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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The Large Intestine is the official responsible for conduction, where transformations occur. It receives waste from the Stomach and transports it downward to the Broad Intestine (Rectum). When old grain is expelled, new grain can enter; hence the character "Da" (Large) consists of the flesh radical and "Yi" (change/easy), implying smoothness and unimpeded flow, referring to the pathway through which water and grain pass. The Hand-Yangming Meridian belongs to the Large Intestine.

It is also stated: The Hui Chang (Looping Intestine) is located to the right of the umbilicus, looping sixteen times, four cun wide, one and a half cun in diameter, and two zhang one chi long. It can hold one dou of grain and seven sheng and a half of water.

[Image: Diagram of the Large Intestine]

It is also stated: The Guang Chang (Broad Intestine/Rectum) follows the spine to receive food; it is the pathway for expelling dregs and filth. It is eight cun wide, two cun in diameter, with a length of two zhang eight chi (calculated as slightly more than half a cun per unit segment), and can hold nine sheng, three he, and one-eighth of a he of grain.

It is also stated: The Large Intestine is also called Hui Chang because it loops and curves to receive grain from the Small Intestine, thus named accordingly.

It is also stated: The Large Intestine loops thirty-six times to the right of the umbilicus.

It is also stated: Dachangshu (BL25) is located beside the sixteenth vertebral process; its Front-Mu point is Tianshu (ST25) beside the umbilicus. (Shu points are Yang and located on the back; Mu points are Yin and located on the abdomen.)

It is also stated: The Large Intestine is called Bai Chang (White Intestine).

It is also stated: If Jue Qi (Rebellious Qi) lodges in the Large Intestine, one dreams of fields.

It is also stated: If retained food stagnates in the Large Intestine, there will be chills and fever, sometimes resembling malaria.

It is also stated: If Water Qi lodges in the Large Intestine, walking quickly causes loud bowel sounds, gurgling like a bag containing liquid.

It is also stated: Heat transferring from the Small Intestine to the Large Intestine results in Jia masses (abdominal lumps) or Chen syndrome (deep-seated conditions). (" " is a variant of "Fu" (hidden/deep); Jia is pronounced jiǎ.)

It is also stated: The Guang Chang is also called Gangmen (Anus), describing its shape as resembling the hub of a wheel, hence the name Gangmen, which is the Guang Chang.

It is also stated: The Zhi Chang (Straight Intestum) receives grain from the Large Intestine and导 (guides/expels) it out.

It is also stated: Pomen (Anus) is also an extension of the Five Zang Organs' functions, preventing water and grain from staying inside for too long.

It is also stated: When the meridian undergoes pathological changes, symptoms include toothache and gingival swelling. This meridian primarily governs Jin Ye (Body Fluids). (" " is pronounced zhuō.)

Song of Meridian-Guiding Herbs for the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine:
At Mao hour, the Large Intestine involves Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Xiebai (Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus), Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus), Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Baishi Zhi (Halloysitum Rubrum), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Shijunzi (Quisqualis Fructus), Jiangjun (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, i.e., Dahuang), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus).

It is also stated: This meridian is abundant in Qi and Blood.

The *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The Large Intestine weighs two jin eleven liang; the anus weighs twelve liang. Regarding the Hui Chang, it is so named because it overlaps and loops. The Guang Chang is the larger portion following the Hui Chang; the Zhi Chang is the terminal segment of the Guang Chang, connecting below to the anus. This is called Gudao (Grain Pathway), and the posterior orifice is also called Pomen; collectively, they all belong to the Large Intestine.

It is also stated: It connects above to the lower opening of the Small Intestine and below to the Zhi Chang and anus.

It is also stated: At Mao hour, Qi and Blood flow into the Large Intestine.

The *Ben Zang Pian* (Chapter on Original Organs) in the *Lingshu* says: Those with thick skin have thick Large Intestines; those with thin skin have thin Large Intestines. Those with loose skin and coarse texture have large and long Large Intestines; those with tight skin have tense and short Large Intestines; those with smooth skin have straight Large Intestines; those whose skin and flesh are tightly adherent have knotted/stagnant Large Intestines.

Manifestations of Large Intestine disease include: difficulty using the index finger and thumb, deafness, tinnitus (buzzing noise), pain behind the ear, shoulder, elbow, and lateral arm, abdominal fullness, and hard skin without pain.

The Classics state: A long nasal passage indicates the condition of the Large Intestine.

The *Lingshu* states: From Tianshu (ST25) down to Henggu (GB29), the length is six and a half cun. If longer, the Hui Chang is broad; if shorter, it is narrow and short.

It is also stated: In Large Intestine disease, there is severe intestinal pain and gurgling bowel sounds. If exposed to cold again in winter, diarrhea occurs, with pain around the umbilicus, making it difficult to stand for long periods.

It is also stated: Abdominal pain with bowel sounds, Qi rushing upward to the chest, wheezing inability to stand long—this indicates pathogenic factors in the Large Intestine.

It is also stated: Cold in the intestines causes rumbling and undigested stool diarrhea; heat in the intestines causes discharge of yellow, porridge-like feces.

The Classics state: Diseases of the Large and Small Intestines lead to diarrhea.

It is also stated: The Large Intestine is the Fu organ of the Lung.

It is also stated: In Chang Bi (Intestinal Obstruction/Stiffness), frequent drinking does not relieve urination needs, there is panting and struggling in the middle jiao, and episodes of undigested stool diarrhea occur.

Zhang Zhongjing states: If the Large Intestine has Cold, stools are often loose; if it has Heat, the excrement is foul and slimy.

The *Ru Men* (Introduction to Medicine) states: Deficiency in the intestines causes rumbling; if Cold Qi clashes, it also causes bowel sounds.

The *Lingshu* records: The Yellow Emperor asked: The Stomach dislikes heat and likes coolness, while the Large Intestine dislikes coolness and likes heat. How to harmonize these two discordant natures? Qibo replied: To regulate this, diet and clothing should suit the temperature. Avoid being overly chilling in cold weather and avoid sweating excessively in hot weather. Food should not be scalding hot nor icy cold. Keeping warm and cool balanced ensures Qi remains stable and prevents deviation by pathogens.

For Large Intestine Heat, Xie Bai Tang (Drain White Decoction) is suitable. For Large Intestine Cold, Shi Chang San (Solidify Intestine Powder) is suitable.

The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: If Large Intestine function ceases, it is incurable. How to know? Unremitting diarrhea leads to cessation of defecation, resulting in death.

Supplementary herbs: Muli (Ostreae Concha), Su Ke (Papaveris Pericarpium), Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis), Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen), Lian Zi (Nelumbinis Semen), Long Gu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi et Scapulae), He Le Le (Terminalia Chebulae Fructus).

Draining herbs: Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Taoren (Persicae Semen), Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas).

Warming herbs: Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex).

Cooling herbs: Huaihua (Sophorae Flos), Tiao Qin (Scutellariae Radix).

Meridian-guiding messengers: Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) ascend. Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) descends.

Blood in stool belongs to the Large Intestine Meridian pathology.

Swelling and edema are divided into ten types; fluctuating between deficiency and excess characterizes Da Chang Shui (Large Intestine Water).