What is Colitis?
Colitis, in medical terms, refers to the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and can manifest in various forms such as Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic Colitis, and Allergic Colitis. This condition is characterized by symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements, ranging from diarrhea to constipation. The inflammation can be a response to infection, Loss of Blood supply to the colon, or chronic diseases.
How does TCM view Colitis?
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), colitis is viewed through the prism of imbalance within the body's energy systems. TCM doesn't just focus on alleviating the symptoms but rather seeks to identify and treat the root cause of the disease.
According to TCM, colitis could be the result of disharmony between the body's organs, particularly the Spleen and Liver, leading to Qi Stagnation, accumulation of Dampness, or the presence of Heat or Cold within the colon. Identifying the specific disharmony allows TCM practitioners to tailor treatments to restore balance and health.
Causes of Colitis according to TCM
In TCM, the causes of colitis are closely tied to the concept of disharmony within the body. For example, Rebellious Qi, a condition where Qi (vital energy) flows in the opposite direction, can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain and frequent bowel movements.
Similarly, Liver Qi invading the Spleen is another pattern often associated with colitis. This occurs when stress or emotional upset disturbs the liver's function, which in turn affects the spleen, leading to digestive issues. Another common cause identified in TCM is the accumulation of dampness and heat in the colon, which can manifest as inflammation and irritation. These examples highlight the intricate link between emotional well-being, organ health, and digestive issues in TCM.
To address the complex patterns of disharmony that lead to colitis, TCM employs a variety of herbal formulas. Si Ni San, a formula containing Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), is often used to soothe Rebellious Qi and address issues of Phlegm in the Kidneys or Gallbladder. This formula works by harmonizing the liver and spleen, reducing inflammation, and easing abdominal discomfort.
For cases where Liver Qi invades the Spleen, causing digestive upset and bowel irregularities, Tong Xie Yao Fang with Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) is recommended. This formula aims to strengthen the spleen, ensuring the proper movement of Qi and alleviating symptoms.
Another key formula, Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, which includes Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian), targets Phlegm-Fluids and Phlegm-Heat in the digestive system, addressing the root cause of inflammation and promoting healing. Through these examples, it's evident that TCM approaches colitis treatment by carefully selecting herbs and formulas that not only relieve symptoms but also restore balance and harmony within the body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address colitis, organized by formula type.
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that harmonize stomach-Intestines
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that purge heat accumulation
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that bind up intestines and secure abandoned conditions
- Formulas that warm and purge
- Formulas that expel parasites
- Formulas that release the exterior and warm the interior
- Formulas that rescue devastated yang
- Formulas that vent membrane source
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold" recommended for colitis
Formulas that harmonize Stomach-Intestines
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when the symptom arises from disharmony between the stomach and intestines, often leading to digestive issues.
One such formula is Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that harmonize stomach-Intestines" recommended for colitis
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Si Ni San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen" recommended for colitis
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Tao He Cheng Qi 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 colitis
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Gui Pi Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to dampness affecting the stomach, leading to digestive disturbances.
One such formula is Ping Wei San, with black atractylodes rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Colitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is San Ren Tang, with apricot seed as a key herb.
Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from disharmony in the female reproductive system, resulting in symptoms like irregular bleeding or abnormal discharge.
One such formula is Wan Dai Tang, with atractylodes rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Colitis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that purge Heat accumulation
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from an excess of internal heat, needing actions that clear heat and reduce its intensity.
One such formula is Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Shao Yao Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that bind up Intestines and secure abandoned conditions
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by severe weakness leading to symptoms related to the Intestines or the lower Abdomen.
One such formula is Tao Hua Tang, with red halloysite as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and purge
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from cold accumulation coupled with excess conditions, necessitating warming and purging actions.
One such formula is Wen Pi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that expel parasites
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by parasitic infections, requiring anti-parasitic herbs to eliminate the parasites.
One such formula is Wu Mei Wan, with chinese plum as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior
Colitis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external cold invasion affecting the body, requiring treatments that expel cold and warm the interior.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Formulas that rescue devastated Yang
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it is a result of a severe depletion or collapse of Yang energy, requiring urgent restoration and warming actions.
One such formula is Si Ni Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that vent membrane source
Colitis can be treated by these formulas if it results from blockages in the body, often manifested as masses or lumps, needing actions that open and resolve these obstructions.
One such formula is Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Colitis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address colitis, organized by herb category.
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Colitis can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Gui Pi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for colitis
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Colitis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Wen Pi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for colitis
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Colitis 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 Peach Kernels (Tao Ren),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for colitis
Herbs that drain Dampness
Colitis 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 Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like San Ren Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for colitis
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Colitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for colitis
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Colitis 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 Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Ping Wei San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness" recommended for colitis
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Colitis can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Red Halloysite (Chi Shi Zhi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Tao Hua Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that stabilize and bind" recommended for colitis
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Colitis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao),
which is directly recommended for colitis.
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Colitis can be treated by these herbs when it originates from obstructions in the lung pathways, helping to ease respiratory discomfort and restore normal breathing.
One such herb is Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like San Ren Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Colitis 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 colitis,
like Si Ni San.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Colitis 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 White Peony Roots (Bai Shao),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Tong Xie Yao Fang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Colitis can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Colitis 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 Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for colitis,
like Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang.
