Acupuncture as effective as drugs in treating pain, trial shows

An acupuncture trial in four Melbourne emergency departments has found it is just as good as drugs in relieving lower-back pain and that from sprained ankles and migraines.

Dr. Michael Ben-Meir says acupuncture seems to provide effective pain relief. Photo credit: Ken Irwin. Image sourced from FFX. Available at: https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_768%2C$height_432/t_crop_fill/q_86%2Cf_auto/b9e28a2a921458d90a6ab6ed17e29feeac79ab71

Medicinal Plants in Tibet

Saussurea medusa (Asteraceae) is known to Tibetan herb collectors as Ganglha Metok (gangs lha me tog), meaning glacier or snow deity flower. It is an important medicinal in Rigpa Sowa (Tibetan Medicine) and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM it is known as "xue lian", meaning snow lotus.

Saussurea medusa (Asteraceae) is known to Tibetan herb collectors as Ganglha Metok [gangs lha me tog], meaning glacier or snow deity flower. It is an important medicinal in Rigpa Sowa (Tibetan Medicine) andTraditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM it is known as "xue lian", meaning snow lotus. It grows way high up in the mountains, up to 5200m, and overcollection is of great concern.

© Daniel Winkler, August 2, 2007, 4100m, Litang County, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.

Diagnosis, Patterns, and Treatment of Heat

In my experience, the most important aetiological factor leading to Yin deficiency is overwork: I do not mean excessive physical work but overwork in the sense of working long hours without adequate rest, leaving home in the early morning and returning in the late evening for years on end.

Photo source: Blogger. Image sourced from Blogger. Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLsGOKTgsr-AXPH91mj5YMgQS6dvmzk7Iudil7XFvf8xHDn8haGyAIYRSWhenxyWeGl3QGQxqJqdcFrrTNK3B-adiAhHxM_ew-1xFQj_hZo_5nBs8l_sIm0rXk2lXp1btodjNIKD01OY/s200/Red-tip.jpg

The Ethics of Healing- The Hippocratic Oath of China's King of Medicine Sun Simiao

Sun Simiao (581-682) was an outstanding Chinese physician, scholar, and author who lived during the Tang Dynasty. Called the "King of Medicine" (Yaowang) is said to have founded Chinese gynecology, pediatrics, and geriatrics as individual healing modalities.

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Researchers find cicada wing structure able to kill bacteria on contact (w/ video)

A combined team of researchers from Spain and Australia has discovered what they claim is the first known instance of a biomaterial that can kill bacteria on contact based only its physical surface structure. 

 

Cicada (P. claripennis) wing surface topography. Credit: Biophysical Journal, doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2012.12.046. Photo by Science X. Image sourced from Phys.org. Available at: https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2013/11-researchersf.jpg

What is the meaning of Yi Qi in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang?

Buzhong Yiqi Tang is a formula that was described in an important text of the Chinese tradition, the Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on Spleen and Stomach, 1249 A.D.), which is available in English translation (1). Its author, Li Gao (also known as Li Dongyuan) was considered the leader of the Spleen/Stomach School, a movement within the evolving ancient tradition that focused on deficiency of spleen and stomach as the origin of numerous diseases. This was one of four leading schools of thought that developed during the Chinese medicine reforms of the Jin-Yuan Dynastic period.

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Chinese Medicine Treatment for Parkinson's

The characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's appeared in ancient Chinese medical texts that described trembling of the hands and shaking of the head. The disorder and its basis has been subjected to considerable analysis over the centuries. Syndromes in which elderly patients suffer from spontaneous shaking, or from other muscular manifestations such as paralysis or tonic spasm, are thought to be the result of yin deficiency of the kidney and liver leading to generation of "internal wind."

Image by Shutterstock. Image of an acupuncturist pointing at BL17 on an acupuncture model sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/acupuncturist-pointing-bl17-on-acupuncture-model-281440808

Ginger aromatherapy for breast cancer patients

Ginger Aromatherapy Improves Some Quality-of-Life Parameters for Patients with Breast Cancer Suffering from Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting.

Image by Shutterstock. Image of fresh ginger slices isolated on white background sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/fresh-ginger-slices-isolated-on-white-172128710

Gut bacteria spotted eating brain chemicals for the first time

Bacteria have been discovered in our guts that depend on one of our brain chemicals for survival. These bacteria consume GABA, a molecule crucial for calming the brain, and the fact that they gobble it up could help explain why the gut microbiome seems to affect mood.

Photo by Custom Medical Stock Photo/SPL. Image of Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteria under a microscope sourced from New Scientist. Available at: https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/01134944/c0151529-lactobacillus_rhamnosus_bacteria_sem.jpg?width=700

Case Studies and Answer Analysis for NCCAOM Exam in Foundation of Oriental Medicine

Case studies are very common for acupuncture school students, either in class exams or during taking the national board exam. Most test takers feel they have no idea where they should start and how they should start to analyze those complicated cases.

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Use of Ginseng in Medicine With Emphasis on Neurodegenerative Disorders

Ginseng, the root of Panax species, is a well-known herbal medicine. It has been
used as a traditional medicine in China, Korea, and Japan for thousands of years and is now a
popular and worldwide used natural medicine. The active ingredients of ginseng are ginsenosides which are also called ginseng saponins. Recently, there is increasing evidence in the literature on the pharmacological and physiological actions of ginseng. 

Dried ginseng roots on burlap. Image Credit: koosen/iStock/Getty Images

Complementary Health Practices for U.S. Military, Veterans, and Families

The NIH commits to exploring nondrug options for pain, PTSD, post-concussive syndrome and related health issues in 13 new studies.

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DIY: How to Make Your Own Chinese Herbal First Aid Kit

Chinese Herbs have so many uses, and can be prepared in forms that can be taken internally and applied externally, for various purposes such as: pain relief, stopping bleeding, halting colds and coughs, clearing phlegm in the chest, assisting with digestion, calming the nervous system, allergy relief, healing burns, wounds, sores, and so much more!

By Margarita Alcantara, M.S.Ac., L.Ac., Reiki Master/Teacher +

Copyright © 2016 by Alcantara Acupuncture & Healing Arts. All rights reserved. Image sourced from Alcantara Acupuncture & Healing Arts. Available at: https://alcantaraacupuncture.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DIY_-How-To-Make-Your-Own-Chinese-Herbal-First-Aid-Kit-661x372.jpg

After Rejecting Alternative Medicine CHOP Gives Acupuncture a Shot

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will offer acupuncture to all of its patients beginning in July, joining a growing number of pediatric medical centers providing alternative therapies.

Photo courtesy of hospital. Image sourced from The Inquirer. Available at: https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/pnCFyvyvFCsqO7zj2jZ69E7boeA=/500x333/smart/filters:format(webp)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HFHYGSIEMBBULA3LECITESCHRE.jpg