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Posts tagged ‘traditional Chinese medicine’

Energy Crisis In Our Bodies: Chi Gong Can Help

Qigong

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“Chi”, otherwise known as “prana” is what we all know as energy. Energy, being intangible, is sometimes a very difficult concept to accept in modern society. However, we see the evidence of energy all around us. This is even evident in allopathic medicine in the form of ultrasound machines, EKGs, CT and PET scans, MRIs and EEGs, among many others. Why is it then that more evidence is being required of certain forms of energetic treatment that have hundreds or thousands of years of use such as homeopathy and acupuncture respectively? Just wondering.

One interesting concept I have learned regarding chi is that the higher your chi (or energy or frequency), the healthier you are. Once your chi or life force goes down, then that’s when chronic illness may surface. A good analogy I’ve heard over the years is the growth of mushrooms (fungus) on decaying matter, similar to what you see in humans. People with fungal infections oftentimes have immune system challenges like AIDS or chronic diseases like diabetes. The key then, to prevent this, is to improve a person’s chi in different ways like a healthy diet and lifestyle, nutritional supplements as well as energy exercises like chi gong, taichi or yoga.

By the way, the March 5, 2009 article in Time magazine called “The Health Crisis Hits Home”, is a revelation that has come of age (although many people already have realized this idea several years or even decades ago). “Realign Doctor’s Incentives” , meaning that “our system pays doctors to diagnose, test and treat, not necessarily keep people healthy.” It’s why chronic disease like diabetes absorb 80% of our health care dollars. Pay for holistic success! Nutrition and self-care should be part of our educational system. Doctors ideally should learn about complementary systems of medicine that are practiced around the world such as TCM and Ayurvedic medicine and successfully integrate these into their practices.

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on December 1, 2010

Super Bugs: No Problem! Supercharge Your Immune System!

Ebola, AIDS, MRSA, Vancomycin-resistant Pseudomonas, chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium (cause of Malaria). These are just a few of the super bugs that we could all possibly encounter in our world that’s rapidly getting smaller every day due to air travel. In recent times when sea travel was the main mode of transportation, people who were still asymptomatic would usually show signs and symptoms before they arrive at their destination. In today’s world of faster air travel, people infected may not show signs and symptoms until they arrive somewhere. This can cause the rapid spread/transmission of communicable diseases. This is especially true in a stressed-out, nutritionally-deficient, and unhealthy population.

What is the traditional answer to this issue? I think that we all know the answer to that. Suffice it to say, this reactionary approach (the race to find cures) doesn’t work well because these bugs are smarter than we think. By the time so-called cures are available, they’ve already mutated to a form that’s resistant to the “cure”. That’s one of the reasons why we have MRSA and Vancomycin-resistant Pesudomonas, among many others.

There is no one to blame for this scenario. Health care practitioners (by indiscriminate use) and patients (by insisting that they be given a medication) alike are responsible for the proliferation of super bugs.

What then can we do about it? I would say that we adopt what the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners did in earlier times. A doctor at the time would only get paid or compensated when their clients are healthy. If their clients get sick, the doctors don’t get paid. It does make a lot of sense to do this. This preventive approach would save billions of dollars in health care.

What are the things we can do to fortify our immune system? Let’s start with the basics before we even discuss specifics. Having a healthy diet, adequate water intake, enough exposure to sunlight and the earth’s electromagnetic energy, rest, exercise, good relationships and stress reduction all go a long way in building our immune defenses.

There are ways to strengthen the immune system with the use of dietary supplements. Here are just a few examples;

mixed carotenoids (natural vitamin A)- good for the mucous membranes (respiratory and intestinal tract protection)

vitamin C complex (natural vitamin C with bioflavonoids)- traditionally used to boost the immune system against infections and tumors but also good for formation of collagen, along with L-lysine and L-proline

vitamin D3- studies show that it could protect against the flu (low levels of exposure to sunlight during the winter months make one vulnerable to the flu) and against certain forms of cancer

selenium- one of the co-factors in the formation of glutathione, which is abundant in the spleen and lymphocytes, both involved in immune system health

zinc- has antimicrobial properties and also good for prostate health in men

manganese- helps in the production of SOD, one of the antioxidants endogenously produced in our bodies

probiotics- an essential nutrient especially if one has taken antibiotics in the past, helps prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the intestine

clove- has the highest ORAC (antioxidant levels) level among all natural substances, has antimicrobial properties as well

thyme- its constituent thymol has antifungal properties

lemon- has d-limonene which has anti-carcinogenic properties, has anti-viral properties as well (along with other citrus oils)

cinnamon- has antibacterial properties, also regulates blood sugar

rosemary- antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

oregano- antimicrobial

chlorella and spirulina- immune stimulants

raspberries- rich in ellagic acid, which has anti-carcinogenic properties

apricots- rich in vitamin B 17, also has anti-carcinogenic properties

wolfberries- also stimulates release of HGH from the pituitary

broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables- lowers xenoestrogens, cleanses liver

frankincense- helps repair DNA

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on December 1, 2010

Enhancing Your Bedroom Activities With Plants

Rhodiola rosea (pl. różeniec górski), habitat:...

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Yes, it’s possible! There are plants and herbs that could help improve someone’s sexual performance naturally. These are usually found in the centuries-old medical traditions of Oriental Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. These substances work in conjunction with natural processes in the body. For instance, a man has to have an erect penis beyond foreplay and on into penetration. He also needs to sustain this erection and experience a forceful but pleasurable ejaculation. A woman on the other hand, needs to feel desire and be desired for her nipples to be aroused, her clitoris to be stimulated , and her vagina lubricated.

Among these sex enhancing plants for both sexes include Maca and Rhodiola Rosea. Men with low libido and diminished erectile function have been prescribed extracts of maca. The compounds found in maca also help both sexes obtain more frequent and powerful orgasms. Rhodiola, on the other hand is an adaptogen, a plant that helps us adapt to stress. It’s been used by the Siberians for centuries to improve strength and stamina (including sexual prowess).

For women in general, ahswagandha, catuaba and eluethero have been used to improve their sex drives (in India, the Amazon and Siberia, respectively). Ashwagandha and eleuthero, by the way, are adaptogens as well.

For men, the following plants have been used for different issues. Horny goat weed or Epimedium species has been used to restore sexual fire, treating impotence and increasing semen production. Yohimbe or nature’s Viagra, has a compound that stimulates engorged vessels within the penis and nerves of the lower spine. Then finally, there’s Panax ginseng. Researchers believe that ginseng increases nitric oxide in the penis, dilating the vessels of the corpus cavernosum.

One of the common questions I get is whether these plant compounds are safe to take. They are all usually safe to take unless a person has any allergy to the plant/plant components. A person who is taking prescription medications should always ask their health care practitioners about concomitant use of herbs and synthetic meds. In the event that they don’t know, there are resources such as PDR for Herbal Medicines, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and the German Commission E.

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on November 29, 2010

Move It or Lose It

Blue yin yang

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Exercise is one of the best anti-aging tools that people can incorporate in their lives. Some of the many benefits of exercise include raising our endorphin levels that ultimately helps prevent or relieve pain, whether it’s emotional or physical. Exercise also raises HGH (human growth hormone) secretion up to 400% which means improved body composition (more muscle mass and less body fat).
Up to a certain point, exercise could yield a myriad of benefits. There is such a thing as too much exercise, however. Overdo it, and it would cause oxidative stress and suboptimal tissue structure and function in the body. According to research done at the Cooper Aerobics Center, exercise above the threshold levels of one hundred and fifty fitness points per week or working at 80% of predicted maximum heart rate for at least five hours per week may greatly increase the production of excess free radicals. The body’s need for oxygen during exercise is thought to produce free radicals, which can result in unwanted changes to the body’s tissues and cause cells to become more susceptible to aging. That’s why it’s so important to be on a good dietary and nutritional supplement regimen when embarking on an exercise program.
Moderation is key to achieving optimal health. That means living in balance or what we call yin yang in Chinese medicine.

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on November 29, 2010

Your Best Defense…..

Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha ...

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….is a healthy immune system. Every day, we encounter billions of germs. Not every one gets sick, however. Ever wonder why others fall deathly ill while others seem to be resistant to illness? The answer to that is a healthy immune system. We can nurture our immune system through a nutritious diet, pure water intake, stress reduction, sun exposure, adequate sleep and rest, exercise, the use of therapeutic grade essential oils (lemon, clove, cinnamon, etc.) and exposure to the earth’s electromagnetic fields. Easy to say, huh? Ways to lower our immune systems are easier to do and most people seem to have no trouble doing it. Fast food/highly refined diet, high-stress lifestyle, dehydration, inadequate sleep and rest, exposure to harmful EMF’s and negativity are just some of these.
In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners were only compensated if their clients are well or stay well. They don’t get paid if their client’s get sick. Sounds like an interesting concept. However, it does make more sense. Keep someone healthy so they could fight off any illness and practitioners get paid well. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it.

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The Karate Kid

Medicines in a Chinese pharmacy in Seattle.

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Yes, I saw it on the opening weekend! It was actually better than I expected. Anyway, it’s interesting how the movie incorporated some aspects of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), primarily moxibustion. I don’t do this procedure in my practice but have referred clients to TCM practitioners. This traditional form of medicine has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is being used as primary health care by more than half of the world’s population. Moxibustion involves the burning of an herb called mugwort. It is useful for treating a variety of conditions such as aches and pains, colds and flu, and even poor digestion. Sounds like a Harry Potter movie, huh? Anyway, it does work and I encourage people to try other alternative forms of treatment once in a while.

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