Boost Digestive Health A Cocktail for Digestive Harmony

Boost Your Digestive Health!

Digestive health is by far the biggest health concern across the United States. There’s a lot to be said about the food we buy from grocery stores and restaurants. Digestive disorders include acid reflux, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, constipation diarrhea, stomach tumors and large intestine and rectal tumors. Preventing digestive issues is my primary concern with every patient I work with. In this blog I will share with you the patterns most commonly seen in by a Chinese medicine doctor and how they are treated.

Constipation

Constipation is usually caused by bowel habits from childhood, lack of exercise, diet, emotional stress, physiological dysfunctions or medications. An individual my experience the sensation of a not completely emptied rectum or produce hard stools that are difficult to pass. An acute condition occurs suddenly with noticeable symptoms. A chronic condition has a harmful subtle onset and may continue for months to years.

The root cause of constipation is a result of consuming hot and acrid foods or alcohol which causes heat to accumulate in the stomach and then in turn weakens the intestines. The heat also damages the Yin energy and the stools are dried and hardened due to the lack of hin and fluids. Emotional strain and excessive pensiveness cause stagnation of the Qi in the Liver and Middle Burner. which leads to malfunction in the digestive tract. Overwork, excessive fatigue, postpartum, weakness, or weakness after an illness may cause Qi Deficiency, which leads to malfunction of the large intestine.

Blood deficiency, which can cause lack of Yin energy and Fluids, can not moisturize the large intestine, leading to constipation. Weakness or the aging process can cause Yang energy deficiency which generates Internal Cold. The cold may bind with the Yin energy and stagnate the intestines leading to constipation.

Constipation can be grouped into two categories. Simple habitual, constipation, and complicated constipation. Simple habitual constipation can be identified as one of three patterns: Qi Stagnation, Qi Deficiency, and Blood and Body Fluids Deficiency. Complicated constipation can be identified as one of the five patterns. Heat constipation, Qi constipation, constipation due to Blood stasis, constipation due to Qi Deficiency, and constipation due to Blood Deficiency.

Qi Stagnation

Signs and Symptoms

 Constipation, distention, and pain in the hypochondrium, abdomen, and breasts. Frequent sighing, belching and hiccup, plum-pit syndrome (globus hystericus), and poor appetite with retention of food. Emotional strains and irascibility, premenstrual breast soreness and/or distention, irregular periods, or amenorrhea in severe cases. The tongue has a thin white coating. The pulse is wiry. Treatment  Soothe the Liver, relieve stagnation, promote the flow of Qi and dissipate accumulations. Herbal Formulas often prescribed for this condition are Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver) or Modification of Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder).

Qi Deficiency

Signs and Symptoms

Constipation, dizziness, weak constitution, shortness of breath, and fatigue.  Spontaneous sweating, pale and bright complexion, and poor appetite. The tongue has a white coating.  Pulse is Empty, Deep and Minute.  Treatment Tonify the Middle Burner, raise the Yang and promote bowel movement. Herbal formulas often considered is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Decoction to Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi)

Blood and Body Fluid Deficiency

Signs and Symptoms

Dry stools, difficult defecation, dry mouth and halitosis. Pale complexion, dizziness, and scanty and yellow urine.  Tongue is red and dry with a dry yellow coating.  Pulse is Deep and Fine, or Fine and Rapid.  Treatment  Generates Fluids, nourishes Blood, moistens the Intestine and promotes bowel movement. 

Heat Constipation

Signs and Symptoms

Dry stools and constipation, burning sensation in the anus, and scanty yellow urine. Dry mouth, halitosis, irritability, abdominal distention, and pain, which is aggravated by pressure, abdominal masses, red face, and fever. Tongue is red with a dry yellow coating, or with a black or brown coating in severe cases. Pulse is Slippery and Rapid, or Overflowing and Rapid with strength.  Treatment, Clear Heat, unblock the Intestines, eliminate the toxic Heat and moisten the Intestines to promote bowel movements. Modification of Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Decoction to Order the Qi.

Constipation due to Blood Stasis

Signs and Symptoms

Constipation with hard dark stools, pain and a feeling of cold in the lower abdomen, and masses in the lower abdomen in severe cases.  Tongue is dark purple with a white coating.  Pulse is Deep and Choppy, or Wiry and Choppy. Treatment Dissipate Blood stasis and unblock the Fu organs to promote bowel movement.

Constipation due to Blood Deficiency

Signs and Symptoms

Constipation with hard stools, dull complexion, pale lips, dizziness, and palpitation. Tongue is pale.  Pulse is Fine and Choppy. Treatment Nourish the Blood and moisten the Intestines to promote bowel movement. Modification of Run Chang Wan, Pill to Moisten the Intestines from Master Shen’s Book. Constipation with hard stools, dull complexion, pale lips, dizziness, and palpitation. Tongue is pale.  Pulse is Fine and Choppy. Treatment. Nourish the Blood and moisten the Intestines to promote bowel movement. Modification of Run Chang Wan, Pill to Moisten the Intestines from Master Shen’s Book.

How do we arrive at all these different types of patterns? Our body is connected to the elements we see in nature. With careful study of the five elements, we are able to see how those relationships correlate to our internal environment. Let’s get into what you can do about digestive health right now.

The Cocktail

Aperitifs are a somewhat sophisticated cocktail served before a big meal to assist digestion because health and healing in Chinese medicine began in the stomach. Who says a traditional Italian aperitif can’t improve with Chinese herbs? We’ll raise a glass to it.

To that aim, the Digestive Harmony elevates the traditional Aperol Spritz, delivering a digestive-benefiting one-two punch that will have you raising a glass. The outcomes of this Italian-Chinese-inspired digestive cocktail were fantastic (to both our palates and stomachs), not to mention the pleasure of experimenting with new drink components that will become as much a part of your routine as Chinese herbs.

Aperol Spritz Cocktail With Digestive Harmony

The Aperol Spritz is a famous Italian ritual that is usually consumed before a meal. As seasoned visitors, we’ve discovered that it’s unquestionably the most popular and widely consumed aperitif in Italy. Furthermore, it is a great ice-breaker and a sign of a vibrant environment, aiding in the start of a fun time with friends and food.

 

A note about the herbs: the Digestive Harmony mix is excellent for short-term and long-term digestive requirements. Our clients like the flavor and the ease of use, with some reporting that it has helped their digestive systems when other treatments have failed. And that is precisely how Chinese medicine physicians meant it: our recipe is based on a classic (Bao He Wan), which has been used for years to treat a range of gut-related issues. We’ve also found it helpful after a night out on the town (a Chinese medicine-inspired hangover preventer), countering the next-day adverse effects of too much food, drink, and celebration.

Emotions, over-thinking, worry, and anxiety can harm your gut health. While the stomach processes all of the meals you eat, Chinese physicians think it also helps process your emotions (along with your spleen). What better approach to enhance emotional happiness (though we always suggest Emotional Balance) than to assist support digestion? Digestive Harmony’s orange-chai tastes compliment the flavors of Prosecco, while the strength of the Chinese herbs enhances Aperol’s digestive qualities.

The Digestive Harmony Spritz

 

Following the success of our first Chinese medicine-inspired cocktail, The Qi Ginger (which should be on your shortlist as the leaves and seasons change, the herbs in this cocktail are beneficial during cold seasons), our resident mixologist Travis Metzger set to work creating something equally appealing, but this time for your stomach.

Serving Size

 One excellent drink that will aid your digestion

Prep Time

Quick (5 Minutes)

Ingredients

Three parts Prosecco

Two parts Aperol

1 part soda

½ – 1 Packet of DAO Labs Digestive Harmony

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, dissolve ½ – 1 packet of Digestive Harmony with the Aperol and half the Prosecco. Pour into a tall, large bowl wine glass with ice, add the Prosecco remainder, and finish with a splash of soda. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy. Your taste buds and your stomach will thank you.