Do you also struggle with this problem: going to the bathroom feels like torture, it's incredibly difficult. When you finally manage to pass a little, it's dry and hard, like small pebbles or sheep droppings. Afterward, you feel completely drained, covered in cold sweat.

Many people, when they get constipated, immediately assume they're "overheated" and rush to drink herbal teas or take laxatives. What happens? It might work temporarily, but soon enough, the problem returns. They become increasingly reliant on medication, and their intestines start acting up.

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, if you experience the aforementioned symptoms of "straining" and "feeling drained after bowel movements," the issue is likely not merely dryness. Instead, both your body's "vital energy" and "lubrication" are compromised—a condition known as "dual deficiency of qi and yin."

Let me give you an analogy: our intestines are like a river, and feces are the little boats in it.

Qi deficiency means the "current" propelling your body forward has lost its strength, so naturally the boat moves slowly. That's why you have to strain so hard during bowel movements and feel exhausted afterward.

Yin deficiency is easier to understand—it means the water in the "riverbed" is running low, almost dried up. Naturally, the boat gets stranded! That's why your stool becomes dry and hard.

To let the boat drift smoothly, one must simultaneously boost the current's momentum (supplementing energy) while adding water to the river channel (nourishing yin).

Here's a simple and effective little method for you—a small dietary remedy:

Astragalus root 10g + Ophiopogon tuber 5g + Fire hemp seed 10g

Boil these three ingredients together as a tea—it won't cost you more than a few bucks.

What makes this formula so ingenious?

Astragalus is a master at boosting energy, providing your digestive system with ample power and enhancing its propulsive force.

Ophiopogon is a "moisture-boosting powerhouse" that replenishes bodily fluids, akin to "filling up" parched riverbeds, making stools less dry and hard.

Hemp seeds have an oily texture that directly lubricates the intestines, like greasing a little boat to make it glide more smoothly.

The combination of these three ingredients—one to boost energy, one to replenish fluids, and one to lubricate—addresses both symptoms and root causes. For constipation caused by deficiency of both qi and yin, this approach is highly effective.

Of course, everyone's situation is different. If you experience chronic constipation, it's best to consult a professional doctor for a proper diagnosis. Got it?