DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

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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A study shows promising results for ginseng in relieving the fatigue associated with cancer treatment:

“North Central Cancer Treatment Group (http://ncctg/) (NCCTG) researchers, based at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., have generated preliminary data suggesting that a form of American ginseng provides greater improvements in fatigue and vitality in patients who receive the highest doses tested, compared to lower doses or no treatment.

The results of their scientifically rigorous pilot study, the first to evaluate the Wisconsin species of American ginseng as a possible therapy for cancer-related fatigue, were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Many cancer patients face extreme fatigue after diagnosis and during treatment. Getting more sleep or rest often does not relieve the fatigue, nor is it related to activity levels. Other than exercise, there isn’t a good solution available for these patients.

“We hope that Wisconsin ginseng may offer us a much-needed treatment to improve our patients’ quality of life, and we look forward to further evaluation,” says Debra Barton, Ph.D. (http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/staff/barton_dl.cfm), a registered nurse, Mayo Clinic cancer researcher (http://cancercenter.mayo.edu/) and the study’s primary investigator.

“Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most profound and distressing issues patients face,” she says. This unique type of fatigue can have dozens of causes, and for patients who have completed cancer therapy, fatigue is among their foremost concerns, second only to fear of disease recurrence.”

Traditional Chinese medicine and current understanding of ginseng’s function both point to its characteristics as an adaptogen — a substance that helps the body overcome the effects of environmental stress. Since cancer patients have stressors ranging from the psychological stress of diagnosis to the physiological stresses of chemotherapy and radiation, if ginseng helps, the researchers think it would be a valuable addition to currently available therapies.

“With animal data indicating the possibilities of ginseng with respect to increased swimming endurance, and the availability and verified product quality of Wisconsin ginseng, we decided to move forward with a pilot study,” says Dr. Barton.

The investigators enrolled 282 patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, averaging 71 patients per each of four arms, with between 39 and 48 patients in each arm completing the eight weeks of treatment. Treatment arms consisted of placebo, and three different daily doses of Wisconsin ginseng — 750, 1,000 and 2,000 milligrams.

Of the four treatment arms, patients receiving the placebo and the lowest dose of ginseng reported very little improvement in fatigue or other areas of physical or psychological well-being. The patients receiving the larger doses showed improvements in overall energy levels, reporting higher vitality levels and less interference with activity from fatigue. They also reported an improvement in overall mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.”

Tags: Ginseng by DAAN
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Pepsi has introduced Diet Pepsi MAX, which include ginseng:

“Pepsi-Cola North America announced plans to launch Diet Pepsi MAX, a new zero-calorie cola with extra caffeine and a touch of ginseng. This formulation is especially designed for adults to get them through the day. The product, which received high scores in consumer testing, hits stores nationwide in June.

Diet Pepsi MAX is for 25-34 year-old diet drinkers, as well as transitioners — those making the switch from regular colas to diets. According to the company, nearly 80% of adult consumers say that maintaining energy is a top priority and nearly 60% find that there’s not enough time in the day to do the things they need to do.

Available in 20-ounce bottles, two-liter bottles and 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, Diet Pepsi MAX will be sold at retail stores nationwide. It is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium. The national rollout will be supported by a full slate of advertising, marketing, and in-store activity. Diet Pepsi MAX joins Pepsi-Cola North America’s portfolio of 13 colas that includes caffeine-free, diet, and flavored versions. “

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Studies show ginseng is good for overall sexual health:

“Dr Ismail was also there to reveal the positive results in sexual health he had recorded, over a six-week period, after evaluating the response of 50 male subjects to a herbal product containing Horny Goat Weed, ginseng, ginkgo, puncture vine, muira puama, withania and damiana.

In the tests, three internationally recognised Quality of Life (QOL) scores were used: Ageing Male Symptoms, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Grade of Erection.

Substantial improvements were recorded on all three scores, regardless of the age of the subjects. In fact the first week of supplementation already produced results, which improved as the study went on.

Dr Ismail put it down to the adaptogen effect of the herbs in the supplement.

“Herbs are food forms that have to be taken every day for some time to see the changes taking place. These bring about positive changes, adapt into your system and improve your level of wellness. This food substance is adaptogen.

“The commonest adaptogen is ginseng, which gives a lot of goodness to your system. It has food functional properties and has been used to boost health. In the supplement for sexual health, most of the herbal extracts are associated with wellness.”

Two of the herbs in the supplement are withania and damiana. Withania acts as an adaptogen to fight the effects of stress. Damiana stimulates the natural desire for sex. “You feel more relaxed, as that part of the body becomes more intense and the drive increases. You are not taking drugs but food which changes something in your body.””

Tags: Ginseng by DAAN
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Good article, with good background about ginseng:

“Ginseng is harvested for only three months a year, between September and November, when the active ingredient, saponin, is at its highest level. Usually, ginseng becomes efficacious when it is four years old, reaching the peak of its efficacy at six years old. After seven years it turns white inside, which means it no longer does much good. Qualified inspection institutes for ginseng, white ginseng, taegeuk ginseng and red ginseng are under the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and designated by the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service. With ginseng products imported or smuggled from China, it’s buyer beware: you cannot know whether agrichemical residues meet government criteria, and it is highly likely that they are low-quality products with false information about age and moisture level.

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Fresh ginseng makes good tea for the cold, windy season when marinated with the same amount of sugar after rinsing and mincing. Ground fresh ginseng also adds flavor to some dishes. Parents can make healthful soup for their children by adding one or two spoonfuls of ground ginseng per cup of rice to the soup. And even children who do not like ginseng may have no way to pick ground ginseng out. One or two teaspoonful of ground ginseng in cream sauce pasta can reduce the oily taste and add a special flavor. Fresh ginseng also goes well with pears or kiwis, so blending half a piece of fresh ginseng root with some plain yogurt and a quarter of a pear makes a good breakfast.”

DAAN specializes in the highest quality ginseng!

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