sweet potato, yams, salmon, halibut, squash, cooked veggies, stews and bone broth.
Within 2 weeks, she started having soft stools 4 times/day, no emergency! Then one month into the treatment, she had 2 bowel movements per day that were formed stools! WOW!
I was so impressed by my teacher, she was a genius! Over the next four years, I studied under her. My goal was to absorb her knowledge, in hope that one day, I’d be as half brilliant as she is! I mean, she changed that patient’s life! My teacher rocked! TCM rocks!Β
Over the years, in my practice, I have seen many people with bowel issues, and diarrhea is a common symptom for most.
Below, you’ll find the TCM treatment protocols for acute and chronic diarrhea. I hope you can use it to change people’s lives for the better and together let’s keep rocking it with TCM!
Clara
TCM Geek
PS: Have you seen my Chinese Medicine Treatments Made Easy book yet? It covers over 160 syndromes treatments using acupuncture points, herbal formulas, ear points, diet and more!
Diarrhea in TCM
Definition
Β Xie Xie in Chinese refers to watery stools. Diarrhea may be frequent & chronic or acute and it is the biggest cause of infant mortality. Causes: pathogens, diet, emotions, drugs, stress…
Western common disorders
Β bacterial or viral infections, food poisoning, IBS, colitis, Crohnβs disease, Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, drugs, alcohol, colon cancer, hyperthyroidismβ¦
Treatment options
Β Drinking fluids after Bowel movement, Ear Β Acupuncture (LI, SP, Rectum, Shen Men), diet recommendation (oat, barley, white rice, salmon, yams, sweet potatoes, leeks, aduki Beans, bone broth) and avoid (coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, seeds, dairy).
Hi Clara
Thank you for this useful information. There is a question I need to ask you. I had bariatric surgery, ie gastric bypass to help me lose weight. The great thing is I had list a lot of weight, however I do suffer with Diarrhea and always done prior to this surgery. After surgery I was told to avoid sugary, creamy, and rich food which I try to follow most of the time. However I do stray and then suffer cramping and Diarrhea. My stool are so liquid and smelly. What do you recommend? Have you treated someone with the similar symptoms ? Thank you for your comments, I am very appreciative.
Hi Louisa,
Unfortunately I can’t treat people online and I never had a patient who had gastric bypass surgery, so I’m not familiar with it…
I hope you find some answers, and go to see a practitioner in your area for help π
Take care
Hai mam you are my best teacher
So happy to hear that π