Ju He Wan — Tangerine Seed Pill

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Ju He Wan — the “Tangerine Seed Pill” — is from the Song-dynasty Ji Sheng Fang. It addresses Cold-stagnation with Damp accumulation in the Liver channel, particularly affecting the scrotum and testes, producing hard swelling, dragging pain or hydrocele. The chief herb, Ju He (tangerine seed), has a strong affinity for the Liver channel and the testicular region. Multiple Qi-moving herbs (Mu Xiang, Chuan Lian Zi, Wu Yao, Yan Hu Suo) plus softening-hardness herbs (Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Tao Ren) make this a focused formula for the chronic scrotal swellings of TCM “shan” pathology.

I prescribe Ju He Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan, always alongside medical assessment.

TCM pattern

Ju He Wan is prescribed for Cold-Damp stagnation in the Liver channel with Qi and Blood stagnation:

• Hard swelling in scrotum/testis, possibly cold
• Dragging pain in groin or lower abdomen
• Possibly hydrocele (fluid swelling)
• Possibly inguinal hernia
• Pain worse with cold, eased with warmth
• Tongue — pale-purplish, white greasy coat
• Pulse — deep, wiry

Key herbs

1. Ju He (tangerine seed) — chief; moves Liver Qi in the testicular region; relieves swelling
2. Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Hai Dai — soften hardness; dissolve nodules and swellings
3. Tao Ren — moves Blood; resolves stasis
4. Yan Hu Suo — moves Blood and Qi; relieves pain
5. Chuan Lian Zi, Mu Xiang, Zhi Shi — move Liver Qi; relieve pain
6. Hou Po — moves Qi; resolves Damp
7. Rou Gui — warms the channel; disperses Cold
8. Mu Tong (Mu Tong substitute, no aristolochic acid) — drains Damp from the lower burner

Formula actions

1. Moves Liver Qi
2. Disperses Cold-stagnation
3. Softens hardness; dissolves nodules
4. Moves Blood; relieves pain

Conditions treated

1. Hydrocele (with medical assessment)
2. Chronic epididymitis with cold-pattern
3. Varicocele with dragging pain
4. Inguinal hernia (with medical assessment)
5. Chronic orchialgia with cold-pattern
6. Spermatocele
7. Post-vasectomy pain with cold-stagnation pattern

Cautions

Mu Tong: must use Akebia stem (mu tong), NOT Aristolochia (guan mu tong) which is nephrotoxic. Pharmaceutical-grade Sun Ten product uses safe Akebia only.

Acute severe scrotal pain with swelling needs urgent assessment to exclude testicular torsion — call 999.

Testicular swelling, lump or change always requires urology assessment to exclude testicular cancer — especially in younger men.

Strangulated hernia (severe pain, vomiting, irreducible) is a surgical emergency.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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