Dec 17

China has herbal medication for A/H1N1 flu

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Xinhua, the Chinese News agency is reporting that China has successfully developed an herbal treatment for A/H1N1 flu.

Chinese medical specialists announced Thursday they had developed a Chinese herbal medication to treat the A/H1N1 flu.

Seven months of scientific and clinical studies showed the remedy, called “Jin Hua Qing Gan Fang,” was effective in treating A/H1N1 flu patients, said Wang Chen, president of Beijing’s Chaoyang Hospital.

“It can shorten patients’ fever period and improve their respiratory systems. Doctors have found no negative effects on patients who were treated in this way,” he said.

“It is also very cheap, only about a quarter of the cost of Tamiflu,” he said at a press conference held by the Beijing Municipal Government.

Tamiflu, a product of Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding, was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of the A/H1N1 flu.

“The municipal government has gathered the most outstanding medical experts in the Chinese capital to develop the new medication,” Zhao Jing, director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said at the press conference.

Over the past seven months, more than 120 medical specialists, led by academicians Wang Yongyan and Li Lianda from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, had participated in the research, she said.

The municipal government earmarked 10 million yuan (1.47 million U.S. dollars) for the project, she said.

“Medical experts proved the effectiveness of Jin Hua in treating A/H1N1 flu from both the basic scientific studies and clinical studies,” she said.

The basic scientific studies lasted for almost five months and were conducted by experts from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Beijing University of Technology.

“In vivo and in vitro, experiments on mice and rabbits show JinHua can bring down a fever and resist the A/H1N1 flu virus,” said Huang Luqi, vice president of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Thursday’s Beijing Daily hailed the new herbal medication as the “world’s first traditional Chinese medicine to treat the A/H1N1 flu”.

Citing medical officials, the paper said “Jin Hua” was picked from among more than 100 classic anti-flu prescriptions based on traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

“Science workers proved its effectiveness through medical experiments on more than 4,000 mice and clinical studies on 410 patients with slight A/H1N1 flu syndrome,” it said.

The “Jin Hua” prescription had been adopted in many local traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, it said.

Zhao Jing said 11 hospitals nationwide, including Chaoyang Hospital and Ditan Hospital in Beijing, had conducted clinical studies on “Jin Hua” and gave positive assessments.

“We are applying for patents for ‘Jin Hua’ both at home and abroad,” she said.

“We are further developing the medicine and trying to present it to the whole country and world as soon as possible, thus offering an alternative to treat the A/H1N1 flu,” she said.

The Chinese mainland has reported almost 108,000 A/H1N1 flu cases, including 442 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Cris Tunon, senior program management officer at the WHO Representative Office in China, said Thursday the “WHO welcomes the clinical results,” as the traditional Chinese medicine offered a low-cost treatment of A/H1N1 flu.

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Dec 14

More hospitals in Detroit embracing alternative therapy

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Increasing number of Detroit area hospitals are adopting alternative therapy in treating their patients.

After slogging through several rounds of chemotherapy last year, breast cancer survivor Kathy Duke wasn’t eager to expose her body to more toxins.

So when the 59-year-old developed arthritis, she opted to forgo heavy-duty pain killers for a more natural approach to soothing her pain and found relief in an unlikely place — stretched out on a massage table at Beaumont Medical Center in Sterling Heights, part of Troy’s Beaumont Hospital. “It definitely has its place for what ails you,” Duke, a retired medical worker from Sterling Heights, said of massage therapy. “It gives you satisfaction. Even if it’s a placebo effect, so what? It works.”

Hospitals, long considered stalwarts of Western medicine, are increasingly embracing treatment options more often associated with the East, such as acupuncture, naturopathy, massage therapy and hypnosis.

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Offering holistic therapies is one way hospitals can stand out from their competition as they vie for the health care dollars of a shrinking population, health industry analysts said.

Alternative therapies are meant to complement conventional treatments, providing a gentler, more holistic approach to alleviating pain and stress. Hospital administrators say patients have come to demand the services as their popularity grows outside traditional medical circles.

Few health insurers are willing to pay for these therapies, however, citing insufficient medical evidence to support their value. And skepticism abounds in the medical community.

Some doctors dismiss the growth of hospital-based alternative medicine as nothing more than a marketing tactic to entice well-heeled, well-insured patients who will also come back when they need traditional — more profitable — care.

Patients seeking alternative therapies typically pay up front and out of pocket, and hospitals don’t make much, if any, profit. Breaking even is often considered success.

“A lot of hospitals view it as a loss leader,” said Dr. Rick Kunnes, a health care and hospital industry consultant for Plante & Moran in Columbus, Ohio. “They believe they’ll attract a clientele with more disposable incomes, and those people more than likely have private insurance.”

Despite the slim profit margins, nonconventional medicine has carved out a niche in national health care spending over the years.

Dec 11

Herbal cures for depression

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Here are some effective herbal remedies for treating depression

Depression is a common affliction in the modern society. Especially now that we are facing the toughest economic downturn since the Great Depression, more and more people are finding it hard to cope with everyday struggles and challenges. To make matters worse, even health care is tremendously expensive. Fortunately, alternative medicine has been around for centuries and herbal remedies that fight depression are affordable and effective, even.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies that affect the central nervous system. Siberian ginseng helps promote a balance in several integral neurotransmitters found in the brain, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and epinephrine. Standard, exact dosages of 400 mg of Siberian ginseng three times each day can help people with depression achieve an improved sense of well-being.

Purslane

Depression is often accompanied by eating binges. This is the most common effect of the psychological condition, which, if taken lightly, can cause other adverse health risks. Taking herbal remedies that have antidepressant effects is greatly advised. One of these is Purslane, which is rich in potassium and magnesium, two minerals that are effective in battling depression.

Borage

Like purslane, borage is also an effective antidepressant due to its naturally high potassium content. The leaves and blossoms of the borage plant are generally used. The extracted juice from borage has great stimulating effects on the glandular system, which is essentially the area that can promote efficient recovery from the condition. The seeds, when used alongside the leaves, are also effective in treating melancholy and sadness.

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Dec 10

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs helped couple to conceive a baby

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Courtesy caseywest

Image courtesy of caseywest


Traditional Chinese medicine treatments may help infertile couples to conceive.

DAAN’s practioners specialize in women’s health issues. Call or email us for a consultation.

EDMONTON – Shane and Charlene Bissonnette, a married couple from Fort McMurray, had been trying for six years to have a baby.

They were opposed to in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of the incredible costs involved.

“I started looking into it, but it was really expensive. Around 2004 I started taking fertility pills and they just made me all crazy and I said ‘no, I can’t take these.’ So I stopped taking them and, obviously, still nothing happened,” said Charlene Bissonnette.

Then her mother told her another option that was less invasive, less expensive and more natural than resorting to IVF or endocrine therapy. She told her daughter about fertility treatment through acupuncture and taking Chinese herbs.

Chris Hogan, a Catholic acupuncturist, treats couples with infertility problems at The Acupuncture & Health Centre, 126-9704-39 Ave.

Hogan said he is shocked by the emotions of an infertile couple.

“You get this myriad of different ways of how people handle it. The female is usually more emotional because she has more instinct to have a baby. It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride,” he said.

Instead of being impatient and overwrought with emotion, those Catholics most successful in conceiving a baby have a prayer life to calm them.

“I came down for a consultation with Chris (Hogan) and Michaela (Lundberg), and they told me what it was all about.

“I’d waited six years, so what was a few more months? They told me it would take about six to 12 months probably. I was driving down from Fort McMurray every week for two appointments,” said Charlene.

“There were these herbs to take and they were all optional, and I took them. I could feel them working: I could tell that things were happening.”

If nothing else, she figured that the acupuncture would be healthy, and she could get her body into better shape than what it had been

Dec 10

Secrets of Anti-Aging Adaptogenic Herbs

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There are herbs from traditional Chinese medicine that can be used as tonics safely and economically to maintain youthful vigor and health.

(NaturalNews) There are several adaptogenic herbs from traditional Chinese medicine that can be used as tonics safely and economically to maintain youthful vigor and health. Because virtually everyone can benefit, the Reishi mushroom will be discussed briefly in this in this article after a quick summary of Part I.

But this is not a subject to be glossed over lightly. One should consult a practitioner of Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine, or a qualified herbalist while furthering one’s understanding of other herbs for long term self application. If you’re interested, you can start your research using the “Sources for more information” section below this article.

Adaptogenics address the whole body to create internal balance, increasing or decreasing functions as necessary. They can be taken as tonics for a lifetime without side effects. There are three basic aspects of the human condition being balanced known as Chinese medicine’s three treasures.

This candle metaphor describes these three treasures. The wax body of the candle is Jing, which is the body’s physiological energy foundation or reservoir. The flame is Qi or Chi, the body’s daily functioning energy. Shen is the light from the candle’s flame depicting one’s spiritual and emotional tone.

Nov 30

Chinese medicine gaining popularity in Dubai

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i00436Chinese medicine is gaining popularity in Dubai. DAAN offers an extensive products that can help you obtain a healthy lifestyle.

There’s nothing straightforward or simple about Chinese medicine. I discover this on my visit to the Chaslu Wellbeing Centre, where I assumed I could just pick up a list of the medicinal properties of easy-to-find herbs and spices. Dr Li Xiao Ling, the clinic’s herbal specialist, smiles at me and shakes her head.
‘In Western medicine, doctors will use the same medicine for different treatments. We use a different prescription for every person. People react differently to medicines depending on their yin and yang.’

Yin and yang, she tells me, are the energies that balance the body. When they are mismatched, the body gets sick. However, the energy can be unbalanced in different channels of the body, of which there are 14, containing a total of 369 energy points (these are often treated with acupuncture). Dr Li also explains that there are roughly 130,000 different herbs used in Chinese medicine, and while she does offer a few at-home remedies, she stresses that, like any medicine, the herbs should be prescribed.

Nov 30

How integrative medicine can help you cope with holiday stress

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Integrative medicine can help you relieve stress in the holiday season. DAAN’s Relaxation Tea is your stress reliever so you can enjoy festivities with less stress!

I am stressed and tired this holiday season. Many people at work have been laid off, and I have to pick up the slack. I am not sure if my job is secure, and I am dreading the holiday shopping and gift-giving due to finances. How do I stay healthy and keep a handle on my stress and fatigue this time of year?

The economy has been tough this year, and the added pressures of the holidays have been stressful for many of our patients. Here are a few simple things you may be able to do to create a healing and holistic holiday for yourself:

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Nov 22

Herbs to control cholesterol levels

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Scientists have identified 5 herbs that can help in reducing cholesterol levels.

Most of us are now aware of the causes and dangers of high cholesterol levels. Our diets typically include too much of the ‘bad’ fats, too few of the ‘good, with the resulting high cholesterol readings and attendant heart problems. While there are many pharmaceutical cholesterol lowering products on the market, it makes sense to limit the number of prescription drugs you must take, to avoid negative interactions and side effects. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of natural plant medicines that help control cholesterol You should always consult your health practitioner as to the advisability of taking any herbal treatment.

You’ll notice that different herbs, roots and berries can be of benefit, not only to control cholesterol, but alleviate other health conditions. For example, if you’re a woman going through menopause, with high blood pressure and cholesterol readings, Black Cohosh root will help you on many fronts.

Nov 20

Rejuvenate with Chinese herbs at Swissotel Nankai Osaka

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Travelers can now rejuvenate with Chinese herbs at Swissotel.

This winter, Chinese herbs take centrestage at Swissotel Nankai Osaka. Guests of the hotel can now choose from a newly-introduced Chinese Herbal Medicine Cuisine menu or exclusive spa treatments to enjoy the many health and wellness benefits of Chinese herbs.

Swissotel Nankai Osaka’s recently-appointed Chinese head Chef Leow Leong Hock has created exquisite lunch and dinner menus produced from Chinese herbs for the hotel’s Chinese Restaurant Empress Room. In addition to its use as a remedy for many illnesses and medical conditions, Chinese herbal medicine is often also used to enhance one’s well-being by increasing energy levels and improving the skin’s appearance and texture.

“At the Chinese restaurant that I worked at previously, I noticed how the professors and lecturers were always fatigued. Hence, this inspired me to develop a menu that uses supplements to boost energy and improve health. With the Chinese Herbal Medicine Cuisine that I’ve created for Empress Room, I hope to change the typical mindset that Chinese herbs are bitter and tasteless,” said Chef Leow.

The Chinese herbal five-course menu at Empress Room starts from JPY 5,775 for lunch and from JPY 10,395 for dinner. Dishes to be expected include Steamed Egg Custard with Cordyceps and Crab Claw, Steamed Cod Fillet with Cordyceps or Steamed Xiao Long Bao with Poria Cocos Filling.

Nov 19

Can Chinese Herbs Relieve Eczema?

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According to several studies, Chinese Herbal Medicine May Offer Relief for Dry, Itchy Skin of Eczema.

March 17, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) — Traditional Chinese herbal medicine may help to relieve the dry, itchy, scaly skin of eczema in children and adults, two new studies suggest.

Other research shows that toddlers who have egg, elm, or cat allergies are at increased risk of developing eczema by age 4. Children whose parents have eczema are also at risk.

All three studies were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Safe, Effective in Children
As many as 30% of patients with eczema have been prescribed traditional Chinese medicine, but there are still questions about whether it works and is safe, says researcher Julia Wisniewski, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

There is clearly a need for alternative treatments for the skin condition, she says, because many patients with severe allergies continue to have flare-ups a decade after standard therapy with steroids and immune-suppressing agents.

Wisniewski and colleagues studied 14 children with persistent eczema who were treated with traditional Chinese medicine at Ming Qi Natural Health Center in Manhattan between August 2006 and May 2008.

All of them drank Erka Shizheng Herbal Tea twice a day and soaked in an herbal bath for 20 minutes daily. They also applied an herbal cream to their skin two or three times a day and had acupuncture treatment.

At the start of the study, more than half of the participants had severe symptoms on a standard scale that doctors use to gauge eczema severity. After eight months of treatment, most had mild symptoms.

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