Melena Black Tarry Stoolaccording to TCM
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Symptom family: Stool and Bowel Irregularities
Parent symptom: Adhesive Feces
What is Melena Black Tarry Stool?
Melena refers to the passage of black, sticky stools, which often indicates the presence of digested blood in the gastrointestinal tract. This condition is a significant symptom in both conventional medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pointing towards potential internal bleeding or other serious digestive system issues. The black and tarry appearance of the stool is a result of blood that has been digested as it passes through the intestines, transforming its color and consistency.
How does TCM view Melena Black Tarry Stool?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, melena is seen through a holistic lens, indicating an underlying disharmony within the body's energy pathways or organs. TCM posits that this symptom can arise from various patterns of imbalance, such as Qi Stagnation or Heat in the Blood.
Recognizing the specific pattern behind melena is critical for TCM practitioners, as it guides the selection of treatments aimed at restoring balance and addressing the root cause of the symptom.
Root Causes of Melena Black Tarry Stool in TCM
TCM identifies several potential underlying causes for melena, with Qi And Blood Stagnation and Heat in the Blood being primary considerations. Qi And Blood Stagnation may lead to symptoms including black and tarry stools, accompanied by chest pain, dark facial complexion, and mood swings, reflecting the stagnation's impact on the body's vital energies.
Heat in the Blood, on the other hand, can manifest through symptoms like red skin eruptions and frequent bleeding, indicating an Excess Heat that consumes Body Fluids and injures the blood vessels, leading to bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract.
Explore below more details about what might cause Melena black tarry stool according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Qi Stagnation
- Blood Stasis
- Heat
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 Melena Black Tarry Stool
| 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 Melena Black Tarry Stool
| 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 |
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 Melena Black Tarry Stool
| 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 Melena Black Tarry Stool
For addressing melena, TCM employs specific herbal formulas based on the identified underlying pattern. In cases of Qi And Blood Stagnation, formulas such as Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang are used to invigorate the blood and dispel Stagnation, aiming to alleviate symptoms and restore healthy blood flow.
When Heat in the Blood is identified as the cause, Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, which cools the Blood and clears Heat, is often recommended. These formulas are carefully chosen to target the specific imbalances contributing to the appearance of melena, tailored to the individual's unique pattern of disharmony.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address melena black tarry stool, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Qi Stagnation
- Blood Stasis
- Heat
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- 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 melena black tarry stool, such as Qi And Blood Stagnation
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Melena Black Tarry Stool 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 melena black tarry stool, such as Qi And Blood Stagnation
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Melena Black Tarry Stool 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 Heat:
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause melena black tarry stool, such as Heat in the Blood
Learn moreFormulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
These formulas are suitable for some melena black tarry stool-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 melena black tarry stool
| 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 regulate Blood
These formulas are suitable for some melena black tarry stool-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 melena black tarry stool-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 melena black tarry stool-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 melena black tarry stool-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 Melena Black Tarry Stool
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address melena black tarry stool, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that stop bleeding
- Herbs that cool the blood
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Melena black tarry stool 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 melena black tarry stool, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for melena black tarry stool
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Melena black tarry stool 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 melena black tarry stool, like Guo Qi Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for melena black tarry stool
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dong Quai (Dang Gui) | Guo Qi Yin |
| Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) | Guo Qi Yin |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Melena black tarry stool 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 melena black tarry stool, like Chai Hu Shu Gan San.
Herbs that stop bleeding
Melena black tarry stool 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 melena black tarry stool, like Shi Xiao San.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Melena black tarry stool 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 melena black tarry stool, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang.