Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• moistens the "dryness" of the intestines
• moves Qi and thus the movement of stool
• nourishes yin and blood
• supports intestinal peristalsis

Description:

This modification of the famous formula by Li Dong-Yuan from the Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach (13th century), called Run Chang Wan – Pill to Moisten the Intestines, does exactly what its name suggests: it "moistens the intestines" in cases of chronic constipation caused by heat and dryness resulting from a deficiency of fluids or blood. In such cases, the stool is dry, hard, or pellet-like, and it is often a chronic constipation, or constipation caused by heat after a fever or a lack of fluids and blood from other causes (postpartum, in old age, or during chronic illness).

Peach seed and hemp seed contain up to 30% oils that moisten the intestine. Polygonum and Angelica replenish blood and also help with moistening. Rhubarb has a laxative effect and addresses constipation caused by heat.

The formula thus helps to moisten the intestines and improve intestinal peristalsis.

Please note that the formula does not address the root cause if the constipation is caused by a deficiency of Qi – there is a lack of energy to push the stool out. In that case, however, the stool is usually not dry. We must use a formula that contains herbs that replenish Qi, possibly combined with Tong Chang Piang, which, however, only acts symptomatically.

Indications:

• constipation with dry, hard, and pellet-like stool
• chronic constipation with dry stool
• constipation in the elderly
• postpartum constipation
• haemorrhoids
• general dryness during fever or chronic illness
• dry skin

Modern effects:

• the above-mentioned types of constipation
• constipation from neurological causes or after injury

Tongue:

• red with a small amount of dry coating or no coating

Pulse:

• xi
• se
• or shu (fine, choppy, rapid)

Contraindications:

• polygonum and peach seed are contraindicated in pregnancy
• use with caution in people taking blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin

Note:

1) Diet is also very important. In China, there is a saying: "It is not enough to drink water, you must eat water." This means that in addition to sufficient fluid intake, we must eat enough foods containing water – vegetables, fruit, cooked or steamed dishes. Similarly, we include other intestine-moistening foods such as high-quality cold-pressed oils, seeds and nuts, and honey. We must also limit foods in our diet that bring additional heat into the body: hot, spicy, pungent foods.

2) Find time for the toilet in the morning, optimally between 5 and 7 a.m., when the two hours belong to the large intestine. A proper morning "ritual" can play a very important role.

3) The formula is very effective, but it does not act as a laxative. The harmonising effect on the intestines will manifest after about a month of use.

Composition of the formula: