The theory of spleen "like or dislike tonifying and purgative" comes from

Huangdi Neijing

. "Dislike" is the pathological state of the spleen

and "like" is the physiological state of the spleen. Dampness accumulates in the spleen

which is "dislike" for the spleen

and the "dislike" of the spleen should be relieved by drying dampness with herbal medicines with bitter flavor. Deficiency of spleen-yin can easily cause the spleen to lose its tempering nature and lose its "like" . In the treatment

herbal medicines with sweet flavor should be used to calm the spleen and restore the "like" of the spleen. Ulcerative colitis is based on spleen deficiency

and dampness is a common pathological factor. When the spleen is deficient

internal dampness is generated

and the dampness is contained in the intestines and internal organs

which turn into heat

resulting in damp-heat poisonous evil

which burns the fatty ligaments and can lead to ulcerative colitis; damp-heat and toxin

which are not resolved

deplete the spleen yin

or using too many medicines with bitter flavor that damage the spleen-yin

and excessive thinking damages the spleen-yin

cause the spleen to lose its "like"

the blood vessels and muscles are not nourished by qi and blood

then the ulcerative colitis will not be heal for a long time

and the disease will be lingering. It is often the co-existence of damp-heat and spleen-yin deficiency in the late stage of ulcerative colitis

so the treatment should be clearing heat and drying dampness and removing toxin and protect yin

not forgetting dampness and yin

moistening dryness and nourishing yin together

in order to resolve the toxic evil of ulcerative colitis. Restoring the gentle nature of the spleen

allows the qi and blood to moisten the large intestine and ulcers can be healed.