Recognition and Prevention of Herb-Drug Interaction

 Reasonably enough, patients want to know about compatibility and possible interactions when taking herbs and prescription drugs simultaneously. Such specific questions, unfortunately, are often difficult (if not impossible) to answer. There are very few studies published in English to document the safety and effectiveness of combining herbs with prescription drugs. However, with some general insights in pharmacology, one can foresee possible interactions and thus take precautions to avoid incompatibilities.

Chinese Herbs for Lymphedema: Exploring the Principles of Treating Phlegm-Damp Accumulation

Chinese medicine has some history of treating conditions that are similar to, or may be, lymphedema. Lymph nodes were indirectly recognized, even in ancient times, as areas that easily become lumpy, but lymph was not known in the same sense that it is recognized in modern medicine. The condition of lymphedema fits the traditional category of phlegm-damp accumulation. The fluid swelling would, by itself, lead one to classify the disease as a dampness accumulation (corresponding directly to the Western term edema). The phlegm aspect of the condition is related to the thickness of the fluids involved. As we know from modern research, lymph is a somewhat milky fluid that replenishes the blood with chyle (emulsified fat), erythrocytes (red blood cells), and leukocytes (white blood cells); it also carries protein debris. A more watery accumulation based on a less-dense fluid, as occurs in cases of pitting edema, would be considered a moisture accumulation but not a phlegm-damp accumulation.

By Abdullah Sarhan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Breast Cancer Surgery Acupuncture Findings

Acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers investigated the effects of acupuncture on BCRL patients in a randomized controlled clinical trial. The study finds that acupuncture effectively reduces upper arm circumference, improves shoulder range of motion, and patients self-reported overall quality of life improvements.

By Giovanni Dall'Orto. (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

What is Love?: An Opinion

Chuang Zi was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived during the 4th century BCE. When his wife died, initially he felt sadness. Then he sat on a rock and meditated on the changes of qi and realized that death is nothing but a transformation (a dispersal) of qi the same way that birth is a transformation (aggregation) of qi. At that, his sadness dissipated and he felt joy. His followers found this story philosophically uplifting and the source of great wisdom. But we would say he is being incredibly callous and insensitive, that he has a big problem in not acknowledging his grief and that he is likely to get cancer as a result of his emotional emptiness/stagnation. Same patient, different prognosis from the Eastern and Western acupuncturist.

The Anti-Aging Herbal Formula

By John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc

Huan Shao Dan (Return to Youth Pill) is one of the best kidney tonic formulas. Historically, it was used to treat spleen and kidney deficiencies. Today, it is used to successfully treat many premature aging conditions.

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Rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai

Rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai is a relatively common pathology; it is more common in women than men.  In women, I have seen at all ages, from teenagers to women over 65.  The first mention of Rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai is in chapter 29 of the Nan Jing: β€œThe pathology of the Chong Mai is rebellious Qi with internal urgency [li ji].”

Li Shi Zhen says the same thing: β€œWhen Qi rebels upwards, there is internal urgency [li ji] and a feeling of heat: this is rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai.”

By PΓΆllΓΆ (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Geriatrics in Chinese Medicine

The thinking about geriatrics in Chinese medicine has been dominated by Kidney deficiency for centuries. As Kidney-Jing declines as we age, the clinical approach to the treatment of the elderly has been based largely on tonifying the Kidneys. 

However, modern diseases of the elderly that account for 90% of mortality (cancer, heart disease and stroke) are characterized by Fullness. Quite simply, we do not die of Kidney deficiency but of Phlegm, Blood stasis and Internal Wind. 

By Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia (The Fountain of Youth) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Coffee in China- An analysis of coffee in TCM

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. The early use of coffee beans to regulate menstruation is consistent with the Chinese medical approach of regulating menstruation by dredging stagnant liver qi. The green coffee bean also cools the constrained liver qi. When the bean is roasted, it retains its basic medicinal properties, but transforms from a cooling herb to a warming herb. Roasting herbs is a common processing method used in China.

Bamboo as Medicine

All the bamboo materials have a mild sweet taste and all parts but the leaves are used to resolve phlegm. While the phlegm disorder to be addressed may be related to lung heat causing coughing and sticky phlegm, bamboo is especially used for the disorder of hot phlegm that coats or obstructs the "orifices of the heart," affecting the brain functions. Thus, it is used for epilepsy, fainting and loss of consciousness in feverish diseases, and a variety of mental disorders that develop with aging. Lophatherum (bamboo leaf) and bamboo shavings are commonly used in cases of stomach heat, providing a cooling effect and helping counter the perverse flow of qi (upward flow instead of the normal downward flow).

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

The Functional Role of Fascia in Posture and Movement: Part I

While largely ignored and overlooked as simply another static connective tissue, recent research into the fascial system has highlighted its vast role in both overall health as well as its involvement in the postural and movement system. This article will briefly address some of the exciting research surrounding the dynamic fascial system focusing on its role in achieving and maintaining postural alignment and the development of efficient movement. Understanding the dynamic function of the fascial system and how it contributes to maintaining optimal posture and movement strategies will lay the framework for developing a comprehensive training program that integrates the function of the myofascial systems into traditional functional exercise.

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The Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation for Brain Activation and Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy: Functional MRI Study

Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative and complementary therapies [1–9]. It has been widely used to treat various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as depression [5, 8], insomnia [7, 9], and anxiety [6]. In addition, it has also been applicable in treating substance-related diseases, such as alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine dependence [1–4]. Regarding the treatment effect for substance-related diseases, previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may be associated with regulating dopamine neurons, thereby inducing a reduction of craving and withdrawal symptoms [10, 11].

By Jakob Montrasio from SaarbrΓΌcken, Germany (Cheers!) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acupuncture benefits for Flammer syndrome in individuals with inherited diseases of the retina

Patients with inherited diseases of the retina (IRD) often exhibit signs and symptoms of Flammer syndrome (FS). Acupuncture treatment has shown its positive effect on visual function in patients with IRD. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of acupuncture on signs and symptoms of FS in a cohort of patients suffering simultaneously FS and IRD.

Photo by Alamy. Image of acupuncture needles with cupping glasses sourced from Alamy. Available here.

Comprehensive evaluation of gene expression signatures in response to electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint by transcriptomic analysis

We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as Ξ³-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung.

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Your brain on chocolate

One 2014 study found that among adults ages 50 to 69, those taking a cocoa supplement with high flavanol content for three months had better performance on tests of memory than those assigned to take a low-flavanol cocoa supplement.

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Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Improves Survival of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study


 Pancreatic cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer with a late presentation and poor prognosis. Some patients seek traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consultation. We aimed to investigate the benefits of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with pancreatic cancer in Taiwan.

Image by Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Libro" section below). Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 1098, Public Domain. Available here.

How to Cook Burdock Root: A Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

Burdock root is high in polysaccharides. One of the most prevalent, inulin, is a starchy substance that provides nutrients for beneficial gut flora. In other words, inulin is a PRE-biotic that supports the healthy gut flora that plays an important role in your immune system health. This is just the tip of the iceberg for burdock root. Herbalists also use it for people with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne and it’s also used for urinary health.

By National Institute of Korean Language [CC BY-SA 2.0 kr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/kr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for palliative care of cancer: overview of systematic reviews


Cancer is a major cause of disease burden worldwide. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research of Cancer1, the global adult population in 2012 included 14.1 million new cancer cases, 32.6 million existing cancer patients who had received a diagnosis within the previous 5 years and 8.2 million cancer deaths, accounting for 14.7% of all deaths. The incidence of cancer continues to increase. It is predicted that in 2035, approximately 24.0 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed and 14.6 million deaths will be attributable to cancer. This increasing cancer incidence and the continual improvement in cancer treatment will lead to an increase in the number of patients living with cancer. This will mandate progress in palliative care strategies for the control of symptoms related to cancer itself, as well as symptoms induced by cancer therapies.

Gender differences in the neural response to acupuncture: clinical implications

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences and similarities in the psychophysical and brain responses to acupuncture at GB34, a point that is frequently used to treat motor function issues in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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