Gan Jiang Treats Cold Diarrhea, Cold Hernia, and Cold Cough
The Herb Could Be Used For Cold-Related Symptoms
By Hyunchang Cho, L.Ac., Ph.D ([email protected])
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-Gan Jiang: Symptom Indicator Score+++ Frequency of Use ++ –Main Symptoms: ①Cold Diarrhea: Soft/loose stools induced by cold stimuli such as cooling the stomach and consuming cold food or drinks, especially cold milk or beer. –Possible Symptoms: ②Cold Hernia: Tendency to have cold feelings in the stomach, which can lead to cold pain in the lower abdomen –Other Possible Symptoms: ③Cold Cough: A small amount of clear, watery nasal discharge, phlegm, and sometimes cough that are worsened by cold stimulus (such as cold air) |
- Pharmacological Hypothesis of Gan Jiang
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Chest Cavity |
Lower Abdominal Cavity |
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Gan Jiang seems to cure various diseases by increasing the core temperature in the chest and abdominal cavities and promoting body heat production.
Our body deals with environmental changes and maintains core temperature by producing sweat and heat. Our normal body temperature is around 36.5℃. There are two kinds of body temperature: surface body temperature and core body temperature. Surface body temperature is usually around 32℃and core body temperature is kept around 37℃, which is between 97 degrees F and 99 degrees F.
This is why in situations where body temperature becomes low, people with a chronically low level of body heat will develop cold pain in the lower abdomen due to a decrease in the core temperature of the lower abdominal cavity. This can cause Cold Diarrhea, loose/soft stools, cold pain in the lower abdomen, menstrual cramps, low back pain, infertility, and such. Gan Jiang enhances core body temperature, thereby healing such symptoms
Gan Jiang’s Cold Diarrhea refers to soft/loose stools mainly induced by cold stimuli such as cooling the stomach, or intake of cold food or drinks, especially cold milk or beer, and in severe cases, other cold drinks and water as well. Gan Jiang’s Cold Diarrhea seems to be a survival tactic for Gan Jiang patients to sustain core temperature in the lower abdomen. According to the researchers, cold water is absorbed faster in our body than warm water. And absorption of cold water requires more energy as well.
- Clinical Tips for using Gan Jiang
(1) Main Symptoms
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* Cold Diarrhea: soft/loose stools induced by cold stimuli such as cooling the stomach and intake of cold food or drinks, especially cold milk or beer |
Gan Jian patients tend to have loose stools, and cold stimuli can worsen diarrhea. Often they will experience soft stools or diarrhea just by consuming a large amount of water or other drinks.
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Clinical Expressions * Even if there is no particular reason, I often have soft/loose stools or diarrhea. * (Soft/loose stools or diarrhea is induced by) cooling my lower stomach, sleeping with my stomach uncovered, and sitting in a cold place for a long time * (Soft/loose stools or diarrhea is induced by) consumption of cold drinks (cold water, and especially cold beer or milk), cold foods (watermelon, cold noodles, and such), greasy foods, or foods with cold/cool properties (such as pork or barley) * (Soft/loose stools or diarrhea is induced by) drinking a lot of water or sports drinks or drinking too much alcohol * I tend to have soft/loose stools or diarrhea when my period begins. * Some people will have early morning diarrhea around 4 to 6 a.m. when the body temperature is the lowest or shortly after that. * Stools that are hard and softer later: feces that come in shapes at first but later dispersed. If the patient defecates two or three times a day, the first stool would be normal, but the second and third stools would be softer. * Frequent diarrhea: patients would defecate 1 to 2-3 times a day, and in severe cases, 5-6 times a day. They tend to go to the bathroom right after a meal, and in severe cases, they would have to defecate even during meals. * In some cases, unprocessed foods are mixed with diarrhea. * Patients are familiar with experiences of suffering from diarrhea (need to defecate) in public transportation. Therefore, they often go to the bathroom first before taking a trip or an important event. * Diarrhea is often accompanied by cold pain in the lower abdomen. There would be mild pain and cold sensation in the lower stomach, accompanied by soft/loose stools or diarrhea. |
(2) Possible Symptoms
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* Cold Hernia: Tendency to have cold feelings in the lower stomach, which can lead to cold pain in the lower abdomen * Cold Cough: A small amount of clear, watery nasal discharge, phlegm, and sometimes cough that are worsened by cold stimulus (such as cold outside air) |
