Discussion of Huang Qin (Scuttellaria baicalensis)

Andrew Ellis first studied Chinese medicine with Dr. James Tin Yau So at the New England School of Acupuncture. He left New England in 1983 to study Chinese language in Taiwan and apprenticed with Chinese herbalist Xu Fu-Su there for several years. Later he studied internal medicine and gynecology at the Xiamen Hospital of Chinese medicine.  Read more...

 

Reflections on the German Acupuncture Studies

Many thanks to Stephen Birch and The Journal of Chinese Medicine. This article, first published in The Journal of Chinese Medicine, issue 83 February 2007, is reprinted by kind permission of his publishers.  Read more...

 

Building the immune system for people who easily get colds

I had easily caught colds for most of my life. I remember reading about yù píng fëng sân (Jade Windscreen Powder) and thinking my troubles were over. But, after taking it for a week or so, I woke one winter night in a panic thinking the house was on fire. It was not, but I had this odd smell of burning paper in my nose. Which followed me around for a few days until I stopped the Jade Windscreen.  Read more...

 

Postnatal Depression

The Ji Yin Gang Mu (Compendium of Benefits to Women, 1620, by Wu Zhi–Wang is a major TCM gynaecological text which contains gynaecological formulae arranged by disease category. It contains more than fifty formulas listed for these various conditions, as well as others that in the West might conceivably be thrown into the “post natal depression” basket, such as recurring hiccups or wandering pains. The commentaries included within the Ji Yin Gang Mu note that there are three major approaches to post-partum emotional disorders. One focuses on “bad blood” left over after the birth, which rushes to and disrupts the Heart shen. Another emphasises blood deficiency resulting from the birth process and its attendant traumas. The last points to pathogenic wind taking advantage of the blood deficiency to attack.   Read more...

 

Global Trends in Granule Use

The creation of concentrated extract powders represents one of the most important developments in the history of Chinese herbal medicine. As technology has advanced, Chinese herbalists increasingly find themselves armed with a vast arsenal of convenient preparations that bring centuries of formulas and thousands of cooking hours into a space the size of a small closet. The versatility of granules has preserved some aspects of traditional methods while simultaneously inspiring dramatic changes of approach in Asia, and their convenience is quickly making them the most prominent method of herbal medicine delivery in the West.  Read more...

 

A Bitter Taste in the Mouth - a clinical review

I am offering this case study as encouragement for all in our profession as we proceed with often unheralded successes in areas where Western medicine has heroic, but sometimes less acceptable solutions. To quote one of "The Lantern" editors: “It is always important to remind everyone – ourselves included – what is possible with Chinese medicine.” I was privileged in this case to have the complete confidence of my patient and her faithful compliance with treatment, and especially fortunate to be provided with the report from a post-treatment Western medical screening, which substantiated the results.  Read more...

 

Prevention of Miscarriage using Chinese Herbal Medicine

In Western medicine, there are three stages to a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion: 1) threatened miscarriage, 2) incomplete miscarriage, and 3) complete miscarriage. The most important rule to remember in treating threatened miscarriage with Chinese medicine is not to move the qi too forcefully or quicken the blood. Any medicinals with these functions will promote the likelihood of miscarriage.   Read more...

 

Leaky Gut Syndrome - A modern Epidemic

Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is reaching epidemic proportions within the population. As a disease entity, it has not been discussed in classical or modern TCM literature. In fact, taking a strictly classical Chinese medicine approach to LGS is often ineffective or only partially effective, because the disease is not addressed in all of its complexity. What modern event allowed Leaky Gut Syndrome to become a major cause of disease in modern society? Primarily it has been antibiotics, secondarily non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  Read more...

 

Re-Establishing Optimal Health Postpartum

During pregnancy, the focus is often on supporting the health of the mother as it directly affects the growth and development of the fetus. But in traditional Chinese medicine, maintaining a woman's health is also highly emphasized in the postpartum period and the care a woman receives postpartum, in particular the first 4 months after delivery, often sets the scene for her state of health far into the future.   Read more...

 

The Art of Ginseng: Chicken Soup for all Seasons

These days, chicken soup has exploded far beyond its historic confines of folk medicine and Grandma’s version of natural healing. Entire genres of self-help books promote themselves as supplying chicken soup-quality wisdom for virtually any topic of modern life, and even Harvard studies have pitted this ageless household remedy against the common cold. Chicken soup has survived the ultimate test of time across most cultures, and chicken soups made with Chinese herbs are arguably the most delicious illustrations of Chinese medicine’s venerable tradition of “nourishing life". Perhaps the epitome of this tradition is the simple but classic ginseng chicken soup, which provides a delicate flavor and a wonderful boost for both mind and body.  Read more...