Gastrointestinal Disorders
By Nancy A. Fisher, LAc., MS

Few people know that Chinese Medicine excels at treating all kinds of digestive disorders.
American people, because of their poor diets and highly stressful lives, are perfect candidates for some sort of digestive disorder. From gas and bloating to diarrhea, constipation and IBS, and more serious disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, it behooves us to take a proactive look at some of the options available to us.
 
Let’s take a closer look at some of these in detail:

1. Gas and Bloating: These symptoms tend to arise from eating too much or too fast, excessive stress, refined foods, coffee and alcohol, and sugar. Aside from slowing down and eating less of these foods, here are a few herbal suggestions:

• Chai hu shu gan wan – The quintessential Chinese formula for the combination of stress and gas. 

• Xiao yao wan – Excellent for digestive problems that arise during menses and excessive stress. 

• Liu jun zi tang – Strengthens the spleen and takes phlegm out of the gut, which is often related to gas and bloating. 

• Acidophilus and bifidus -- Bloating and gas can be related to candida overgrowth, which is a pathological yeast that causes an array of physical and emotional

2. Diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea can be dangerous to your health. Still one of the leading causes of death in the world, diarrhea is related to spleen weakness or intestinal inflammation. Stress and anxiety can trigger regular bouts of diarrhea, as can processed and refined foods. It is always a top-treatment priority to heal this condition. Here are a few basic remedies for diarrhea: 

• Chinese herbal formulas such as bu zhong yi qi tang (ginseng and astragalus), si jun qi tang (4 Gentlemen), liu jun zi tang (6 Gentlemen), and jin gui shen qi tang (rehmannia 8) are helpful for alleviating diarrhea due to deficiency. Tong xie yao feng, Isatis Cooling, and jia wei xiao yao wan are helpful for diarrhea due to heat and inflammation. 

• Western herbs such as slippery elm, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger harmonize and soothe the stomach to stop diarrhea. 

• Probiotics such as acidophilus are useful as long-term adjuncts in treating diarrhea imbalances. 

3. Constipation: Because American diets tend to be very low in fiber and antioxidants and high in difficult-to-digest processed foods, many people suffer from constipation and consequently have limited bowel movements per day. Internal toxicity is created, making it imperative to make intestinal cleansing a top priority. Here are some natural herbal remedies and nutritional supplements that can relieve constipation and heal underlying imbalances. 

• Chinese herbal formulas such as ma zi ren wan and run chang wan are gentle laxatives that are not habit forming. 

• Aloe vera juice reduces inflammation and promotes peristalsis (smooth muscle contraction in the bowel). 

• Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal complex that gently eases constipation and removes stagnant waste from the intestines. 

• Psyllium husk is a high fiber product that alleviates constipation. 

• Flax meal and seed are excellent high fiber sources for constipation. 

• Senna leaf is useful for severe constipation. 

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS is a very common problem that affects millions of Americans. When doctors diagnose IBS, it is usually because the patient’s symptoms don’t seem to match up with anything else. This disorder is characterized by bowels fluctuating from constipation to diarrhea with intermittent abdominal pain or distention. People with IBS tend to be sensitive to a variety of foods including high fiber foods, refined sugar, wheat, and gluten products. Symptoms can continue indefinitely and can be resistant to conventional treatments. I have treated several patients with IBS, usually with very positive results. Acupuncture theory asserts that IBS typically involves a disharmony between the liver and the spleen. The liver becomes hyperactive due to stress, anger, and frustration, causing the spleen to weaken, which, in turn, causes loose bowels and fatigue. Treatment involves relaxing the liver and strengthening the spleen.

• Herbal formulas such as Irritease by K’An Herbals and Isatis Cooling by Health Concerns have proven helpful. In general, I recommend committing to weekly acupuncture and herbal treatment for 4-8 visits, depending upon the severity and duration of your symptoms. 

• Acidophilus and bifidus can be helpful, as many people with IBS also have candida 

• Chamomile and peppermint have a soothing effect on the gut and can reduce irritation 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine is very successful in treating most digestive disorders. Of course taking a proactive approach that involves changing ones diet and cleansing the gut go a long way at enhancing the progress of the treatment. Good digestion usually equals good overall health. 
Always seek the advice of other alternative and allopathic practitioners when dealing with some of the more serious diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. These diseases deserve more in-depth treatment than the solutions offered in this article.