Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Damp-Heat Internal Accumulation Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Irritable Bowel Syndrome · Damp-Heat Internal Accumulation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Internal Accumulation is a pattern in IBS, characterized by intestinal low-grade inflammation, diarrhea with urgency, abdominal pain, and sticky sensation. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the intestines, causing low-grade inflammation, mast cell activation, and increased enteric nerve excitability.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Diarrhea with urgency, abdominal pain, sticky stools |

| Associated Symptoms | Burning sensation on defecation, thirst, yellow urine, feverishness |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the intestines |

| Etiology | Poor diet, spicy and rich food intake, alcohol consumption, infection |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Tianshu (ST25) | 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Large Intestine; regulates bowel function |

| Shangjuxu (ST37) | 6 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Lower He-Sea point of Large Intestine; treats intestinal disorders |

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | He-Sea point of Large Intestine; clears Heat |

| Neiting (ST44) | Between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones | Spring point of Stomach; clears Stomach Heat |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with Tianshu cupping to drain Damp-Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang (葛根芩连汤)

Composition:

Pueraria (Ge Gen), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Coptis (Huang Lian), Licorice (Gan Cao), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren), Aucklandia (Mu Xiang)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, stops diarrhea, and regulates the intestines.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe diarrhea with urgency | Add Che Qian Zi, Ze Xie to promote diuresis and stop diarrhea |

| Abdominal pain | Add Yan Hu Suo, Mu Xiang to regulate Qi and stop pain |

| Feverishness | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

| Nausea | Add Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang to descend rebellious Qi |

Western Mechanism Reference

Intestinal low-grade inflammation with mast cell activation, histamine/tryptase release, and increased enteric nerve excitability. Damp-Heat Internal Accumulation corresponds to IBS with inflammatory component, where mast cell activation and low-grade inflammation contribute to visceral hypersensitivity and abnormal gut motility.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Diarrhea with Damp-Heat Injury.

  2. DB-XJB: Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Digestive health. World Health Organization.

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