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Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

By Acupuncture, Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine

The general treatment principle is “nourishing yin and extinguishing wind”.  Nourishing liver and kidney yin treats the root and extinguishing wind focuses on eliminating its manifestation…..the specific treatment plan will be different in different stages of the disease and with different patients.  Generally speaking, Parkinson’s…

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Fibromyalgia

By Acupuncture, Clinical Perspectives , East/West Integration, Herbal Medicine, Neuromusculoskelatal

FM begins often following an infectious, or other medical disease, which can lead to retained pathogenic factors. It may also result from trauma, blood loss, chronic stress or chronic diseases. Stress, trauma and retained pathogenic factors result in obstruction and often also, secondary unstable Yang (Yin-Fire, Empty-Heat, Wind etc.) which can mani­fests as facilitated sympathetic nervous system and may depress..

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Jade Windscreen Powder

By Case Histories, Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine, Theory and Diagnosis

I’m one of those people. I had easily caught colds for most of my life. I wish it were not so. 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…

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The Prevention of Miscarriage using Chinese Herbal Medicine

By Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine, Women's Health

Female patients around 40 years old experience a miscarriage rate of nearly 50% with IVF. With the help of Chinese medicine, the rate of miscarriage can significantly be reduced and the pregnancy can be supported to reach full term. The most important rule to remember is not to move the qi too forcefully or quicken the blood…

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A Bitter Taste in the Mouth: A Case of Cholecystitis

By Case Histories, Classics, Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine

In the formulas used above, the essence of both Xiao Chai Hu Tang and its cousin Da Chai Hu Tang can be seen. Of these, Da Chai Hu Tang is more commonly indicated for the treatment of cholecystitis. In prescribing, however, I considered Xiao Chai Hu Tang as the core formula because the tongue coat was not yellow, the pulse wiry but not forceful, the stool was normal and there was no irritability. At the second visit, I added Bai Shao in order to soften the Liver and relax spasm, as well as to preserve the yin in the presence of so many draining herbs..

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Re-Establishing Optimal Health Postpartum

By Clinical Perspectives , Dietary Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine, Women's Health

During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume almost doubles in order to support the placenta and the developing fetus.  The “work” of labor and delivery and blood loss further depletes the mother’s qi and blood.  And because breast milk is formed from the same substrate as blood, breastfeeding is comparable to a constant loss of blood.  For all these reasons, women are often qi and blood deficient postpartum…

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Comments on and Excerpt of Translation of a Warm Disease Treatise

By Classics, Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, History, Theory and Diagnosis

The Gǔang Wēnyì Lùn is a 17th century book discussing the clinical appearance of and treatment strategies for a variety of warm disease entities. The date of publication and even the authorship are uncertain though investigation of sources makes it seem likely it was published between 1675 and 1695 A.D. and the author was one Dài Tiān-zhāng..

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Earth – Colorectal Disorders

By Clinical Perspectives , East/West Integration, Herbal Medicine, Internal Medicine, Theory and Diagnosis

The colon and rectum constitute the distal end of the gastrointestinal tube. They are part of the fu aspect of the zang–fu. This hollow tube is within the body but its interior is actually outside of the body and acts as a conduit for the reception and extraction of nutrition from foods and water (outside). The lung and large intestine the only two organs in the body that have such an interaction between the outside and the inside…

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A Description of the Therapeutic Uses of Aconite by the Ming Dynasty Scholar-Physician Zhang Jingyue

By Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, History, Internal Medicine

Yu Bo once said: “Fuzi has the capacity to bestow a fundamental quality of invigorating vitality, and an effect that can break through all engrained blockages. It can draw all qi tonic herbs deep into the twelve channel networks, and thus restore severely dissipated original yang. It can draw blood tonic herbs deep into the blood layer….

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Comprehensive Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Related Infertility

By Acupuncture, Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine, Women's Health

PCOS generally derives from a deficiency of Kidney Yang and Spleen Qi, in its inability to transform, transport and evaporate fluids in the lower burner.  The accumulation of water in the pelvic cavity enlarges the ovaries, leading to phlegm damp and/or blood stagnation which manifests as abdominal masses. TCM seeks to readdress…

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Chinese Herbs Containing Gluten and Potential Allergens

By Clinical Perspectives , Dietary Therapy, Herbal Medicine

Although not frequently noted in the Chinese materia 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 prescriptions must take into account the degree to which an individual patient seeks to avoid exposure to a certain food…

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Global Trends in Granule Use

By Clinical Perspectives , Herbal Medicine

The Taiwanese method of using granules is relatively distinct because whole formulas are commonly combined together.  With a repertoire of over 400 compound formulas on the shelf, Taiwanese doctors build complex combinations that boggle the young student mind, yet there is nothing haphazard about the construction of a well-crafted Taiwanese style formula if one understands the approach…

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