↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Abdominal cramping that leads to diarrhea and is relieved after a bowel movement; alternating loose stools and constipation; irritability with frequent sighing; excessive gas and rumbling.
Tongue: Normal or slightly pale with possible teeth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, especially left middle position, right middle softer.
Treatment principle: Harmonize Liver and Spleen, strengthening digestive function while soothing the emotional tension.
2. Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency Transforming into Heat
Clinical manifestations: Distending rib pain that worsens with stress, urgent burning diarrhea after meals or stress, irritability with a quick temper, a bitter taste in the mouth.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, teeth marks, thin to moderately thick slightly greasy yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, taut at the left Guan.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver stagnation, clear the accumulated Heat, and restore the Spleen's digestive capacity.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Ulcerative Colitis page leaves the identically-named pattern unlinked for the same reason.
Clinical manifestations: Urgent abdominal cramping with a pressing need to defecate, a burning sensation at the anus, foul-smelling yellow-brown sticky stools, a sensation of incomplete evacuation.
Tongue: Red with a thick yellow greasy coating, thickest in the centre and root. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Damp-Heat from the Large Intestine, stop the diarrhea, and relieve the burning urgency.
Clinical manifestations: Dull abdominal pain improved by warmth and pressure, loose watery stools with undigested food, cold intolerance especially in the hands and feet, poor appetite with bloating.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender with teeth marks, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak, especially at the right Guan.
Treatment principle: Warm the middle burner, strengthen Spleen-Yang, and restore digestive fire.
Clinical manifestations: Hard, pellet-like constipated stools that are dry, a bitter taste, irritability and explosive anger, distending or burning rib pain.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and rapid.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver stagnation, clear internal Heat, and restore bowel moisture and regularity.
Clinical manifestations: Early-morning diarrhea, cold aching lower back and knees, feeling cold throughout especially in the lower body, frequent nighttime urination, deep fatigue.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender with teeth marks, wet white coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak, especially at the Chi positions.
Treatment principle: Warm Kidney-Yang, restore the foundational fire, and strengthen the Spleen through Kidney support.