Why Does Taking Chinese Medicine Lead to Black Stools?

Black stool after taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is generally caused by dietary factors, medication factors, acute enteritis, intestinal polyps, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other reasons. The specific cause requires relevant medical examinations in a hospital for targeted treatment. Here are the details:

1. Dietary Factors

Consuming excessive amounts of food high in melanin, such as black fungus, pig blood, and duck liver, can lead to dark stool coloration, which is a normal phenomenon and does not require special treatment.

2. Medication Factors

When TCM itself is dark in color, taking it can easily darken the stool color without accompanying abdominal pain or other adverse symptoms. After stopping the medication, the stool color will return to normal on its own.

3. Acute Enteritis

Caused by prolonged inflammation, acute enteritis can damage intestinal mucosa, resulting in unformed stool or black stool. Treatment with cephalexin dispersible tablets, amoxicillin capsules, or roxithromycin capsules under medical guidance can eliminate inflammation. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

4. Intestinal Polyps

Arising from poor dietary habits, intestinal polyps can compress intestinal tissue and cause infection, leading to black stool accompanied by decreased appetite or fatigue. Surgical removal of polyps via colonoscopy under medical guidance is recommended, followed by proper wound care.

5. Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Heavy alcohol consumption can severely irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing bleeding accompanied by stomach pain or black stool. Treatment with colloidal bismuth pectin capsules, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, or omeprazole enteric-coated tablets under medical guidance is advised. Maintain a bland diet, such as eating millet porridge or eight-treasure porridge.

Other potential causes include intestinal tumors. During recovery, regular follow-up examinations in a hospital are recommended.