Chinese herbal medicine is one of the primary forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. Each pattern of diarrhea, described above, can be treated either with a specific herb or, more commonly, a combination of herbs, each of which contributes to a cure for the disorder.

Several herbs are recommended for the treatment of diarrhea:
Huang Lian - Golden thread rhizome (Coptis chinensis rhizome) is recommended because it has a tendency to rehydrate and restore proper heat balance in the lower part of the body. Additionally, it clears damp-heat and has a anti-bacterial and anti-viral effect.

Semen Cuscutae (Tusizi)  - strengthens yin, improves the action of the kidneys, and reduces the production of urine.

Fructus Psoraleae (Buguzhi)  strengthens and improves the function of the kidneys and spleen and cools the lower back.

Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae (Yizhiren)  warms the kidneys and spleen and contributes toward the retention of urine.

Combinations of herbs useful for the treatment of diarrhea are often commercially available. As with individual herbs, each combination is recommended for the treatment of a specific pattern of diarrhea.

As an example, a decoction used to treat diarrhea resulting from a deficiency of yang in the spleen and kidneys consists of nine herbs, including:
bu gu zhi (Psoralea corylifolia)
bai wu wei zi (magnolia vine [Schisandra] fruit)
fu zi (radix aconiti lateralis praeparata; Typhonium giganteum)
wu zhu yu (Fructus evodiae)
rou dou kou (semen myristicae; nutmeg; Myristica fragrans)
dang shen (radix codonopsis pilosulae; Pilose asiabell [Codonopsis pilosulae] root)
bai zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae root)
gan jiang (ginger root; rhizoma zingiberis praeparata)
gan cao (radix glycyrrhizae; licorice root)

This combination of herbs is recommended because its components have astringent properties, causing tissues to contract and retain water, thus reducing diarrhea. It also tends to warm the kidneys and improve the function of the spleen. Visiting a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will allow a customized formula to be designed for your specific symptoms. Many of the classical and modern herbal formulas are modified to meet the needs of each individual patient, helping to balance their health and alleviate the diarrhea.