Adhesive Fecesaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Stool and Bowel Irregularities
Sub-symptom(s): Melena Black Tarry Stool
What is Adhesive Feces?
Adhesive feces refer to bowel movements that are notably sticky or gluey, causing them to cling to the toilet bowl. This symptom can indicate an abnormal digestive process, where the consistency of stool is altered significantly.
Adhesive feces can range from mildly sticky to severely glue-like, making defecation difficult and sometimes leading to complications like blockages or impaction. This condition can be a standalone issue or accompany other digestive symptoms, providing key insights into the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.
How does TCM view Adhesive Feces?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches adhesive feces as a sign of internal disharmony, specifically related to patterns of Dampness and Heat within the body. TCM does not isolate symptoms but views them within the context of the body's holistic balance.
Adhesive feces, in TCM, are often seen as a manifestation of excessive Dampness mingling with Heat, leading to the sticky quality of stools. This perspective underscores the importance of identifying and addressing the underlying imbalances, rather than merely treating the symptom itself.
Root Causes of Adhesive Feces in TCM
In TCM, adhesive feces are primarily attributed to the accumulation of Summer Heat with Dampness, a condition where the body's internal climate mirrors the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, leading to symptoms like sticky stools, fever, and a sensation of heaviness. This pattern highlights the body's struggle to maintain balance amidst external environmental factors and internal disharmonies.
Another related cause is inherent Dampness within the body, which can manifest similarly with sticky stools alongside feelings of tightness in the chest and stomach, anxiety, and thirst. These conditions reflect the intricate relationship between the body's Qi (energy), the environment, and dietary habits in TCM diagnostics and treatment planning.
Explore below more details about what might cause Adhesive feces according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Qi Stagnation
- Blood Stasis
- Summer Heat
- Dampness
- Heat
- View More Causes
Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation in TCM is like having a traffic jam in your body's energy system. Qi, the vital life force that flows through your body, is supposed to move smoothly to maintain health and balance. But with Qi Stagnation, this flow gets blocked or slowed down, like cars stuck on a highway. This can lead to symptoms like feeling stressed, emotional mood swings, and physical discomfort, often described as a feeling of fullness or tightness, especially in the chest or abdomen. It's as though the body's internal energy circulation is disrupted, causing various issues. TCM sees this as an energy flow problem, different from modern medicine's focus on specific physiological processes.... see more
Qi Stagnation Patterns That Can Lead to Adhesive Feces
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Qi And Blood Stagnation | Black and tarry stools, Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods... see more | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang | Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang | Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Shi Xiao San | Qi Li San | Dan Shen Yin | Guo Qi Yin |
Blood Stasis
Blood Stasis in TCM is a concept where the blood flow in the body is not as smooth or efficient as it should be. Imagine a river that's supposed to flow freely, but instead, it's getting blocked or moving too slowly in some parts. This can lead to various health issues, like pain that feels sharp or stabbing, dark bruises, and a complexion that looks purplish. TCM believes that good health relies on the smooth and vibrant flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, so when blood gets stuck, it's like a traffic jam in your body, leading to discomfort or health problems.... see more
Blood Stasis Patterns That Can Lead to Adhesive Feces
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Qi And Blood Stagnation | Black and tarry stools, Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods... see more | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang | Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang | Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Shi Xiao San | Qi Li San | Dan Shen Yin | Guo Qi Yin |
Summer Heat
"Summer-Heat" in TCM is a unique concept that refers to a pattern of disharmony often associated with the hot summer months. Imagine the intense heat of summer stressing your body, like being in a sweltering, humid environment for too long. This can lead to symptoms like feeling overheated, excessive sweating, a feeling of irritation, and sometimes even nausea or dizziness. In TCM, this condition is thought to arise from the external environment's heat affecting the body's internal balance. It's similar to how we might feel uncomfortable and out of sorts on a very hot day. ... see more
Summer Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Adhesive Feces
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Heat with Dampness | Sticky stools, Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Anxiety, Thirst, Chest distension, Lack of appetite... see more | Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Xiang Ru San | Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin |
Dampness
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Adhesive Feces
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Heat with Dampness | Sticky stools, Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Anxiety, Thirst, Chest distension, Lack of appetite... see more | Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Xiang Ru San | Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin |
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Adhesive Feces
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat in the Blood | Black and tarry stools, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Adhesive Feces
To address adhesive feces, TCM recommends formulas such as Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San and Xiang Ru San, which are designed to transform Dampness and dispel Summer-Heat, thereby restoring balance and proper function to the digestive system. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, with Korean mint (Huo Xiang) as a key herb, is particularly effective for harmonizing the stomach and transforming Dampness, making it a go-to remedy for conditions marked by excessive moisture and Heat in the digestive tract.
Xiang Ru San, featuring Vietnamese balm (Xiang Ru), focuses on dispelling Summer-Heat and resolving the Exterior, providing relief from the oppressive internal conditions that lead to adhesive feces. These formulas exemplify TCM's approach to treatment, targeting the root causes of symptoms through a careful selection of herbs that restore the body's natural balance.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address adhesive feces, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Qi Stagnation
- Blood Stasis
- Summer Heat
- Dampness
- Heat
- View More Causes
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and resolve exterior
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of dampness
- Formulas that regulate blood
- Formulas that promote qi movement
- Formulas that tonify blood
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
Top Formula for Qi Stagnation:
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Suitable for Qi Stagnation patterns that may cause adhesive feces, such as Qi And Blood Stagnation
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Adhesive Feces Caused by Qi Stagnation
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shi Xiao San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Qi Li San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Dan Shen Yin | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Guo Qi Yin | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
Top Formula for Blood Stasis:
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Suitable for Blood Stasis patterns that may cause adhesive feces, such as Qi And Blood Stagnation
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Adhesive Feces Caused by Blood Stasis
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shi Xiao San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Qi Li San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Dan Shen Yin | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Guo Qi Yin | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
Top Formula for Summer Heat:
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Suitable for Summer Heat patterns that may cause adhesive feces, such as Summer Heat with Dampness
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Adhesive Feces Caused by Summer Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Summer Heat with Dampness |
| Xiang Ru San | Summer Heat with Dampness |
| Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin | Summer Heat with Dampness |
Top Formula for Dampness:
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause adhesive feces, such as Summer Heat with Dampness
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Adhesive Feces Caused by Dampness
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Summer Heat with Dampness |
| Xiang Ru San | Summer Heat with Dampness |
| Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin | Summer Heat with Dampness |
Top Formula for Heat:
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause adhesive feces, such as Heat in the Blood
Learn moreFormulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation.
One such formula is Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for adhesive feces
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Shi Xiao San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Qi Li San | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
| Dan Shen Yin | Qi And Blood Stagnation |
Formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Summer Heat with Dampness.
One such formula is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, with korean mint as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Summer Heat with Dampness.
One such formula is Xiang Ru San, with vietnamese balm as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Summer Heat with Dampness.
One such formula is Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin, with talc as a key herb.
Formulas that regulate Blood
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation.
One such formula is Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that promote Qi movement
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation.
One such formula is Chai Hu Shu Gan San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Blood
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation.
One such formula is Guo Qi Yin, with dong quai as a key herb.
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
These formulas are suitable for some adhesive feces-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood.
One such formula is Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Adhesive Feces
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address adhesive feces, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that stop bleeding
- Herbs that cool the blood
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for adhesive feces
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Dong Quai (Dang Gui), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Guo Qi Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for adhesive feces
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dong Quai (Dang Gui) | Guo Qi Yin |
| Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) | Guo Qi Yin |
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Korean Mint (Huo Xiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Xiang Ru San.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Talc (Hua Shi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Chai Hu Shu Gan San.
Herbs that stop bleeding
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs in cases where it is due to internal or external bleeding, working to stabilize and constrict blood flow.
One such herb is Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Shi Xiao San.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Adhesive feces can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for adhesive feces, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang.