Inguinal hernia is caused by a weak spot in the abdominal muscles and lining. When a hernia occurs, soft tissues inside the abdominal cavity push through this weak spot, often resulting in pain. However, a third of inguinal hernia patients don’t experience any symptoms.
For symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, Chinese medicinal herbs like Ju He may provide relief of inguinal hernias and help with some of the underlying weaknesses in the abdominal area.
Ju He and Chinese Medicine Philosophy
Ju He offers good insight into some of the thinking behind Chinese medicine and how it utilizes medicinal ingredients.
Ju He is the tangerine seed and is used to target meridians deep in the body, like the liver. There is a symmetry between the tangerine’s anatomy and the human anatomy, in this instance. Following this concept, the peel of the tangerine – the herb Chen Pi in Chinese medicine – is used to treat conditions that affect the superficial parts of the body – the skin and lungs (which are considered part of the body’s exterior in Chinese medicine), and Ju He helps with internal conditions.
Chinese medicine practitioners utilize a large variety of herbal formulations to help with various health conditions, and the way they combine those ingredients is derived from their presentation in nature, among many other factors.
How Can Ju He Help Patients with an Inguinal Hernia?
In the case of inguinal hernias, Ju He is a popular herbal option because of its affinity for the liver meridian, or channel. In Chinese medicine, many disease states are caused by a condition termed Qi stagnation. In other words, the body’s Qi (or its essential life energy) cannot flow properly through the meridian – the liver meridian in this instance.
Ju He targets this meridian and helps resolve any blockages, improving circulation through the abdominal area and helping the body heal its own weaknesses faster.
Before taking any Chinese medicinal herbs, it is important to consult with an expert on the subject. Unregulated dosing can lead to dangerous side effects, and a trained Chinese medicine practitioner will be able to best formulate your herbal therapies for maximum efficacy.