Menopause Hormone Therapy Connected to High Blood Pressure

Posted by Cathy on July 12, 2012

natural menopause treatment What’s new in hormone therapy today? For starters, the name HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy is being substituted more with just the HT (hormone therapy) label. If you’ve found this confusing join the club. Maybe next it will be Health Therapy (HT)? Any name that is both benign and friendly seems to be a better way to present these drugs, right?

However, now even more new research is proving these drugs have dangerous side effects. There is nothing healthy or therapeutic about artificial hormones. There is more than abundant data on artificial HRT, hormone replacement therapy, and its connection to an increase risk of breast cancer and stroke. There are ongoing studies in other arenas like this one just published.

Hot off the press from Australia! This study concluded the longer a woman used HRT or HT or artificial hormones (call them whatever you wish) the higher her risk of developing high blood pressure.

The study, not small by any means, included 43,405 postmenopausal women and was led by Joanne Lind of the University of Western Sydney. Dr. Lind explained that the study shows that “longer use of menopausal hormone therapy is associated with having high blood pressure”.

If you are looking for a natural alternative for menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, learn why Chinese herbs are the first choice for millions of women around the world who want a safe natural alternative.

Hopefully this message will be conveyed to women who are considering using hormone therapy for menopause symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure and are using and form of HRT or HT.

References:

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0040260

Citation: Chiu CL, Lujic S, Thornton C, O’Loughlin A, Makris A, et al. (2012) Menopausal Hormone Therapy Is Associated with Having High Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women: Observational Cohort Study. PLoS ONE 7(7): e40260. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040260

Mark Blumenthal Discusses What Everyone Wants to Know About Medicinal Plants

Posted by Cathy on July 5, 2012

What is our cultural heritage to plants?

Why should you know about medicinal herbs, Chinese herbs and the contributions of herbs, herbal drinks and herbal remedies?

One reason is herbal medicine can be used safely as the first choice for self care and preventative care. A cultural shift is occurring right now, herbal remedies ARE growing every year, we are returning to our roots and are cultural heritage. This video explains it all.

Click here to learn more http://newhope360.com/herbal/mark-blumenthal-discusses-abcs-mission-promote-medicinal-plants?cid=nl_nbj_weekly

Mark Blumenthal discusses these in the video below. Mark is the founder of American Botanical Council (ABC) located in Austin Tx. He is is dedicated to disseminating accurate, reliable, and responsible information on herbs and medicinal plants. He is the Editor/Publisher of HerbalGram, an international, peer-reviewed quarterly journal. For six years he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, teaching the course “Herbs and Phytomedicines in Today’s Pharmacy.” Mark is the Senior Editor of the English translation of The Complete German Commission E Monographs–Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines (1998), Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs (2000), The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs (2003), and co-author of Rational Phytotherapy, 5th edition (2004). He has appeared on over 400 radio and television shows and has written over 500 articles, reviews and book chapters for many publications.

Chinese Herbs Growing in Los Angeles

Posted by Cathy on June 24, 2012

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

Posted by Cathy on June 20, 2012

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.

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

Posted by Cathy on June 15, 2012

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.

Chinese Herbs To Build Bone In Menopausal Women And Help Sleeplessness

Posted by Cathy on June 12, 2012

Menopausal women who are concerned about osteoporosis and bone loss may have a new ally. The Chinese herbs known as Mu Li, concha ostreae, concha margarita or oyster shell has been found to prevent change of bone mass in rats. Oyster shell is often ground into a fine powder and cooked with other Chinese herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). You can find Mu Li in our iSleep Herb Pack because this shell is well know for its calming properties and ability to help with sleeplessness.

In Geneva, Switzerland on May 29, UPI reported a treatment with bisphosphonates — drugs that offset bone loss associated with menopause — may be linked to femur fractures. Dr. Raphael P. H. Meier and colleagues from University Hospitals of Geneva and Faculty of Medicine in Switzerland evaluated the association between bisphosphonate treatment and atypical femoral fractures in 477 patients age 50 and older who were hospitalized with a subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fracture at a single university medical center.

Compared with patients without fractures, use of bisphosphonates was associated with a 47 percent reduction in the risk of classic fracture.

"We have demonstrated that the association between bisphosphonate treatment and the occurrence of atypical fractures of the femur is highly likely and that the duration of such treatment significantly correlates with augmented risk," the authors said in a statement.

Oyster shell calcium, when prepared in a Chinese herb formula maybe an easy and inexpensive answer for women as they age.

The above findings were published online in Archives of Internal Medicine.

References:

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/05/29/Bone-loss-drugs-linked-to-femur-fractures/UPI-18641338265055/?spt=hs&or=hn

Ginseng Fights Fatigue Says Mayo Clinic

Posted by Cathy on June 4, 2012

Need more energy, REAL energy that sustains you and not just a quick jolt of caffeine? The most famous Chinese herb, ginseng, now has more proof on its fatigue fighting abilities.

According to the Mayo Clinic, American Ginseng taken for 8 weeks can help decrease cancer-related fatigue symptoms.

This latest study was done in 40 community medical centers in the U.S and Canada on 364 cancer patients. Half of the patients studied were undergoing cancer treatment at the time of the study and the other half had already completed cancer treatment.

Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural energy booster, libido booster and overall tonic herb for thousands of years. These new findings, just presented at the American Socity of Clinical Oncology annual meeting found the study participants’ experienced

"Significant Improvement" in their general exhaustion levels with no apparent side effects.

Mayo researcher Debra Barton stated "After eight weeks, we saw a 20-point improvement in fatigue in cancer patients, measured on a 100-point, standardized fatigue scale." "Cancer is a prolonged chronic stress experience and the effects can last 10 years beyond diagnosis and treatment," she said. "If we can help the body be better modulated throughout treatment with the use of ginseng, we may be able to prevent severe long-term fatigue."

Along with ginseng's energy boosting benefits it also has been researched and concluded to decrease inflammation and regulate levels of coritisol (a common stress hormone). Energy Booster Herb Pack by Pacific Herbs is a perfect addition for anyone dealing with fatigue because it contains a high dose of ginseng. This energy drink is safe, delicious easy to take and perfectly packaged for everyone on the run. Energy Booster Herb Pack has No caffeine, NO sugar and NO fillers. Energy booster can be taken as a energy drink or just straight in the mouth.

China’s Obsession – Bigger Is Definitely Better

Posted by Cathy on May 28, 2012

In China, BIGGER is definitely better.

Take a look for yourself. These pictures tell it all.

If you are going to build a statue in Asia, it's got to be big. I mean really BIG.

Here in the U.S. we don't have much to compare with these. Mount Rushmore comes to mind but it is over 70 years old.

These huge statues, all in China, have all been built in the last 20 years.

What's the reason BIGGER is better? Not sure, what do you think?

AD 803		1994

		Located 30 kilometers south of Guangzhou city, South China's Guangdong province, the 40.8-meter Kwan-yin statue is the tallest gold-plated bronze statue in the world. It was completed in 1994.

		1996
Situated 160 kilometers north of Chengdu city, Southwest China's Sichuan province, the 71-meter Leshan Grand Buddha was built in AD 803 during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It is still the biggest stone-carved Buddha in the world and was included on the World Heritage List. It was the world's biggest Buddha for 1,200 years. Now, it only ranks seventh in China in terms of height. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]		The 88-meter Lingshan Grand Buddha built in 1996 is the main tourist attraction at Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province. It is a bronze statue of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]
1998

Xijiaoshan Kwan-yin Statue is 61.9 meters high, situated on the top of a hill in Foshan city, South China's Guangdong province. It was completed in 1998 as the highest sitting Kwan-yin statue.

2005		2006

		Golden Statue of Puxian on Emei Mountain, in Sichuan province, was built in May 2006 and is 48 meters high. This 66-ton bronze likeness is endowed with 10 heads "to catch winds from 10 directions."

The giant Kwan-yin statue is 108 meters high, located at Nanshan Temple in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. It was built in April 2005. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

2008		2007 The 106-meter statue of Yandi (left) and Huangdi emperors was finished in April 2007 in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan province. Chinese often refer to themselves as "sons and grandsons of the emperors Huangdi and Yandi."
The Spring Temple Buddha built in 2008 is a statue depicting Vairocana Buddha in Zhaocun township of Lushan county, Central China's Henan province. At 128 meters, which includes a 20-meter lotus throne, it is the tallest statue in the world. If the statue's 25-meter pedestal is taken into account, the monument has a total height of 153 meters. The hill on which the statue stands was reshaped to form two more pedestals. The total height of the monument is now 208 meters. It is made of 108 kilograms of gold, 3,300 kilograms of alloy-copper and 15,000 tons of special steel. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

2009
2009		2010
		The huge statue of Guan Gong, an ancient Chinese marshal from the Three Kingdoms Period (AD 220-280), in Yuncheng city, North China's Shanxi province, is made of copper and measures 61 meters. It was built in 2010, becoming the tallest statue of Duke Guan in the world.

A thousand-hand Kwan-yin statue was finished in 2009 at Weishan Mountain in Central Hunan province. The statue is 99 meters high.

Harvard Unlocks Secrets of Chinese Herbs

Posted by Cathy on May 22, 2012

Harvard School of Dental Medicine has discovered the secret behind an herb used in Chinese herbal medicine. The herb commonly known as Chang Shan, is a type of hydrangea with a bioactive ingredient that can treat autoimmune disorders. This is not the first time a Chinese herb has been found to have chemical constituents with significant health benefits. Most drugs today have their origins in phyto or plant chemicals.

Chinese medicine has been using plants, insects, fish and shell fish for more than 2,000 years to treat mankind’s illnesses. Learning the secrets behind the power of these herbs is still an emerging field and scientists are continually learning how various herbal compounds in plants block or stimulate pathways in the body, triggering other reactions.

In this case, the hydrangea plant contains halofuginone (HF) a compound which blocks the development of a harmful class of immune cells called TH17 cells. These cells have many implications in autoimmune disorders.

“HF prevents the autoimmune response without dampening immunity altogether,” said Malcolm Whitman, a professor of developmental biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and senior author on the new study. “This compound could inspire novel therapeutic approaches to a variety of autoimmune disorders.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine is proving more amazing everyday.

This study involved an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Harvard-affiliated and Massachuetts General Hospital and published in Nature Chemical Biology, Febuary 2012.

Prior research had shown that HF reduced scarring in tissue, scleroderma (a tightening of the skin), multiple sclerosis, scar formation, and even cancer progression. “We thought HF must work on a signaling pathway that had many downstream effects,” said Keller.

Recognized only since 2006, Th17 cells are “bad actors,” implicated in many autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and psoriasis. The researchers found that minute doses of HF reduced multiple sclerosis in a mouse model. As such, it was one of a new arsenal of drugs that selectively inhibits autoimmune pathology without suppressing the immune system globally.

Click here to browse our line of natural and traditional Chinese Herbs.

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University.

Reference: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/02/secrets-of-ancient-chinese-remedy-revealed/

Fascinating Facts On Chinese Herbs

Posted by Cathy on May 20, 2012

What do I find most fascinating about Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs? Maybe its because Chinese herbs are the oldest medicine on earth. Practiced for nearly 5000 years.

One of the oldest Chinese herbal text is the Shen Nong Ben Cao translated it is, “The Divine Farmers Materia Medica”. This foundation book in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the book from which all others are derived.

I love history. The ability to read a 2000 year old book on the pharmacologocial activities of more than 365 plant, mineral, fish, shell fish, animal and insects is simply, AMAZING to me. (This ancient herbal medicine text was written circa 30 AD.) The use of plants and other pharmacologocial agents found in nature was explained with three key statements from the Shen Nong Ben Cao:

The highest level physician helps the patient fulfill their destiny. “The upper class of medicines…..govern the nourishment of destiny and correspond to heaven…., If one wishes to prolong the years of life without aging, one should” use these. Sheng Nong Ben Cao

Upper Class or superior drugs:

Superior drugs at the time of the Sheng Nong Ben Cao were those found to be nontoxic, and could be safely taken in large amounts for extended periods. Today we know them as tonics. (Approximately 120) Well-known superior drugs include: ginseng, licorice, di huang (root of Rehmannia), huangqi (root of Astragalus), wu wei zi (fruit of Schisandra), gan cao, (licorice) sesame seed, magnolia flower, ling zhi (Ganoderma), fu ling or poria, Chinese date (fruit of Ziziphus jujuba.), Job’s tears [seed of Coix.) and duzhong (bark of Eucommia). All of these superior herbs can be found in one or more of Pacific Herbs products.

“The mid-level physician treats constitution and helps the patient nourish their original nature.” Sheng Nong Ben Cao

“The middle class of medicines govern the nourishment of one’s nature and correspond to man. …If one wishes to prevent illness and to supplement depletions and emaciations, one should” use these.

Middle Class Drugs: (120 drugs) Middle class drugs are those that could be toxic or nontoxic, depending on usage. This included: ginger, mahuang or ephedra herb (Ephedra), danggui (Angelica sinensis), jixuecao or gotu kola, kuandonghua or coltsfoot flower (flower of Tussilaqo), yinyanghuo (herb of Epimedium spp.), haizao (Sargassum), hehuan (bark of Albizzia julibriss), gaoben, and zhuling or polyporus [sclerotium of Polyporus umbellatus.

The lowest level physician treats symptoms only.

“The lower (class of) medicines….govern the treatment of illness and correspond to earth. If one wishes to remove cold, heat and (other) evil influences (from the body), to break accumulations, and to cure illnesses, one should base (one’s efforts) on (drugs listed in) the lower (class of this) manual.” Sheng Nong Ben Cao

Inferior drugs are toxic, and are used for treating diseases and should not be used for extended periods .Inferior drugs (approx 125 include fu zi and wu tou, which are roots of aconite (Aconitum carmichaeli), rhubarb root (root and rhizome), bai tou weng (root of Pulsatilla chinensis), lian qiao or forsythia fruit (Forsythia), qing hao, croton seed (fruit of Croton), guan zhong (rhizome of Dryopteris), and lang dang zi (Hyoscyamus niger).

Many of the drugs in the Shen Nong Ben Cao are still being used today for the same medicinal reasons as the time the information was first written down. Two thousand years, their rationale can be scientifically justified. For example, the use of haizao (Sargassum) for the treatment of swelling of the neck (goiter) can be explained by its high content of iodine. There are endless examples. More than enough for another blog.

Some things never change. Even after a few thousand years.

Alcohol Abuse Reduced With This Chinese Herb

Posted by Cathy on May 19, 2012

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."

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) More Popular For Treating Children Than Western Medicine in Taiwan

Posted by Cathy on May 12, 2012

(TCM) is one of the most commonly used Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM). However, there is a lack in the number of studies about the use of TCM for children. In Taiwan, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) medical visit services are fully reimbursed by National Health Insurance. Chinese herbs are also covered by their national health insurance system. A study in Taiwan used a nationwide cohort database to investigate demographics, diseases patterns, and parents’ characteristics of pediatric TCM users.

Children aged <12 years were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database for analysis. These pediatric TCM users’ demographics, medical conditions, and reasons for medical services were compared with users of Western medicine by Poisson regression. Children who did not use any medical services were excluded.

Of 107,337 children who were enrolled and followed up in 2005, 19,669 children (18.3%) used TCM. Compared with Western medicine-only users, school-age children (aged 6-12 years), preschool age children (3-5 years), and toddlers (1-2 years) were more likely to use TCM than infants (<1 year; rate ratio = 4.47, 3.66 and 2.59, respectively; P < .001 for all). Parental factors were associated with more TCM use, including female gender, age >35 years, past experience with TCM, and higher income levels. Allergic reactions and respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and musculoskeletal problems were also associated with higher TCM use.

The use of TCM was correlated with both patient and parental factors, among which children’s age and parental TCM use were the most prominent.

Source: PubMed Pediatrics. 2012 May 14

Characteristics of Pediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine Users in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Chen HY, Lin YH, Wu JC, Chen YC, Thien PF, Chen TJ, Yang SH, Chen JL, Lo SS. Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan;

Tag: Chinese Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine is proving more amazing everyday.

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