Osteitis pubis is an uncommon condition caused by inflammation in the pubic symphysis – the joint that connects both halves of the pubic bone. The condition is most often seen in people who frequently and forcefully stretch their pelvis – like athletes.
The condition can cause pain, inflammation and swelling in the groin area, but Chinese medicine offers some options for relief – most notably herbal formulations that include Ju He and Li Zhi He.
What Causes Osteitis Pubis in Chinese Medicine?
In Chinese medicine, many disease states are the result of Qi or blood stagnation, or interrupted flow. Qi is the substance that sustains the body and its organ systems, and it flows through a network of meridians that run the length of the body.
The goal for practitioners is to free up these blockages and restore healthy circulation to the pelvic area, which can help resolve osteitis pubis.
How Can Ju He and Li Zhi He Help Those with Osteitis Pubis?
Ju He is the seed of the tangerine fruit, while Li Zhi He is the seed of the lychee fruit. Both are frequently combined and used to address pain in the groin and abdomen and are especially helpful in hernia conditions.
As Ju He and Li Zhi He are both seeds located deep inside the plant, practitioners associate them with action on the body’s “deeper” tissues. This type of herb/human anatomy symmetry is common in Chinese medicine.
When administered, Ju He and Li Zhi He target the liver, spleen and large intestine meridians. These meridians pass around the groin and abdomen and are therefore ideal candidates for correcting Qi flows and circulation near the pubic symphysis. Once these blockages are freed up, the body can accelerate the healing process and correct any pain or inflammation, which offers hope for those suffering with osteitis pubis.