There is a fart, then hurry to fart.

Introduction.

 Introduction of TCM Health Preservation Introduction: Farting is also a normal physiological response of the human body to expel waste gas. It is a normal physiological phenomenon for the body to expel intestinal gas through gastrointestinal peristalsis.

 Farting reflects the body’s normal physiological needs. As the ancients humorously said, “Farts are the breath of life—what if you don’t fart at all?” As the saying goes: “Govern heaven and earth, but mind your own stool and farts.” As early as 1900 years ago, ancient Rome enacted a law stating: “Expelling gas in public places is forbidden.” Due to enforcement difficulties and public opposition, it was later amended to read: “All Romans are permitted to pass gas whenever necessary.”

 
There is a fart, then hurry to fart.

 Health Preservation of TCM Icon 02 Flatulence serves as a mirror reflecting human health—pay closer attention to your “farts” to monitor your physical condition. When flatulence increases significantly beyond normal levels, it may indicate indigestion, gastritis, peptic ulcer, or diseases of the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas. It may also stem from dietary factors: excessive intake of beans, potatoes, or high-protein foods. Conversely, individuals who produce no flatus throughout the day may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, hyperactive or absent bowel sounds, gurgling (gas passing with fluid), and, in severe cases, bowel obstruction. Foul-smelling flatus may suggest indigestion, excessive consumption of acidic or meat-rich foods, gastrointestinal bleeding (where blood stagnates in the intestinal lumen), or enteritis. Moreover, in advanced malignancies, tumor tissue necrosis and protein decomposition—driven by bacterial action—can produce extremely foul-smelling flatus. Additionally, consuming pungent foods such as garlic, onions, and leeks may also cause malodorous flatulence. There is generally no need for concern.

 Introduction of Medicinals Icon 03 ✵Harm of suppressing flatulence: 

 Healthy individuals typically pass gas 6–20 times per day, with a total volume of approximately 500–1500 milliliters. Flatus should not be suppressed for prolonged periods. “Short-term suppression” refers to briefly delaying release when anorectal urge arises—assessing whether the setting permits discreet expulsion. For instance, during meetings, negotiations, social gatherings, or while in elevators, one may temporarily suppress flatus, step away discreetly, and find an appropriate place to release it. If suppression is unavoidable, releasing gas gradually can minimize sound and avoid embarrassment. In contrast, chronic suppression—consistently withholding flatus—is harmful. Retained intestinal gas may enter systemic circulation via the intestinal wall, adversely affecting overall health.

 Health Preservation of TCM:Introduction. Therefore, we recommend: eating smaller, more frequent meals—not overeating; chewing slowly to avoid swallowing excess air; and avoiding gas-producing foods. People who wear tight belts, drink beer, smoke, or lead sedentary lifestyles tend to accumulate more intestinal gas. Finally, here are some practical tips to facilitate healthy flatulence:

 (1) Perform gentle exercises—such as torso bends—to improve circulation and stimulate intestinal peristalsis; jogging may also promote gradual, unconscious gas release.

 (2) For abdominal distension, perform abdominal massage to enhance gastrointestinal motility: first massage clockwise 50 times, then counterclockwise 50 times. Stimulating the Quchi acupoint (LI11) on the Large Intestine meridian may accelerate gas expulsion.

 
The Benefits of Flatulence

 Introduction of Medicinals Icon 03 ✵1. Expelling Waste Gas: Flatus is an invisible, often audible or silent gas with a characteristic odor. The Chinese character for “fart” consists of the radical “radical for ‘discharge’” (the “release” component) and “gas” — not “corpse” — and historically carries no association with “tail.” Rather, it denotes the release of intestinal gas. Like a car’s exhaust, flatus is a metabolic byproduct that must be expelled. Folk sayings such as “speak fast, fart fast” are not entirely baseless. When flatus is retained in the large intestine, some gases — notably hydrogen sulfide and methane — may be partially absorbed through the colonic mucosa into the bloodstream, potentially causing discomfort or systemic effects; therefore, habitual suppression should be avoided, and timely expulsion is physiologically preferable.

 ✵2. Health Monitoring: In certain regions, flatus is colloquially called “wind,” while clinicians often use the more formal term “flatus” or “intestinal gas” when discussing it with patients. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is referred to as “Qi movement” or “passing of Qi,” and its frequency, volume, odor, and timing serve as diagnostic indicators — especially valuable in assessing acute and chronic gastritis, dysmenorrhea, and postoperative recovery. Notably, after abdominal surgery, the return of flatus (“first flatus”) is a critical clinical sign indicating restored gastrointestinal motility; once achieved, the patient is considered to have entered the “re-ventilation” phase — i.e., resumed normal bowel function.

 ✵Tips: Some companies have developed dietary supplements derived from straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea) that reportedly reduce flatus odor intensity — from an initial level of 1,284 odor units to 769. Specialized undergarments claim to lower odor to 388 units, and activated-carbon-filtered seat cushions for office chairs not only neutralize odor but also dampen sound — enabling discreet flatulence in shared workspaces.

 

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