(《局方》)六君子汤加升麻、枳实、栝蒌仁煎服。气虚脾胃弱而得关格之证宜服。
(丹溪)二陈木通汤 治关格饮食不下,二便不通。
陈皮(一钱) 半夏(八分) 茯苓(八分) 甘草(四分) 木通 滑石(各一钱)
人参芦(钱半)
上咀,水二盏,姜三片、枣一枚,煎八分,食远服,再煎探吐。
《内经》曰∶北方黑色,通入于肾,开窍于二阴,藏精于肾。肾主五液,故肾实则津液
足而大便润,肾虚则津液竭而大便燥。肾恶燥,急食辛以润之,食苦以泄之。
凡人大便秘结,皆由房劳过度,饮食失节,或恣饮酒浆,过会辛热。饮食之火,起于脾
胃;淫欲之火,起于命门。以致阴虚血耗,火盛人亏,津液不生,故传道失常,渐成燥结
之证。有年高血少津液枯涸,或因有所脱血,津液暴竭,新产之妇气血虚耗,以致肠胃枯
涩。体虚之人摄养乖方,三焦气涩,运掉不行,而肠胃壅滞,遂成秘结,诸若此,惟当养血
滋阴,滑涩润燥,不可妄用通利之药,恐伤元气,耗散真液,秘结愈甚也。
七冲门∶唇为飞门,齿为户门,会厌为吸门,胃为贲门,太仓下口则为幽门,大肠小肠会为
阑门,下极为魄门,此为七冲门也。盖阴不可以无阳,水不可以无火。水火既济,上下相
交,荣卫流行,自然润泽。若而幽门不通,则上冲;吸门不开,则噎塞。故云∶燥秘不便,
气不得上下者,治在幽门。
(Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang) Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with added Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), and Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen) decocted and taken orally. Suitable for patients with Guan Ge syndrome (obstruction of food and fluids due to deficiency of Qi and weak Spleen-Stomach).
(Zhu Danxi) Er Chen Mu Tong Tang (Two Aged Ingredients and Akebia Decoction) treats Guan Ge syndrome characterized by inability to swallow food and drink, and obstruction of both urination and defecation.
Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel, 1 qian) Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber, 8 fen) Fu Ling (Poria, 8 fen) Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 4 fen) Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis) Hua Shi (Talcum, each 1 qian)
Ren Shen Lu (Ginseng Antler, 1.5 qian)
The above herbs are cut into small pieces, decocted in two cups of water with three slices of fresh ginger and one jujube, until reduced to eight-tenths volume. Take far from meals; the dregs can be re-decocted to induce vomiting.
Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The North corresponds to black color, connects internally to the Kidney, opens orifices at the two yin passages (urethra and anus), and stores essence within the Kidney. The Kidney governs the five fluids; thus, when Kidney Qi is substantial, body fluids are sufficient and stool is moist; when Kidney Qi is deficient, body fluids are exhausted and stool becomes dry. The Kidney dislikes dryness; urgently consume pungent foods to moisten it, and bitter foods to drain heat.
In general, fecal impaction in humans arises from excessive sexual activity, irregular diet, or indulgence in alcoholic beverages and overconsumption of pungent and hot foods. Fire generated from diet originates in the Spleen and Stomach; fire generated from lust originates in the Ming Men (Gate of Life). This leads to Yin deficiency and blood consumption, excessive fire and bodily depletion, failure to generate body fluids, and consequently, dysfunction of transmission and transformation, gradually forming a condition of dryness and impaction. In elderly individuals with scant blood and withered fluids, or those who have suffered sudden massive blood loss leading to abrupt exhaustion of fluids, or postpartum women with depleted Qi and Blood causing dryness and stagnation in the intestines and stomach, and in frail individuals with improper care leading to stagnation of San Jiao (Triple Burner) Qi, failure of transportation, and accumulation in the intestines and stomach resulting in constipation—all such cases require nourishing Blood and nourishing Yin, lubricating stagnation, and moistening dryness. One must not recklessly use purgative drugs, lest they damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and dissipate true fluids, thereby worsening the constipation.
Qi Chong Men (Seven Rushing Gates): The lips are Fei Men (Flying Gate), teeth are Hu Men (Household Gate), epiglottis is Xi Men (Inhaling Gate), upper opening of the Stomach is Ben Men (Receiving Gate), lower opening of Tai Cang (Stomach) is You Men (Secluded Gate), junction of Large Intestine and Small Intestine is Lan Men (Screen Gate), and the anus is Po Men (Corporeal Soul Gate); these are called the Seven Rushing Gates. Generally, Yin cannot exist without Yang, and Water cannot exist without Fire. When Water and Fire interact harmoniously, Upper and Lower intersect, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi circulate freely, resulting in natural moisture. If You Men is obstructed, Qi rushes upward; if Xi Men does not open, dysphagia occurs. Therefore, it is said: For dryness and constipation where Qi fails to move up and down, treatment focuses on You Men.