Washington University doctors are testing whether ginseng might help with diabetes:

"Doctors at Washington University are testing ginseng, a root long used in traditional Asian medicine, to see whether it can head off diabetes in overweight adults.

An estimated 18.2 million Americans have diabetes, and 41 million are considered pre-diabetic, with higher-than-normal blood sugar, according to the American Diabetic Association. Studies of animals suggest that ginseng might fight insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Insulin signals cells to take in sugars and burn them for energy. When cells ignore insulin's message, the body churns out more insulin, which causes the liver to release fats that interfere with insulin receptors. That escalates the need for insulin."

You can find DAAN's ginseng selection here.

Sydney, Australia, is investigating whether acupuncture might be effective in treating drug addcits:

""So we're certainly interested in looking at new ways to encourage people to get off illicit drugs, but it will be important to us to make sure that we've got the support and involvement of New South Wales Health."

Christine Berle from the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association says a hour long session a day can help.

"Normalising the organs that are being overworked during the detox phase and then also reducing the stress levels," Ms Berle said."

Changes in the tea industry in China:

"A quiet revolution, often perpetuated by local authorities in the tea-growing areas, has changed the nature of the industry, by empowering the growers, expanding the plantations and modernizing the processing and trading methods in the world's most-populous country.
Think about it: More than 100 million people, or nearly 10 per cent of China's population, work in the tea industry. Last year, China produced 799,000 tons of tea, of which 280,000 tons were exported.

In addition, the country has 1.27 million hectares of tea plantations, mainly in southern and western China. The acreage increases annually.

In some areas of southern China, "the economy is all about tea," says Wu Xiduan, secretary-general of the China Tea Marketing Association.

In many tea-planting areas, tea remains a cottage industry for hundreds of thousands of families, who sell their products to tea merchants. Because growers and processors are not organized, they lack the bargaining power to negotiate prices."

Interesting article about martial arts and Chinese medicine:

"Chinese sports medicine's roots lie in arts such as Kung Fu and T'ai Chi and it has been used to treat sporting injuries for many years, explains Keith Thomas, acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist.

Chinese sports medicine lies in the same area as the more commonly used sports physio although it is relatively undiscovered by the public."

Like American men, Chinese men are indulging themselves in spa treatments:

"In addition to general services, it offers acupuncture and cupping treatment - in which vaccuum cups are used to suck out toxins - to ease symptoms of sub-health (a condition between health and illness), which are supposed to be specifically suitable for men.

"Because many successful men indulge in bad habits such as staying up all night, smoking and drinking, and are under heavy pressure in modern society, they need comprehensive and essential treatment to enhance their physical conditions," says Mei Zi, the professional acupuncturist at Yiren Lishe.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the skin, hair and overall condition of a person mirrors the inner body, so "complete beauty treatment should focus on the inner body," says Mei.

Sun points out that men need more than just good looks - they want to be vigorous and energetic."

Walking in bare feet is good for you, and paying attention to your feet can reap health dividends for your entire body:

"For most of us, our feet are not things that we pay much attention to. Women do when they paint and pamper and bejewel them, because pretty feet are a measure of feminine beauty. But healthwise, the only time we pay attention to our feet — as with many other parts of our body — is when they begin to hurt. The fact of the matter is that the human foot is such a complex and vital part of the human body that it has been called an organ. According to Chinese medicine, each organ in the body is represented — through around 300 nerves — to a specific point on each foot. Massaging these reflex points — a system of therapy called reflexology — is used to help stimulate vital functions, eliminate toxins, activate blood circulation and ease nervousness. In Ayurveda, the padabhyanga or foot massage is used to relieve insomnia, improve circulation and fertility, and energise the belly, pelvis and colon. "

One woman's story about her experience trying to treat her cystitis, a painful urinary tract infection, and her good results with a combination of acupuncture, supplements, and common sense:

"The lab results of the intestinal permeability test showed that the wall of my small intestine was damaged. Chmelik gave me more acupuncture, more herbal medicine, a probiotic to build up the “good” bacteria in my system, and oregano oil (he said it has a strong anti-fungal effect), along with a special food and enzyme-based formula called permavit to repair the mucosal lining of the gut. He also told me to sleep more.

I first saw Chmelik last July; initially weekly for the first month, and then once a month for three months. I have had only one attack of cystitis since, and have spent about £300 — a lot. As a firm believer in conventional medicine I am amazed that the potions prescribed by him worked. Before I met him I had feared that there wasn’t a solution. Now, that anxiety has gone"

May in National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and this article describes how acupuncture is being used to help:

"Dr. Xingning Zhao, 622 Main St., Williamstown, says acupuncture, combined with a blend of Chinese herbs and teas, has long been thought of in Asian culture as a cure for allergies. She stresses that patients practice preventive measures, visiting an acupuncturist during the winter months, before the pollen starts flying.

"It so much easier to control if you start early," said Zhao, a licensed acupuncturist in both Massachusetts and New York. "Even if it's one month."

Armstrong swears by it, saying her headaches and sinus pressure have subsided in the four weeks she's been visiting Zhao. She receives treatment twice a week, and has also been taught self-massaging techniques by Zhao to help in case of an emergency."

Stress and depression are hazards of modern life, but some simple therapies can be effective, according to Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh:

"The author is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, where he established a center for complementary medicine. He began his professional career in cognitive science and conducted a comprehensive multi-year study on nerve cell membranes. But it was a trip to India (naturally) to treat Tibetan refugees in Darmsala that led him down other paths. To his surprise, Tibetan doctors diagnosed "imbalances" by taking the patient's pulse, and examining the tongue and urine. The arsenal of treatments they offered, among them acupuncture and herbs, enjoyed a success rate similar to that of Western medicine in treating a variety of chronic ailments. Moreover, the treatments had fewer side effects and cost next to nothing.

Over time, Servan-Schreiber found that there was nothing better than Western medicine for treating acute conditions like appendicitis, pneumonia and broken bones. But for chronic conditions like anxiety and depression, there are effective ways of activating self-healing mechanisms in the human brain that could produce much better results."

Allergies are rampant this time of year. Some good advice:

"The acupuncturist had also prescribed a Chinese herbal product called Xanthium Relief Formula and Nasal Tabs. My friend has been thrilled with the Chinese formula and has not experienced any side effects or drowsiness. Please note that one should not purchase any sort of Chinese herbal formula without first consulting a professional.

However, if acupuncture and Chinese herbs are too esoteric, there are several other options that can reduce the symptoms of allergic reactions. Quercetin is a bioflavinoid found in strawberries and red onions among other foods. It reduces inflammation, which is one of the bodily responses that allergies evoke and which in turn cause problems. Although it's not an antihistamine, it works against histamine (a bodily secretion that causes vascular restriction) by keeping the body�s mast cells from releasing this substance. Quercetin seems to be especially effective in combination with bromelain. (Both need to be taken on an empty stomach to be effective.)"

Portrait of Chinatown in Inchon, South Korea:

"Of all the ``official’’ and ``unofficial’’ foreign communities in Korea, perhaps none are more prominent and historical than Inchon’s very own Chinatown.

Located opposite Inchon Station, the history of Inchon's Chinatown dates back to the opening of the Chinese Consulate in 1884 and Chemulpo Port. During the 1940s, Chinatown enjoyed its largest share of the Inchon economy by trading Chinese silk, oriental medicine herbs, and chinaware. It reached a population of more than 10,000 inhabitants and was crowded with hundreds of Chinese restaurants.

However, the Korean War, followed by regulations against the Chinese in the 1960s shrank the area from its previous glory, and now the area is just a small town. Today though, Chinatown has undergone a major restoration and renaissance which has restored some of its former glory while encouraging more growth as well as tourism."

Herbs can be used for many types of ailments, but treat them as you would any other type of treatment

" "Herbal medicine is a safe and effective therapy when used appropriately. Rather than try to treat yourself and risk wasting your money, or worse, damaging your health, see a qualified herbalist and have a treatment plan designed just for you," Dean says.Therefore, asking for a hit of herbs in your blend at the local juice bar is unlikely to achieve any significant health benefits. The dosage and quality of the herb is uncontrolled by the TGA, and no-one working at a juice bar is qualified to advise you on the type of herb you need for your ailment.
While she encourages the use of herbal medicine, Dean urges people to choose carefully when selecting a herbalist"

How to handle hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause with diet and Chinese herbs:

" Other herbs scientifically shown to alleviate hot flushes are black cohosh, dong quai, red clover and sage. Black cohosh is an effective and proven herb for treating hot flushes and night sweats. Dong quai, no stranger in Chinese cuisine, when combined with black cohosh, has been shown to be effective in reducing hot flushes. According to traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai helps to restore balance in a woman's reproductive system by toning the uterus, nourishing the blood and stimulating a healthy circulation. "

DAAN carries a high-quality Dong Guai formulation. For more information about Dong Guai, see here.

Study reveals health benefits of ancient healing art

Judith Ritchie slowly eases a fine steel needle into the back of her patient at a point marked out in felt-tip ink. As the needle is gently tapped, Judith explains: 'This point lies over the organ I want to strengthen, her liver. I want to improve the quality of her blood and her yin, which affects the energy balance.'