Fascinating Lecture On Chinese Herb Discoveries

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A lecture I attended today was revisiting history, the history of Chinese herbs.  What I found most interesting is the fact that hospitals in the U.S. are doing clinical trials using Chinese herbs.

This is truly re-inventing Western medicine.

The drugs of the future are herbs that are proving (once again) their effectiveness. These herbal drugs are made from Traditional Chinese herb formulas written down over one thousand years ago, so we can say this medicine is truly based on historical information.

Chinese herbal medicine is being studied at places like Yale University where Yung Chi (Tommy) Cheng, PhD. is the chairman of the Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine. He is an innovative pioneer in herbal drug research and internationally renowned for his significant role in the advancement of pharmacology.

Using a Traditional Chinese Herb four herb formula, Dr. Cheng is working on FDA approval for a patented drug to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy induced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  The unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy make it difficult for patients to tolerate and chemotherapy damages the immune system. This Chinese herb formula is proving it can eliminate the side effects by healing the gut and improving the immune system without reducing the effects of the chemo.
This is exciting work and we hope the FDA will give swift approval as so many patients are in need of this holistic, herbal medicine.

Chinese Herbs Now In Skin Moisturizers

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Chinese botanicals are going mainstreamI saw this in the store the other day. It is one of the just a handful of main stream products I’ve seen in the U.S. that is advertising “Chinese Botanicals”!

 

Very Cool!! Kiss My Face is not just a trend setter they see the writing on the wall. Chinese herbs can and do make your products better. They are used all over Asia in various drinks, hand creams, shampoo’s and cosmetics, it’s about time we start seeing them on American store shelves.

 

American’s are getting exposed to Chinese herbs slowly but surely. Whether it’s ginseng in energy drinks or goji berries packages we are starting to see greater use of Chinese herbs in everyday products. Kiss Your Face uses both Chinese botanicals, and Chinese herbs on their packaging label.

 

Here are the three main reasons why Chinese herbs are different than Western herbs and why you're going to start seeing much more of these Chinese botanicals in everyday products.

 

1. Firstly, most of them have been used for thousands of years so evidence of use is simply much, much longer than Western botanicals that have only been documented for only a few hundred years.

 

2. Chinese botanicals don’t necessarily grow exclusively in China today. Many grow around the world, including America. All are part of a system of medicine called Traditional Chinese medicine that is thousands of years old and today this system of medicine keeps billions of people alive and well.

 

3. The third most important difference in Chinese herbs vs Western herbs is their use in combinations or formulas. Western herbs are often used one at a time. For example the use of chamomile for trouble sleeping. But in Chinese Herbal medicine, one herb alone would never be used to help with sleep. A combination of herbs, or formula of herbs would be used because over the centuries people have found formulas or groups of herbs work much better than just using one herb along.

 

Of course there are many other differences between Western herbs and Chinese herbs,  But that's a good start and it's great to see the system of herbal medicine being incorporated into more mainstream products in the United States and around the world.

Ginseng Now Included in Food Products

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The China Ministry of Health just recently decided to change its policy regarding ginseng.  Well known for hundreds of health benefits, ginseng will now be allowed to be included in food products in Asia.   America has no such restrictions for ginseng and this longevity herb is often found in energy drinks today.

 

Since 2002, the Chinese MInistry of Health has regulated Chinese herbs and placed them into three categories. One  category for Chinese herbs used as food, another categorized herbs as health food and a third that included herbs only as medicine.

 

Before this announcement, ginseng was permitted to be used only in registered health products and medicine categories. The new policy allows ginseng to be used in all three categories.  This will most certainly increase demand and international competitiveness of ginseng.  Prices of this ancient herb have been steadily rising the past few years as more Americans and other Western countries learn about the health benefits of ginseng.

 

Ginseng is commonly called the “king of all herbs.” Ginseng is considered to be nutritious and to have great medical value in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been used as a tonic in TCM for over 3,000 years. Ginseng is grown in other East Asia countries as well as in the U.S. and Canada known as American ginseng, but the world’s largest production site is located on Changbai Moutain in Jilin Province, which accounts for 85 percent of China’s total production and 70 percent of the world’s output.

 

I recently toured a famous American Ginseng farm in Wisconsin.  I was a bit surprised to learn that once American ginseng is grown on the land that it cannot ever be replanted there again.  Other crops can be planted after the 6 years old ginseng is harvested.  However, because ginseng depletes the soil of so many mineral and other nutrients it is impossible to harvest ginseng on the same land twice.   Some farmers have waited 70 years and tried to grow another crop of American ginseng only to find after 3 years the crop stopped growing and was never old enough to harvest.   This is just one of the reasons the cost of  100 grams of conenctrated ginseng granules is increasing world wide.  Ginseng is the largest dollar crop exported out of the state of Wisconsin.   Who knew?

Chinese Herb Research Now Includes GlaxoSmithKlein Pharmaceuticals

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What's new in Traditional Chinese Medicine? 

Well for starters, bigger players want a piece of what they see as a huge potential profit maker.  Chinese herbs, have become the latest interest for drug companies.

The pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is opening a new research unit in China to look at traditional Chinese medicine.

 

"Traditional chinese medicine is a well-established system of medical practice developed through thousands of years of empirical testing and refinement of herbal mixtures, and relies generally on clinical experience," said Zang Jingwu, senior vice president Glaxo and head of R&D China.

 

The relatively new R&D unit is working with academic TCM experts in China to develop new TCM products for the benefits of patients in China and the rest of the world. The strategy is to integrate the existing TCM knowledge of diseases with modern drug discovery.

 

"We are developing novel therapeutic TCM mixtures as prescription medicines through innovative extraction methods and combinations, and we use clinical data/evidence to differentiate from existing TCM products on the market," he said.

 

The company's R&D China center was founded in 2007 with a focus on neurosciences. So far, the center has developed into a fully integrated global R&D organization in China to deliver medicine globally and for China.

 

Only one question:  what will it cost us consumers?  Right now Chinese herbal products are cheap compared to drugs!  What can we expect once the big drug companies want a share of the market?

 

Reference:

ChinaDaily.com

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-09/07/content_15743913.htm

Traditional Chinese Herb For Prostate

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Herbs for prostate cancerA new drug is being resesarched for its early success in the treatment of prostate cancer. This is noteworth here because the drug is derived from a Chinese herb.

 

Like so many of our modern pharmaceuticals, the chemicals for this drug comes from a plnat which has been part of  Traditional Chinese Medicine Materica Medica for several centuries, and for prostate cancer treatment it looks very promising. 

 

The drug called Celastrol, is extracted from the "Thunder God Vine" Tripterygium wilfordii which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  There are many Chinese herbs with anti-inflammatory effects and you can read about some of them in other blogs listed below. 

 

The drug seems to suppress the activity of a protein called p23. New research shows that p23 independently plays a key role in the way prostate tumors are fueled by the male hormone testosterone.

 

"Excitingly, drugs that block p23 such as celastrol.. have shown early promise in treating several diseases, such as arthritis and asthma, meaning this research is already a step closer to the clinic," said study leader Dr Charlotte Bevan, from Imperial College London, whose findings are reported in the journal Molecular Endocrinology.

 

"The next stage will be to test the effects of such drugs on prostate cancer cells in the lab."

 

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at the charity, said: "These results provide an alternative route by which scientists could potentially target prostate cancer. What's more, p23 has a much more defined role in the cell than HSP90, meaning that drugs that target it could potentially have fewer side effects than HSP90 inhibitors. We hope these findings will lead to better treatment options for men with prostate cancer."

 

 

Ginger Root – Arthritis to Heart Disease An Amazing Chinese Herb

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natural herbal energy boostersWhat is it about ginger that makes it such a versatile root? 

 

This underground stem is acrid and pungent and yet it treats an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea and a laundry list of other ailments. 

 

Here are a few in alphabethical order: altitude sickness, arthritis, common cold, colic, adjunct therapy during chemotherapy,  digestive aid,fatigue, flu, headaches, heart conditions, inflammation, motion sickness, menstrual cramps ok…. that is half the alphabet and quite enough.

 

What most people don’t know about ginger (zingiber officinale) is the secret in this Chinese herb, this medicinal root, is all about the dosage. 

 

Whether you are drinking ginger tea or taking ginger supplements in capsules or in extracts, tinctures, and packets of concentrated extracts, you’ve got to consider the two “D’s” (Dosage and Duration).  Another important consideration is potency of the prouduct your using, because the volatile oils, gingerols and shogaols are the beneficial components. Consider buying only full spectrum herbal extracts because ginger root also contains  sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, coumarins, saponins, plant sterols, curcumins, and phthalides all of which contribute to gingers effectiveness.

 

Dosage matters! 

Duration of use also matters.

Ginger root has been heavily researched since its origins are steeped in Chinese medicine, Auyervedic Medicine and even Arabic medicine.  Ginger root has been found to help reduce the risks associated with heart disease because it is a natural blood thinner. This can be helpful in treating heart disease, where blood vessels can become blocked and lead to heart attack or stroke.  Certainly more studies are needed. 

 

Common Dosage Guidelines:

For pregnancy related nausea and vomiting human studies suggests that 1g daily of ginger may be effective for nausea and vomiting in pregnant women when used for short periods (no longer than 4 days). Several studies have found that ginger is better than placebo in relieving morning sickness.

 

Research is mixed as to whether ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery. Two studies found that 1g of ginger root before surgery reduced nausea as well as a leading medication. In one of these studies, women who received ginger also needed fewer medications for nausea after surgery.

 

Ginger extract has long been used in Traditional Chinese medical practices to warm the interior particular helpful for digestion. Ginger is considered a warming herb in Chinese herbal medicine and for this reason it is particularly useful for those who have any of the above conditions with an overall cold constitution.  

 

Among all the uses, particulary useful is gingers abilitiy to lower cholesterol and help prevent blood from clotting.

 

Pediatric Don’ t give ginger to children under 2. Ginger may be used by children over 2 years of age to treat nausea, stomach cramping, and headaches.

 

Standardized dose: Take 75 – 2,000 mg in divided doses with food, standardized to contain 4% volatile oils or 5% total pungent compounds including 6-gingerol or 6-shogaol.

 

For nausea, gas, or indigestion: 2 – 4 grams of fresh root daily (0.25 – 1.0 g of powdered root) or 1.5 – 3.0 mL (30 – 90 drops) liquid extract daily.

 

To prevent vomiting, take 1 gram of powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or its equivalent, every 4 hours as needed (not to exceed 4 doses daily), or 2 ginger capsules (1 gram), 3 times daily.

 

You may also chew a 1/4 oz piece of fresh ginger when needed.

 

For pregnancy-induced vomiting, use 250 mg 4 times daily for up to 4 days.

 

Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you are taking blood thinning medications.

 

For arthritis pain: 250 mg 4 times daily for several months.

 

Ask your Licensed Acupuncturist or Herbalist to help you determine the right dose. Adults In general, don’ t take more than 4g of ginger per day, including food sources. Pregnant women should not take more than 1g per day.

 

 

 

References:

Research Papers and References “Characterization of food antioxidants, illustrated using commercial garlic and ginger preparations” by Okezie I. Aruoma, Jeremy P.E. Spencera, Donna Warrena, Peter Jennera, John Butlerb, Barry Halliwella in Food Chemistry Volume 60, Issue 2, October 1997, Pages 149-156

 

Antioxidants in Food. Abstract: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814695002545 “Intake of Garlic and Its Bioactive Components” by Harunobu Amagase, Brenda L. Petesch, Hiromichi Matsuura, Shigeo Kasuga and Yoichi Itakura. Journal of Nutrition. 2001;131:955S-962S.

 

Abstract: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/131/3/955S.short “Traditional Indian spices and their health significance” by Kamala Krishnaswamy. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2008;17(S1):265-268. Full article: http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/apjcn/volume17/vol17suppl.1/265-268S15-2.pdf

 

“Changes in Platelet Function and Susceptibility of Lipoproteins to Oxidation Associated with Administration of Aged Garlic Extract” by Steiner, M.; Lin, R. S. In Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology: June 1998 – Volume 31 – Issue 6 – pp 904-908. Abstract: http://journals.lww.com /cardiovascularpharm/Abstract/1998/06000

 

/Changes_in_Platelet_Function_and_Susceptibility_of.14.aspx “Health-promoting properties of common herbs” by Winston J Craig in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 70, No. 3, 491S-499S, September 1999. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10479221

 

Fox New Story: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/24/6-motion-sickness-remedies/#ixzz21c37OCI6

Bone Density Improved With Chinese Herbs

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Worried about your bone density?   As woman age, they are more susceptible to bone fractures. Bone mineral density is something every woman over 50 should have checked. 

 

In Asia, a Chinese herb formula call Fufang has been studied for over five years on post-menopausal women.  The results of this 194 person study of women ages 47 to 70 years, was significant.  Fufang, a blend of several Chinese herbs used twice daily (10 grams each serving) were found to improve the bone density of the study participants.

 

All the women were given an oral blend of the herbs used which included Epimedium,  The Fufang contained several herbal compounds including Epimedium, Rehmannia, Dioscore,Cornus, Cinnamomum cassia, Drynaria fortunei, and Morinda.  You will find these and other herbs in

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Both the control group and the treatment group were also given 600 mg of calcium and 400 iu of Vitamin D daily.  There were no notable adverse events in either group.

 

As women age they are more suseptible to hip fractures and other bone problems.  Hip replacement surgery has become all too common. 

Maintaining healthy bones is part of healthy aging.

 

 

The study concluded, in addition to the beneficial effects of oral herbal Fufang for the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss, this 5-year multi-center clinical study demonstrated for the first time its potential for reduction in fragility fracture incidence.

References:

 

1. Journal of Bone Mineral Metabolism. 2012 Jun 22 PMID: 22722637 PubMed

 

2. J Bone Miner Res. 2007 Jul;22(7):1072-9.

 

3. Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17419678

 

4. Effects of epimedium total flavonoids phytosomes on preventing and treating bone-loss of ovariectomized rats]. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12774407

 

5. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1757-7861.2011.00129.x/abstract

 

6. Phytomedicine. 2010 May;17(6):414-23. Epub 2009 Sep 10. Icariin isolated from Epimedium pubescens regulates osteoblasts anabolism through BMP-2, SMAD4, and Cbfa1 expression.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19747809

 

Chinese Herbs Growing in Los Angeles

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China has given us so many incredible jewels of nature in the form of medicinal herbs.  Chinese herbs such as Ginseng,  Cordyceps and this amazing beauty.   Not exactly a Chinese herb, but I was impressed with this redwoods story, I had to add it here. 

This amazing jewel lives in Los Angeles. Her name is Dawn Redwood or Metasequoia. Her grandparents were only known as a fossil until her parent was found in central China in 1944.

In 1948, Dawn was brought to Los Angeles as a seed. She has been living by this stream at UCLA ever since.   She is most probably the tallest of her kind in North America. Don't you love her stately pose with the sun shinning through her?

Amazing to think she came from just a tiny seed. 

Tomorrow I will post the Chinese herbs growing in Los Angeles.

 

Curcumae, A Chinese Herb Proves To Be Cardio-Protective

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From the American Journal of Cardiology, April 2012

 

More great research results on the Chinese herb curcumae!

 

This herbal remedy was yet again put to the test, this time in a study on patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting.

Chinese herbs for osteoarthritis

 

Also known as Yu Jin or Tuber Curcumae, (curcuma), this remarkable herbal supplement has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Curcumae, found in tumeric, has been extensively studied for its blood moving abilities. 

 

It is well established that myocardial infarction, (heart attacks) are associated with a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure.  As a result of the poor outcomes of patients who have this grafting procedure, a study on the Chinese herb curcumae was undertaken to  evaluate whether this Chinese herbal remedy for blood stasis could be considered a cardio-protective therapy. 

 

"Previous studies have shown that curcuminoids decrease proinflammatory cytokines during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and decrease the occurrence of cardiomyocytic apoptosis after cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal models."

 

The aim of this study done was to evaluate whether curcuminoids, one of the chemical constiuients in curcumae could prevent heart attackes compared to a placebo. 

 

The conclusion:  4 grams of curcumin per day demonstrated a significant decrease in heart attacks after bypass grafting, compared with a placebo.   Postoperative C-reactive protein, levels were also lower in the curcuminoid than in the placebo group.

 

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoids may account for their cardioprotective effects shown in this study

 

Reference:   Study Evaluated Effects of Curcuminoids on Acute Myocardial Infarction

Wongcharoen W, Jai-aue S, Phrommintikul A, et al. Effects of curcuminoids on frequency of acute myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting. Am J Cardiol. April 3, 2012;[epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.02.043.

Transparency In Supplement and Food Should Be a Priority

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At Pacific Herbs we believe WHOLE HEATEDLY in transparency.  We believe you should know what is in our Chinese herb products and what is not!    We tell it all because we know we have the highest quality control standards, ISO/GMP approved, natural herbal products on the market. We tell you where and how are herbs are manufactured.  We provide test result information and we use only purified water to process our herbs, no solvents! Who would want an herbal supplement that is not transparent in their standards?

This is information every consumer has a right to know!  The same goes for our food supply.   Wait, it is the same thing, herbs are food too.

Anyway, the citizens of California have an unprecedented opportunity to improve our nation’s food system.  This week, the California Secretary of State placed the California Right to Know Initiative for GMO Labeling on the November ballot. 

The saying “As California Goes, So Goes the Nation” could be happening this November.  When voters pass this GMO labeling of food ingredients we will have true transparency in our food supply. Consumers should push for the same standards in their herbal products.  We are proud to be a leader in this evolution in the natural products industry. 

I look forward to updating you in November.

Magnesium Stearate, The Dirty Little Secret of Supplements

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We believe quality products should NOT have fillers. 

The dirty little secret of the supplement industry is:

a filler is known as Magnesium Stearate.  Nearly every supplement contains it.

I often get questions about the most commonly found additives and filler, magnesium stearate.

Here are a few answers to the most common questions.

What is Magnesium Stearate?    An inactive filler, also known as magnesium salt,  used in most of the natural health supplements and herbal remedies on the market today. 

Where does Magnesium Stearate come from?  Magnesium Stearate is a bi-product of fatty acids, both animal and vegetable sources.  Stearic acid and calcium stearate are made by hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil.  These fatty substances coat every particle of the nutrients, so the particles will flow rapidly.

 

Cottonseed oil has the highest content of pesticide residues of all commercial oils; cotton crops are heavily sprayed. In the hydrogenation process, the oil is subjected to high heat and pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst for several hours, creating a hydrogenated saturated fat. Hydrogenated vegetable fats contain altered molecules derived from fatty acids that may be toxic.

 

The metal catalyst used in the hydrogenation process may also contaminate the stearates produced (see Erasmus, Fats, and Oils). While toxicity is one problem, decreased absorption is another.

 

In a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology, the percent dissolution for capsules after 20 minutes in solution went from 90% without stearates to 25% with stearates. This delays the absorption of nutrients. Individuals with impaired digestion may have particular difficulty absorbing nutrients coated with stearates.

Another problem with stearates: concentrated doses of stearic acid suppress the action of T-cells, a key component of the immune system. The article “Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action of stearic acid on T cells” appeared in the journal Immunology in 1990. Thus, prolonged administering of magnesium stearate at a high dosage weakens the immune system over a period of time.

 

Why do companies use it?  Magnesium Stearate is used as a lubricant so ingredients in supplements and vitamins don’t stick to the machinery during compression and mixing. When machines are working optimally, without clogging, production schedules and profitability can be controlled.   

 

Who regulates Magnesium Stearate?   The subcommittee of Codex Alimentarius, the world authority on international food standards has regulated magnesium stearate as a food additive. NO  Exposure limits have been established for Magnesium Stearate by OSHA or ACGIH.

Are regulations changing?   Yes, various committees on food additives are now looking for toxicity data on magnesium stearate.  Data has yet to be collected.

At the time of this writing, there is no clinical study data on how much magnesium stearate is too much and what constitutes a toxic load for human consumption.

Your healthiest choice is a herbal supplement and vitamin supplement without magnesium stearate.  Pacific Herbs uses no fillers or stearates in any of our products.   We package everything in airtight, moisture tight packets to preserve our natural herbal extracts and avoid the use of fillers, binders, and other unnecessary chemical ingredients.

Alcohol Abuse Reduced With This Chinese Herb

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herbs for alcohol

Are you struggling with alcohol abuse? Would you believe an herb (that grows as fast as weeds) could help you cut down your drinking habit?  Could this herbal alternative for alcoholics become a reality?

A Chinese herb that has been available for hundreds of years now has a new published study from  McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School found this Chinese herb helps alcohol drinkers reduce their intake. The study was recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

"It didn't stop the drinking," says researcher David M. Penetar, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, "they still drank, but they drank less."

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)  has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has references dating back to 600 A.D.   For the past 1400 years it has an excellent safety record.

Many tout the extract from kudzu, known as puerarin, as  a hangover remedy. Best of all, this all natural herbal alternative has no side-effects and if very inexpensive.  A weeks supply can cost as little as $6.00

When those in the study treated with puerarin they drank about a beer less than when they were treated with placebo.  On average, the men and women drank 3.5 beers after placebo and 2.4 after puerarin.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism funded the study. Even though this study was a small sample size, the study was designed well and the research outcomes validate what many have known for generations.   Chinese herbs can provide "Wellness For Centuries."