Repetitive Electroacupuncture Attenuates Cold-Induced Hypertension through Enkephalin in the Rostral Ventral Lateral Medulla

Approximately one in three adults has high blood pressure (BP) worldwide. Hypertension and its consequences, such as stroke and heart attacks, are enormous public health problems1. The 7th Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure report recommends lifestyle modification (i.e., non-traditional approaches) with or without pharmacological intervention2. Although the effect of acupuncture on hypertension is controversial3,4,5,6,7, acupuncture may offer a non-pharmacological approach to reduce high BP.

Photo by Shutterstock 152066780. Image of traditional Chinese acupuncture with electro on body sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/traditional-chinese-acupuncture-electro-on-body-152066780

Plants ‘see’ underground by channelling light to their roots

Light receptors in stems, leaves and flowers have long been known to regulate plant growth. Roots also have these receptors, but it has been unclear how they sense light deep in dark soil.

Medicinal Mushroom Science: Current Perspectives, Advances, Evidences, and Challenges

Medicinal mushrooms and fungi are thought to possess approximately 130 medicinal functions. Recently studied medicinal actions of mushrooms include antitumor, immunomodulating, antioxidant, radical scavenging, cardiovascular, antihypercholesterolemic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti‑parasitic, antifungal, detoxicating, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects. 

File:Dried mushrooms.Jpg. In Wikipedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dried_mushrooms.jpg

The Mechanism of Moxibustion: Ancient Theory and Modern Research

Ling Shu, Guan Neng says that where needle does not work, moxibustion does. TCM theory holds that moxibustion has a dual effect of tonification and purgation. Different from needles and drugs, characteristics of moxibustion in materials and using fire determine that its efficacy is inclined to warming and nourishing.

Photo by Shutterstock 251320126. Image of moxibustion sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/moxibustion-251320126

Acupuncture: Getting to the Point

Though pain relief is still the primary reason many Westerners seek acupuncture, more have discovered what people in China, where acupuncture is part of routine medical care, have long understood: Acupuncture can offer relief from a vast array of health problems, including digestive issues; stress, anxiety, and depression; respiratory disorders, such as asthma and allergies; hormone-related issues like infertility, PMS, and menopausal symptoms; and more.

Illustration by: Stephanie Dalton Cowan. Image sourced from Experience Life. Available at: https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nov16_ACU_HotSpots.jpg

Humble Plants that Hide Surprising Secrets


In this intriguing talk, biologist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim introduces us to rare plant species from isolated islands and regions of Africa. Meet the shape-shifting benjoin; the baume de l'ile plate, which might offer a new treatment for asthma; and the iconic baobab tree, which could hold the key to the future of food. Plus: monkey apples

Photo by Shutterstock 190564634. Image of a hand protecting a mint plant in a vegetable garden sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/hand-protect-mint-plant-vegetable-garden-190564634

The Effect of Gua Sha Treatment on the Microcirculation of Surface Tissue

A Pilot Study in Healthy Subjects

Photo by Shutterstock 101865523. Image of a large bone scraper tool being used sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/large-bone-scraper-tool-being-used-101865523

Gait Deviations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review

In recent years, it has become clear that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulty with gross motor function and coordination, factors which influence gait. Knowledge of gait abnormalities may be useful for assessment and treatment planning.

Photo by Shutterstock 190208912. Image of a newborn baby's foot being massaged sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/newborn-baby-foot-sole-massage-190208912

NIH Review Finds Nondrug Approaches Effective For Treatment of Common Pain Conditions

Millions of Americans suffer from persistent pain that may not be fully relieved by medications. They often turn to complementary health approaches to help, yet primary care providers have lacked a robust evidence base to guide recommendations on complementary approaches as practiced and available in the United States. The new review gives primary care providers—who frequently see patients with chronic pain—tools to inform decisionmaking on how to help manage that pain.

Treating Raynaud's Phenomenon with Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine Raynaud’s phenomenon falls within the category of Hanjue (寒厥). It means cold extremities. The interior pathology of this disease is Qi and blood deficiency and Yang deficiency, whereas the exterior pathology would relate to cold invasion within the meridian. The treatment principle should be to nourish the qi and blood, whilst expelling the cold and to warm the yang. This theory can be carry out through the use of herbs, acupuncture and moxibustion.

Cynomorium (Suo Yang): Parasitic Plant Widely Used in Traditional Medicine

In 16th century Europe, it was known as the Maltese mushroom, though it is not a true fungus. The plant was so highly regarded that the Knights of Malta often sent samples of it to European monarchs as presents. To protect the so-called Fungus Rock, where cynomorium was abundant, the grandmaster posted guards around the area and ordered the sides of the outcropping to be rendered smooth to eliminate any footholds and prevent access from the sea.

Image sourced from ITM Online. Available at: http://www.itmonline.org/image/cyno2.jpg

Analysis of Coffee According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

In the Chinese medical-dietary system, the green bean of coffee would be classified as an herb that regulates liver qi, which is its therapeutic route to strong energy stimulation (attributed chemically to caffeine's action on the nervous system). The green bean is of the color of the wood element (associated with liver); more important to classification, however, is the concept that when the liver qi is constrained, the entire body energy becomes depressed. By vigorously dredging the stagnated liver qi, a strong sense of mental and physical vitality is experienced.

Image sourced from ITM Online. Available at: http://www.itmonline.org/image/coffee1.jpg

Scientists Create First Porous Acupuncture Needles to Enhance Therapeutic Properties

Applying nanotechnology to acupuncture may help treat alcohol and cocaine addictions.

Drinking Green Tea May Help Prevent Aneurysms

"The type of polyphenol found in green tea has recently been shown to regenerate elastin, an essential protein that gives the artery its stretchy, yet sturdy, texture,” said Kyoto University’s Dr. Shuji Setozaki, the study’s lead author.

Never Mind Grass-Fed, How About Elixir-Fed Meats?

Forget grass-fed beef and free-range poultry. China’s farmers say they have found the next big health-food craze: cows, pigs and ducks raised on a steady diet of ancient Chinese medicine.

Health Secrets of the Amish

In recent decades, the prevalence of asthma and allergies has increased between two- and threefold in the United States. These days, one in 12 kids has asthma. More are allergic.

Acupuncture Helps Bladder Control, Stops Leakage

In a Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine clinical trial, standard acupuncture stimulation demonstrated a 54% total effective rate, however; a specialized electroacupuncture treatment protocol yielded an 86% total effective rate.

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Wu Chi Pai Feng Wan: Herbal Chicken Soup in a Pill

In Chinese folklore, there is a legend that depicts the origins of the black-bone chicken. It is said that the celestial Lu Dongbing (pictured below right, born in 798 A.D.) made pills of immortality on Tiger-nose Peak (below left). Tiger-nose Peak is also known as Two-finger Peak of the Wushan Mountain in Taihe. On the day when the pills of immortality were successfully made, Lu Dongbing invited other celestial beings to the celebration party. When the celestial beings were drinking wine, a pair of wild chickens flew from the forest into the pill-making pool and ate the pills of immortality.

Image sourced from ITM Online. Available at: http://www.itmonline.org/image/wuchi3.jpg

Scuba, Parrots, Yoga: Veterans Embrace Alternative Therapies for PTSD

The broad acceptance of PTSD after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has posed an unexpected challenge. Acknowledging PTSD has only spurred a wide-ranging debate over the best way to treat it

Veterans swimming with whale sharks this month at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as part of their therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Credit: Melissa Golden for The New York Times. Image sourced from The New York Times. Available at: https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/09/18/us/18therapies1/17therapies1-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp