Morning Diarrhea, Bu Gu Zhi and Rou Dou Kou

Morning diarrhea, or “daybreak diarrhea” is a noted condition in Chinese medicine, often associated with other symptoms like chills and back pain. It’s characterized by loose stools upon waking up in the morning – a common time for people to produce a bowel movement.

Chinese medicine practitioners believe that morning diarrhea is the result of spleen and kidney weakness, especially as it pertains to their expression of Yang energy. In people with morning diarrhea, this weakness throws off the body’s attempts to regulate bladder and bowel function, resulting in the condition. The goal for Houston practitioners, then, is to increase (or tonify) the spleen and kidneys’ Yang and bring their function back into balance.

To do this, Houston practitioners rely on an herbal formula known to enhance kidney and spleen function. Termed the “Four Spirits” formula, this herbal mix includes two primary ingredients – Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea fruit) and Rou Dou Kou (nutmeg seeds).

Bu Gu Zhi is native to East Asia and has long been used to strength kidney Yang. As a secondary effect, it warms the spleen and therefore helps to bring these two organs into balance with each other. Rou Dou Kou has a few uses in Chinese medicine, but it’s primarily used to bind the intestines and stop diarrhea from occurring. It is also known to support kidney and spleen function, making it a perfect option for targeting daybreak diarrhea.

If you’re suffering from persistent morning diarrhea, Bu Gu Zhi and Rou Dou Kou can help alleviate symptoms and treat the underlying imbalances between the spleen and kidneys.