According to traditional Chinese medicine, the pouches of herbs help prevent heat stroke, dispel mosquitoes and refresh the wearer. They are usually worn on cords around the neck.

All the World Expo 2010 volunteers from the Shanghai University of TCM wear these sachets made by their schoolmates and have done so since early this month.

Since ancient times Chinese traditionally have considered this month, or season, a dangerous or unhealthy time. That’s when temperatures and humidity rise and there are more insect pests and bacteria causing disease.

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Did you know that over 35% of people with disc pathology or bulging discs experience no symptoms of pain? How is it that a certain percentage of people ‘get away with’ pathology? There are other factors to consider:
the health and condition of the bones, muscles and ligaments, but do not dismiss the importance of posture.

Our spinal canal has enough space to handle minor anomalies without ever feeling symptoms. However, if we have poor posture and postural habits, there is less forgiveness in the spine. When we have poor posture, we develop dysfunction. Dysfunction leads to misuse. Misuse leads to imbalance and more than likely, pain develops.

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Researchers have explained how antioxidants in red wine and green tea produce a combined effect to disrupt an important cell signaling pathway necessary for prostate cancer growth.

The finding is important because it may lead to the development of drugs that could stop or slow cancer progression, or improve current treatments.

“Not only does SphK1/S1P signaling pathway play a role in prostate cancer, but it also plays a role in other cancers, such as colon cancer, breast cancer, and gastric cancers,” said Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal .

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New research has discovered that several ginsenosides, biologically active compounds found in the herb ginseng, have strong anti-inflammatory effects. The research demonstrates that ginsenosides can reduce inflammation in septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatitis including psoriasis. In the laboratory, researchers have applied this knowledge by creating a new ginsenoside called G-Rp1. This ginsenoside, made from the ginsenosides G-Rg5 and G-Rk1 found in ginseng root, exhibits an even stronger anti-inflammatory effect than naturally occuring ginsenosides. Further, all of the aforementioned ginsenosides have important immunosuppressive effects in fighting autoimmune diseases.

The immune system response defends the body from pathogens such as toxic materials, microorganisms, and viruses. Inflammation is the first step towards eliminating these pathogens created by the immune system response. One important chemical created by the immune system response is TNF-alpha. It creates redness, pain, and swelling to help fight off invading pathogens. However, unregulated excess TNF-alpha in the bloodstream leads to excess inflammation, auto-immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

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THE human body cannot function without blood. Not only is blood responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to each of the trillions of cells in the body, it is also responsible for carrying toxins and waste out of the body. Blood also plays a vital role in stabilising body temperature and acidity (pH).

Poor blood circulation can lead to various health conditions, from muscle spasms, poor immunity, sluggish memory, lack of stamina, and circulatory disorders such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, to serious ailments such as heart attack and stroke.

Since its early beginnings, traditional Chinese medicinal practice has recognised the importance of blood circulation to overall good health. In this article, I’ll share with you the various Chinese medicinal herbs that can improve blood circulation.

Traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions compose of herbs that treat blood “troubles” and have the effect of regulating qi and blood to treat poor blood circulation.

Although a very common condition, poor blood circulation is wide in scope and complexity. The methods of treating poor blood circulation include enriching the blood and promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis.

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Spring is on its way. This is a time to feel lucky we are able to experience such a contrast in seasons.

As we welcome the birds singing in the morning and observe daylight for longer hours, we are assured that growth is inevitable and energy consolidated in the winter months will have an opportunity to bloom. We’ll be seeing robins, crocus and hyacinths soon.

Spring, in Chinese medicine, is paired with the wood element, demonstrated by plants and trees showing signs of new life.

Wood exemplifies the energy of pushing through obstacles. It’s a very active energy that allows movement and progress, both internally and externally. However, when congested or constrained, this energy creates frustration, anger and stress. We may have more energy to get moving on projects, although frustration can also be more apparent. Spring is an especially good time to work with these blockages and get things moving to access that renewed energy.

Wood symbolizes new beginnings — birth, growth and development. Don’t let this time of opportunity pass you by. You have earned it.

In Chinese medicine, the organ system that represents wood is the liver. The liver governs the muscles and tendons, the eyes and the fingernails, and plays a key role in the functioning of the reproductive system.

In the body as a whole, it is responsible for the smooth flow of mental and physical energy, and assists all the other organ systems in functioning properly. Liver qi allows for the appropriate movement of emotions.

As the liver qi starts to flow more easily in the spring, problems that bothered us in the winter often start to feel better, and we find we have more energy and vigor.

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Everyone lives with stress with varying degrees of tolerance and one’s ability to deal with it. Many do not realize that there is a difference between controllable and non-controllable stress.

Just as the word suggests, non-controllable stress are things that one does not have direct ability to change, therefore, that is one reason the insurance industry prosper. Instead of fretting over the unknown, one should have a firm grasp over the controllable factors.

Sleeping habit, dietary choices, and exercise are the big three that everyone knows play a pivotal role in garnering good physical health. In fact, these three factors also affect our mental health. A person with insomnia generally takes in more caffeinated drinks and sugary foods to combat fatigue. This spurt of “energy boost” makes one more hyper and jittery. When one’s tired, the last thing on one’s mind is to exercise.
As these poor lifestyle choices repeats itself, the effect of stress and physical health deteriorates at a faster pace.

First, focus on the easy stuff. Instead of grabbing a sugary or caffeinated drink, how about substituting it with a glass of water or milk? For dashboard eaters, carrot/celery sticks and grapes make wonderful snacks that do not leave grease marks in the car. No time to hit the gym? 3 minutes of continuous jumping jacks will have you gasping for air. As for sleeping, be a responsible global citizen and reduce energy consumption no later than 11:30pm.

We are habitual creatures. It takes time to do harm as it does to make it right.
Obviously, life’s stress will not vanish when one’s sleeping quality has improved, eating more healthily and exercising more regularly. But one might be able to handle it better, to see a hint of silver lining during difficult situations.

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Ways to regulate qi and blood to handle poor blood circulation.

THE human body cannot function without blood. Not only is blood responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to each of the trillions of cells in the body, it is also responsible for carrying toxins and waste out of the body. Blood also plays a vital role in stabilising body temperature and acidity (pH).

Poor blood circulation can leado various health conditions, from muscle spasms, poor immunity, sluggish memory, lack of stamina, and circulatory disorders such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, to serious ailments such as heart attack and stroke.

Since its early beginnings, traditional chinese medicinal practice has recognised the importance of blood circulation to overall good health. In this third installation of a four-part series, I’ll share with you the various Chinese medicinal herbs that can improve blood circulation.

Traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions compose of herbs that treat blood “troubles” and have the effect of regulating qi and blood to treat poor blood circulation.

Although a very common condition, poor blood circulation is wide in scope and complexity. The methods of treating poor blood circulation include enriching the blood and promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis.

Herbs that improve blood circulation are categorised by four general functions:

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OUTWARD signs of ageing are typically an indication of some imbalance within the body.

For instance, wrinkles, black spots or hair loss might be due to weakness in one’s organs, such as kidney or liver deficiencies, a weak digestive system, or blood stagnation problems.

Excessive fats, on the other hand, might be due to an accumulation of phlegm in the body.

“Treating these root issues with Chinese herbs, coupled with acupuncture and acupressure, can help to slow down the process of ageing,” said Ms Duan Qian Mei, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician and acupuncturist at Eu Yan Sang Specialist TCM Centre.

The 42-year-old, who has over 18 years of experience in the field, says that 70 per cent of those who visit her for ageing problems are female.

TCM methods, she said, are a great remedy for such problems because they are safe, and definite results can be seen with consistent treatment and an accurate initial diagnosis.

For instance, patients who see her for weight problems generally can see a drop of up to 4kg in four weeks. However, she warned that the amount of weight lost depends on the patient’s willingness to cooperate on treatment and his or her body constitution.

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Chinese herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine with the earliest known written herbal formulas dating back to the 3rd century BC. Prior to being written down, herbal remedies were passed down by word of mouth and may date back as far as 3500 BC. Chinese medicine teaches that people are either in harmony or out of harmony. Disease is caused by disharmony and cured by restoring harmony to the body.

It is believed that we are sustained by a life force called “qi” (pronounced “chee”). It is believed each person is born with a fixed amount, called Yuan Qi, which is inherited from our parents. We can nourish it, but cannot add to it. We can also deplete it through unhealthy living. Chinese medicine works to unblock the flow of qi if it is stuck or nourish it if it is lacking.

Qi is found everywhere in our body; qi protects us from disease and fights it when we get sick. Qi keeps our organs healthy, transforms our food into essential bodily substances, keeps our body warm, and is the source of healthy growth. According to traditional Chinese medicine, blocked or weak qi can prevent our organs from working properly and lead to disease.

While qi is found everywhere in our bodies, there are 12 main pathways, called meridians, where chi flows. The 12 main meridians correspond to the 12 main organs in the body such as liver, heart, lung, stomach, and kidneys. For medicinal purposes, an organ includes the meridian that is associated with it. For example, the liver meridian runs from the big toe up the inside of the leg through the genitals into the liver. Organs also have general body responsibilities. The liver is also responsible for the general flow if qi in the body, digestion, and stable emotions. Treating the liver can fix problems anywhere on the liver meridian as well as the general body functions it is responsible for.

In traditional Chinese medicine diseases are classified as being caused by wind, heat, damp, or cold. A Chinese Herbalist will seek to identify which organ is the source of disease and whether it is caused by wind, heat, damp, cold, or a combination. An herbal prescription will include multiple herbs. Some of the herbs will be used because they have been proven to work for a given condition, and some herbs will be chosen to fit you personally because Chinese medicine believes each person and condition are unique.

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