The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, inguinal hernia is sometimes associated with Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's inguinal hernia might be caused by the pattern Exterior Cold invading the Interior, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from inguinal hernia alone. Indeed if inguinal hernia is caused by Exterior Cold invading the Interior, patients also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Exterior Cold invading the Interior so that you can have a better understanding of where inguinal hernia might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula that can help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior.
Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with inguinal hernia
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet
Inguinal hernia might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a herbal formula that might help with inguinal hernia
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with inguinal hernia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with inguinal hernia. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to inguinal hernia
Abdominal pain Constipation Hypochondriac pain Chills Low-grade fever Cold hands and feet
