Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
Constipation refers to a noticeable reduction in bowel movement frequency, difficulty in passing stool, or the presence of hard stool and a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Generally, if stool remains in the intestines for an extended period exceeding 48 hours, it may be identified as constipation. Based on the presence or absence of organic pathology, constipation can be categorized into two types: organic constipation and functional constipation. Organic constipation may be caused by various organic conditions, such as wellness of the colon, rectum, and anus, malnutrition in the elderly, systemic debilitation, endocrine and metabolic wellness. Functional constipation is often caused by functional wellness such as irritable bowel syndrome, medication abuse, irregular diet, and bowel habits or lifestyle factors. In addition to the inability to pass hard stool, the clinical features of constipation may also include abdominal distension, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, belching, and nausea.
In traditional Chinese medicine, constipation is often associated with impaired transporting function of the Large Intestine, and is also closely related to the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidneys. The causes of this condition can be classified as dry-heat accumulation internally with insufficient fluids; emotional disharmony leading to Qi Stagnation; and overwork causing internal injury, body weakness, as well as Qi and blood deficiency. According to different manifestations, constipation can be further divided into five types: Heat Constipation, Qi Stagnation Constipation, Qi Deficiency, Blood Deficiency, and Yin Deficiency. The supportive approach should be based on pattern differentiation and targeted methods according to the specific cause.
1.Sanren Cha (Three-Seed Tea)
Ingredients: 30g of Haisongzi (seeds of *Pinus koraiensis*, Korean pine), 30g of Taoren (*Prunus persica*, peach kernel), 10g of Yuliren (*Prunus humilis*, Chinese dwarf cherry seed).
Preparation method: Remove the skin of Pinus koraiensis (Pine nut). Soak Prunus persica (Peach kernel) and Prunus japonica (Yuliren) in water, then remove their skins and tips. Crush all ingredients together and put into a cup. Pour boiling water over and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Benefits: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and moisture, supports healthy blood circulation and bowel regularity. This is suitable for occasional bowel irregularity associated with internal heat patterns, as characterized by dry hard stools, scanty dark urine, flushed face and irritability, possible body heat, dry mouth and bad breath, abdominal distension or discomfort, red tongue with yellow or dry yellow coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse.
2.Bai Shao Gan Cao Cha (White Peony and Licorice Root Tea)
Ingredients: Raw Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao) 30 g, Raw Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao) 12 g.
Preparation: Place the aforementioned herbs into a cup, brew with boiling water, and drink as a tea. Take 2 doses daily.
Efficacy: supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, helps helps with occasional occasional discomfort, and promotes regular bowel movements.
3.Erren Binglang Cha (Two-Kernel Areca Tea)
Ingredients: 15 grams each of Prunus humilis (Yuliren), Cannabis sativa (Huomaren), and Areca catechu (Binglang).
Preparation method: ① Soak Prunus humilis (Yuliren) in water to remove the skin, then crush Cannabis sativa (Huo Maren) and Areca catechu (Binglang), and set aside.
② Put the above three ingredients into a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Efficacy: helps maintain a healthy internal environment by clearing excess heat and moistening the intestines, and supports the smooth movement of Qi to transform stagnation. It is intended to support individuals who experience Qi Stagnation, which may manifest as occasional difficulty with bowel movements (with dry or not dry stool), along with frequent belching, a sensation of fullness in the chest and ribs, abdominal distension and discomfort, white tongue coating, and a wiry pulse.
4.Suzi Maren Cha (Perilla Seed and Hemp Seed Tea)
Ingredients: Perilla frutescens (Zisuzi) 10g, Cannabis sativa (Huomaren) 15g.
Preparation: Mash Perilla seed (Su Zi) and Cannabis sativa (Huo Ma Ren), place in a cup, steep with boiling water, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: Helps support the descending of Qi and relief of stagnation, and maintains moisture and lubrication in the intestines to promote normal bowel function. supports healthy bowel movements in cases of Qi Stagnation.
5.Huangqi Shanyao Cha (Astragalus and Chinese Yam Tea)
Ingredients: – Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi, honey-fried) 30 g – Dioscorea opposita (Shanyao, Huaishan) 30 g – Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao, raw) 30 g – Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen, stir-fried) 15 g – Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao, raw) 12 g
Preparation: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, then combine the decoctions and mix well. Drink as a tea. Two doses per day.
Efficacy: supports healthy Qi and replenishes vital energy, nourishes blood and promotes easy bowel movement. Used for supporting normal bowel function in cases of Qi deficiency pattern, presenting as occasional constipation without hardened stools, sensation of needing to defecate but with difficulty straining, sweating and shortness of breath upon straining, accompanied by fatigue, weak Qi, limb heaviness, reluctance to speak, pale tongue with white coating, and weak pulse.
6.Astragalus and Atractylodes Tea (Huangqi Baizhu Cha)
Ingredients: Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 30g, Raw Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu) 30g, Citrus reticulata (Chenpi) 10g, Cannabis sativa (Huomaren) 10g, Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 10g, White honey (Bai Mi) 20g.
Preparation: Decoct the first 5 ingredients twice with water, combine the decoctions, add white honey, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: supports the Middle Qi and promotes healthy bowel function. helps maintain regularity, especially for those with Qi deficiency.
7.Zhima Cha (Sesame Tea)
Ingredients: Sesamum indicum (Zhima) 50 g, Camellia sinensis (Cha) 5 g, Rheum palmatum (Dahuang) 10 g.
Preparation: Combine the above three ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a cup, pour in boiling water, and consume as tea. Take 2 doses daily.
supports the maintenance of internal moisture and heat balance, and nourishes blood to promote regular bowel function. Traditionally used to support individuals with blood deficiency pattern presenting with occasional dry stool, sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, poor memory, pale lips and tongue, and thin thready pulse.
8.Morus alba (Mulberry) and Rock Sugar Tea
Ingredients: 20-30 g Morus alba (Mulberry) (fresh: 30-60 g), 15-20 g rock sugar.
Method: Crush the rock sugar, place together with Morus alba (Sang Shen, Mulberry Fruit) into a cup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 20–30 minutes, then drink as tea. Take 2 doses daily.
Actions: Nourishes Yin and Blood, moistens dryness to support bowel regularity. helps maintain normal bowel movements for those with Blood Deficiency.
9.Jiawei Songren Cha (Augmented Pine Nut Tea)
Ingredients: Pinus koraiensis (Songzi Ren) 25g, Trichosanthes kirilowii (Gualou Ren) 25g, Cannabis sativa (Huomaren) 20g.
Preparation method: Mash the above three ingredients, decoct in water twice, combine the decoctions, and use as a tea substitute. Take one dose daily.
Benefits: Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, and supports healthy bowel movements. Used for individuals with Yin Deficiency pattern presenting with dry, hard stools resembling goat droppings, accompanied by a thin body build, dry mouth with desire to drink, occasional palpitations, malar flush, insomnia, dizziness, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse.
10.Supplemented Sesame Tea (Jiawei Zhima Cha)
Ingredients: Black sesame (Sesamum indicum) 25g, Walnut kernels (Juglans regia) 25g, Pine nut kernels (Pinus koraiensis) 25g, Honey 30g.
Mash the first three ingredients, put them into a cup, pour in boiling water, allow to cool to a moderate temperature, add honey, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
supports Yin nourishment and moisture balance. helps maintain normal bowel regularity. Assists individuals with Yin Deficiency patterns in supporting comfortable elimination.
11.Cynomorium and Mulberry Tea (Suoyang Sangzhen Tea)
Ingredients: 15g Cynomorium songaricum (Suoyang), 30g Morus alba fruit (Sangshen), 30g honey.
Preparation: Crush the first two ingredients, put them into a cup, brew with boiling water, wait until warm, stir in honey, and drink as tea. Take two doses daily.
Functions: supports Kidney vitality and nourishes Essence, helps maintain intestinal moisture and regularity. supports individuals with the pattern of cold-type constipation, which may present with difficult bowel movements, clear and profuse urine, cold pain in the abdomen, etc.
12.Cassia obtusifolia (Juemingzi) Tea
Ingredients: 9g of Cassia obtusifolia (Juemingzi).
Preparation: Crush Senna obtusifolia (Juemingzi) into pieces, place in a cup, and steep with boiling water. Drink as tea. Two doses per day.
supports the body’s natural ability to clear heat and maintain intestinal moisture. Assists in promoting regular bowel movements.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
I’ve been struggling with irregular bowel movements for years, and this article is a game-changer! Definitely going to try the ginger and honey blend first. Anyone else had success with TCM remedies for digestion?
Great article! I’ve been struggling with irregular digestion lately, so these TCM blends sound really helpful. I’m curious about the specific herbs used—any chance you could list a few key ones for beginners? Thanks for sharing this natural approach to gut health!
Interesting read! I’ve been dealing with occasional sluggish digestion and love exploring natural remedies. The 48-hour rule makes sense—never realized how crucial timing is. Which of these blends would you recommend for mild bloating along with constipation? I’d love to try one before reaching for laxatives. Thanks for sharing this!
Interesting read! I’ve struggled with sluggish digestion for years, and these TCM blends sound promising. I’m curious—are these infusions safe for daily use, or are they more of a short-term remedy when things get backed up? Would love to hear your thoughts before trying.
와, 한약재 차 블렌드로 장 건강을 챙길 수 있다니 신기하네요. 변비