Constipation

便秘

Infrequent or difficult bowel movements.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Hard stools, Difficulty passing stool, Infrequent bowel movements, Dry stools, Bowel sluggishness
Common Symptoms	Infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often with hard, dry stools that require straining. There may be a sense of incomplete evacuation, abdominal fullness, or several days between stools. Appetite and mood can be affected when constipation persists.
Related TCM Patterns	Stomach Heat · Damp-Heat · Food Stagnation · Yin Deficiency · Blood Stasis · Yang Deficiency · Blood Deficiency · Wind-Heat · Lung Heat · Shaoyang Syndrome
Related Classical Formulas	Da Cheng Qi Tang · Xiao Cheng Qi Tang · Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang · Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan · Yi Wei Tang · Huai Hua San · Da Huang Mu Dan Tang · Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan · Huang Lian Jie Du Tang · Zeng Ye Tang · Liang Ge San · Yu Nv Jian · Ba Zheng San · Ji Chuan Jian · Ma Zi Ren Wan · Run Chang Wan · Fang Feng Tong Sheng San · Qing Yan Li Ge Tang · Da Chai Hu Tang

Constipation in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, constipation in the current formula set is particularly associated with Stomach Heat patterns. Differentiation still considers whether there is high fever, abdominal hardness, a dry yellow tongue coating, or milder heat with dry stools only. Classical formulas are matched to the degree and type of heat accumulation rather than to constipation as a single label. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Constipation

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns	Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid.	Da Cheng Qi Tang Xiao Cheng Qi Tang Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang Liang Ge San Yu Nv Jian Ma Zi Ren Wan
Damp-Heat濕熱證Damp Patterns	A heavy body with a sense of heat, sticky or bitter taste in the mouth, scanty dark urine, and discomfort that worsens in hot humid weather. There may be greasy skin, sticky stools, or yellowish discharge. Thirst is present but drinking may not feel satisfying. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	Da Huang Mu Dan Tang Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Ba Zheng San
Food Stagnation食積證Stagnation Patterns	Epigastric or abdominal fullness and distension after eating, foul belching or sour regurgitation, and reduced appetite for the next meal. Stools may be foul-smelling or sticky, and the person often feels better after vomiting or passing stool. Symptoms clearly relate to overeating or irregular meals. Tongue with a thick greasy coating; pulse slippery.	Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Yin Deficiency陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Dry mouth and throat, night sweats or warm palms and soles, a thin body frame, and restlessness that is worse in the afternoon or at night. Sleep may be light, and there is often a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms feel empty rather than forceful. Tongue red with scant coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Yi Wei Tang Zeng Ye Tang
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Huai Hua San
Yang Deficiency陽虛證Deficiency Patterns	Aversion to cold, cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and clothing, and low energy that worsens in cold weather. There may be loose stools, clear copious urine, a pale puffy face, and reduced libido or lumbar weakness. The person feels better with warmth and worse with cold exposure. Tongue pale and possibly swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak.	Ji Chuan Jian
Blood Deficiency血虛證Deficiency Patterns	A pale or sallow complexion, dry hair or skin, light-headedness on standing, blurred vision, and easy fatigue. In women the menstrual flow is often scanty and pale. Sleep may be light, and the hands and feet can feel numb when tired. Tongue pale and thin; pulse thin and weak.	Run Chang Wan
Wind-Heat風熱證Exterior Patterns	Fever that is more noticeable than chills, mild sweating, sore throat, thirst, and a cough that may be dry or with yellow phlegm. The onset is often abrupt after exposure to wind or heat. Nasal discharge can turn yellow, and the face may look flushed. Tongue tip red with a thin yellow coating; pulse floating and rapid.	Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Lung Heat肺熱證Heat Patterns	Cough with yellow or sticky phlegm, thirst, a feeling of heat in the chest, and possible shortness of breath or flaring of the nostrils in stronger presentations. Fever may be present without marked chills, and the throat can feel sore or dry. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse rapid, possibly slippery.	Qing Yan Li Ge Tang
Shaoyang Syndrome少陽證Exterior Patterns	Alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and rib-side, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dizziness, poor appetite and nausea, and an irritable or restless mood. Tongue with a thin white coating; pulse wiry.	Da Chai Hu Tang