Improve Your Memory with Ginseng – King of All Chinese Herbs

Posted by Cathy on October 31, 2010 with 1 Comment

So you want to improve your cognitive performance, or give yourself a little brain boost. Don't we all need that from time to time.

Ginseng is often referred to as the King of all Chinese herbs. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used it for prevention and treatment of many diseases and as a general health elixir and performance enhancer for several millennia,.

A group of researchers in the UK decided to study the effects of Ginseng in healthy young adults. This study proved this Chinese herb can improve working memory, improve the speed of performing mental arithmetic and improve reaction times. But the findings are both dose dependent and dependent on the active ingredients in the extract used. The known active ingredient in ginseng are specific saponins known as ginsenosides. The extract used in this study was standardized to 4% total ginsenosides at a 400 mg dose once daily.

What I like about this study is it was randomized, placebo controlled, and double blind. (neither researchers or participants knew which were taking the ginseng). These are the best kinds of studies to trust the results. Although there are thousands of studies on Chinese herbs and specifically panax ginseng, this study was the first to include a comprehensive assessment of working memory. The authors concluded it was the 400 mg dose that made the biggest difference. This study was conducted for 8 days, and most likely not long enough to see a chronic effect.

If you are looking to purchase ginseng there are many varieties on the market. The difficulty is knowing which brand to trust and which brand actually has effective properties. Does the brand you purchase have a minimum 4% total ginsenosides? We understand the confusion and frustration of not knowing if and when an herbal product is truly worth the cost.

Because we have a connection to an excellent source, and customers keep asking for it, we have decided to include ginseng in our store. Our Panax ginseng is tested for impurities and active properties with both TLC and HPLC. It is the same product used throughout hospitals in China. It is the same product which Japanese businessmen seek to purchase, simply because they can afford it. We buy direct so you receive both a quality product sold to herbalist and Acupuncturists, at a fair market price. Our herbal granules can be mixed in warm water to drink as a tea or mix into your favorite smoothie drink. You can also place a small amount of granules on your tongue and swallow with water. Either way you will experience the power and health benefits of ginseng.

We guarantee all our products or your money back.

You can read the study mentioned above, here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952762/

Are You Rethinking Menopause, Revisiting Hormones & HRT?

Posted by Cathy on October 26, 2010

If your taking them you might be rethinking your decision. If your not taking them you’re wondering if they could help. If your dealing with menopause symptoms, you are most likely also dealing with the dilemma of artificial hormones.

The recent news regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is making all women of 45 and older, rethink their options as they consider what to do about hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia and a host of other typical menopause symptoms that can plague women daily.

Yet the standard of care that we call herd medicine, or medicine for the masses, can no longer BE the standard of care. Today we must start with a new emphasis on the importance of treating every woman individually, with decisions about hormone use made strictly on a case-by-case basis.

If your looking for answers and don’t know what to believe with all the recent studies, check out The Breast Cancer Fund. This national non-profit organization has the most recently published studies posted in one convenient location. They connect the dots between breast cancer and exposures to chemicals and radiation in our everyday environments. They also offer a host of practical breast cancer prevention strategies. From limiting BPA’s to minimizing your exposure to toxic chemicals, their web site is an amazing place to educate yourself.

If you need more education on a natural solution to your menopause symptoms, you can find several articles here. Our solution, Menopause Relief Herb Pack, is one that has worked for generations of women. It’s nothing new to any Chinese herbalist and we guarantee it. Money back if your not satisfied. You can find it here or ask your local Acupuncturist/herbalist for your best herbs for menopause.

The Womens Conference, Health, Wellness and What? Menopause?

Posted by Cathy on October 25, 2010

I just returned from a night at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, the premier convention for women. Our 1st lady of California, Maria Shriver does a fantastic job and in fact tomorrow First Lady Obama will be speaking. What I love about the conference is that's it's predominantly women attending, (4000 tonight), great women's products, and great speakers. One exception, I saw a lone male strutting around topless. (ok he was part of a dance group) All the women I saw were goo goo eyed over him. Ok he had a great body but posing for pictures with him??…a bit over the top for me. Maybe because he was the only walking testosterone in the building.

What Donna Karan and her Urban Zen organization are doing is quite amazing. I was very impressed to hear about the level of internal healing that is coming from her pursuits at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Urban Zen brings yoga and an entire Complementary Medicine program to hospital patients and personnel. Changing the face of the hospital environment. Kudos to her and her vision.

I spoke with a lot of interesting folks. Someone dared tell me there was no herbal cure for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. She believes HRT therapy is completely safe, regardless of the studies show cancer rates sky rocketing for women on artificial hormones. Clearly she had not done her homework and knew nothing about Chinese herbs or Chinese herbal medicine. I hope I cleared up some of her misconceptions. Chinese herbal medicine is the oldest documented medicine on the planet and has been used continuously for over 2000 years.

It's easy to understand why Americans don't know this. Our media is dominated with prescription drug commercials and promises of a new pill or vaccine. Herbs cannot be patented so drug companies want to keep us in the dark ages. But the light continues to shine. Alternative medicine messages, including Chinese herbs, naturopathic medicine and yoga booths dominated the Women Conference. Messages like Donna Karan's are meeting a welcome and receptive audience. You can't stop change and you can't hold down women. They want safe answers for menopause symptoms and natural solutions to preventing breast cancer.

Also, an amazing organization called The Breast Cancer Fund, the only organization giving truly preventative advise. That topic is another blog, coming soon.

Thanks for reading.

Mayo Clinic’s New Book and Thoughts on Disease “PREVENTION”

Posted by Cathy on October 17, 2010

The top 20 health issues are all discussed in the Mayo Clinic’s new book on Alternative Medicine. The author, Dr. Bauer, details dozens of natural therapies that have worked safely. Dr. Bauer asserts that “an opportunity has risen that may hold the promise of a new paradigm for better health.”

Firstly: “The best way to manage an illness is to prevent it from happening in the first place” This is one reason there has been explosive growth in the field of alternative medicine. People are looking for more “natural” or “holistic” ways to maintain good health!!

Secondly: By combining the best of complementary and conventional health care practices to meet your individual needs, you’ll be practicing integrative medicine.

Sounds simple enough to me!!

Start with reducing stress and get a good nights sleep. Stanford University recognizes the importance of these two factors. They are currently recruiting women for a sleep study, to learn how lack of sleep and too much stress may be linked to breast cancer and breast cancer survival.

You may be surprised that Mayo Clinic now urges you and your doctor to consider yoga, garlic, acupuncture, dietary supplements and other natural therapies. The record is clear. Many of these alternative therapies can help you achieve reduced arthritis pain, healthier coronary arteries, improved diabetes management, better memory function and more.

So find some local fitness classes, get a group of friends together and walk, go to your local health food store and stock up on quality herbal supplements, there is no excuse.

Alternative Medicine is “Preventative Health Care” and the new mantra is:

“What’s alternative today will be conventional tomorrow.”

Celebrating John Lennon and His Visits to a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor

Posted by Cathy on October 8, 2010

When John Lennon was shot, the world lost a hero. If you are like me, you remember where and when you heard this news. It was a sad day. In honor of what would have been John's 70th birthday, I celebrate his brilliance.

John Lennon was always ahead of his time, even in the 1970's. John and Yoko visited "a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for spiritual and physical cleansing and healing" acording to an article in the New York Times today. This news has apparently never before been made public. The doctor, originally from Shanghai China was an immigrant and living with his family in San Mateo, CA. It was reported that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, also came to Dr. Hong for treatments and may have been the liaison that brought John and Yoko to him.

Years later, it was reported that John sent the family money and saved them from poverty. Barbara Hong, the daughter of the Chinese herbal doctor said, "Lennon liked to joke ..and play his harmonica, and one day he shared a new tune. “He played it on our piano,” Barbara Hong said. “He said, ‘This is a song I’m going to release soon. It was “Imagine.”

Imagine that happening in your living room. Thank you John for your vision to see the value in Chinese Medicine when it wasn't even a licensed health modality in the 1970's. We wish you were alive to see the state of Acupuncture and herbal medicine today. I know you would be pleased to see how treatments like what you received from Dr. Hong are now available from coast to coast and Chinese herbs are on every continent in the world. Imagine what another 30 years will bring us!

New York Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/us/08bcjames.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Good News, HRT and Breast Cancer Decrease, But Hot Flashes Increase

Posted by Cathy on September 28, 2010

A dramatic decrease in use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the past two years has also coincided with lower breast cancer incidence according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. HRT was the recommended treatment for decades for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog and vaginal dryness to name a few.

However, since 2002 when the Womens Health Initiative clinical trial announced an increase risk in breast cancer, stroke and heart attacks due to HRT, doctors have limited their prescription writing of HRT. It is fantastic to see a study showing breast cancer diagnosis dropping in the past two years, but many women have such debilitating menopause symptoms they still need something to help them cope. It's unfortunate more women do not understand the benefits of herbal remedies for menopause, which can provide the comfort they desperatly seek.

If you don't sleep well, soak through pajamas at night, hot flash during the day and often feel dazed and confused you could add a few Chinese herbs to your diet, by way of a tea. You will have a decline of symptoms within a few weeks, within one month you will feel significant, real relief. But many women want a quick acting pill and that is not how herbal medicine works. Our bodies normally slowly enter the peri-menopause stage and then the complete end to menstruation. Coping with the symptoms that arise from hormonal changes is not easy and it can take a little time to readjust the thermostat of the body. Our herbal remedy for menopause does work. Our herbs have been written about and used continuously for over 2000 years. More information about our Menopause Relief Herb Pac coming soon.

As always, thanks for reading our blog.

Study information can be found at: J Natl Cancer Inst. Published online September 23, 2010.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729378?sssdmh=dm1.639367&src=nldne&uac=139834FJ

Jujube, What Makes It Such a Great Sleep Aid?

Posted by Cathy on September 27, 2010

What is this funny little fruit, known as jujube, and why is it known for promoting a deeper, more restful sleep? In Chinese herbal medicine it is the seed of the fruit or spiny zizyphus. Laboratory studies of zizyphus extract have confirmed the sedative effects. In fact, the latest research from France concluded the seeds of the fruit are rich in fatty acids and a host of other beneficial compounds which can benefit those who are looking for a natural sleep aid.

Jujube seeds are about the same size as a typical apple seed. The seeds have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in other ancient cultures for hundreds of years. The seeds are most commonly used for their sedative effects especially common as a sleep aid. Yet, unlike so many other sedative plants or man made drugs, zizphus is extremely safe. Drinking zizphus tea has been reported to have no toxicity even in huge doses such as 50 grams per kilogram of body weight, even for 30 consecutive days.

Modern pharmacology evaluation of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract suggest that with prolonged feeding (to mice) they can reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol (mainly LDL), and reduce fatty degeneration of the liver. These same properties have also been attributed to the triterpenes of ganoderma and ginseng. Connect here to articles on ginseng and ganoderma.

Jujube has increasingly become popular as a source of over-the-counter natural sleep aid. In this just released study, different extracts of the Zizyphus exerted antioxidant activity. Hence, it is possible that the antioxidant activity of Zizyphus might be due to the presence of different vitamins and fatty acids. The study also showed that Zizyphus decoction (cooked in water) exerted an immmuno-supressive activity. Jujube is one of the main ingredients in our natural herbal sleep tea. For more information on our iSleep Herb Pac sleep aid click here.

References:

Wu Shuyun, et al., Effects of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract on decrease of serum lipoprotein and inhibition of platelet aggregation, China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 1991.

The study quoted can be found at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6882-10-54.pdf
Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) modulates antioxidant activity and human T-cell proliferation
Authors: Chahid Benammar1§,2, Aziz Hichami2, Akadiri Yessoufou2, Anne-Marie Simonin2, Meriem
Belarbi1, Hocine Allali 3, and Naim A Khan2

Chinese Herbs May Soon Help Those With Cocaine Addiction

Posted by Cathy on September 26, 2010

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has just received a prestigious $3.7 million grant to develop a drug which would treat cocaine addiction. The drug is based on a molecule originally discovered in the extract of Chinese herbs. Jia Bei Wang Ph.D is a professor of pharmaceutical science and was awarded this grant, the largest ever given by the NIH, National Institute of Health.

Wang and her collaborators from the University’s schools of pharmacy and medicine will develop a drug from a compound called l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), which is the active ingredient in some Chinese herbal medicines. Under the grant, the team also plans to conduct human trials to test the effectiveness of the new drug. If proven effective, it will be the first drug developed from Chinese herbs and approved in the United States, and possibly anywhere in the world, to treat cocaine addiction.

Congratulations go to Dr. Wang and her team for receiving the grant. We look forward to the results five years from now. We’ve always known Chinese herbs can treat a myriad of diseases, from PMS, insomnia, pre-diabetes to alcohol addiction. Dr. Wang has extensively studied the Chinese research on 1-THP and six months ago she provided IDA with samples produced in China. The agency found it to have a unique profile, says Wang. “Chinese medicine is a big treasure box, which I always had in mind as a possible resource to treat drug addiction,” she says

“Cocaine addiction is a major health concern in both urban and suburban communities and l-THP may be the first effective medication for the treatment of cocaine abuse and addiction approved in this country,” says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. “Dr. Wang’s clinical research is critical and timely, and if successful, it will augment and strengthen the cognitive-behavioral approaches used currently to treat cocaine addiction.

more info here: http://www.oea.umaryland.edu/communications/news/?ViewStatus=FullArticle&articleDetail=10555

President Clinton Loses Weight With the Help of Herbs

Posted by Cathy on September 22, 2010

Former President Clinton wanted to get into shape for his daughters wedding. Sounds familiar, what almost every parent hopes to do, but not all can achieve this goal. So how did he do it? He changed his eating habits and added herbs! “It changed my whole metabolism,” Clinton says. “And I lost 24 pounds. And I got back to basically what I weighed in high school.”

In the video below President Clinton talks about changing his diet and the protein drink he makes to start his day. One of the herbs in the morning protein drink is a famous Chinese herb called He Shou Wu. This herb has been studied and used since ancient times to increase stamina and rejuvenate the body. Something clearly worked well for Clinton. This Chinese herb is also well known for increasing sexual vitality and longevity. Both men and women can use it for fertility. If you are interested in adding He Shou Wu to your protein shake or drinking it as a tea, we provide only the highest quality herbs and He Shou Wu concentrated granules here at Pac Herbs.

Sleep Tips From The Mayo Clinic, Is Sleeping Now a Luxury?

Posted by Cathy on September 21, 2010 with 1 Comment

Is Sleep a luxury? As our world has become more modern, more convenient and more well, fast paced sleeping seems to be, more of a luxury than a necessity. We can take pills to quickly put us to sleep and all kinds of drinks and foods to keep us awake. We can regulate our bodies for 20 hour work days and 4 hours of rest, or any combination thereof. With hundreds of TV stations on 24 hours, movies on demand, internet, anytime, anywhere, there just seems like so many better things to do than sleep. Even little kids know that it's usually much more fun to stay up late, than to go to bed.

Yes, but our genetics tell us we need 8-9 hours of sleep every night. Sorry, overriding genetics on this issue will only deteriorate your health. Here are the highlights from an eight page report about sleeping well from the Mayo Clinic.

Sleep isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity.
Restful sleep is just as important to health as adequate nutrition and exercise.
Sleep is necessary to think clearly.
Studies have shown that being well rested improves the body’s response to infection.
Evidence suggests that brains are hard at work during sleep, possibly forming the pathways necessary for learning, making new memories and insights, and coming up with creative solutions to problems.
Inadequate sleep is linked to depression and irritability as well as diabetes, weight problems and cravings for high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods.
Sleep problems often can be treated, sleep aids can be both behavioral and medications.
In fact, sleep problems often can be traced to treatable health issues. Examples include poor pain control, frequent nighttime urination, or illnesses that cause coughing or shortness of breath.
Insomnia and depression often go hand in hand: Many people develop insomnia prior to being depressed. Studies show that unresolved insomnia increases the risk of depression. It’s not clear if one causes the other, but each can worsen if untreated.
Antidepressants may have stimulating properties and make insomnia worse. Prescription sleep aids are designed for short term use.

We believe in natural sleep aids here at Pac Herbs. Our iSleep Herb Pac will help you rest and feel rejuvenated the next day. Get the sleep your body needs to stay healthy, because sleeping is not just a luxury but a necessity for wellness. Checkout our all natural iSleep Herb Pac, an herbal formula used in Asian cultures for thousands of years.

2000 Year Old Herbal Remedies Found in Greek Shipwreck

Posted by Cathy on September 16, 2010 with 1 Comment

Picture a Roman merchant vessel sailing 2000 years ago in the Mediterranean. It’s nearly to it’s destination when a storm blows in, the ship is slammed into rocks near the shore and sinks to the ocean floor. The ship and it’s cargo sits at the bottom of the ocean until just recently when Archeologists excavate it, under water. Then several years after glass jars holding 2000 year old pills were excavated, analysis finally reveals their content. The pills are herbal medicine. It is believed they were part of a medical kit, assumed to be used by sailors to stay healthy on long voyages. DNA analysis has now proven several herbs and vegetables were the components of these pills.

But the pills are only part of the story. A sort of medical chest was found, maybe a physician was on the ship. The archaeologists found a cup used for bleeding, a surgery hook and 136 drug vials made of wood and several tin containers holding flat green tablets. The herbal pills were sealed and completely dry even though they have been on the sea floor for 2000 years. (That is absolutely mind blowing.)

It took an international authority on medicinal plants of antiquity Alain Touwaide, at the Smithsonian Institution and the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions in Washington, D.C. to identify the ingredients. (I didn’t even know we had a Medical Traditions Preservation institute, need to check that out.)

The findings were presented last week at the Fourth International Symposium on Bio-molecular Archaeology in Copenhagen, Denmark. The herbal remedies were a combination of many plants including carrot, radish, parsley, celery, wild onion and cabbage, alfalfa, yarrow and some hibiscus were also part of the mix.

“The plants match those described in ancient texts such as those by the ancient Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen. According to Touwaide, “Preliminary analysis of these tablets seems to confirm that the ancient doctors used common plants for their treatments.” Whatever they were used for or however they were ingested or used topically it is certainly incredible to have a specimen that is in tact 2000 years later.

We have always been able to read about herbal remedies in ancient manuscripts but to hold them in our hands and be able to analyze them must be unbelievable. Finding this ancient herbal medicine reminds us of our reliance on herbs throughout history. As the saying’s go, history repeats itself and what goes around comes around.

More on this story here: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2010/09/10/2000-year-old-pills-found-in-greek-shipwreck/

From Dr. Mercola, Buyer Beware With Herbs and Tea

Posted by Cathy on September 14, 2010

If you are buying herb supplements, especially Chinese herb supplements, which are virtually unregulated or controlled in America, you must see what Dr. Mercola has to say. Many Western countries including Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia have strict regulations regarding who can sell herbal supplements and who can import herbs. But not here in the states. America is a bit like the wild west. Anything pretty much goes!

Don’t get me wrong, government regulation can and does get completely out of control, but we do need some standards of quality assurance. ‘Consumer labs’ does provide reports on everything thing from Chinese herbs to vitamins and other natural supplements so this is always a good place to check on the brands you purchase.

We are proud to offer only the highest quality, tested and certified herbal products on the market. Our manufacturer, (see our virtual factory tour here) is known worldwide for it’s pharmaceutical factory processing with state of the art equipment. All Pacific Herb products undergo laboratory assurance tests for potency, pesticide contaminants, and toxicity testing. Do your herbal supplements go through this testing?

. Dr. Mercola on the importance of knowing where and how your herbs are processed. The first minute are two he talks about adaptogenic herbs the remainder is about the importance of herbal processing and quality

Tag: herbs