Artemisia for Malaria

Chinese Herb for Treating Malaria

Posted by Cathy on with 1 Comment

 

This has been re-posted for your enjoyment.

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In case you haven’t already heard, today is ‘World Malaria Day’,
April 25th, 2009.

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate World Malaria Day than to write  on a Traditional Chinese Medicinal herb and it’s benefits for  malaria. Ok, I know most of us in the west don’t know much or maybe anything about this disease. Some may even be thinking… isn’t malaria one of those plagues from the middle age

Malaria is the number one killer in underdeveloped countries, especially prevalent in Africa where it’s an epidemic. As many as 5 million people each year contract malaria, many recover, many do not. Malaria kills nearly one million people worldwide each year. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given millions of dollars for malaria research with the goal of eliminating malaria in our lifetime and by the looks of recent developments, well… read on.

So what does this have to do with Chinese herbal medicine and why did I choose this topic? Malaria has been successfully treated with Chinese herbal medicine for centuries. This is not news, well not to Acupuncturists or Chinese Medical Doctors nor to the scientists and drug companies searching out a cure or a vaccine for malaria. What is news is what Reuters published in an article (yesterday) which I’ve cited below and am quoting here, “elimination (of malaria) in a number of countries is certainly in sight.” Fantastic, right?!

Here’s what really exciting! “New medical treatments such as a drug developed by a Swiss pharmaceuticals company  Novartis using artemisinin, a compound derived from a herb used in Chinese traditional medicine, are driving down deaths and infections, said “Chris Hentschel”  of the Medicines for Malaria Venture.” The FDA has also recently approved the drug Coartem, an artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT) for malaria, which is said to have a 96% cure rate  Can you imagine: A pharmaceutical company using an herb-derived compound? Should we be shocked?

We in the Chinese Medical community are not shocked. We know the use of Chinese Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries with great success and we’ve all known that Artemisinin, Qing Hao, has been successfully used in the treatment of malaria. But doesn’t it feels great to be vindicated through “Big Pharma” ? When any big pharmaceutical company decides to study the compounds in “our” (Chinese) medicine cabinet we can all stand proud and say, look big pharma, our herbs have proven compounds that even your labs haven’t been able to invent and there’s more in the medicine cabinet than just Artemisinin.

The credibility of Chinese herbal medicine is coming full circle in the scientific age. We can only hope this is just the tip of the iceberg. The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine has a 2000 plus year history. Reuter’s goes on to report, “The treatment, administered to 57 million people last year, saved half a million lives last year.” That’s big news! If there was a drug that saved 500,00 people in the US, last year alone, we would be hearing about it. Because it’s in underdeveloped nations, this news doesn’t make the nightly 5 o’clock. But I can think of no better way than to start my blog page with what should be the Biggest News in the world today, especially on World Malaria Day.

Post Script:

A prominent physician and alchemist named Ge Hong (284-364CE) wrote a Chinese herb formulary called Zhou Hou Bei Zhi Fang (Prescriptions within Arm’s Reach for Use in Emergencies) Many of the formulas in this book are still in use today. He was the first to mention qing hao, (Artemisia Annua) as a treatment for malaria.

artemisia nobel prize

The Chinese Herb For Malaria and Nobel Prize Winner

Posted by Cathy on

Re-published June 2023 because it seems malaria is now a problem in the U.S. as well.  Enjoy.

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Congratulations go out to Professor Tu for her 1972 discovery in processing the Chinese herb Artemisia (Qing Hao) now recognized with a Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Chinese herbs win Nobel prizeHer work at the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, China has saved thousands from malaria deaths in the last forty plus years.

Before Professor Tu studied an ancient Chinese text regarding the cooking of the root artemisia, the herb was not successful at curing malaria patients.  Maybe she read about the prominent physician and alchemist named Ge Hong (284-364 CE) who wrote a formulary called Zhou Hou Bei Zhi Fang (Prescriptions within Arm”s Reach for Use in Emergencies). Many of the formulas in that book are still in use today. He was the first to mention qing hao, (Artemisia Annua) as a treatment for malaria. Professor Tu’s cooking discovery led to chemical constituents in artemisia to be viable and produce a therapeutic effect against deadly malaria. Quercetin has since been identified as the most therapeutic constituent but there are over 30 chemical constituents in the roots of artemisia. (See below)

Continue reading “The Chinese Herb For Malaria and Nobel Prize Winner” →

No Period Cramps

Herbal Sleep Aid – Avoid The Risk of Dementia from Ambien

Posted by Cathy on

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.

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Flu and Covid

Flu and Covid and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCM) – WHO Report

Posted by Cathy on

Because we don’t hear much about TCM in the West, this blog post is about TCM herbal medicine and randomized clinical studies treating Covid-19. These are often difficult to find so I have attached the WHO documentation and studies below.

Enjoy and Be Well.  Stay healthy with Immune Boost Herb Pack here.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) decided to convene a meeting of experts to evaluate the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the treatment of COVID-19. The subsequent Expert Meeting on Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of COVID-19 was held virtually from 28 February to 02 March 2022.

The objectives of the meeting were:

  • to understand the methodology applied in producing the reports;
  • to review and analyze the reports and randomized controlled trials of TCM in various phases of the progression of COVID-19 disease;
  • to evaluate the contribution of a TCM integrated approach in the treatment of COVID-19; and
  • to discuss how effectively to enhance the contribution of traditional medicine in global pandemics.

The 21 international experts from the six WHO regions included members of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel, representatives of WHO collaborating centers, members of the WHO International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH), and members of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Technical staff from WHO headquarters, regional and country offices also attended the meeting.

This meeting report describes the discussion among the experts and the consensus reached reviewing three reports on traditional Chinese medicine and COVID-19 provided by national expert groups in China and 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which had been registered and published as well.”   https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/who-expert-meeting-on-evaluation-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-in-the-treatment-of-covid-19

WHO-TCM expert-meeting-on-evaluation-of-tcm-in-the-treatment-of-covid-

 

Hu K, Guan W-J, Bi Y, Zhang W, Li L, Zhang B et al. Efficacy and safety of Lianhuaqingwen capsules, a
repurposed Chinese herb, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a multicenter, prospective, randomized
controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2021;85:153242. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153242.

Zhang L Zheng X, Bai X, Wang Q, Chen B, Wang H et al. Association between use of Qingfei Paidu Tang and
mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a national retrospective registry study. Phytomedicine.
2021;85:153531. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153531.

Chen Y, Liu C, Wang T, Qi J, Jia X, Zeng X et al. Efficacy and safety of Bufei Huoxue capsules in the
management of convalescent patients with COVID-19 infection: a multicentre, double-blind, and randomised
controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol, 2022;284:114830. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114830.

 

Shi N, Liu B, Liang N, Ma Y, Ge Y, Yi H et al. Association between early treatment with Qingfei Paidu decoction
and favorable clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.
Pharmacol Res. 2020;161:105290. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105290.

Zhao C, Li L, Yang W, Lv W, Wang J, Guo J et al. Chinese medicine formula Huashibaidu granule early
treatment for mild COVID-19 patients: an unblinded, cluster-randomized clinical trial. Front Med. 2021;16
Sept. doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.696976.

Hu K, Guan WJ, Bi Y, Zhang W, Li L, Zhang B et al. Efficacy and safety of Lianhuaqingwen capsules, a
repurposed Chinese herb, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a multicenter, prospective, randomized
controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2021;85:153242. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153242.

Luo Z, Chen W, Xiang M, Wang H, Xiao W, Xu C et al. The preventive effect of Xuebijing injection against
cytokine storm for severe patients with COVID-19: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Eur J Integr Med.
2021;42:101305. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101305.

Fall Advice From Traditional Chinese Medicine

Posted by Cathy on

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.

Natural Sleep aids

An Herbal Sleep Aid Used For Centuries

Posted by Cathy on

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. 

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine for COVID-19: A Systematic Review – PMID 35227280

Posted by Cathy on

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCM) has made an important contribution to preventing and controlling Covid19 since the outbreaks began in 2020.

The NIH published a new study in PubMed Feb 28, 2022.  The study explains how researchers systematically screened literature of various randomized controlled trials (RCT) of Traditionally Chinese herbs used for Cov id and what they found you will never hear about in legacy media. 

After a Meta-analysis of 29 RCT’s involving 12,460 patients herbal treatments were found highly successful for both severe and critical patients. The study, (link below) found Chinese herb blends reduced the mortality rate of patients with severe Cov19 by 55%.

Chinese herbal medicine was also found to relieve clinical symptoms and curtail hospital stays, improve laboratory indicators and more.

In addition, within the randomized studies consulted, a large number of the Chinese herbs used for COVID19 had biological constituents which can bind to antiviral targets and down regulate inflammation and regulate the immune system. 

Authors of the study will continue research into the components of these herbs and the mechanism of actions for Coronavirus diseases. 

Find the study abstract here:: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35227280/

Zhao Z, Li Y, Zhou L, et al. Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 using traditional Chinese medicine: a review. Phytomedicine. 2021;85:153308. – PubMed
An X, Zhang Y, Duan L, et al. The direct evidence and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of COVID-19. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111267. – PubMed – PMC
An X, Duan L, Zhang YH, et al. The three syndromes and six Chinese patent medicine study during the recovery phase of COVID-19. Chin Med. 2021;16:44. – PubMed – PMC
Liu M, Gao Y, Yuan Y, et al. Efficacy and safety of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2020;158:104896. – PubMed – PMC
Xiong X, Wang P, Su K, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2020;160:105056. – PubMed – PMC

best chinese herbs turmeric ginseng

Turmeric – Not Just A Spice

Posted by Cathy on

Turmeric,  a common spice in India and an herb used extensively in Chinese Medicine is gaining popularity as the “Alzheimer’s preventing  herb”.  Dr. Oz originally promoted this ancient herb, but he never talked about the thousands years of historical medicinal use of this “spice of life”.  Chinese herb pharmacopoeia categorizes turmeric as a blood regulator.  What this means is turmeric’s most  bio-active constituents called “curcuminoids”  have been documented as blood movers.  As such, it has a wide range of benefits one being an excellent natural anti-inflammatory.  Studies show it benefits wound healing and helps speed the remodeling of skin, so it’s great for minor cuts and burns.

In regards to Alzheimer’s disease, turmeric (Curcuma Longa) along with it’s commonly substituted  Curcuma Aromatica from the same specie,  may slow the progression of this disease byTCM removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.  Turmeric, which, as with many Chinese herbs is seen in at least three different  species in the same genus, is a natural antiseptic, antibacterial and antispasmodic. Chinese Medicine has used turmeric for the treatment of depression  and for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  It reduces cholesterol, helps liver function and stimulates bile production which aids digestion. Turmeric has also been used successfully for  inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease. Turmeric should not be used by pregnant women,  it’s blood moving qualities make it contraindicated during pregnancy.

Now that Western researchers have conducted a number of well publicized studies on turmeric which prove scientifically it’s many benefits to health. Chinese Medicine is vindicated for what it’s known for generations. Hopefully one day Eastern and Western medicine will cease to be adversaries and form a partnership based on the integration of their knowledge and their  mutual goal of improving the health and well being of people everywhere. Until then, enjoy some turmeric in your food often  to keep your cholesterol in check and  to improve your overall health.  Food should be your first medicine.

Our Corydalis Pain Relief Herb Pack contains a large amount Turmeric, in a highly concentrated form not found in most pills and capsules.  Try our blend for everyday aches and pains and for relief even after minor workouts.  Only a small amount of our concentrated granules, usually 1/2 tsp is needed daily.

Natural Sleep aids

Top 4 Reasons For Insomnia and How To Fix Them

Posted by Cathy on 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.

No Period Cramps

Birth Control Pills For Period Cramps Has Risks

Posted by Cathy on with 2 Comments

Birth Control for Menstrual Cramps Carries Risks

The Dr. Oz web site says birth control pill are safe for young girls period cramps. Dr. Oz and his writers haven’t done the research because studies show the risks are great, especially for young developing bodies under the age of 18.  Educate yourself and your daughters on the risk associated with oral contraception, the birth control pill.  The research is overwhelming.  There are serious risks to taking the pill for long periods of time and when starting usage at an early age.  Dr. Larry Norton from Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York City said this on the Oprah Magazine website when asked about the safety of birth control pills.

“Birth control pills are an estrogen-progesterone combination, so they bring up the same fears as HRT. Some disagree with me, but I just don’t see a reason to take the Pill—even for younger women. The fact is, breast cancer cells, at least in the formative stages, like estrogen. So the more continuously you feed them the estrogen, the greater the likelihood you’ll have a malignancy. With the sexually transmitted diseases that we have to worry about nowadays, I think barrier methods make a lot more sense.”

Say no to birth control pills for young girls painful menstrual cramps.  There are better, safer, natural choices to relieve menstrual cramps and PMS.  The “PILL”  was never intended to be used for severe menstrual cramps.   Do your own research, because too often doctors don’t even know these studies exist.  Learn about herbal remedies for period cramps  have been relieving menstrual cramps and PMS for hundreds of years. There are many natural alternatives for period pain. Learn about ours here.  Natural options such as Traditional Eastern herbal combinations have been used for generations, safely,most and are successful at relieving menstrual cramps and most period symptoms.

Rou Cong Rong,Cistanche

TCM Herbs for Fertility

Posted by Cathy on with 1 Comment

What’s better than horny goat weed?

The herb is Cistanche, a native desert plant that’s always been prized in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). This Chinese herb Cistanche  (aka – Rou Cong Rong) is used in Chinese medicine to replenish the blood and kidney jing also translated as essence or heredity. Cistanche was first mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing a Chinese book on agriculture and medicinal plants written circa 100 AD.  It is commonly used today for impotence and erectile dysfunction and you can find it in Pacific Herbs, Libido Booster for Him.

It’s not Viagra, but the actions from the volatile oils and non-volatile phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), oligosaccharides and polysaccharides have proven fertility treatment benefits for premature ejaculation, frequent urination, weakness of tendons, constipation in old age, impotence and even high blood pressure.  Libido Booster for Him has a combination of Chinese herbs used as a fertility treatment to increase sex drive and desire which includes cistanche.

What I find fascinating about this plant is that cistanche cannot grow alone. It is a parasitic type of shrub which only grows on the roots of others.  Saxaul is one such partner and is special in its own right for impeding erosion. You may have heard about the dust storms near Beijing before and during the Olympic games. This is a continual problem for the residents  and certainly for any athletes competing outdoors. China has spent millions on planting trees on the outskirts of Beijing to prevent the desert form encroaching into the metropolitan areas and to reduce the effects of the dust storms. (Approximately 18% of China’s land is desert).  A plant like saxaul has huge value in simply holding the sand in place.

Now that thousands of acres of saxaul and cistanche are growing, it’s not only holding back the encroaching desert it also had the ability to earn families a substantial living. The international market for kidney tonics has been growing and cistanche is known as the “ginseng of the desert”.  Along with the above mentioned actions this Chinese herb is a popular immunity booster, memory enhancer  and known for delaying aging and treating infertility. Overall it’s a kidney tonic, similar to ginseng in that regard.

You probably never thought to look for the fountain of youth in a desert, but this plant is truly just that. Growing in one of the harshest environments on earth, cistanche overcomes the odds with enduring persistence and provides us with compounds which Chinese medicine has used for centuries to restore and replenish kidney essence. This incredible plant provides us energy,  it helps the ecology and the local economy.

Who would of thought you would find something so “green“ in the middle of a desert.

  • Check out Fertility Tea Herb Pack
  • Analysis of chemical constituents in Cistanche species
  • School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing  China.
Is Green Tea Good For Menopause

Is green tea good for menopause?

Posted by Cathy on

Is Green Tea Good For MenopauseYou may be wondering, is green tea good for menopause? Most of us have heard that green tea is good for us, but why? The answer is that drinking green tea provides many health benefits, including:

  • Heart health — drinking tea is associated with lowering one’s risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Bone health — antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of green tea help diminish bone loss
  • Oral health —  green tea is a natural flouride source which helps decrease tooth decay
  • Weight loss — the catechins in green tea produces thermogenesis (heat in the body related to burning calories)
  • Cancer prevention — the catechins in tea prevent cell mutation and reduce tumor formation​

But you may also be wondering, is green tea good for menopause? The answer is yes! Green tea can help balance your hormones.

  • Good for Menopause! — The biochemicals in green tea can change a woman’s estrogen metabolism, and as you may know, estrogen dominance is undeniably linked to breast cancer.

Researchers, led by Dr. Barbara Fuhrman of the NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) Cancer Institute, tested urinary estrogens and metabolites among 181 Japanese American women from California and Hawaii. Of these healthy women, 72 were postmenopausal. Along with urinary testing, personal interviews were taken, and each woman’s consumption of green tea, black tea, coffee and soda were recorded, measured, and adjusted in respect to caffeine consumption.

Amazingly, postmenopausal women who drank green tea daily had 20% less urinary estrone and 40% less urinary estradiol levels (meaning these women metabolized estrogen better). It was found that black tea did not produce the same results as green tea, and interestingly, caffeine consumption did not change the results.

Even more interesting, and perhaps concerning for pre-menopausal women, was the result that the estrogen levels of pre-menopausal women did not respond to green tea at all.

So, now that you know the answer to is green tea good for menopause, what does it all mean?

Is Green Tea Good For MenopauseWhat should you do with this information?

Well, if you are postmenopausal, drink green tea! It will help metabolize estrogen and can help in the prevention of breast cancer.

If you are pre-menopausal, drink green tea! Even though it will not have the same cancer-reducing results, green tea still has wonderful health benefits. Try other, more natural remedies for PMS symptoms, instead of using the birth control pill (which increases risk of breast cancer).

If you are experiencing symptoms of the change in life we call “menopause” (technically it is “perimenopause”), drink green tea! Remember to steer clear of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) because it too is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Instead, try Menopause Relief Herb Pack for uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweating, insomnia, headaches, and mood swings.

Join the Rock Your Menopause 7 day challenge, for FREE!

Want to learn more? Get free Menopause Relief advice straight to your inbox with the Rock your Menopause 7 Day Challenge!

What’s discussed in the 7 Day Challenge?

  • Eastern Medicine health tips you don’t hear about.
  • Why green and clean beauty products.
  • How to find a fondness for fiber.
  • Why a daily BM is a must.
  • The difference between PRE and PRO-biotics.
  • How to find fermented foods you’ll love & why you need them.
  • Why eating hormones is off limits.
  • Explore the pro’s & con’s of bio-identical vs HRT hormone therapy.

Head over to RockYourMenopause.com and sign up for the free challenge now!

References

Fuhrman BJ, Pfeiffer RM, Wu AH, Xu X, Keefer LK, Veenstra TD, Ziegler RG. Green tea intake is associated with urinary estrogen profiles in Japanese-American women. Nutr J. 2013 Feb 15;12(1):25.
Yang CS, Wang X, Lu G, Picinich SC: Cancer prevention by tea: animal studies, molecular mechanisms and human relevance. Nat Rev Cancer2009, 9(6):429–439.

Case Adams is a California Naturopath and holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health Sciences. His focus is upon science-based natural health solutions. He is the author of 20 books on natural health and numerous print and internet articles. His work can be found at http://www.caseadams.com.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.