Keep the intestines clear, and no ailments will appear. Think about it: if stool is blocked in the intestines, you might endure it for a day or two, but if it can't be expelled for three to five days, with waste piling up inside, how can the body feel comfortable? Mild symptoms include fatigue, oily skin, and difficulty flushing the toilet. Over time, it may even lead to issues such as cysts or nodules.

The six hollow organs function by maintaining patency, and the intestines are responsible for excreting waste among them. When the intestines are clear, qi and blood can circulate smoothly throughout the body. However, many people panic when constipated, often resorting to powerful medications like rhubarb. While rhubarb is indeed strong and can quickly clear accumulated waste, its nature is harsh and bitter-cold. If misused, it can damage the spleen and stomach qi. Once the spleen and stomach weaken, appetite diminishes, and symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain may arise, which would be counterproductive.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, constipation has many causes, and not all require strong medication. For some people, it is due to blood deficiency or insufficient body fluids, where the intestines lack nourishment. When fluids are low, the stool becomes dry like sheep droppings, making bowel movements difficult.

Today, I’ll share a relatively gentle remedy—an often-overlooked but excellent substance: Gualouren (Trichosanthes kirilowii seed), which is the seed of the Chinese cucumber. This seed is moistening in nature and contains abundant oils, helping to lubricate the dry, hard stool in the intestines, allowing it to pass smoothly.

Sometimes, combining it with a little Danggui (Chinese angelica root) can enhance the effect. Danggui nourishes the blood; when blood is sufficient, qi and blood flow smoothly, nourishing the intestines, and body fluids naturally increase, making bowel movements easier. Together, one helps unblock, while the other helps replenish, without harming the spleen and stomach. This combination is especially suitable for those with weak constitutions, blood deficiency, or insufficient body fluids.

To be frank, if you already have conditions like intestinal polyps or liver cysts, it’s even more important to keep the bowels clear. In TCM, it’s believed that for the liver to function well, the intestines must be unobstructed. Blocked intestines offer no benefit for recovering from such conditions, as constipation is a major factor that can induce intestinal polyps.

This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. If you experience any physical discomfort, please seek treatment under the guidance of a professional physician's differential diagnosis. Do not take medication blindly to avoid delaying your condition.