By Cathy Margolin
on May 31, 2010
According to this report (connect here) in the Wall Street Journal today, "Despite acupuncture's 4,000-year history, little is known about the biological pathways that enable carefully placed needles to relieve pain in many patients." A study just published in Nature Neuroscience says the compound adenosine may be the reason acupuncture is an effective pain reliever. Adenosine has been known as an effective anti-inflammatory for years. We've also known adonosine plays an important part in energy transfers process or ATP. (adenosine triphospate).
But how it's function as a pain reliever has been more shrouded. This recent study showed that performing acupuncture in mice triggers a release of adenosine in the tissues. Levels of adenosine, a neurotransmitter, rose 24-fold in the tissue fluid surrounding an acupuncture needle. Certainly more studies are necessary but this is…
By Cathy Margolin
on May 28, 2010
Summertime is upon us and it’s heating up out there. Forget the lemonade and the passion fruit ice tea, here's two recipes with natural herbs for real thirst quenching. These are great for anyone who wants a cool, refreshing drink that’s packed with vitamins and heat relieving properties. These thirst quencher ice teas are healthier than sports drinks and vitamin waters and yet still taste good.
This tea is also greener!! Instead of buying and tossing those plastic (BPA ridden) bottles into landfills, you’re making a healthy fitness beverage. You may not know these Chinese herbs but you can easily find them in Asian markets or on the Internet. These teas have cooling properties to help keep you comfortable on those hot and humid summer days. If you’re exercising in the heat these teas are perfect to rehydrate the minerals…
By Cathy Margolin
on May 20, 2010
It’s only taken 15 years. The head of the FDA’s office of Nonprescription Products, Dr. Charles Ganley, sent a letter (released May 5, 2010) to the Consumer Healthcare Products Assoc. or CHPA on Feb 16, 2010 stating, "There is an insufficient basis to support the combination of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine as a nighttime sleep aid for relief of occasional sleeplessness when associated with minor aches and pains".
In other words, if your spending your hard earned dollars on products such as Tylenol PM and Excedrin PM your getting nothing more than minimal pain relief. Patients taking the over-the counter sleep products did not fall asleep any faster than those who took only acetaminophen or the sedative, known as diphenhydramine citrate, according to the FDA’s letter.
The FDA’s letter also questioned the data submitted by the drug
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By Cathy Margolin
on May 17, 2010
Usually I write about Chinese herbs, but today’s a brief diversion on a compelling topic.
If you're like most Americans your medicine cabinet is stocked full of over-the-counter medicine (OTC) and probably at least a few prescription medications. But did you know that taking OTC acetaminophen can be poisonous and can cause serious liver damage. UCLA experts warn that combining many pharmaceutical drugs such as vicodin and percocet for pain with an OTC cold and flu medicine can be a deadly liver cocktail. New data is just surfacing because liver transplants are hitting an all time high in the U.S. Turns out the number one cause of liver damage is acetaminophen poisoning from long term overdosing.
We know you didn’t mean to overdose but did you realize more than two extra strength tablets or 650 milligrams daily is the U.S.
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By Cathy Margolin
on May 9, 2010
Typically, May weather in Wisconsin is wet, but not below freezing. This was not the case on May 7, 2010 in Marathon County when it snowed 3-4 inches in 24 hours. The freezing temperatures have likely killed all the newly planted Ginseng.
American Ginseng, also known as Panax quinquefolius, is a highly sought after Chinese herb used for centuries. It is the root of this herb that is used medicinally. Wisconsin depends on American Ginseng for over 15 million dollars each year and the freakish weather is estimated to have killed or damaged up to 80% of the new crop. The cold weather snap effects the recently planted seedlings the hardest and may seriously drive up prices.
Much of the harvest is exported to Asia where it fetches higher dollar values than in America. Asian cultures have used Ginseng…
