DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

Back pain can be helped by acupuncture:

“Do you know, in the USA alone back pain is the second most common form of neurological disorders that a person is going to suffer. Although there are many prescribed medications a person can use in order to treat back pain, there are also a number of natural back pain relief treatments a person may want to consider using instead.

However when it comes to treating any kind of back problem the first thing a person should do is discuss the matter with their doctor or health care provider. There are many different reasons which can cause back pain. Anything from a muscle strain through to more serious conditions such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc or it could have been caused by spondylosisthesis or osteoporosis.

In some cases it may be caused because a tumor is growing on the spine for example. But before you can actually treat the disorder whether using prescribed or natural treatments you first need to find out the cause in order that you can use the most effective back pain treatment possible.

Below I am going to take a one particular form of natural back pain relief that a person may want to consider using instead of prescribed medication.

Acupuncture is considered to be beneficial in helping to reduce the long term symptoms that many back pain patients suffer.In fact in studies carried out at Sheffield University in the United Kingdom, they carried out a study of 239 people. Out Of these, 159 people were treated by providing them a course of 8 acupuncture treatments whilst the other 80 were provided with normal back pain treatments.

After one year it was found that those being treated using acupuncture not only had reduced amounts of pain but they found themselves also worrying less about the pain as well. Whilst after carrying out the treatment for 2 years the patients being treated using acupuncture were reporting that they were in most cases pain free from the second year and were now beginning to use less medication.”

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Acupuncture can help restore the body’s Qi:

“flu shot — can be a scary thought. Thoughts of acupuncture may even conjure images of voodoo dolls and human pin cushions.

However, Dr. Kent Sutterer has been helping to introduce the benefits and healing powers of the ancient practice and using it to treat patients at his Joplin office for more than five years.

He offered several points about acupuncture that people may not be aware of.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and is most commonly associated with traditional Chinese medicine; however, different types of acupuncture are practiced and taught throughout the world.

It involves puncturing the skin with needles at key points in an attempt to restore energy flow to damaged parts of the body so that it may heal itself.

“Acupuncture is based on energetic channels within the body, and if you have a blockage in the body due to a injury or an organic problem, it slows down that energy,” Sutterer said. “Acupuncture actually adds energy back into the system so that you can get back on with your life.”

How does it work?

That mental image of patients with hundreds of needles poked into their skin that television and movies might have left isn’t accurate.

The truth is, acupuncture treatments are relatively quick, averaging less than an hour, and usually doesn’t take more than a handful of needles to perform.

“The needle is made of two metals,” Sutterer said. “The shaft of the needle is very small, about a third the size of a hypodermic needle. The shaft is one metal and the end of it is another metal and it has a basic dielectric effect — the same thing found in a battery.”

Unlike a hypodermic needle, the acupuncture needle is solid and has a pointed tip, which separates instead of cuts the tissue, he said.

“We also use electricity itself,” Sutterer said. “The needle is a type of small battery, but we hook it up to a big 9-volt battery with some wires to affect the change a little more rapidly. Four-thousand years ago, people had more patience to wait for a number of visits to be affected by the change, but today people want to be fixed now. We tend to get a little more aggressive with things, and it works better.”

In most cases, he said, the procedure is quick, not painful and it is a rarity that a patient would even bleed from the needles.”

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Interesting background on how ginseng is harvested:

“Ginseng goes through an interesting process starting from the digger and through the buyer/exporter. First of all, we all know that it is only legal to dig ginseng starting on the 15th of August. This is to ensure the maturity of most of the berries. By law in Kentucky, those berries must be planted within 5 feet of where you dug the “mother plant”. This is to ensure a renewable crop. Then, of course, you (the digger) go home, wash your root (not too clean, buyers want a little dirt left on the root), and then dry it. never cook ginseng. Microwave ovens, and conventional ovens are the worst method of drying you can use, and makes it worthless. A dehydrator is fine, just don’t set your temperature above a hundred degrees and turn the root from time to time.

Once you have it dry, you take it to a buyer or broker who will weigh it out, have you sign a harvest certificate and then of course work out the money with you.

That buyer must then, prior to selling it, have it certified by someone from Mikes office, and ask for an export certificate. Before that ginseng can legally leave this state, it must be certified, and an export permit issued.

Dried ginseng cannot be bought until the first of September and that season ends the last day of March. Any ginseng the buyer is holding after that date must be certified.

In short folks, I reckon I will be filling the void in the area in that I will be an outlet for your ginseng and other root.

Of course the other roots common for this area don’t have these restrictions and requirements. I am in the process of trying to things set up, but should be ready to start buyer “yellow root” in the next week or so.

I am not getting any real reports on area fishing holes. As I understand it, the bass are really working deep water right now on the lower end of Spa and Malone, and the crappie everywhere have moved into the 15 to 20 feet range. Catfish are hitting well at night and early morning when fishing with liver or live minnows. The one bright spot, at least for the youngsters, and those of us who appreciate a good tasting fish is with the blue gill. They are really hammering anything you throw in the water around the docks and boat ramps. As I understand it, the Marina at Shady Cliffs is a real hot spot for these sporty little fish.

Here we are in the middle of July and time to start thinking about hunting again. Remember, squirrel season opens next month, and Dove season follows on the first of September. Within a few short days the kids will be back in school, and hopefully the weather will start cooling off again.”

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Researchers are studying how herbs can be used to treat epilepsy:

“Schachter has hit upon a compound that does just that. And he has done so by drawing upon the same centuries-old botanical tradition that yielded the drug digitalis. Applying modern methods of drug discovery, he and colleagues have identified a compound derived from the spiky-looking Chinese club moss that when tested in rodents, had the power to prevent seizures. The seizures are considered to be representative of the highly debilitating grand mal, or tonic–clonic, episodes that many patients with epilepsy experience, and which are often refractory to treatment. In the fall, he hopes to launch a small clinical trial of the compound, huperzine A.

Multitasker

It will not be the substance’s first foray into the medical arena. For centuries, Chinese healers have been using extracts of huperzine A to quell inflammation and fever and, more recently, to treat schizophrenia. Clinical trials are under way in China and the United States to test huperzine A’s power against Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, the compound is being widely marketed as an over-the-counter memory aid. But in all these years, it has not been used for the treatment of epilepsy.

Schachter, who has been seeking new methods for treating epilepsy for more than 20 years, was alerted to the promise of botanicals several years ago when he was invited by David Eisenberg to become associate director of clinical research at the Osher Institute. Eisenberg, the Bernard Osher associate professor of medicine at HMS, had been pursuing the use of botanicals in the treatment of cancer and introduced Schachter to plant-minded colleagues in this country and East Asia. Schachter set out to find herb-derived compounds for the treatment of epilepsy “using the same methods that were being used to identify potentially efficacious pharmaceuticals,” he said.”

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One woman’s story about using herbs and yoga to conceive a child:

“She first got worried about her fertility when she had been off the birth control pill for 15 months but was still experiencing cycles as long as 84 days.

In a step recommended by local fertility expert Dr. Stephen Hudson, she drank many a “disgusting concoction” of 10 to 15 Chinese herbs such as dang gui to normalize her menstrual cycles. She also underwent several months of acupuncture treatments at Elements of Health costing $70 apiece.

The 31-year-old childcare consultant was initially skeptical, but open enough to try it. Last fall she became pregnant.

“Part of me thinks it’s hocus-pocus, but it also worked. I’m a believer now and I’ve recommended it to other people.”"

Tags: Women's Health by DAAN
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Acunpuncture treament works wonders for a pro golfer. DAAN has two acupuncturists on site providing quality acupuncture treament.

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Last year wasn’t great for Canadian ginseng. Hopefully, this year will be better:

“Ontario ginseng growers are keeping their fingers crossed that this year’s crop will continue to enjoy a much better growing season than the soggy, mouldy wet finish that wreaked havoc on the 2006 crop.

“It has been hot and dry through much of the growing season so far,” Doug Bradley, president of the Ontario Ginseng Association, said Tuesday.

“From the top, the crop looks great, but with not so much rain in the past few weeks, the roots have to work hard to keep what’s above ground in good shape.”

With very little rain in the past two weeks, most growers have to water a lot, Bradley said. Like many of the 220 member growers who have a collective 6,000 acres under shade throughout Brant, Norfolk, Oxford and Elgin counties, he has completed two cycles of irrigation on all his acreage.
Some growers are getting ready for a third one, depending on location.

“At least it’s better to have to water than to have too much rain,” said Bradley.

So, experience has gone much the same as the first few months of the 2006 growing season. It was unremitting autumn rains in the final month that dashed many hopes, leaving growers to harvest a collective 3.5 million pounds, about 500,000 pounds less than expected.

In consequence, the association is also down about a dozen growers from a little more than 230 last year. “

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Researches are looking into using ginseng to treat Parkinson’s disease:

“Harold Robertson, a Dalhousie University researcher, is focusing on the impact of elements of ginseng on people with Parkinson’s disease.

“It’s so exciting because we now have a compound that we could start treating patients with tomorrow,” said Robertson.

“We know it’s safe. It’s been used for 5,000 years, thanks very much. We could go ahead [and] treat patients with it.”"

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Herbs for relief of PMS symptoms:

“The use of natural herbs and herbal remedies for PMS can help relieve many of the symptoms accociated with PMS; as herbal PMS supplements naturally balance hormonal fluctuations in the woman’s monthly cycle.

The term, premenstrual syndrome or PMS, incorporates a variety of symptoms that occur in the two weeks before a woman has her monthly period.

Most women at some time during their reproductive life will experience the discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome. The most popular medicinal herbs for PMS relief are listed below:

Natural Herbs for PMS Relief

Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus castus)

Chaste tree is widely considered the most important herb in treating PMS. Since the days of Hippocrates, 2500 years ago, chaste tree has been used to treat a variety of gynaecological complaints in women. Many herbalists today prescribe chaste tree to relieve symptoms of PMS, specifically painful breasts prior to menses, oedema, depression, diarrhoea/constipation and headache associated with PMS. Studies into this plant’s safety and effectiveness have been numerous in recent years, where chaste tree has shown itself again and again to be a safe, effective treatment for PMS. One recent German study of over 1600 women experiencing PMS, showed 93% had a reduction or cessation of their PMS symptoms, after taking chaste tree. The principal action of chaste tree is in regulating ovarian hormones by stimulating the pituitary gland.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Black cohosh is well documented and is becoming increasingly popular as a herbal treatment for PMS when combined with chaste tree to act as a hormonal balancer. The anti spasmodic action of black cohosh is helpful in relieving menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea).

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is high in an essential fatty acid, called gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Women who are low in GLA are known to be more sensitive to the hormone, prolactin, which is believed to cause breast tenderness (mastalgia). Supplementing with EPO is effective in reducing the symptoms of PMS, however, it is advised that symptoms may reduce gradually for some women over two to three cycles.

Borage/Star Flower Oil (Borago officinalis)

Star flower oil is not as well known as evening primrose, but gram for gram has significantly higher concentrations of gamma linoleic acid (GLA).

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

For centuries dong quai has been prescribed for hormonal imbalance. In traditional chinese medicine(TCM), dong quai is called “Women’s Ginseng”, and is considered to be an overall tonic for women’s sexual health. In relieving symptoms of PMS, dong quai is often helpful in relieving pre menstrual migraine.

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

The phytosterols found in wild yam also help precursors to oestrogen and progesterone in the body. It is thought that some of the symptoms of PMS are associated with a dominance of oestrogen in the second half (luteal phase) of the menstrual cycle. In treating PMS, the progesterone in wild yam is helpful in addressing this imbalance.

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

The small yellow flowers of this ancient herb reflect the mild action of this antidepressant. St John’s wort is also a gentle sedative that assists with moderate depression, anxiety and insomnia. The St John’s wort’s flowers contain hypericin, and hyperforin both considered to be vital components in this herbs mood lifting action.

The Use of Herbal Supplements for PMS Symptoms Relief

Herbal supplements for PMS essentially act as hormonal balancers. And in addition to using herbs for PMS relief, diet and nutrition can help ease the severity of PMS. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and Vitamin E combined with a quality Multivitamin that includes magnesium and chromium help combat fluctuations in blood sugar.

Essential Fatty Acids can also be added by using flax seed (linseed) oil and by taking star flower oil or evening primrose oil capsules. A good herbal PMS remedy will include vitamins and minerals to assist with relieving PMS symptoms. ”

Tags: Women's Health by DAAN
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Some herbs may help promote fertility:

“Over the last several decades the rise in infertility rates among men has prompted medical experts to look for the causes. Men’s sperm counts have dropped dramatically and some experts fear an even greater decline in fertility in the future. One theory for this reduction is the over-exposure to estrogen and estrogen-like substances. These are found in pesticides, meat and dairy products, and even our water sources. This estrogen causes a reduction in testosterone production and overall sperm count.

To counter this assault on male fertility there are some herbal choices that may offer help. Herbal treatments are most successful for fertility issues caused by hormonal problems or weak sperm, as opposed to those involving structural problems such as a blocked sperm duct. Prescription drugs have shown promise in treating fertility but often lead to other complications, requiring additional drugs to counter these.

Testosterone is necessary to manufacture healthy sperm in adequate amounts to support fertility. Unfortunately, testosterone levels peak in late teens to early twenties and then gradually decline after that, sometimes as low as 20% by age 80. Even more troubling is the finding that testosterone levels have dropped world-wide since the 1940s, with some figures showing as much as a 50% drop. Ginseng has research-based support for its testosterone boosting properties. Ginseng has also been reported to increase the duration and firmness of erection. The overall health boosting benefit of ginseng is an added bonus.”

DAAN carries a number of different types of ginseng.

Tags: Ginseng, Men's health by DAAN
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