Xiao Yao San against Corticosterone-Induced Stress Injury

Previous studies have revealed that uncontrollable stress can impair the synaptic plasticity and firing property of hippocampal neurons, which influenced various hippocampal-dependent tasks including memory, cognition, behavior, and mood. In this work, we had investigated the effects and mechanisms of the Chinese herbal medicine Xiao Yao San (XYS) against corticosterone-induced stress injury in primary hippocampal neurons (PHN) cells.

By Flickr [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Fermented Chinese Formula Shuan-Tong-Ling Protects Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Stress Injury

Fermented Chinese formula Shuan-Tong-Ling (STL), composed of fourteen medicinal herbs, was an experiential formula by Dr. Zhigang Mei for treating vascular encephalopathy, but the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of fermented STL on hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced injury in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and the possible mechanisms. 

Figure 5 from "Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016; 2016: 5154290." Published online 2016 Dec 21. doi: 10.1155/2016/5154290. Image sourced from NCBI. Available here.

Chinese herbal drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Several Chinese herbs, indeed, elicit potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma receptor agonistic, platelet-activating factor antagonistic, aldose reductase inhibitory and various other beneficial pharmacological activities, required to counteract the pathological conditions prevalent in retina during diabetes.

Image sourced from Wiley Online Library. Available here.

Acupuncture therapy for drug addiction

In 1997, the National Institutes of Health accepted acupuncture therapy as an acceptable procedure complementary to Western medicine [1]. Evidence for its therapeutic effects comes mainly from clinical practice and research into pain control, fibromyalgia, headaches, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and depression [2]. Acupuncture therapy can be administered using either manual insertion of needles or electroacupuncture (EA), a mild electrical stimulation of acupoints. Extended acupuncture methods may involve finger pressure (acupressure) and laser therapy [3].

By National Institute on Drug Abuse. And User:Timeshifter. I (Timeshifter)[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Acupuncture for Oral Pain

While acupuncture is not widely used by dental pain practitioners, several clinical studies have shown it to be effective in treating craniofacial pain, especially when combined with stable occlusion. As far back as 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued a consensus statement affirming evidence that acupuncture is effective in relieving postoperative dental pain.

Photo by Shutterstock 69645151. Image of acupuncture needles sourced from Shutterstock. Available here.

Mai Danyang's 12 Acupoints

Ma Danyang (originally named Ma Yu) was a famous Daoist (1). He was born around 1123 A.D. to a very wealthy family in Haining (Shandong Province), and as a young man developed talents in the fields of acupuncture and poetry. In fact, he is well known today for his poem (ode, song) about 12 acupuncture points, relayed in this article.

Photo by Shutterstock 232755100. Image of acupuncture sourced from Shutterstock. Available here.

Acupuncture: is NICE cutting off its nose to spite its face?

Whether acupuncture works is not the issue here(1). Patients in their hundreds of thousands find it to work(2). NICE certainly found it to work In terms of superiority over no acupuncture/usual care, in fact no other non-drug therapy works better(3). Perhaps even more impressive is the sham controlled evidence. Despite sham acupuncture being another active acupuncture intervention this still produced a 0.8 SD superiority on the pain VAS from plentiful high quality data. No other non-pharmacological treatment was even at the races here, and, of the seven classes of drugs evaluated, only one (NSAIDs) did better (slightly: 1.0 SD). Rightfully concerned that NSAID adverse events might be a bit much for some patients to swallow, NICE decided to pick a back-up treatment. Was this the second placed runner, the rather safe acupuncture? No, they chose opiates (0.6 SD).

Shutterstock. (n.d.). [Traditional Chinese acupuncture with electro on body]. Shutterstock. Available here.

Sequencing poisonous mushrooms to potentially create medicine

To their surprise, Walton and colleagues found mushrooms have the potential to synthesize many more cyclic peptides than previously known, potentially in the billions, through one molecular production platform. The researchers have already discovered three previously unknown cyclic peptides based on patterns in the newly discovered DNA sequence.
Walton can already picture using cyclic peptides' laser-like ability to penetrate human cells for medicinal uses, noting that only a few mushroom peptides are poisonous to people.

Science X Network. (2017). [Sequencing power image]. Science X. Available here.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Elder Berry

European elder is a plant native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western- and Central Asia. Its flowers and berries have a long history of use in traditional European medicine. Elder berries have also been used for making preserves, wines, winter cordials, and for adding flavor and color to other wines. Dietary supplements containing extracts, juices or syrups of European elder berry have become popular in the U.S. as remedies for treating cold and flu symptoms, sold mainly in natural food stores alongside other popular cold and flu herbal remedies.

American Botanical Council. (n.d.). [Elderberry monograph PDF]. American Botanical Council. Available here.

A Soothing Acupuncture Lounge in Aichi, Japan

In Aichi, Japan, is where you’ll find the SUMIYOSHIDO kampo lounge, a soothing clinic for acupuncture and moxibustion. Designed by id inc., the interior is set up like a herbal pharmacy with fresh mint green walls that look like apothecary cabinets, giving nod to the history of herbal medicine.

Design Milk. (2016). [Sumiyoshido Kampo Lounge Acupuncture]. Design Milk. Available here.

Acupuncture reduces crying in infants with infantile colic: a randomised, controlled, blind clinical study

Ten per cent of newborn children in the Western world experience colic.1 2 The aetiology is unclear but gastrointestinal factors and allergy to cow's milk protein have been suggested as possible causes.3 Another suggestion is that colic is a behavioural condition resulting from unfavourable parent–infant interaction.

By Apekshababy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Winter Recipes for Optimal Health according to Chinese Medicine Nutrition

 According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nutrition principles, during the winter months our energy begins to move inward. It is a time of quietude and the best season to tonify and store essence internally. We asked two of our esteemed faculty members to share their favorite recipes for the season. We hope you enjoy!

AOMA Blog. (n.d.). [Image of a person receiving acupuncture]. AOMA Blog. Available here.

Recycle the Old and Welcome the New – Happy Lunar New Year!

Many Chinese families will begin sweeping the floors and clearing the house of old items a week before Lunar New Year. Known as, “年廿八，洗邋遢 ” or Spring Cleaning, this custom is symbolic for getting rid of bad luck that happened in the previous year, and making room for good luck in the New Year.

Shutterstock. (n.d.). [Family cleaning the bathroom]. Shutterstock. Available here.

U.S. military implements acupuncture to treat pain in combat settings

Integrative medicine (IM) is coming of age in the U.S. military, with the first example of widespread implementation of an IM technique being the popular use of acupuncture to treat pain in combat settings.

By Daniel Schwen (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acupuncture treatment for urological problems

It is important to note that Percutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS or electroacupuncture on SP6) is only one element of acupuncture treatment for urological problems. A wide variety of acupuncture points and stimulation methods are available to influence urological function.

Acupuncture Moxibustion. (n.d.). [Urinary acupuncture points - front view]. Acupuncture Moxibustion. Available here.

Rediscovering the Chinese herbs that I hated as a kid

Growing up, my house smelled like three things: mothballs, Tiger Balm, and Chinese medicine. It wasn’t exactly the stuff of ambient candles — I don’t expect that Byredo is going to create a line called Taiwanese-American Living Room anytime soon. But to me, stinky Chinese herbs smell like home.

Photo by Mariano Sayno / husayno.com/Getty Images. Image sourced from NYMag. Available here.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony

Although the Japanese word for the tea ceremony, chanoyu, literally means “hot water for tea,” the practice involves much more than its name implies. Chanoyu is a ritualized, secular practice in which tea is consumed in a specialized space with codified procedures.

Arranging flowers and replacing a hanging scroll with a new one, from the series A Tea Ceremony Periwinkle, woodblock print by Toshikata Mizuno (1866–1908). Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons. Available here.