Cause
- over-consumption of cold and raw foods
- living in a cold environment
In traditional Chinese medicine “cold in the Large Intestine” is caused by over-consumption of “cold foods”(1)(2). Such are foods consumed straight out of the refrigerator, ice cream, ice-drinks, and all raw foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Cold may also accumulate in the intestines if the abdomen is frequently exposed to cold temperature(2).
If you want to learn more about the Large Intestine and its functions from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine go to "The Large Intestine in Traditional Chinese Medicine" in the Physiology chapter.
Symptoms
- loose stools
- watery stools
- diarrhea
- lower abdominal pain
- cold sensation in the abdomen
Since there is no warmth/energy to consolidate the stools symptoms of coldness in the large intestine are loose stools(1)(2) and diarrhea(1). As the cold is constrictive in nature it causes pain thus there is abdominal pain(1)(2). There is cold sensation in the abdomen, the limbs(2) and body(1) are cold.
Treatment
To counteract the cold warm foods should be consumed.
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Food therapy is the most economical and non-toxic biochemical approach to health and disease. Food is something we continuously use to sustain our lives. Learning what foods are healing (and what disruptive) for each condition has the potential to convert every meal into a form of therapy.
YS
(1) Yang Weiyi, Meng Fanyi, Jiang Yuanan(2002). Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beijing: Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology
(2) Maciocia, Giovanni (1989). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Edinburgh: Harcourt Publishers Limited
(3) Pitchford, Paul (2002). Healing with Whole Foods. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books
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