Damp-heat dysentery

Dysentery attributed to damp-heat. Damp-heat dysentery arises when damp-heat accumulates in the intestines, causing stagnation of qì and blood and impairing the intestine’s function of conveyance. It is associated with the classic signs of dysentery, i.e., red and white stool due to the presence of blood and pus, tenesmus, and abdominal pain; it is characterized by thick sticky, foul-smelling stool that causes a burning sensation in the anus when passed, short voidings of reddish urine, a slimy yellow tongue fur, and slippery rapid pulse. In some cases, heat effusion is present.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and dry dampness; regulate qì and move the blood. Use formulas like Peony Decoction (芍药汤 sháo yào tāng), Pulsatilla Decoction (白头翁汤 bái tóu wēng tāng), or Costusroot and Coptis Pill (香连丸 xiāng lián wán). If there is pronounced generalized heat, Pueraria, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction (葛根芩连汤 gé gēn qín lián tāng) can be used. If qì and food stagnation signs such as abdominal pain and tenesmus are pronounced, use Unripe Bitter Orange Stagnation-Abducting Pill (枳实导滞丸 zhǐ shí dǎo zhì wán). In addition, humifuse euphorbia (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba, 地锦草 dì jǐn cǎo), purslane (Portulacae Herba, 马齿苋 mǎ chǐ xiàn), andrographis (Andrographis Herba, 穿心莲 chuān xīn lián), and garlic (Allii Sativi Bulbus, 大蒜 dà suàn) are also effective.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment on ST and LI. Select LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot, 天枢 tiān shū), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow, 上巨虚 shàng jù xū), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), and ST-44 (Inner Court, 内庭 nèi tíng), needling with drainage. For pronounced generalized heat, add GV-14 (Great Hammer, 大椎 dà zhuī) and prick the Ten Diffusing Points (十宣 shí xuān). For pronounced qì stagnation or food stagnation, add CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), and ST-21 (Beam Gate, 梁门 liáng mén).