Chapter 399: Chapter 399: Earth Dragon and Astragalus Root

"I ate something spicy last night, and today... it hurts a lot, and there’s bleeding."

Lin Xiaoyu grew more and more embarrassed as she spoke. "I went to the hospital before, and the doctor said my condition was pretty severe and I’d need surgery. But the thought of going to the hospital, for *that* area... it’s just so awkward and uncomfortable. I’ve been putting it off..."

After listening to Lin Xiaoyu’s description, Li Xu’s expression turned serious.

"Hemorrhoids are a very common ailment. You could say they’re the ’star’ of the proctology department."

"There’s an old saying: ’Nine out of ten men have hemorrhoids, and ten out of ten women do.’ It’s not just an exaggeration."

"Many people first discover they have hemorrhoids because of blood in their stool. In severe cases, they can prolapse and need to be manually pushed back in, which causes immense pain and inconvenience for the patient."

Li Xu first explained how common hemorrhoids were to ease Lin Xiaoyu’s embarrassment.

"There are many causes for hemorrhoids, but prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, and overexertion are common ones."

"For someone like you who sits in an office for long periods, is under a lot of work pressure, and often stays up late with an irregular schedule, these are all high-risk factors."

"Under these conditions, the body remains in a fixed position for extended periods or doesn’t get enough exercise, which leads to poor blood circulation in the anal area."

"Stagnant blood pools in the blood vessels, causing the veins to expand and thicken until they protrude from the anus, forming hemorrhoids."

"So, you could say a hemorrhoid is just a lump of half-dead, stagnant veins."

"Depending on where they occur, hemorrhoids can be classified as internal, external, or mixed. Based on your bleeding and pain, yours are likely internal or mixed. But we’ll need to do a proper examination to know for sure."

After he finished speaking, Li Xu already had a treatment plan in mind.

"Hemorrhoids can be stubborn, but Traditional Chinese Medicine is very effective at treating them. There are two herbs with miraculous effects for hemorrhoids: Astragalus Root and Earth Dragon."

"Earth Dragon, which is what we commonly call earthworm, is salty in taste and cold in nature. It has the effects of clearing heat and calming wind, unblocking meridians, relieving asthma, promoting urination, and lowering blood pressure."

"The most potent effect of Earth Dragon is its ability to ’unblock’."

"It can unblock the meridians, dissolve blood stasis, and even help dissipate polyps and cysts."

"Because of its effect of invigorating blood and dispelling stasis, Earth Dragon can treat hemorrhoids caused by blood stagnation."

"In reality, many hemorrhoids are just a mass of phlegm, dampness, and blood stasis. In such cases, treating them with Earth Dragon, which invigorates blood and dispels stasis, yields excellent results."

At this point, Li Xu felt a sense of wonder.

’This is the magic of Chinese medicine.’

’The efficacy of many Chinese herbs doesn’t come from any special ingredients.’

’It’s more of an esoteric, almost mystical, effect.’

’For example, some herbs have a ’sinking’ property, some a ’floating’ one, some are ’cold’, and some are ’hot’...’

’Diseases are treated based on these properties of ascending, descending, sinking, floating, cold, and hot.’

’Earth Dragon’s main property is to ’unblock’, so it can treat hemorrhoids.’

’It’s that simple, and that profound.’

’This is also why many people don’t understand or believe in Chinese medicine.’

’It’s just so damn esoteric.’

’But,’

’it just works.’

Li Xu continued, "As for Astragalus Root, it’s an herb that tonifies qi. Its comprehensive effects are to strengthen the spleen and supplement the center, raise yang and lift what has sunken, tonify protective qi and stabilize the exterior, promote urination, and expel toxins to generate new flesh."

"Astragalus Root can promote diuresis to reduce swelling, expel pus from sores, and treat chronic, non-healing ulcers."

"More importantly, it tonifies qi to drive blood circulation and has the effect of raising yang and lifting what has sunken."

"Hemorrhoids are essentially a form of blockage. Once you clear that blockage, the problem naturally resolves itself."

After explaining the principles of the internal medicine, Li Xu mentioned the external treatment. "The Potato Root Water I mentioned earlier is also very effective for hemorrhoids. Potato root invigorates blood, dispels stasis, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. When used as a local sitz bath or wash, it can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and aid in the recovery of the hemorrhoids."

"So, I’ll write you a prescription for an internal formula with Earth Dragon and Astragalus Root as the main ingredients, supplemented with some other herbs to clear heat, cool the blood, stop bleeding, and reduce swelling. At the same time, use the Potato Root Water to wash the affected area twice a day, every day."

As he spoke, Li Xu typed out the prescription on his computer.

"Doctor Li, what if the results aren’t ideal?"

Lin Xiaoyu asked worriedly.

Li Xu smiled. "If the effect is only average, I can use acupuncture. Acupuncture is remarkably effective for treating hemorrhoids, especially prolapsed internal ones. By selecting specific acupoints like Changqiang, Chengshan, and Huiyang, and applying draining or combination techniques, we can promote the flow of qi and blood, unblock the meridians to stop pain, and lift the anus to secure the prolapse. Generally, after a few courses of acupuncture, the hemorrhoids will gradually shrink, and the pain and bleeding will significantly decrease, or even be completely cured."

Hearing the word "acupuncture," Lin Xiaoyu’s face turned red again. She couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, "Acupuncture? Th-that would be so embarrassing..."

Yang Qing couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Lin Xiaoyu’s muttering.

"Xiao Yu, these things are minor when it’s about your health."

Yang Qing patted Lin Xiaoyu’s shoulder comfortingly.

"That’s right. In a doctor’s eyes, there are only patients, no men or women."

Li Xu also said with a smile, "But don’t worry, I will do my best to protect your privacy."

Just then, Song Sisi walked in carrying a steaming basin of Potato Root Water. The room filled with the faint, earthy scent of roots. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Boss, the Potato Root Water is ready."

"Have the patient come over to soak."

Li Xu said to Yang Qing.

"Xiao Tian, come over here,"

Yang Qing called out.

Yang Tian came over from the next room.

Since Lin Xiaoyu also needed to soak, Song Sisi divided the steaming Potato Root Water into two portions.

One portion was placed next to a low stool in the consultation room, ready for Yang Tian to soak his hands.

The other was put into a larger basin and taken to the clinic’s private restroom.

"The water temperature is just right. Put your hands in to soak. Just make sure it feels comfortable," Li Xu instructed Yang Tian.

Yang Tian did as he was told, carefully immersing his hands in the medicinal water.

A wave of warmth instantly enveloped his hands. The cold, stiff feeling gradually faded, replaced by an unprecedented sense of relaxation and relief.

The smell of the medicinal water wasn’t fragrant, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.

Yang Tian carefully focused on the effects of the Potato Root Water.

At first, there was a slight stinging in the affected areas, a sign that his blood was starting to circulate again.

A moment later, the stinging subsided and was replaced by waves of a tingling numbness, as if countless tiny electrical currents were coursing through his hands, dispelling the deep-seated chill.

The red, swollen skin also seemed to be visibly softening, and the dark purple color had faded slightly.

"Doctor Li, my hands feel warm and a little itchy. It’s incredibly comfortable."

Yang Tian said happily, "This is more effective than any frostbite cream I’ve ever used. Does this mean it’s getting better?"

Li Xu smiled and nodded. "Yes, the itching and warmth are signs that your qi and blood are flowing smoothly and the frostbite is beginning to heal. This is the effect of the potato root invigorating blood, dispelling stasis, warming the meridians, and unblocking the channels. Keep soaking for a while, and your frostbite will get better."

Hearing this, Yang Tian was filled with emotion.

Who would have thought that a seemingly ordinary potato root could have such a miraculous healing effect?