May 29
Traditional Chinese medicine is shown to increase fertility
There is growing evidence surrounding the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in combating infertility. One of the most recent studies, published by the British Medical Journal in February 2008 looked at more than 1,300 couples receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and found that “acupuncture given as a complement to IVF increased the odds of achieving pregnancy.”
While modern medical science tends to view the body as a machine, traditional Chinese medicine considers the human condition to be more like a garden. This paradigm may help explain why Chinese medicine is so adept at improving fertility. A TCM practitioner will use a patient’s signs and symptoms to determine any underlying imbalances.
May 29
Chinese medicine is shown to have powerful anti-viral properties
(NaturalNews) The Heat Clearing Class of herbs is definitely not at all a Tonic Class but a true medicinal energy and direct healing classification of herbs. This Classification of herbs (as taught in the Shanghai College Of Traditional Chinese Medicine) has 5 sub classes — see Chinese herb classification chart here: (http://plantcur.startlogic.com//Chinese1.html) . Most of these powerful Anti Viral herbs mentioned in this article are from the “Heat Clearing – Detoxifying” and “Heat Clearing – Blood Cooling” sub classes.
In ancient times there was certainly no microscopic knowledge of germs and not even a scientific understanding of infections. There was, however an understanding of heat (Fever) and “toxins” (What ever they were) in the blood. What is so very interesting is the discovery of actual powerful germ killing, viral destroying actions that these herbs were later proven by science to have possessed.
There is a formula of six Chinese herbs and one western herb for Anti-viral use that I, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Clinical Herbalist, have had extremely good success with. This is the most powerful “across the board” anti viral formula I have ever seen or used. It is also effective against a broad range of germs and bacterial infections.
May 25
The Asian Festival offers many an opportunity to learn about Eastern Eastern Medicine. DAAN offers an extensive Chinese herbs selections on the web.
The Asian Festival began yesterday, offering its standard colorful fare of food, art and entertainment.
Festivalgoers can watch sumo wrestling demonstrations, along with Chinese, Burmese, Indian and Filipino dance, Mongolian “throat singers” and a Japanese drum performance.
But over time, the 14-year-old festival also has come to serve as a medical necessity for many.
May 25
Chives is becoming popular in Europe.
A Black Isle herb nursery has developed its own attractive and tasty variety of chives. Chives grow wild in the mountains of Europe as far west as Ireland. Now they are being cultivated. Poyntzfield Herb Nursery on the Black Isle has produced its own variety, Black Isle Blush. It grows more profusely than the wild variety and its flowers are light mauve with a deep pink centre (the blush). These blooms are ornamental as well as edible.
The hollow, slender leaves have a subtle, oniony tang in spring and grow quickly. Now ready for cutting, they are best snipped with scissors into salads, potatoes, omelettes and cheese dishes at the last minute. Broken into florets, the flowers are more pungent.
Black Isle Blush was developed by Duncan Ross, who has been growing herbs at Poyntzfield for more than two decades. Workshops for herb growers are held at the nursery each summer. The first event this year is on July 12.
May 23
Antioxidants can be found in fruits and vegetables. DAAN’s hemotune has high antioxidant property.
“Tired of catching every winter bug that goes around? Boosting antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables could be the best defence against winter sniffles and sneezes, according to Accredited Practising Dietitians.
The Dietitians Association of Australia said fruit and vegetables contained the right mix of antioxidants for a healthy immune system. The leading nutrition organisation recommended eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, in a range of colours, and choosing those in season over winter.”
Accredited Practising Dietitian and DAA spokesperson Dr Trent Watson said some people find it more enjoyable to overeat fatty comfort foods and hibernate indoors during the cooler months, but our immune systems often suffer as a result.”
May 23
The following herbs can be grown from your own garden
“Creating your own herbal tea can be a cinch with the right herbs. Here are some options for your garden.
Agastache foeniculum, mint family
Anise hyssop brightens many home gardens with its long-lasting purple spikes. The leaves and flowers taste like licorice and can be snipped into salad as easily as they can be turned into sweet tea. Also consider root beer-flavored sunset hyssop (A. rupestris) and bright pink bubble gum mint (A. cana), says Tammi Hartung, herbalist and author of “Growing 101 Herbs that Heal.” These beauties attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.”
May 19
Traditional Chinese medicine remains popular in Hong Kong as well as throughout Asia, and some practitioners try to bring the two disciplines closer:
Along the crowded streets of Hong Kong, it is common to see shops crammed with rows of dried foods, many of which are used in Chinese medicines or meals designed to boost health.
Many people here seek both Western-style and traditional treatment. Some hospitals provide both, and some insurance companies here cover the use of traditional Chinese therapies.
Eric Chow is an acupuncturist in Hong Kong. He says the roots of Chinese health care are represented by a balance of two forces in the body, known as yin and yang.
“Chinese believe that everything can be di vided in yin and yang,” he said. “For example, yin is maybe dark and yang maybe the light. Because the imbalance of them can cause disorders of diseases, Chinese believe that our health depends on the balance inside our body.”
In the Western world, traditional Chinese medicine is often criticized as being without proven effectiveness.
But here in Asia, there is a deep belief in these treatments, which include acupuncture, teas made of fungus and soups made from animals such as snakes and turtles.
P.C. Leung is the director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He says for many in Asia, traditional medicine is a way of life, a belief system that many were simply born into.
“Chinese medicine is a culture. And anything cultural you cannot remove it,” he said. “And in eating for instance, making soup and making dishes a lot of the medicinal plants have been used for ages.”
May 13
Canadian health professionals are promoting alternative therapies (including Chinese medicine) as treatments for mental illness:
“Most traditional treatments for mental health disorders involve prescribing psychotropic drugs,” explains Dr. Boodhoo. “While these drugs can be very effective in treating many psychiatric disorders, they unfortunately don’t work for everyone, and they are also prone to side effects. As medical practitioners, we’re looking at allopathic and alternative treatments to enable wellness for the whole person. ICAM gives conference-goers a wider scope of the interventions available for overcoming mental health problems.”
The conference is targeted towards family physicians, health care practitioners and individuals with a keen interest in alternative medicine or mental health solutions. The objective is that they will be made aware of current alternative interventions for mental health patients, future trends in the field and to raise awareness of concerns of legal and ethical issues in this field of practice.
“Medical professionals, as well as the general public, are more readily acknowledging that a focus on nutrition and mind/body medicine significantly improve mental health and overall well-being,” says Dr. Boodhoo. “And specific alternative therapies can do the same. For example, aromatherapy can assist with sleep and behavioural disorders in seniors with cognitive behaviour problems, electromagnetic waves can positively influence mood disorders and the use of herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine can complement the treatment of schizophrenia.”
May 13
Chinese herbs can be good for your skin:
According to TCM, white skin with pink cheeks (peaches and cream) is a sign of good health, healthy energy flow and blood circulation. Some healthy people, of course, are born with dark skin and healthy people do tan.
Proper flow of energy and blood not only supports organs but also nourishes the muscles and skin. Insufficient or blocked internal energy can directly cause dark skin.
Many Chinese people offer congratulations on good health when they first see someone, saying qi se hao, (“energy color good”), meaning your complexion is good, you have good color.
TCM says you can improve your color by eating certain herbs and foods and applying acupressure. This will increase blood circulation and energy. Poor color resulting from liver disease, diabetes, wasting and malnutrition requires a doctor’s care.
May 10
Five Taste Fruit has powerful tonic quality
“(NaturalNews) The very name of Schizandrae, Wu Wei Zi, reveals the qualities of this amazing herb. In the Chinese language, Wu Wei Zi means “Five Taste Fruit.” When consumed, you can literally taste all five flavors at once (sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty). This relates to the essence of all five of the elemental energies (wood, fire, earth, metal and water), and therefore addresses the five major organ systems of the body. Schizandra also develops the primary energies of life by addressing all three of “The Three Treasures”, (http://plantcures.com/big3.html) . This is of course of great benefit to the body of anyone who consumes it.”
