Large Intestine

Large Intestine

“The Large Intestine is responsible for transportation of all turbidity. All waste products go through this organ.”

Huang Di Neijing Suwen, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

In the last chapter, we have looked at the Lungs which are considered Yin in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As with everything in Chinese medicine, they have a Yang partner and that is the Large Intestine (called Da Chang in Chinese).

Chinese Medicine approaches life processes in the body from a different way of thinking as we are used to in Western Medicine. In its function as the Yang partner of the Lung network, the Large Intestine amasses and discharges the refuse of digestion and metabolism, continuing the process of refining that begins in the Lung. The Large Intestine receives food and water, resorbs fluids and excretes feces.

Functions & Attributes of the Large Intestine Meridian

The Large Intestine has several important jobs that include: 1. Receiving food and water from the Small Intestine 2. Re–absorbing fluid & excreting feces 3. Controlling the skin 4. Opening to the nose 5. Belonging to the Metal Element

1. Receiving Food and Water The Large Intestine functions to transport and transform the residue of the digestive process which it receives from the Small Intestine, the material that the horse cannot use.

2. Re-absorbing Fluid & Excreting Feces The Large Intestine is also known as the “drainage ditch”. Its function is to move the impure parts of the food and fluids downward. When doing this, it also absorbs water from the waste material and forms and excretes the feces.

3. Controlling the Skin As the sister meridian of the Lung, the Large Intestine meridian also influences and helps control the skin.

4. Opening to the Nose The Large Intestine meridian ends at the outside corner of the nostrils, this location impacts its effects on the nose and face.

5. Belonging to the Metal Element The Large Intestine meridian belongs to the Metal Element. Its colour is grey, its season is autumn, its emotion is grief or sadness, its climate is dry and its time of influence is from 5 am to 7 am.

Common Indicators of an Imbalance in the Large Intestine Meridian in Horses are for example:

  • Problems to freely turn the neck
  • Restricted shoulder movement
  • Tooth problems
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Weak immune system
  • Skin problems
  • Grief, sadness