Thursday 6 November, 2025
Renowned guitarist John 5, whose real name is John William Lowery, recently divulged in an interview that he has been suffering from chronic nonbacterial prostatitis for a long time. He described it as “the most crippling, almost disabling condition” that he has ever faced. His disclosure has gained widespread attention on social media, bringing to light a health issue that is often overlooked by men worldwide.
The topic of prostatitis is no longer a private concern for middle-aged or older adults, as it can significantly impact work, daily life, mood, and sexual function for men of all ages. However, conventional Western medical treatments have shown limited effectiveness in treating chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. In light of this, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill, a traditional Chinese herbal therapy, has gained recognition among clinicians and patients. This herbal formula focuses on fundamental improvement and holistic regulation, rather than simply relieving pain or inflammation.
Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis: A More Prevalent “Hidden Pain” Than One Might Think
Prostatitis is one of the most common urinary problems among men under the age of 50. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), there are approximately 2 million clinic visits related to prostatitis each year, with over 90% of cases being nonbacterial. Studies have shown that about 8.2% of men worldwide experience symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives (PMC). However, without clear evidence of bacterial infection, patients often endure long-term pain and anxiety while struggling to find an effective treatment.
Common symptoms of prostatitis include perineal heaviness, frequent and urgent urination, painful urination, sexual dysfunction, and depressive moods. Patients often visit clinics multiple times and undergo repeated tests, only to be told that there is “no obvious infection” or that it is “psychological,” leaving them in a treatment dilemma.
Challenges of Western Medicine: Complex Mechanisms and High Recurrence Rates
Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis continues to be a persistent challenge in men’s health. Common Western medical treatments include α-blockers, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, short courses of antibiotics (even in the absence of infection), and physical therapy, such as pelvic floor exercises. However, these measures often fail to address the problem at its root.
The causes of nonbacterial prostatitis are highly complex. They involve not only local blood circulation in the prostate, nerve reflexes, and immune responses, but also psychological stress, anxiety, and even gut health. Due to a lack of full understanding of the underlying mechanisms, conventional treatments often only target symptoms without addressing the root causes, providing only temporary relief from pain or urinary discomfort.
Symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis are diverse and recurrent. Patients often experience pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, or lower back, along with frequent urination, urgency, and sexual dysfunction. While many patients experience short-term improvement after treatment, they often relapse quickly, entering a vicious cycle of “treatment—temporary relief—recurrence.”
Some patients delay seeking care due to the private nature of their symptoms, embarrassment, or the misconception that it is a “normal aging” condition. This can negatively impact both their quality of life and mental health.
This challenge has led patients and clinicians to consider traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for holistic management, aiming to adjust the body’s internal environment, improve circulation and inflammation, and fundamentally relieve symptoms while reducing recurrence.
Therefore, an approach to treatment that focuses on “fundamental improvement” and “holistic regulation,” rather than just pain relief or anti-inflammation, is particularly crucial.
Herbal Intervention: Holistic Advantages of the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill
According to TCM theory, prostatitis often falls under “damp-heat descending” and “qi stagnation with blood stasis,” with the core pathogenesis being damp-heat accumulation, impaired qi and blood circulation, and glandular obstruction. The Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill is a herbal formulation developed based on the holistic principles of clearing heat and detoxifying, activating blood and removing stasis, and soothing the liver to regulate qi.
The formula works on multiple mechanisms and pathways, allowing patients—especially those unfamiliar with herbal medicine—to understand its effects:
1. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying, Promoting Urination
This helps remove internal damp-heat, facilitating urine flow. It also reduces congestion and inflammation in the prostate and bladder neck, relieving frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination at the root.
2. Activating Blood and Removing Stasis, Improving Microcirculation
Chronic inflammation often leads to local blood stasis. Ingredients such as peach kernel, safflower, and Corydalis
