Miao medicine-Xiuga Xiudongxiang (Dysentery)

Xiuga Xiudongxiang (Dysentery)

Overview
In Miao medicine, dysentery is called Xiuga Xiudongxiang. It presents as frequent stools, abdominal pain, and passage of blood or white mucus. It arises from contaminated food, poor hygiene, or invasion of damp–heat pathogens that disrupt spleen–stomach qi–fluid balance.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dysentery involves toxins lodging in the intestines, causing qi–blood stagnation and impaired transmission, with clinical features of abdominal pain, tenesmus, and bloody/mucous stools. Western parallels include bacterial or amebic dysentery, ulcerative colitis, radiation colitis, and food poisoning.

Subtypes

Hot–channel red–white dysentery

Hot–channel toxic dysentery

Cold–channel dysentery

Etiology & Pathogenesis

Epidemic (“heat”) toxins or contaminated food invade the intestines.

Damp–heat or water toxin injures spleen–stomach qi, leading to fluid accumulation or heat in the bowel.

Acute cases: sudden high fever, abdominal pain, frequent bloody diarrhea.

Chronic cases: insidious onset, recurrent loose stools with mucus or blood.

Key Diagnostic Points

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, tenesmus, frequent passage of blood/mucus in stool.

History: Unclean diet, summertime, exposure to contaminated water/food.

Laboratory: CBC, stool microscopy/culture; colonoscopy or barium enema if chronic.

Differential: Diarrhea (Zaga)

Treatment

1. Hot–Channel Red–White Dysentery

Signs: Fever/chills, abdominal pain, tenesmus, bloody/mucous stools, burning at anus.

Principle: Clear heat and dampness; astringe to stop dysentery.

Formula (decoction):

Huangbo (Phellodendron amurense) 12g

Baishao (Paeonia lactiflora) 10g

Dihuazi (Eriobotrya japonica leaf) 15g

Weilingcai (Duchesnea indica) 12g

Huoxiang (Agastache rugosa) 10g

2. Hot–Channel Toxic Dysentery

Signs: Sudden high fever, agitation, vomiting, frequent bloody diarrhea, possible convulsions.

Principle: Clear heat–detoxify; astringe dysentery.

Formula (decoction):

Huangmaogencao (Artemisia capillaris) 15g

Weilingcai (Duchesnea indica) 15g

Machixian (Portulaca oleracea) 15g

Baishao (Paeonia lactiflora) 10g

Sankezhen (Toona sinensis) 10g

3. Cold–Channel Dysentery

Signs: Chronic loose stools with mucus or blood, cold extremities, fatigue, tenesmus, better after warmth.

Principle: Warm and tonify spleen–stomach; astringe to stop dysentery.

Formula (decoction):

Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) 20g

Shiliupi (Pomegranate peel) 15g

Ciwu Jia (Eleutherococcus senticosus) 15g

Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) 15g

Prevention & Care

Maintain hygiene; avoid contaminated food/water.

Acute phase: fasting, then light, easily digestible diet.

Keep warm and manage stress.

Note
Miao medicine emphasizes the interplay of qi, blood, and fluids. Dysentery (used in traditional contexts) focuses on clearing toxin and dampness or warming the middle, plus astringent measures to halt stools. Continuous monitoring and supportive care are essential.