↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Straining to pass soft stools; bloating after eating; constant fatigue; poor appetite; shortness of breath on exertion.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, soft, at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Spleen Qi to restore intestinal propulsive force.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
Clinical manifestations: Dry, hard, pellet-like stools; a burning sensation during bowel movements; abdominal pain worsened by pressure; thirst for cold drinks; afternoon fever; dark, scanty urine; restlessness.
Tongue: Red with prickly papillae, thick dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, forceful.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat and moistens the intestines to soften the stools.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Cramping, colicky abdominal pain that shifts location; a sensation of incomplete evacuation; small, fragmented or ribbon-like stools; excessive gas and belching; symptoms worsen with emotional stress.
Tongue: Normal, light red, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Moves stagnant Qi downward and restores smooth bowel flow.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Dry, hard stools; a pale or sallow complexion; dizziness; heart palpitations; scanty, pale menstrual blood; poor memory; shortness of breath.
Tongue: Pale, thin, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak, thread-like.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Blood to moisten the intestines and restore lubrication.
Note: moxa is appropriate. Linked to this site's own Liver-Blood-deficiency slide as the closest general match.
Clinical manifestations: Dry, hard, pellet-like stools; night sweats; warm palms, soles and chest; a dry mouth and throat especially at night; evening restlessness and warmth.
Tongue: Red, thin with cracks, little or no coating. Pulse: Fine, rapid.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Yin and generates fluids to lubricate the bowels.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).
Clinical manifestations: Difficult stools, dry or sticky; cold lower back and knees; feeling cold throughout the body, especially the limbs; fatigue and depression; waking at night to urinate.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender, teeth-marked, wet white coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak, at the rear positions.
Treatment principle: Warms Kidney Yang and moistens the intestines to restore propulsive warmth.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated.