Traditional Chinese Medicine Soothes Digestion

as printed in Alive Magazine December 2004

"How is your digestion?" I ask most patients, including those who come in for allergies, insomnia, arthritis, or depression.

In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, the digestive system is central to overall health. Indeed, the Mandarin greeting "Ni chi le ma?" translates literally as "Have you eaten?" but means "How are you?"

In TCM's holistic approach, all of the body's organs and systems are important for digestion. Nevertheless, the most important organs are placed in what we call the "middle burner"-the spleen, stomach, and liver; the "lower burner"the small and large intestines. In Western medicine we concur that these organs are part of the digestive system, all except the spleen, which we assign to the lymphatic system. In TCM, however, the spleen is the primary organ of digestion because it includes the functions of the pancreas, which is the organ that secretes our digestive enzymes.

TCM has its own diagnostic system, and a group of individuals, all with the same Western medicine diagnosis, will often each be given different acupuncture points, herbal remedies, and dietary regimens, based on what their TCM pattern suggests. By assessing what organs and energetic systems are troubled, we can work to bring digestion and related health problems back into balance.

A Needling Sensation

Acupuncture is a major component of TCM treatment. Its practitioners were once jailed in North America, but the World Health Organization (WHO) and many conventional Western health practitioners now accept acupuncture.

The WHO lists several gastrointestinal problems as benefiting from acupuncture. These conditions include, but are not limited to, acute and chronic gastritis, constipation, diarrhea, acute and chronic colitis, gastric hyperactivity, chronic duodenal ulcer, and hiccups. A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in March 1992, showed that acupuncture was "very effective in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system:" Acupuncture has also been demonstrated to be particularly effective in treating emotion-related ailments like "nervous stomach:'

If the thought of needles makes you run away in fear, think about this: an acupuncture needle is approximately the diameter of a thick hair. During an acupuncture session, the practitioner tries to achieve a needling sensation called "de qi:" This sensation includes heaviness, aching, tingling, numbness, electricity, and warmth. It is quite soothing and patients often fall asleep during treatment. The acupuncturist chooses acupuncture points in many different ways, and although the problem may only be felt in the abdominal area, points are often selected elsewhere on the body such as the arms or legs.

Most people think of acupuncture for the treatment of pain. While it is very useful in this regard and can relieve pain associated with problems such as ulcers, gallstones, spastic colon, and hemorrhoids, acupuncture is also very effective in treating diseases and symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and hepatitis. In a 2002 issue of Si Chuan Zhong Yi (Sichuan Chinese Medicine) a study of 85 patients with chronic constipation found a 91.8-percent improvement in bowel function when only two acupuncture needles were used.

TCM's Herbal Remedies

Herbs have been found to change the environment in the digestive system. Some herbs, such as huang qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), huang lian (Coptis rhizome), and long dan cao (Gentiana) are useful in combating yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth as they are antimicrobial. Others, such as mai ya (malt) and gu ya (rice sprout), contain enzymes that aid digestion. Still others, including da huang (rhubarb), fan xie ye (senna leaf), and mang xiao (Glauber's salt) act as laxatives by stimulating contraction of the muscles of the colon.

Folklore and more than 3,000 years of use have defined the herbs listed in TCM's Materia Medica, but many studies now demonstrate the effectiveness of TCM herbs. One study included 116 patients with neither the gastroenterologists nor the patients knowing whether the patient was receiving the herbal treatment or a placebo over a 16-week period. Published in 1998 in the journal of the American Medical Association, the study demonstrated a significant improvement in symptoms for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Remember that even if you are on prescription medication, it is possible to take TCM herbs, but first consult with your TCM doctor and your prescribing health-care practitioner.

Diet Is Vital

Diet is one of the most important things to consider, especially for digestive problems. TCM has its own method of recommending foods based on each person's diagnosis, but there are many folk remedies. For constipation, try peeled and thinly sliced fresh water chestnuts in a mixture of honey and lemon. Very ripe bananas can also be effective. Conversely if the bananas are still green, they can help treat diarrhea.

The Chinese counterpart to chicken noodle soup is rice gruel (also known as juk or congee). It can be used for a variety of acute and chronic digestive complaints, including stomach ache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and irritable bowel. Other TCM treatments for digestion include acupressure, massage, and qigong exercises. Look into learning about these methods for self-treatment.
If you take care of your digestive health now, your answer to my opening question will be a resounding "Great."

Dr. Melissa Carr, Dr.TCM, RAc, is a registered Dr. of Traditional Chinese Medicine who combines the use of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and a blend of eastern and western foods and philosophies to give nutritional advice to her patients.

Children learn about nutrition from adults.
Where do adults learn about it?