The best herbal all natural sleep aid is made with Traditional Chinese Herbs. Try Chinese herbs they are a true natural sleep aid, you can’t the way you feel the day after.

Herbal Sleep Aid – Avoid The Risk of Dementia from Ambien

Posted by Cathy on February 22, 2023

A new study has shed light on the connection between sleep medications and the risk of dementia, particularly in white adults. The research found that white participants who often or almost always used sleep medications had a 79% higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never used them. The study also revealed that blacks had a lower likelihood of consuming prescription sleep aids than whites, and that they had different risk factors and disease manifestation for Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia.

The study, which followed approximately 3,000 older adults without dementia over an average of nine years, also suggested that socio-economic status may play a role in explaining the racial disparities in the use of sleep medications and the risk of dementia. “Black participants who have access to sleep medications might be a select group with high socio-economic status and, thus, greater cognitive reserve, making them less susceptible to dementia,” said first author Yue Leng, PhD, of the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Weill Institute for Neurosciences.

The research found that whites were three times more likely than blacks to take sleep medications often, and were almost twice as likely to use benzodiazepines, trazodone, and “Z-drugs,” such as Ambien. The study also suggested that these sleep medications are associated with a higher risk of dementia.

The study highlights the importance of cautious use of prescription sleep aids. People who have trouble sleeping could find answers to their poor sleep in natural products that have been used for centuries. Insomnia is commonly treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs in billions of people annually throughout the Asian continent. One such product which has gained national attention is a combination of herbs known as iSleep Herb Pack from Pacific Herbs. These herbs have been proven safe with no short or long term side-effects.

Overall, the study underscores the need for safe and natural sleep aids to avoid the risk of dementia. It is critical people who use sleep aids like Ambien should stop risking their brain health for a good nights sleep. Natural sleep aids like iSleep Herb Pack have been studied in clinical settings and can quickly make a difference in your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Journal Reference: Yue Leng, Katie L. Stone, Kristine Yaffe. Race Differences in the Association Between Sleep Medication Use and Risk of Dementia. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2023; 91 (3): 1133 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221006

University of California – San Francisco. “Do sleep medications increase your chances of dementia?.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 January 2023. sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230131101833. htm.

Fall Advice From Traditional Chinese Medicine

Posted by Cathy on September 8, 2022

Post by the late, and much missed Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald

As I write this post, there is a noticeable “nip” in the air, a change in sunlight, and that familiar feeling of introspection that comes with the shift from summer to autumn.

With this shift, comes natural changes in our bodies, moods, and health. Personally, I already feel an extra swing in my step and feel extra tuned into infinite possibilities. Autumn is my favorite season. I absolutely love the coolness in the air, the beauty of the colorful leaves, and the traditional foods that are often associated with autumn, such as pumpkin, butternut squash, and crispy apples. It’s interesting to me how different people resonate with different seasons. Patients often share with me their favorite seasons. I know how I was challenged from the recent humidity here in Santa Monica (something my constitution doesn’t naturally resonate with), while some patients shared how they loved the heat and wished it was hotter!

With autumn around the corner, I have begun seeing more patients with lung issues such as fall allergies, colds, and coughing, as well others seeking treatments to assist them through a grieving process or a letting go process.

This is typical this time of year, which falls under what Traditional Chinese Medicine considers a “Metal” phase in the 5 elements of nature; where the Lung meridian and Large Intestine channels take center stage.

It is also a natural time of year to switch from the more “expansive” spirit of summer (think travel, going out more, and staying up late), to a more “contractive” time conducive to going inward, staying home, and sleeping more.

When we are in tune with our bodies and how the seasons affect us, adjusting our lifestyles to coincide with the change in season is instinctual…

…however, if you’re like most people, you probably don’t sit around thinking about how to adjust your diet, lifestyle, thoughts, exercise, sleep, etc. to harmonize your health with the seasons.

It simply isn’t a part of our cultural consciousness anymore.

Fortunately, I experience more and more people learning to honor the changing needs of the body within the cycles of the seasons, a powerful way to reduce risk of common seasonal concerns of body, mind, and spirit.

In today’s post, you will learn what you can do to strengthen and protect your health during the fall. This fortifying approach will in turn create a reservoir of health to sustain you in the winter months.

The Emotions of the Lung and Large Intestine
As mentioned above Traditional Chinese Medicine associates the Lung and Large Intestine channels with autumn. They get special attention because they are also the most vulnerable during this season.

The Lung, considered a Yin organ, is associated with taking in the new.

Emotionally, the Lungs coincide with:

Grief and Sadness (unprocessed grief and sadness can stagnate the lung meridian)
Attachment (difficulty letting go can stagnate the lung meridian)
When the lung qi is flowing and balanced, one can experience enhanced:

Clarity of thought
Positive self-image
Surrendering to and allowing inner peace and joy regardless of circumstances
The Large Intestine, considered a Yang organ, releases the old.

The Large Intestine channel is often associated with:

Inability to let go, uptightness, stubbornness, stagnation, negative outlook (glass half empty vs. half full perspective)
How we flow with life’s current
When the large intestine qi is flowing and balanced, there can be increased:

Sense of relaxation
Release of what no longer serves a person
Flowing with life vs. resisting
Focus on the day-to-day vs. big picture/meaning/purpose
A heightened awareness of these emotions can coincide with the change of season.

For example, grief or attachment issues can be associated with the loss of summer which affects some people greatly due to less light and warmth.

Since fall is a natural time of letting go and getting organized (think of trees dropping their leaves and animals getting organized for hibernation), a lack of awareness in this regard can lead to feelings of stagnation and a lack of harmony with life’s flow. All of which can affect the health of your Lungs and Large Intestine channels.

Ways to Break Emotional Stagnation
If you notice a feeling of stagnation, prolonged sadness or grief, it may be necessary to consult with your physician and/or integrative mental health professional. All emotions are important and healthy to experience. The concern is more if you are having challenges moving through any emotional expression in a healthy way. Chinese Medicine offers some suggestions for helping to keep the qi flowing in the lung or large intestine which can assist in healthy emotional expression. Your Doctor of Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist can tailor a treatment specific for your needs while taking into account the energy of the season.

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Out with the Old, In with the New
Fall offers us the perfect time to let go of those things which no longer serve us. This frees up any stagnant mental and emotional space to embrace those healing feelings of clarity, relaxation, release, focus, happiness, and flow.

Here are 5 ways to let go this fall:

Breathe—wind is a key element in fall. Therefore, take the time to focus your deep breathing techniques as you become aware of that which needs to be released. Big exhales.
Purge—this will be unique to each individual, but if nothing else take the time to purge your closets of unused clothing. Not only will it free up more space, but those clothes will be deeply appreciated by those who need them this winter.
Resolve old hurts—what pains or hurt feelings can you release this fall? These unresolved emotions can express themselves as grief and negative self-image, leading to imbalance and illness of the Lungs and Large Intestine. Take advantage of fall’s energy to let old wounds heal. Forgiveness allows us to release what we are holding onto, whether forgiving others or forgiving ourselves.
Give—this goes hand-in-hand with purging and resolving old hurts. Give away what you no longer need, and give yourself the gift of release and freedom that comes from forgiveness of self and others. I find a special joy and satisfaction when I get rid of something I no longer use and drop it off at my local Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Sleep—if you think about it, the act of sleep is the ultimate way of letting go. Thanks to a special type of lymphatic system in the brain (more on that in an upcoming post) called The Glympathic System, sleep facilitates the cleansing and organization of your brain. To keep things simple, aim to go to bed an hour earlier (the kids too) or, if your schedule permits, wake up an hour later.
Hot, Cold, Windy, Dry…Dressing the Part for Fall Health
Your Lungs are particularly vulnerable to winds and extreme temperature changes—both of which are present during the fall.

The best solution to both these problems is to dress appropriately for the weather, making sure you layer to avoid getting too hot or too cold.

I also recommend wearing a scarf often, even a light, stylish one will protect your Lungs and throat from the harsh winds.

Food to Emphasize (and minimize) in Fall
In the Traditional Chinese Medicine tradition, the flavor of fall is pungent and should be balanced with sour. This ensures the body’s mucosa stays moist and warm—which prevents infection, without becoming too damp/cold—which causes congestion in the Lungs.

Some examples of foods to include in your meals this autumn include:

Cooked vegetables
Parsnips
Sweet potatoes
Horseradish
Garlic
Orange vegetables like winter squashes
Onions
Olives
Vinegars
Fermented foods (including yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh)
Adzuki beans
Navy beans
Walnuts
Chestnuts
Lemons and Limes
Apples
Pears
Spices: bay leaves, black pepper, chili, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, rosemary
Dark, leafy winter greens such as kale, chard, mustard greens, etc.
Warming soups and stews

Foods to minimize are those that create coolness and dampness, such as:

Uncultured dairy products like cold milk, cream, etc.
Cucumbers
Watermelon
Cold drinks
Raw foods (including salads, instead opt for cooked vegetables)
Noodles
Potatoes
Bread
Sugar
I hope this post has helped you feel more in tune with the season and all of its possibilities.

Follow these tips and you can rest easy knowing you have created a reserve of strength, happiness, and health for the fall and winter months to come.

An Herbal Sleep Aid Used For Centuries

Posted by Cathy on May 2, 2022

It’s not just The Dr. Oz show finally coming around to the latest American health craze. Chinese herbs are available all over the country now, not just because of the internet but because American’s are catching up with what the rest of the world has known for centuries. That is, Chinese herbal medicine works! It’s safe medicine that can be taken without side-effects and very inexpensive.

For example, the Chinese herb: jujube seed. This small seed from a red date is a Chinese herb used for thousands of years successfully and safely to help people sleep. It is the best natural sleep aid ever found because it quiets neurotransmitters and it’s long history of successful use is the main reason it is a staple in iSleep Herb Pack by Pacific Herbs.

Pacific Herbs sells only concentrated herbal granules because it is the easiest way to use Traditional Chinese Medicine. The herbs have been cooked and dried at very precise temperatures are much more concentrated than using raw or cooking them at home. Plus the convenience factor can’t be beat.

Jujube seed is just one of the powerful sleep aid herbs and is found in our iSleep Herb Pack. See it here.

Top 4 Reasons For Insomnia and How To Fix Them

Posted by Cathy on June 25, 2021 with 2 Comments

I’ve been getting a lot of compliments about how well some folks are sleeping when using iSleep Herb Pack. There seems to be nothing quite like a rejuvenating night of sleep and once you get it, you really fall in love with the feeling and want to share it.

For those people who are accustom to a night of sleeping in short 1-2 hour spurts, a 6-7 hours, “Out like a light” is truly heaven sent.

Personally I can not function without at least seven hours of horizontal non-activity. If you are someone who struggles with insomnia, let me explain how Chinese medicine views insomnia and how Chinese herbs have been used to help those who suffer.

There are 4 main patterns for insomnia in Chinese medicine.

1. The first and most common reason for insomnia is due to “over-thinking”.

Termed Shen (spirit) disturbance. This is an overactive mind. Day time is the time to make plans, work and be active with your eyes open and your mind busy. Night time, (or whenever you are trying to sleep) is the time we close our eyes and shut off our brains. Too much thinking at night is unhealthy. The mind needs to time to rest just as the body needs it’s rest. This is where iSleep can be extremely beneficial because the herbs like zizyphus naturally calm the mind and stop the over-thinking process.

2. Insomnia due to panic, anger and excessive worry.

This pattern is especially worrisome because of it can easily become habitual. Emotions that are not addressed during the daytime hours may haunt us at night. We should try to deal with emotional problems during our waking hours but if you need a little help with this pattern of insomnia, iSleep Herb Pack is a very calming formula and in Asia this group of herbs is commonly used for excess stress and worry during the day. I know of some care givers who use iSleep to keep their aging and care dependent family members in a calm state during the day time hours. It is perfectly safe to use 1 packet of iSleep everyday if needed.

3. Insomnia due to yin deficiency.

This is very common in menopause age women. This kinds of insomnia is caused mainly by excess heat. What commonly happens in as women (and men) with age is comparable to what happens in a car with a broken radiator. The car begins to overheat because there is a lack of coolant circulating. Our coolant dries up as we age and if we don’t replace it with yin nourishing foods and herbs often the result is yin deficiency insomnia. (BTW, night time is also known as yin time.) Nourish your yin our Menopause Relief Herb Pack and you will begin to sleep better almost immediately. Some women (and yes men too) will use our Menopause Relief during the day and iSleep at night. There are no contraindication to using our herbal products this way.

4. Insomnia can have a nutritional component.

For the extremely weak or elderly often times a poor diet prevents the blood from properly nourishing the heart. This type of insomnia is call Qi & Blood deficiency. In this case, it is necessary to repair the body with proper nutrition and supplementation. This pattern of insomnia will often subside once the heart, kidneys and spleen are properly nourished. Eat well during the day because your body will be fasting for at least 8-10 hours when you are getting proper rest.

Although this is not a complete gamut of sleeping pattern difficulties in Chinese medicine these patterns are the most common. Often times it is a combination of these 4 that can persist. Chinese herbs have been used effectively for these patterns for centuries. If you would like to see more information on the studies behind the herbs in our iSleep insomnia aid please click here.

Get Your ZZZ’s with Ziziphus – An Herb for Sleeping

Posted by Cathy on July 1, 2020

No matter how much you crave quality shut-eye, there are many reasons sleep may elude you.

As you get older, it may take longer to nod off and you may have trouble staying asleep. But because the amount of sleep you need—seven to nine hours per night—stays the same throughout your life, fitful nights can leave you cranky, depressed and flat out exhausted. No wonder so many of us rely on sleeping pills—both over-the-counter and prescription.

People, even teenagers are relying on prescription sleep aids more than ever before. Yet, information of the risks of these drugs is often understated. A study by Scripps Clinic researchers links the medications to 4.6 times higher risk of death and a significant increase in cancer cases among regular pill users.

“What our study shows is that sleeping pills are hazardous to your health and might cause death by contributing to the occurrence of cancer, heart disease, and other ailments,” said author Daniel F. Kripke, M.D., of the Viterbi Family Sleep Center in San Diego.There is another option, a plant-based sleep aid that has been used for thousands of years and has no harmful side-effects.

Plants to help us sleep have been clinically tested in Asia for the past 50 years. Asian cultures have a much longer recorded history than our Western cultures and the use of plants has historical lineage to biblical times. Many herbal books were written on bamboo paper in ancient times. One such ancient book was titled “Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet”. It may surprise you, but even our ancestors had trouble sleeping and this was a thousand years before electricity, the internet, and modern-day stress. The most common prescription for sleeplessness which our Asian ancestors used was an herbal recipe called Suan zao ren tang. This combination of herbs can be found in iSleep Herb Pack.

The herbs in iSleep Herb Pack work together, this is known as the entourage effect, its where the magic happens. Throughout generations of use, our ancestors discovered which plants have similar effects and which have enhancing effects when used together. It’s a little bit like discovering sugar, flour, eggs and butter and baking powder can make a nice cake. Alone, they don’t taste like cake. But together, there is a little magic.

One of the main herbs in iSleep Herb Pack is zizyphus an herb with sedative properties. This herb is potentiated by other herbs in iSleep, notably Anemarrhena, poria and ligusticum which are believed to increase the nor-epinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain and increase secretion of two cytokines which have been shown to improve non-rapid eye movement sleep. The studies are vast, the results impressive. Throughout Asia, hundreds of thousands of herbal prescriptions are sold annually and the most common insomnia prescription is Suan zao ren tang / iSleep Herb Pack.

There are NO unnecessary filler or magnesium stearate in iSleep Herb Pack. Only 100% herbs from nature.

Here’s what’s you will find in Ziziphus.

Clinical studies and research have shown Ziziphus, (when processed correctly) can help quiet brain transmissions. What this means for the non-sleeper who plays videos in their head all night or just can’t stop the overthinking, NOW YOU CAN. When your mind is quiet your body naturally falls asleep the way nature intended. Ziziphus has slight sedative effects, yet a very safe herb with no lingering side effects. It is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for irritability, sleeplessness, and anxiety.

Ophiopogon
A nourishing but very mild herb. It is often combined with others for it’s most potent effects. Used in this formula to nourish the yin, clear the heart and eliminate irritability. Insomnia often occurs when the spirit of the heart is restless and rising upward to the brain. This restlessness cause over-thinking when we should be sleeping. Ophiopogon settles the spirit and quiets the irritability. It’s commonly combined with Anemerrhena for insomnia and night sweats.

Poria
Poria is most commonly to strengthen the spleen and calm the mind in TCM. Beyond poria’s principal action, this herb is also used to calm the heart spirit.

Anemerrhena
It is the root of this herb that has properties of clearing excess fire and at the same time nourishing the yin. These are two very important treatment principals and therefore makes this herb a prized possession. Its major chemical constituents include saponines, flavonoids, polysaccharides and alkaloids.

Arbortitae Seed
This seed is rich in oil and is excellent for insomnia due to blood deficiency along with excessive worry and forgetfulness. When used with zyziphus it’s actions for calming the spirit are increased. Since it is the oil in this seed which contains the active chemicals responsible for these actions it is essential the oils are not lost during the cooking process. It also nourishes the heart channel and is extremely beneficial for those suffering from sleeplessness and irritability because of its calming effect.

Polygoni Multiflori
Asian medicine says lack of nourishment to the heart causes sleep disorders such as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep excessive dreams and disrupted sleep. This sweet herb addresses all of these symptoms. This herb calming effect is said to open the orifices of the heart channel and allow your spirit to be calm and relaxed.

Chuan Xiong
This very popular and common herb in many Chinese herbal medicine formulas is used to regulate blood circulation. In iSleep Herb Pack a small amount is used help circulate and improve the actions of all the herbs in the formula. The entourage effect is important. Like making a cake, it’s not just the sugar, flour, and butter. It’s the spices, the egg, the milk and all the other yummy things that make a cake so wonderful. Same is true of herbal formulas used for centuries. Certain herbs work better when paired together.

The bottom line, iSleep has some of the most important plants used for insomnia over hundreds of years. The major constituents and pharmacological activities of these plants have sedative effects which have been proven safe and effective for millions who commonly experience sleepless nights.

Our goal is to help you get a great night of sleep every night.
Sleep is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle for a healthy body. Adequate sleep is essential for quality of life, work productivity, safe drivers, and workplaces etc.
We need to make sleep a priority every night.

Titanium Dioxide Proven to Negatively Affect Your Gut Microbiota

Posted by Cathy on May 13, 2019

New research from the University of Sydney reveals titanium dioxides negatively impacts gut microbiota. Many diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer are linked to healthy gut microbiome.

Although you might not ever intentionally consume titanium dioxide it is commonly found in processed foods, vitamins and many dietary supplements. Check the ingredients in your vitamins and supplements to find out whether you’ve been unknowingly consuming titanium dioxide. This just-released research from Australia presents pivotal evidence on the effects of titanium dioxide on our gut microbiota. Co-author of the study Assoc. Professor Macia said, “this study investigated the effect of titanium dioxide … and how it promoted the formations of biofilms.” Biofilms are bacteria that stick together and often impenetrable by antibiotics and many drug therapies. Biofilms have been reported in diseases such as colorectal cancer.

Many vitamin and herb manufacturers use titanium dioxide as a filler or excipient in over the counter dietary supplements. Everything from your melatonin for sleeplessness to your multi-vitamins may contain small amounts of this toxic chemical. The Univ. of Sydney study showed even nanoparticles of titanium dioxide have a harmful effect on our gut bacteria.

One of the founding principals of Pacific Herbs and reason for launching this herbal business was to bring the purest and most potent herbs to consumers. Pacific Herbs products have never contained any unnecessary fillers or excipients, and would never add titanium dioxide under any conditions. Check your bottles of supplements in your kitchen. Find out the truth, hopefully, they don’t contain this nasty chemical. If they do, return them to the place of purchase and use that money to buy pure products that will improve your health not harm it.

More information here.

See University of Sydney study here

Study Links Allergies to Sleep Quality

Posted by Cathy on April 8, 2019

Are your allergies connected to how well you sleep?

A study conducted by New York Medical College says there is a link between your REM sleep and your allergy symptoms.

We all know getting enough quality sleep is key to good overall health. This first-of-its-kind study is a breakthrough for many suffering from allergies.

“When I started focusing on the new REM-RDI numbers, I was able to connect patient’s symptoms such as fatigue, allergies, nasal blockage or congestion” with REM abnormalities, said Dr. Berson. “This led to the correlation of tired allergic patients having a problem during REM and some patients who were tired and had REM-RDI elevations testing positive for allergies.”

While the new approach can provide patients with sleep issues better diagnoses and new symptoms to look for, Dr. Berson cautions that there is no one-size-fits-all diagnosis.

“Every patient is different and the study aims to provide more clarity on the relationship between allergies and a person’s overall quality of sleep,” said Dr. Berson. “The airway begins in the nose and its anatomic form needs to be properly balanced with its function. This shows that Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors, as well as allergists and sleep physicians, should be collaborating more closely to help pinpoint sleeping problems patients may be facing.”

If you’re having trouble sleeping try iSleep Herb Pack a combination of herbs used together for over 500 years which will not interfere with any allergy medication you may be taking. iSleep herbs will help quiet your mind and stop the ruminating process. A quiet mind helps you get to REM sleep much faster and longer. Give it a try here, or find it on Amazon here.

Thunder God Vine – Celestrol May Help in Leptin Resistance

Posted by Cathy on September 7, 2018

Celestrol is a naturally occurring chemical in plants like the Thunder God Vine. It has been researched extensively as an anti-obesity drug, because of it’s action in helping with leptin resistance. However, the molecular mechanism for this activity is unknown. This plant is one of the hundreds commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Celestrol is NOT the magic bullet for weight loss but one study done on rats. Leptin is the hormone that stimulates appetite. Celestrol may help reduce appetite safely. However, when Thunder God Vine is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, it is always used in a combination of herbs, or formula. This naturally occurring substance known as celestrol is only one of many chemicals in the Thunder God Vine. The supplements now on the market that have concentrated celestrol may not be a safe and effective way to take this chemical. It has no historical use and would never be used alone in one of the oldest herbal medicine traditions.

Newsweek Article

https://www.newsweek.com/traditional-chinese-medicine-thunder-vine-obesity-1104718

Diabetes Journal August 2018

https://www.newsweek.com/traditional-chinese-medicine-thunder-vine-obesity-1104718

Flowers Are Sexy and Smart

Posted by Cathy on May 5, 2018 with 4 Comments

Flowering plants are smart. They know how to grab our attention and the attention of passing insects. Flowers actually intentionally, flaunt sex. Makes perfect sense really, since it’s the flowers job to manage the reproduction of the plant. Plants produce beautiful flower petals of varying colors and shape to advertise the sexual organs ever so masterly hidden inside. Flowers release powerful aphrodisiac scents, an instinctive incentive for insects to come in and play. Nectar and pollen are the insects’ rewards and the plant benefits from the insects who carry their pollen to other plants which ensures rapid fertilization and reproduction. Flowers are smarter than you might think, but there’s more to flowers than just sex.

As spring weather emerges and flowers begin to bloom, you might want to consider that many flowers are so much more than just look pretty. We have depended on flowers for our food supply, such as rice, wheat, corn and for clothing materials such as cotton and for medicine, continuously for thousands of years. Long before western pharmaceutical drugs, flowers were used as herbal remedies and recorded use goes back to 500 AD. Chinese medicine, for example, has used flowers in herbal remedies to heal a huge variety of afflictions. Here are a few examples:

Lonicerae Flower – (Jin Yin Hua) has been used in Asian cultures for colds, flu, and sore throats. Recently, it was one of the four herbs in a formula to combat the swine flu and has proven its antibiotic properties successfully through years of research.

Viola Flower – (Zi Hua Di Ding) is known as the purple flower earth herb. This herb/flower has both anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, meaning it can treat fevers and bacterial infections. It has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to treat snake bites because it can reduce both swelling and toxicity.

Pagoda Flower – or Sophorae flower (Huai Hua) is used to stop various bleeding disorders. Chinese medicine often uses this herb/flower in the treatment of hemorrhoids and excessive menstrual bleeding.

Chrysanthemum Flower– (Ju Hua) This common Chinese medicine herb has over 30 different species and is a wonderful natural eye treatment for dry, irritated eyes. It’s also commonly used for high blood pressure, headaches and other ailments in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Safflower also is known as Carthamus – (Hong Hua) is a red flower used to treat menstrual disorders such as cramps and amenorrhea. It’s known to invigorate circulation and help dissolve clots. Safflower has been extensively studied and found beneficial for use in patients with heart disease and joint pain. This flower also has a high success rate in treating flat warts. (Now that’s a fun herbal remedy fact!)

Magnolia Flower – (xin yin hua) How about a flower to treat nasal congestion? This flower is one of the most effective herbal remedies for stuffy noses and chronic sinusitis.

Lotus Flower – (Lian Zi Xin) I would be remiss not to mention one of the most famous flowers associated with Chinese medicine, the Lotus flower. Eight parts of the lotus plant are used for their botanical medicine qualities. The flower is known to treat bleeding disorders (i.e. bloody noses) and often used for irritability and fevers. The stamen of the lotus flower also has healing qualities. One use in Traditional Chinese Medicine is to reduce excessive dreaming.

Flowers truly have wonderful healing properties and have changed our world more than we imagine. Chinese medicine understands flowers are useful beyond just their sexual appeal of beautiful packaging. (Many more are used in Traditional Chinese medicine than I could possibly have space to mention here.)

I thank the flowering plants for their beauty, but even though flowers are beautiful to look at, I never overlook the fact they also provide us with an abundance of natural herbal remedies.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26087234

Plants Medicinals vs Prescriptions to Promote Peaceful Sleep.. What’s the difference?

Posted by Cathy on August 13, 2017 with 3 Comments

“My 88 year old husband was prescribed Ambien for insomnia. After the first dose, he fell while getting up to go the bathroom, gashed his head and had to go to the emergency room for stitches. A year later, I gave him a half-dose (again prescribed) and within minutes, his legs collapsed on him. I had the hardest time getting him into bed.

Ambien? Never again!

Your experience reminds us that sleeping pills may pose a serious risk for older people who have to get up at night to go to the bathroom. This is a dilemma, because many seniors suffer from insomnia. Even over-the-counter sleep aids sleep aids that contain the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine ( advil PM, Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM etc.) may also contribute to unsteadiness, urinary retention and similar host of side effects such as rebound next day sleepiness and cognitive impairment. Older people should be careful with sleeping pills like Ambien. Other side effects may include reflux, next-day memory impairment, dry mouth and dizziness.”¹

For those among us who experience occasional insomnia, you may have already tried a plethora of sleeping aids. The story above illustrates some of the dangers of the prescriptions on the market. Drugs such as the benzodiazepines approved as sleep aids, estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), and temazepam (Restoril) have serious side effects. As with all these medications daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, dizziness, unsteadiness, sleep-walking, sleep-driving, memory lapses, and hallucinations have all been reported as a result of sleeping pills. If you have only mild insomnia, relying to heavily on sleeping pills can cause dependency and if abused may worsen your sleeping problems.

There are several non-prescription drugs sold over the counter for sleeplessness which contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine. Brands such as Benadryl, Nytol, Tylenol PM, and Sominex, which block the action of acetylcholine (anticholinergic effect) and are used as a sedative because they causes drowsiness. However, these may also contribute to unsteadiness and urinary retention. There’s also a fairly new drug out called zolpide, a sedative, it’s a inexpensive generic version of the drug Ambien. Generally it’s not prescribed for more than 10 days and is usually taken intermittently as needed to avoid problems with addiction or habituation, loss of effectiveness, and rebound phenomena. “The most common side effects of zolpidem are drowsiness, dizziness, and a “drugged” feeling, which probably reflect the action of the drug. Other side effects include confusion, insomnia, euphoria, ataxia (balance problems), and visual changes.” ¹

The difference between drugs and taking an herbal medicinal are both the actions and side effects. Addiction is not a concern with natural medicinals.

Plants used in Chinese herbal medicine have been clinically tested and studies throughout Asia for the past 50 plus years. Their usage goes back to 2^nd century. One such medicinal known to have a soothing and calming effect on the body and promote sleep is Spiny jujube or (zizyrus spinosae semen). Spiny jujube has been well documented for use when occasional insomnia is an issue. One study on rats showed spinosae significantly increased the rate of sleep onset and exhibited a synergistic effect with 5-HTP.²“These results suggest that spiny jujube potentiated pentobarbital-induced sleep via a serotonergic mechanism.” Translation, you sleep without being put into a drug induced state. This herb and others are the answer to a peaceful nights sleep, without all the side effects of prescription or OTC drugs.

References:

1. http://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new029research.html

2. Zolpidem http://www.medicinenet.com/zolpidem/article.htm

3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16755056?ordinalpos=9&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

5. WANG LE, BAI YJ, SHI XR, CUI XY, CUI SY, ZHANG F, ZHANG QY, ZHAO YY, ZHANG YH. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2008;90(3):399-403. Department of Pharmacology, Peking University, School of Basic Medical Science, 38 Xueyuan Lu, Beijing 100083, China

6. http://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new029research.html

Opioid Pain Relievers Unanimously Approved in Oregon

Posted by Cathy on April 19, 2017

On April 16, 2017 Oregon’s House of Representatives unanimously agreed on a bill that would limit doctors from prescribing opioid drugs for more than seven (7) days unless circumstances determined, by a medical professional, that more were necessary.

NO – Not – Didn’t happen!

This almost happened. What really happened is the Oregon state legislature instead passed a watered down version of this bill, without the 7 day rule even though the state attorney general’s office had strongly backed the measure because “the risk of overdose and addiction is serious.”

What the House of Representatives in Salem, Oregon passed, is a bill that suggests, clinicians should avoid prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines (a class of psychoactive drugs) known to be addicting after very short time periods. Really! Yup, they actually took time to pass a bill that now goes to the Senate that “SUGGEST” this.

Even though The Oregon Health Authority says an average of three Oregonians die every week from prescription opioid overdose, the legislature removed any teeth from a bill that might have made a dent in the problem. What good does a bill do that simply “SUGGEST” doctors should cut back on their prescriptions????

I for one am baffled.

Here’s wishing the state legislature would “SUGGEST” a safe botanical like Corydalis for pain relief. The state could become growers of this wonderful, might I even say, “miraculous” plant. Although nobody would get addicted it would provide safe and effective pain relief. The State could go beyond growing it, they could tax it and regulate it too. This would bring much needed revenue and simultaneously reduce the use of prescription drugs all while having a pain reliever that really works.

The botanical world has plenty of pain relieving chemicals. (uuhhmmm opioids originated from natural chemicals first found in the Poppy plant, now created synthetically.)

Here’s to hoping one day we take plant chemicals seriously and our government representatives “SUGGEST” we use them.

Can Cinnamon Help Protect You From Cancer?

Posted by Cathy on December 16, 2015

University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Researchers and the UA Cancer Center say a compound found in cinnamon is a potent colorectal cancer preventor.

New research suggests eating cinnamon may help prevent colorectal cancer, at least in mice.

Previous research has linked this spice to blood pressure reduction and blood sugar control.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has used both the cinnamon tree bark and cinnamon tree branches for over a thousand years.

The bark of the tree is known as Gui Zhi and used in Chinese herbal formulations as a warming and dispersing herb. It helps protect against catching a cold and it can facilitate at warming the Qi, or energy of the body.

Researchers at Arizona College of Pharmacy found the compound that gives cinnamon its distinctive smell and flavor, cinnamaldehyde, also seems to protect rodents against colorectal cancer.

“This is a significant finding,” UA Cancer Center researcher Dr. Donna Zhang, said in a press release. “The next steps are to see if the spice alone can protect against cancer, and see if results can be replicated in people.”

“Can cinnamon do it, now that we know pure cinnamaldehyde can?” he said. “And can we use cinnamaldehyde or cinnamon as a weapon to go after other major diseases, such as inflammatory dysregulation and diabetes? “

Chinese herbs like cinnamon have always been used in TCM with other herbs in synergistic combinations. Using this Chinese herb or any others as a single herb should only be done under the care of a professional trained in Chinese medicine or herbal medicine. In TCM, Chinese herbs are most often combined to enhance or create an entourage effect for the desired action and to minimize any potential side effects. Should you have any questions about cinnamon or other Chinese herbs, get in touch with Cathy at Pacific Herbs for a free consultation at 877-818-9990.

Category: Herbal Sleep Aid