Constipation, as a common illness, affects people’s health and normal life. From the records of traditional Chinese medicine, it can be seen that constipation can be divided into two types depending on the symptoms: ‘Shi Constipation’ and ‘Xu Constipation’. Based on the personal situation, the principle of treating constipation should take into account the cause or nature of the condition.

Shi Constipation, which is referred to as constipation of the excess type, includes ‘Re Constipation’ and ‘Qi constipation.’

Xu Constipation, also called inadequate type constipation, includes four branches: Qi/blood/Yin/Yang deficiency constipation accompanied by their specific symptoms and treatments.

Do you know what kind of constipation you get and how to treat it? Maybe the following information can help you find out.

1. Re Constipation    

•  Symptoms: Dry stools, sparse dark urine, blushing when upset, dry mouth, bad breath, bloating, red tongue with yellow coating. 

•  Avoid eating or drinking：Spicy or greasy foods such as peppers, ginger, lamb, chicken, fish, and alcohol. These foods can encourage the pathogen and damage the yin,  resulting in loss of body fluid and dry faeces. 

•  Recommended food：The foods that can remove the heat and nourish the body include pear, cucumber, bitter melon, carrot, celery, and lettuce. 

2. Qi constipation 

•  Symptoms: Difficulty in defecating, painful and swollen abdomen.

•  Recommendation：  

1) Eat convergent foods: ginkgo, lotus seed, chestnuts, and pomegranates.

2) Eat foods that allow the qi to flow, softens solid food and nourishes the intestines. This category includes oranges, bananas, seaweed, and bamboo shoots.

3. Qi deficiency constipation  

•  Symptoms: Desire for defecation, but it is difficult to evacuate, even when trying very hard, accompanied by sweating and shortness of breath. 

4. Yang deficiency constipation  

•  Symptoms: moist or dry stools, difficulty in defecating, pain and coldness in the abdomen. 

•  Suggestions:  Sufferers who have Qi/ Yang deficiency constipation are recommended to eat these foods.

1) Foods that ‘lets the qi flow’: bergamot, white carrot, almonds, leaf mustard and orange.

2) Foods that ‘strengthen the spleen, supplement qi and nourish the intestines’: lentils, figs, walnuts and taro. Chinese people cook porridge with carrot, sweet potato and Atractylodis Macrocephalae (a Chinese herb) as the main meal for those who suffer from constipation.

5.Blood deficiency constipation 

•  Symptoms: Dry and hard stools, dull complexion, dizziness, and palpitations.

6. Yin deficiency constipation 

•  Symptoms: Dry and hard stools, weight loss, dizziness with tinnitus, moodiness, insomnia and night sweats.

•  Suggestions for blood/ Yin deficiency constipation:

•  Avoid eating: Hot pepper, lamb, and spicy food, which can aggravate constipation. 

•  Recommendation: Tonifying and nourishing food like mulberry, sesame seeds and peanuts. For example, eating porridge with black sesame, pine nuts and walnuts helps produce blood and nourish the body.