Hi there. I’m reviewing TCM patterns and wondering: what should we be looking for to differentiate if an issue is manifesting in the small vs large intestine. Or maybe there is a good resource for this. Thanks! Kara

David said: This is an overview from Machiocca In traditional Chinese medicine the Small Intestine is a fu organ in the Zang-fu concept. The small intestine governs the separation of the clear from the turbid. The small intestine further digests food decomposed initially by the stomach. The clear, referring to the essence of water and grain and to the large amount of fluid, is absorbed by the spleen and distributed to the whole body. The turbid is sent downwards to the large intestine, while the useless water is infused to the bladder. The disorders of the small intestine are attributable to failure to separate the clear from the turbid dirt in the digesting process, manifesting stool and urinary disturbance, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, scanty urine, etc.[1] The Small intestine and its paired organ, the Heart, are associated with the element of fire and the emotions of joy or agitation. The large intestine is one of the fu organs stipulated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). As distinct from the Western medical concept of large intestine, this concept from TCM is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. It is a functionally defined entity and not entirely equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name. The large intestine is paired with the lung (肺), with which it is externally-internally related. The two paired organs are associated with the metal element (金) and the emotion of grief. The main function of the large intestine is to receive the waste material sent down from the small intestine, absorb its fluid content, and form the remainder into faeces to be excreted. Pathological changes of the large intestine will lead to dysfunction in this transportation function, resulting in loose stools and constipation. The large intestine's function is said to be the strongest between 5am and 7am.[1]