Back to: Acupuncturist in New York, NY

The Large Intestine in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Alternative Medicine and Natural Health in NYC

The Large Intestine is classified as a Yang organ in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is energetically paired with the Lung.

Unlike the Yin organs, the function of the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine is nearly identical to its function in Western physiology. The Large Intestine receives waste material from the Small Intestine, absorbs fluids from this waste and then excretes the rest as feces. Disorders affecting the Large Intestine can result in diarrhea or constipation, as well as pain or distension in the abdomen. Demonstrating the relationship between the Large Intestine and the Lung, breathlessness can be associated with the Large Intestine if constipation occurs and prevents the Lung Qi from descending properly.

The energetic channel associated with the Large Intestine begins on the index finger, travels up the arm and neck and ends on the opposite side of the face, near the nostril. It is often said that the Large Intestine channel has little to do with the Large Intestine organ and that the Large Intestine itself is better treated with points on other meridians, such as the Stomach channel.