Robyn Landis
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 Soups are common ways to get the benefits of chinese herbs while enjoying a tasty meal. Astragalus, due to its warm, sweet, yellow color and flavor—its almost chicken-soup-like and buttery qualities—is a classic soup broth base to try, but dong quai, schizandra, and ligusticum can also be used this way. Ginseng, licorice, and others may be added to soups and stews, or grains can be cooked in their broth. A spoonful of soup helps the medicine go down. Your family may not even notice it's medicine. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 Cupping is even more effective when used in conjunction with acupuncture and chinese herbs.
Where to Find Help
For more information on, or referrals for,-treatment of back pain, contact the following organizations:
Acupuncture
American Association of Oriental Medicine
433 Front Street
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania 18032
(888) 500-7999
Website: www.aaom.org
Biofeedback
Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 (303) 422-8436 Website: www.aapb. |
Robyn Landis
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| While both TCM and Ayurveda have their complexities (and both Ayurvedic and chinese herbs are widely recommended and discussed throughout this book), TCM as a system of thought is less easily broken down into a "first-timer's guide to Eastern healing." It is less easily condensed and, we feel, carries more risk of being confusing at this stage of your journey. But we do encourage you to learn more about TCM if your interest is piqued. There are several excellent books on this extremely powerful system, and they are listed in "Recommended Reading" on page 517. |
| Ginseng
Asian ginseng is another tonic herb, very popular and probably the most Westernized—at least, the most familiar—of chinese herbs. The ethnic (Chinese) name for this herb, jen shen, means "man root"—possibly because it is a highly regarded male tonic or because the root's "branches" can resemble the arms and legs of a human figure. The root is not harvested until it is at least two years old; as the root ages, its value increases.
Classified as sweet and warming by the Chinese, ginseng is used as a general energizer and (as the Chinese call it) qi replenisher. |
| Herbal Emissaries: Bringing chinese herbs to the West.
Kaptchuk, Ted. Web That Has No Weaver.
Lu, Henry. Legendary Chinese Healing Herbs.
Pang, T. Y. Chinese Herbal.
Reid, Daniel. Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Teeguarden, Ron. Chinese Tonic Herbs.
AYURVEDA
Bhajan, Yogi. Foods for Health and Healing. Bhajan, Yogi. The Ancient Science of Self-Healing. Chopra, Deepak. Perfect Health. Frawley, David. Ayurvedic Healing.
Gerson, Scott. Ayurveda. Lad, Vasant. Ayurveda.
Lad, Vasant, and David Frawley. The Yoga of Herbs.
Svoboda, Robert. Prakruti, Your Ayurvedic Constitution. Svoboda, Robert. |
| As I mentioned in an earlier chapter, chinese herbs can be radically cheaper at Chinese markets than at an herb pharmacy—the most dramatic example being the astragalus I purchase from a Chinese grocery at $8 a pound, where the same stuff at the herb pharmacy costs $80 (eighty!) per pound.
A qualified local herbalist can be a huge help in this process, directing you to the best sources for the best herbs both for price and quality. |
John Heinerman
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 A random comparison between this single use of rhubarb and the combined treatment of Western medicine and chinese herbs was made in other patients experiencing the same type of difficulties. Furthermore, six different combinations of rhubarb were also tested. In all tests made, the single use of rhubarb took the shortest time to stop bleeding, reduce fevers and help patients towards quicker recovery than the others did. This action exhibited by rhubarb may be due to the presence of tannic acid, which constricts blood vessels. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 Better Health with (Mostly) chinese herbs and Food that reishi has considerable value in preventing and treating arrhythmia.
Reishi is a heart tonic, like hawthorn and ginkgo. It improves blood flow to the heart, reduces coronary demand for oxygen and helps ease the chest pain of angina. I make reishi tea using three to six teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water.
V Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). This herb is useful as a heart tonic, according to Commission E, the German expert committee that judges the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines. |
National Women's Health Network
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 Keep in mind, however, that chinese herbs are generally used in mixtures rather than by themselves. The usual dose is 3 to 10 grams of sliced dried root per day or as a liquid extract (1:1,25 percent ethanol): 0.5 to 2 ml three times daily. Dong quai contains anticoagulant coumarins16 and can cause bleeding when administered concurrently with warfarin (commonly known by the brand name Coumadin) or, potentially, other anticoagulants.17 It also contains furocoumarins, which can cause easy sunburning (photosensitization). |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| In a 12 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 30 adults with symptomatic HIV infection with CD4+ counts of 200-499 received a combination of 31 chinese herbs or placebo. Outcome measures included quality of life, symptoms, weight and CD4+ count. No differences between treatment groups attained statistical significance, but there were trends toward greater improvement among herb-treated subjects on all symptom subscales except dermatologic. |
| A pharmacological study of the antiinflammatory activity of chinese herbs. Acupunc Electro-Ther Res Int 1982; 7: 173-202
67. Hanabusa K, Cyong J, Takahashi M. High-level of cyclic AMP in jujube plum. Planta Medica 1981; 42: 380-384
68. Vanderhoek J, Makheja A, Bailey J. Inhibition of fatty acid lipoxygenases by onion and garlic oils. Evidence for the mechanism by which these oils inhibit platelet aggregation. Bioch Pharmacol 1980; 29: 3169-3173
69. Dorsch W, Weber J. Prevention of allergen-induced bronchial constriction in sensitized guinea pigs by crude alcohol onion extract. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| The introduction of Chinese prepared medicines and the books describing them have increased Western interest in chinese herbs. The authors hope this growing interest in the prepared medicines will lead the serious student to closely study the history and development of the entire traditional Chinese materia medica. Mastering the art of herbal medicine practice requires lengthy study of the strategies as well as the formulas of Chinese herbal medicine.6 |
| Heading for "Gold Mountain", they brought all elements of their culture including their traditional medicine with its acupuncture and chinese herbs. Writing in his book, Chinese Medicine on the Golden Mountain, Paul Buell states:15
... [there] was an acute shortage of any form of medical care in Western America where most Chinese settled. ... Well practiced Chinese medicine was often superior to contemporary Western practice. ... |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Phyllis Bloom from the Center for Acupuncture and Healing Arts in lower Manhattan describes imbalances which commonly occur, and tells how acupuncture, chinese herbs, and essential oils can help to restore equilibrium and health: "There are three levels of energy in the body: the protective level, the nutritive level, and the constitutional level. With sexual abuse, any and all of these can be affected. It depends on the situation, for example, whether it is an acute situation or a chronic one that has gone on for a very long time. If the attack is severe, that can cut through all layers. |
Richard Lucas
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 Willi iieuuuvntSy lyci vuuaiiK>aa, jhcjoj unu xiiavuuw*
Russian Scientific Studies on Eleuthero
Soviet scientists have taken a great interest in chinese herbs and have discovered that eleuthero, a member of the ginseng family, is not only native to various areas of China, but also grows wild and abundantly in southern regions of the Soviet Union. |
Dr. Gary Null
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| The Effects of chinese herbs on Improving Survival and Inhibiting Anti-ds DNA Antibody Production in Lupus Mice," American Journal of Chinese Medicine 21, no. 3-4 (1993): 257-62.
A study examined the efficacy of combining Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in treating lupus nephritis. Results: Treatment with the combined approach was superior to that with just Western medicine alone.
R. G. Ye et al., [Therapy of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine on 74 Lupus Nephritis Patients], Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 14, no. |
| The herbs have made a fundamental difference in my life.
The chinese herbs are different from American herbs because they are given in combination. They address a number of symptoms at one time, and they are also cost-effective, which I think is important for many people today.
This is something that a woman can choose to use in conjunction with regular health care approaches: self-exams, medical care, proper nutrition, and addressing emotional health.
SUSAN
I had a job I loved, but it was very stressful. I wound up with amenorrhea for a few weeks. |
| Hundreds of chinese herbs nourish kidney function. Here Rist-Podrecca names a few:
Har shar woo. This is an essential herbal formula for nourishing kidney function. It is also said to darken the hair. Hair, bone, teeth, joints, and sexual functions are tied up with the kidney energies. When you energize the kidneys, you affect all these different areas. When combined with dong quai, har shar woo helps the type of kidney dysfunction that causes low back pain.
Romania is a dark black herb that is high in iron and helps to nourish the blood and improve kidney function. |
| Phyllis Bloom from the Center for Acupuncture and Healing Arts in lower Manhattan describes imbalances which commonly occur, and tells how acupuncture, chinese herbs, and essential oils can help to restore equilibrium and health: "There are three levels of energy in the body: the protective level, the nutritive level, and the constitutional level. With sexual abuse, any and all of these can be affected. It depends on the situation, for example, whether it is an acute situation or a chronic one that has gone on for a very long time. If the attack is severe, that can cut through all layers. |
| The following chinese herbs have specific effects on the blood and are needed at different times of the monthly cycle. Dr. Gorman recommends working with a health practitioner to create an individual protocol and to monitor progress, but offers these general guidelines:
At the beginning of the cycle: Dong quai. High in vitamins A, E, and B12, this blood-builder can be taken most days of the month, up to the point of menstruation, or just before it begins if there are strong pre-men-strual symptoms. |
Barrie R Cassileth, Ph.D.
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 As the demand for ginseng and other chinese herbs has soared, the Chinese government recently issued curbs on the production of traditional herbal medicines, citing the ready availability of adulterated, fake, and illegal remedies. The Chinese Ministry of Health indicated that adulterated medicines, available without a doctor's prescription, are causing disabilities and deaths. China plans to close all substandard factories and markets, as well as those trading in medicines banned by the state. |
Larry Dossey
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 Current research projects at ihh deal with the efficacy of remote healing intentions as an adjunct intervention for metastatic breast cancer, the study of Therapeutic Touch and massage in the neonatal icu, and the in vitro (test-tube) study of the effect of chinese herbs in combination with standard chemotherapy for breast cancer.36
Another groundbreaking program is the Stanford University Hospital's Complementary Medicine Clinic, which opened in April 1998 under the direction of psychiatrist David Spiegel. A variety of Era II and Era III therapies are offered. |
Elaine Feuer
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 Chinese herbs; all amino acids—such as L-lysine, L-glutamine; enzymes—such as bromelain and quercitin; co-enzyme Q10; diet formulas; antioxidant formulas; and PABA. The potency of vitamins would have been dramatically reduced to those levels found in food. High potency vitamins, such as Vitamin C in doses of 1000 milligrams or more, would have been regulated as drugs, requiring a doctor's prescription.
The FDA even petitioned to replace the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) on labels to Reference Daily Intake (RDI); RDI requirements are less than the RDA. U.S. |
Lesley Tierra
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 The first section covers Western herbs, and the second covers several chinese herbs valuable to know. A particular format is followed in describing each herb:
Name of herb: The herb's common name.
Latin name: Carolus Linnaeus in the 1700s first categorized herbs and used Latin names; if it says spp. it means any member of the species.
Family: A family is a group os plants that are related due to specific aspects they have in common—see the chapter Herbal Properties, Constituents, Families and Formulas for further information. |
| Many are even being grown here, and some day soon we should have readily available organically grown chinese herbs.
Tonic herbs need to be taken over a long period of time to help strengthen from any deficiencies. For this they are usually taken as a tea, or even better, in soup form. Typically the Chinese prepare a tonic herb soup once a week for maintenance and preventative measures. To learn how to properly make herbal soups, refer to the chapter on Herbal Preparations. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 Like most chinese herbs, it is primarily used in combination formulas with other botanicals. For example, astragalus is often mixed with ginseng for cases of debility and fatigue.
International Status
Astragalus is not officially approved for use in any European nation. However, it is an official medicine in China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and other Asian nations.
Botany
Native to northern China and Mongolia, Astragalus membranaceus can also be found growing wild in Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. |
Richard Lucas
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| Then about two months ago, a friend of mine gave me an article on chinese herbs, which I found quite interesting. I decided to try an extract called Jin Sam Jung, and after using it for a few weeks I was delighted to find that my corns and bunions were far less painful, and I no longer dreaded the last two hours of my work day. I continue to take the extract daily since I find it not only keeps the pain reduced to a minimum but also gives me a feeling of more energy and pep."
• A woman in her forties was troubled with irregularity, nervousness, and indigestion. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| A pharmacological study of the anti-inflammatory activity of chinese herbs. A review. Acupunct Electro-Ther 1982; 7: 173-202
15. Kumagai A, Nanaboshi M, Asanuma Y et al. Effects of glycyrrhizin on thymolytic and immunosuppressive action of cortisone. Endocrinol Japon 1967; 14: 39-42
16. Okimasa E, Moromizato Y, Watanabe S et al. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 by glycyrrhizin, an anti-inflammatory drug. Acta Med Okayama 1983; 37: 385-391
17. Amer S, Mckinney G, Akcasu A. Effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the cyclic nucleotide system of the rat stomach. |
Richard Lucas
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| There is a good variety of harmless chinese herbs or herb formulas from which to choose for treating or relieving a wide range of female disorders.
10
CHINESE HERB REMEDIES FOR BOWEL COMPLAINTS
Mrs. L.L. suffered from internal "piles," symptomized by rectal itching and burning, a dull aching sensation, and pain up inside the rectum, with occasional bleeding. The pain increased during a bowel movement and became intensified when there was constipation. She reported:
"Surgery was advised, but I dreaded the knife, so I began checking into different forms of natural healing methods. |
| The young man knew all about chinese herbs and told me to try a tea of sage and peppermint. The next day I bought the herbs and began drinking the tea. I took two cups a day for three months, and my kidney infection is all gone."
CHIH-MA
English Name: Flaxseed
Botanical Name: Linum usitatissimum
The flax herb is extensively cultivated in China for its seeds and oil. Medicinally, a tea made from the seeds is considered valuable for relieving irritation or inflammation of the urinary passages and organs, especially bladder irritability. |
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