Chinese Herbs Containing Gluten and Potential Allergens

Although not frequently found in the Chinese material medica, there are a few herbs containing gluten that may be problematic for patients with food sensitivities, and especially for those with celiac sprue. People with soy or nut allergies may also be advised to avoid certain herbs. As herbalists, our recommendations are often dependent on the degree to which an individual patient seeks to avoid exposure to a certain food.   Read more...

 

New Perspectives on the Treatment of Male Fertility

It is a common practitioner’s dilemma: many women show up in our clinics for fertility support, but getting male partners to come for treatment is a challenge. Despite their reluctance, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine reports that the male factor is responsible for one-third of fertility problems in this country, and male and female factors together are responsible for another third of fertility problems. 48% of miscarriages are thought to be due to abnormal sperm issues.   Read more...

 

Special Feature: Ju Hua

Ju Hua, or Chrysanthemum, makes a pleasant flower tea that can be consumed daily. It is a frequently used medicinal herb that clears wind and heat and calms the Liver, and is also a common perennial, garden plant, easy to grow with pretty blossoms in the fall. The benefits of long-term consumption of Chrysanthemum tea have been recognized throughout the history of Chinese medicine. It is said to prevent aging and to be a favorite of Taoists and poets, though the benefits are achieved only with drinking the tea over a long period of time.   Read more...

 

Herbs in the Garden

With spring on its way, many of us are cleaning out perennial beds, planting early vegetables, and planning the summer garden. Consider growing some Chinese herbs, for harvest, or just for the beauty of their flowers and foliage. Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Jie Geng (Platycodon), and Dan Shen (Salvia) are a few plants to consider that are easy and rewarding to grow, as well as being great for medicinal use when harvested and used fresh or dried  Read more...

 

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine News

Oriental medicine is in the news as clinical trials and laboratory research are used in an attempt to analyze the effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Included here are a few abstracts and full-page articles on some recent studies on osteoporosis, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and osteoarthritis.   Read more...