Assessment of the Stool

The state of the feces is universally regarded by many systems of traditional healing including Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as the most useful sign in determining digestive function, and as a result, the entire health of the body. Ideally, the fecal material should be examined soon after expulsion, in its entirety, and for a period of several days. In a state of health, a bowel movement will display the following characteristics: