Diabetes Research Uses Chinese Herbs Effectively

Posted by Cathy on March 17, 2011 with 3 Comments

In a recent study published in the Feb. 2011 World Journal of Gastroenterology, a combination of Chinese herbs known Yi Qi Zeng Ming Tang, (YQZMT) has been found effective for insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. The Chinese herbs in the formula were found to ameliorate insulin resistance and did not cause an increase in body weight. This may make a suitable adjunct therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in humans.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In comparison to Western medicine, the use of traditional Chinese medicine and botanicals has less side-effects and proven efficacy. According to the Cochrane Library, an international organization that evaluates medical research, when they examined 16 clinical trials of 15 different Chinese herbal medicines, they found that the herbs generally helped lower blood sugar levels in people with “pre-diabetes” that can progress to type 2 diabetes.

Yi Qi Zeng Min Tang (YQZMT) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula whose chief herb is Radix Astragali or Astragalus (Huang qi) and has been shown to alleviate glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.[1]

When Astragalus has been used in conjunction with other herbs, it proves more valuable for glucose homeostasis for diabetics and pre-diabeties.

The 10 Chinese herbs in the formula are: Radix Astragali, (Huang Qi) mung bean seed, Perillae (zi su ye) , Phellodendri (Huang Bai), Pollen Typhae (Pu Huang), Serissa foetida, Cinnamomi (gui zhi), Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (fu pian, fu zi), Coptis (huang lian) , and Rhizoma Alismatis (ze xie).

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing throughout the world. The pathogenesis of the disease involves abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism, including inadequate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and insulin resistance. The results from this study showed the diabetic rats had reduced serum glucose levels, lower body weight and lipid levels than the control group of rats who were not given the YQZMT formula. The results suggests this TCM herbal formula can produce marked improvement and is a viable treatment for diabetes mellitus and its complications.

1. Astragalus – The Ultimate Immune Booster

2. Herbal Sugar Options You Should Know

3. New Diabetes Drug From A Chinese Herb

See World Journal of Gastroenterology study here: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v17/i8/987.htm

1. Hoo RL, Wong JY, Qiao C, Xu A, Xu H, Lam KS. The effective fraction isolated from Radix Astragali alleviates glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in db/db diabetic mice through its anti-inflammatory activity. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010;7:67.[PubMed]

New Research Supporting This Chinese Herb for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted by Cathy on March 7, 2011

I originally posted this article about Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Chinese herb known as Thunder God Vine about a year ago. Since new research on this herb has just been published and I am continually asked how Rheumatoid Arthritis can be helped with herbal medicine, it's time for a re-post.

The new research from John Hopkins School of Medicine isolated an extract in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant also known as lei gong teng, which works by blocking gene control machinery in the cell. The research was published in the March issue of Nature Chemical Biology, and suggests that the natural product could be a starting point for developing new anticancer drugs.

"Extracts of this medicinal plant have been used to treat a whole host of conditions and have been highly lauded for anti-inflammatory, immuno-suppressive, contraceptive and anti-tumor activities," says Jun O. Liu, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins. "We've known about the active compound, triptolide, and that it stops cell growth, since 1972, but only now have we figured out what it does."

But the RNAPII enzyme complex actually requires the assistance of several smaller clusters of proteins, according to Liu, which required more investigative narrowing down. If you choose to read the whole article there's a link at the bottom. As the researchers discover more on triptolide they also discover that plants have more than one active chemical constituent. When they try to isolate one protein so they can patent a drug and sell it for billions, they often find it's not so easy because plants have many chemical components that work together and isolation of a single solitary protein will not necessarily give the same desired effect as when the whole plant is used.

Plants/herbs can not be patented. This is why there is so much new research on herbal medicine that have been used for thousands of years. Research, such as this at John Hopkins, is not looking to validate the effects of Chinese herbal medicine, they are looking for plant compounds that can be isolated and then reproduced as drugs. Drugs that can sell for millions. In comparison to a new drug, thunder god vine and other Chinese herbs cost pennies and they work.

If your suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis or know someone who is read on.

A study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in August 2009 on a Chinese herb used for rheumatoid arthritis, (RA). This study found that after six months of taking this herbal remedy more patients in the Chinese herb group had improved, than the group taking a sulfasalazine.

The Chinese herb used in this study was a single herb known as Lei Gong Teng or Thunder God Vine. Herbal remedies such lei gong teng or in latin Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have been used and documented for treating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It’s understandable that people with RA are looking to treat their disease with herbal remedies such as Chinese Medicine and Chinese herbs because Western medicine has no cure for RA, only symptomatic relief with many side effects to the medications.

Find articles referenced at these addresses:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303153118.htm

http://www.annals.org/content/151/4/I-36.full

Rheumatoid Arthritis Responds Well To This Herb

Posted by Cathy on March 7, 2011 with 1 Comment

If your suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis or know someone who is, this should interest you.

The only limitation to this study was it’s duration. The studies time frame was too short to show whether lei gong teng helped to prevent joint destruction.

Reference

http://www.annals.org/content/151/4/I-36.full

Cold and Flu Prevention With The Herb Astragalus

Posted by Cathy on February 22, 2011

Millions of kilos of this herb are sold throughout Asia every year, yet most Americans have never heard of it. It is Astragalus Membranaceous, also know as Huang Qi and it’s one of the greatest immune boosting, fatigue fighting herbs in the world. The functioning plant part is the root which has been native to Northern China and Mongolia for centuries. I’m excited to see Astragalus cultivation has begun in the U.S. Once found only in the wild, a wild root commonly grows 2-3 feet long and are more highly prized than a smaller cultivated root. The far more common product today is the cultivated version of Astragalus root which is usually only about a foot long and less dense which is obvious once it is sliced into long thin pieces, the usual way it is packaged and sold in the states.

Asian cultures will traditionally add Astragalus to various soups and stews. Chicken soup with Astragalus tastes delicious and is probably the best way to boost your immune system when the seasons are changing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it has been used for centuries to boost the Wei Qi. This Wei Qi acts like a shield which circulates in our skin, or the outermost layer of the body. Wei Qi is also known as Defensive Qi because it is the energy that protects us from outside bacteria and viruses.

Astragalus has warming properties and is known for it’s fatigue fighting, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Traditionally in Chinese Medicine it is used as an energy tonic and protector for the pancreas. It’s a fantastic herb for chronically weak lungs or anyone who catches frequent colds. There have been hundreds to thousands of studies done on Astragalus, both used as a single herb remedy and in a popular formula in Chinese Medicine called Jade Windscreen Formula or The Great Protector. This formula or combination of three herbs was originally written circa 1000 AD and as the name implies it acts like a wind screen preventing outside influences to penetrate the body. In recent research, Astragalus has shown to contain the same molecules found to reverse aging. One caveat, Huang Qi is most effectively used before catching a cold or flu. For anyone with an auto-immune disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, astragalus should be used under the strict care of a trained herbalist because astragalus is known for increasing immune system activity and may worsen these conditions.

If you are often fatigued, have cold extremities and seem to catch every cold going around, Astragalus is the perfect herbal supplement. Drink Astragalus as a tea or take it as a processed supplement for approximately two weeks before the change of seasons and before catching any colds or flu. Astragalus can be found in pill form, dried granule form or raw. If you are planning on adding it to a soup you’ll want the raw sliced roots. The more yellow in color the better the quality. However, in the U.S. it is often difficult to get the highest quality because the market here is limited compared to the oversees market.

As I mentioned most Americans are naïve to the incredible immune enhancing properties of this food, but you can always find it in Asian markets in several different packages at different price points. Lesser quality raw Astragalus appears more white to beige in color and is less aromatic. Granules may be more convenient if you want to add them to a healthy juice or smoothie. Granules are a concentrated extract of the root after it is cooked and dried and will carry a much higher concentration of the active ingredients than if you used the raw root. Pill form may be convenient but be careful where you purchase Chinese herbs. Knowing the herbal supplier is crucial in getting an effective, potent and safe product.

Avoid a Human Energy Crisis

Posted by Cathy on February 17, 2011

Do you have an energy crisis every afternoon or even once in a while? Our busy lifestyles can create havoc for our endocrine systems, our bodies energy fund and storage bank. Chinese herbs work naturally and effectively to replenish your energy at the source of the problem, targeting your endocrine system.

The endocrine system acts like the main control panel in our body. It secretes hormones which act as messengers telling the body how to function properly. We depend on our endocrine glands for all our energy. They are responsible for your mood, mental function, immune system, physical growth and reproduction. If something throws off the control system you may feel tired, depressed, gain weight, experience infertility, digestive issues and have trouble with body temperature regulation regardless of the outside temperature.

The endocrine system includes the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pineal, pancreas, and reproductive glands. All areas of your health are effected by your endocrine glands.

This is where Chinese herbs work best. If your tired in the afternoon, ginseng and other herbs in our Power Booster can give you refreshing boost of energy when you need it. No caffeine or sugar, just natural Chinese herbs. They work and have been proven to work for over 1000 years. This is not some new 5 hour energy mix of caffeine and sugar. This is botanicals, a natural source of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, carbohydrates, saponins and other compounds your body recognizes and needs.

If your experiencing hot flashes or night sweats it’s the endocrine system running low on natural coolant. Whether it’s your car or your body, you’ve got to feed it what it needs. When your low on coolant herbal remedies such as our Menopause Relief can help rebuild it and nourish it.

Low Energy is a Sign of Compromised Health

The cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s viewpoint of health has always been maintaining health and wellness by preventing illness through a healthy life style and proper nutrition. If proper food is not enough then herbs are added to the diet to supplement one’s health. When the body’s natural intelligence is awakened with Chinese herbs, it can restore the natural balance and your body will respond by providing the energy you need to feel good all day, everyday.

Chemical Additives in Your Herbs. To Sulfur or Not to Sulfur

Posted by Cathy on February 6, 2011

When purchasing dried fruit, 9 out of 10 people will pick the bag that looks prettier than the one that has fruit turned brown. Go beyond the beautiful color because that beautiful color is deceiving, it may even carry toxins. Sulfur dioxide is used to prevent discoloration in dried fruit and has significant side effects on some people. The most common reactions are diarrhea, allergies, headaches and asthma.

Now what about the herbs you buy?

Do your herbs contain sulfur dioxide (SD) and does SD effect the fundamental quality of the herbs?

Chinese herbs are derived from natural plant and mineral products. Like any natural product, they are vulnerable to mold and insect infestation. To control the decay and mold many herbal products and natural supplements are sprayed with sulfur based fumigation. This process kills bacteria, mold, insects and may also be used for bleaching/ cleaning raw herbs.

But can it change the chemical constituents of a particular herb? In some cases we know for a fact the answer is YES! Pac Herbs products are not fumigated with SD! We believe the byproduct of fumigation is unacceptable as it often changes the nature of the herb.

Sulfer dioxide is commonly used by some farmers to cosmetically improve the appearance of the herb Dioscorea, (Shan Yao) Pueraria Root ( Ge Gen) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang). In high sugar content raw herbs SD causes the herbs to taste more acidic, in herbs containing fatty oils such as persica (tao ren) used in our PMS Relief, fumigation leaves a pungent oil odor. Fragile herbs such as Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) should never be fumigated with sulfur dioxide because it damages Chrysanthemum's fundamental qualities.

As a preservative, sulfur dioxide is often used in dried fruit because it's antimicrobial properties preserve freshness, reduce rotting and help maintain the appearance of the fruit. Sulfur dioxide is an important compound in wine making. It serves as an antibiotic and antioxidant, protecting wine from spoilage by bacteria and oxidation. The Center for Science in the Public Interest lists two food preservatives, sulfur dioxide and sodium bisulfate as being safe for human consumption except for certain individuals who may be sensitive to it, even in small amounts.

Our labs conduct sulfur dioxide residue tests before our herbs are processed to insure the our natural herbal products are sulfur free. When I visited wholesale herb markets in China, the un-sulfured herbs were noticeable different in color and price (see above picture) from the same herbs treated with sulfur. Untreated herbs were always more expensive, what does that tell you?

Center for Science in the Public Interest.. http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#sulfites

TCM Directory Produced “We Are Acupuncture”

Posted by Cathy on January 27, 2011

Our medicine has survived 2000 years. Beginning with Chinese herbs and expanding into points on the body connected to pathways we call meridians, or highways, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a rich past of healing mankind.

This short video gives you a little insight as to what Acupuncture can treat.

What’s Eating You? Rantings on Diets and Chinese Herbs

Posted by Cathy on January 23, 2011 with 2 Comments

Three weeks into the new year and you've got it figured out right? I'm talking about your weight loss diet plan of course!!

Judging by the calls and emails, lots of folks are looking for that proverbial Chinese herb or herbal remedy that will help them lose weight. No matter how many millions of weight lose web sites and diet plans you read, this simple fact remains.

What's eating you, is much more important, than what you're eating.

Since your body is a mirror of all your thoughts, your diet starts in your head. When you feed your body the wisdom of self love and self respect, you will never eat anything that doesn't match that intention. Simple as that. What I find ironic is that most diet /meal plan companies from Weight Watchers, to Jenny Craig to Nutrisystem, spend so much time focusing on what you eat, they often miss out on focusing on what's eating you? How much food do you consume mindlessly? All the contestants on the Biggest Loser when asked why they gained so much weight, admit to unconsciously eating their way to their large size.

For the Record: Healthy weight starts in your head. We can help you with Chinese herbs which can help clear out the poop chute. ( I know a very cute 8 year old who laughs hysterically at this phrase.) They won't help suppress your appetite, although drinking herbal tea may help fill you up. Chinese herbs are commonly used for both constipation and diarrhea. If either is a problem, call or email us for a phone consultation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctors commonly use the ancient formula called "Run Chang Wan" (Moisten Intestines Pill.) Our version includes Huo Ma Ren (marijuana seeds), rehmannia, (shu di huang) and unprocessed Chinese rhubarb root (da huang) and a few other herbs. This herbal remedy for constipation maximizes laxative properties while still being safe and mild. Call us for more information.

Bamboo’s Anti-Oxidants – Herbal Medicine in Asia

Posted by Cathy on January 17, 2011

I just finished reading the most interesting article called “Bamboo as Medicine” By Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon. Asia has over 300 species of bamboo (Also known as Zhu Ru) and many different parts of the plants are used in Chinese Medicine.

The leaves are used for fevers, the inside whitish-greenish middle is used for convulsions and vomiting. Dried sap from the joints of bamboo are used for fevers and coughs with phlegm and even epilepsy. The stem of small bamboo are used in Japan for urinary retention and blood in the urine. Bamboo leaves can also be made into a beer. (I’m not sure that’s medicinal or not.) Most importantly bamboo contains known antioxidants.

This article has excellent comparisons and characteristics on functions of different bamboo species, something I never learned in school.

There are several species which are specifically for phlegm misting the brain, a term we generally use when referring to someone who would be diagnosed in Allopathic terms as delusional or schizophrenic. In Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine bamboo has many uses including as an aphrodisiac. Since there’s no shortage of bamboo in the world and chemical constituents in bamboo are known antioxidants, seems like a win-win situation to use bamboo as medicine. One more bamboo fun fact. In ancient China, bamboo was used for writing tablets. A wonderful Chinese teacher I had in my Masters program for Oriental Medicine, when faced with a difficult student question on conflicting material, he would always answer with “Bamboo Problem” which always got a laugh. The meaning was, some very old bamboo reeds survived with ancient text about Chinese Medicine but some disintegrated and written words were lost forever. So bamboo as medicine is great but there’s a reason we don’t still use bamboo for writing tablets.

For more information you can check out: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/bamboo.htm

Ginger after Exercise For Less Pain

Posted by Cathy on January 11, 2011

If you ever read about numerology today's date, 1.11.11 is a date which points to new beginnings all around. My new beginning is to get a bit more exercise. Yes, I know.. we've all said this one before. Good news though, if you workout and are feeling a bit to sore, ginger can help you feel less pain. According to a study recently published in the Journal of Pain, people who exercised and took a 2 gram ginger supplement (about 4 capsules) had 25% less pain than those who took a placebo.

If you're not into popping the ginger pills, you could also add a little fresh ginger to your diet. Ginger root has been used in Chinese medicine for several thousand years. It's warming properties are quite famous and it's very good nausea, altitude sickness and overall good digestive health and great if you get a cough or cold with mucus.

Below is a great winter soup recipe which includes ginger! It's delicious, warming and super easy to make.

Whatever and whenever you choose new beginnings, remember your body is constantly changing and evolving so whatever you've done in the past, is reversible in the future.

Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger

Cut one butternut squash in half, bake at 375 for 35 min.

Melt 2 tbs butter in a saucepan and add cut up veggies you like, 1 leeks 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks and 3 tbs sliced GINGER root!, Saute for 5 min.

Remove squash from oven, scoop out inside flesh and add to saucepan for 10 more min of simmering, add 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth.

Add more broth as needed for desired consistency. Puree all the ingredients in a food processor. Add salt, pepper & garlic to taste.

Some people serve it with a dollop of creme fraiche… I prefer just a little sprinkle of parsley.

Breast Cancer Awareness is All Year Long – NY Times Says Prevention Begins With Diet

Posted by Cathy on January 5, 2011

As one of the most popular posts of 2011, we feel the need to emphasize this topic and are therefore re-visiting this subject.

Breast Cancer awareness should not be limited to the month of October. Pink ribbons are the constant reminder that breast cancer affects one in every eight woman at sometime during their life. This is a horribly high statistic and it’s clear from research done by BreastCancerFund.org that the challenges woman face to stay healthy are many.

Our food, water and lifestyles are fraught with chemicals and this bombardment wreaks havoc on our immune and endocrine systems. The overload of estrogen mimicking chemicals in our modern world causes estrogen dominance which perpetuates into hormone imbalances and eventually malignant cells.

This article, written by a guest blogger, originated in the NY Times Science section, and shows that living a healthy life style can actually decrease your cancer risk. Chinese Herbs have been used for decades to help with diet, digestion and weight loss. If you struggle with maintaining a normal body weight, I highly recommend digestive enzymes and Chinese herbs to your daily routine for proper digestion and restful sleep. Sleep rejuvenates your body and provides the vital energy that you may otherwise try to compensate for with extra food. (See this article on how restorative sleep can improve weight loss)

by Kath Bartlett MS. L.Ac. – Ashville, NC
Obesity dramatically increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer by 50-100%, the risk increasing “the older the woman gets and the longer she remains obese.” (1) The reason being is that the abdominal fat cells convert steroid (fat soluble) hormones to estrogen. In the breasts, the additional estrogen created binds to the breast cells, promoting “cell division and potentially tumor growth.” (2) Cancer cells are abnormal cell growth: the additional cell division cause the tumor growth. Adipose tissue (fat) contains an enzyme, aromatase, that converts steroid hormones into estrogen. After menopause, the ovaries and pituitary gland are no longer signaling for estrogen production through the monthly menstrual cycle. To compensate, the amount of aromatase in the adipose tissue increases to step up estrogen production. Obese women have higher levels of estrogen production taking place in the body fat of the hips and stomach, which increases during menopause, which raises the risk of tumors developing in the breast.

“Glucose [blood sugar] is the preferred substrate for cancer cells. . . [In a study] mice injected with aggressive mammary [breast] tumors were placed on 3 diets. After 70 days 95% of the mice on the low-sugar diet were alive. Of the mice on the moderate-sugar diet 67% were alive. And only 33% on a high-sugar diet were alive. Also ‘moderate’ alcohol consumption is associated with elevation in the risk for breast cancer from 50-100%.” (3)

Phytoestrogens have a chemical structure similar to estrogen. They bind to the receptor sites on the breasts, preventing the body’s estrogen from binding and causing tumor cell growth. The phytoestrogens that bind to the breast cell estrogen receptor sites have a weaker influence on breast cell production, so that it is less likely that tumors will form. Common food sources of phytoestrogens include: soy (tofu, tempeh, miso), flax and raw pumpkin seeds, clover and mung bean sprouts. Avoid powdered soy concentrate, these have caused some to develop Hashimoto’s thyroid disease. (4)

Studies have shown that phytoestrogens increase the effectiveness of breast cancer treatments. Borage oil has shown to decrease the growth of breast cancer cells. (5)

Eating an organic diet, and limiting exposure to chemicals, including household cleaners, detergents, pesticides, food packaging (plastics leach into foods, especially when warm foods are put into plastic containers) is also important to reduce cancer risk. Chemicals and pesticides can change the DNA of cells, causing them to mutate into cancer cells. Studies have shown higher levels of pesticides and pollutants in fat and blood of women with breast cancer than in healthy women.

1-6. Lahans, T. Integrating Conventional and Chinese Medicine in Cancer Care. Elsevier 2007; 92-102.

Chinese Herb Ginseng Becoming A Popular Canadian Export

Posted by Cathy on January 2, 2011

As herbal remedies grow in popularity, it’s nice to get a little background information about exactly how some of the most famous, such as ginseng, are grown.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginseng is commonly used as an energy builder, a sleep aid, an immune fighter and even for stress relief. Ginseng’s many uses are explained by the term, adaptogenic. This herb is able to adapt in one’s body to what is needed.

The laboratory studies done on ginseng show the roots contain active ingredients called ginsenosides which are polysaccharides. These chains of large sugar molecules can stimulate the body’s immune system along with 30 or 40 ginsenoside chemicals. It would take several blogs to do justice to all the incredible information on ginseng. Many use ginseng for libido support, others for brain support. Yet recent studies have found it stimulates enzymes that prevent the storage of lipids in the tissues. This is great news to help prevent the insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. Other studies have shown how it helps reduce blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

The quality and chemical makeup of different ginseng can vary from plant to plant. It’s always important to know the source of any ginseng product your planning on using. The potency and therefore effectiveness will vary greatly. Often the best ginseng in the world is sold in Asia because it often commands a greater price than in the U.S. or Canada even though American ginseng is grown in Wisconsin.

Our premium ginseng granules are bought direct from the largest producer of Chinese herbs and are considered one of the most tested and pure products available. Prices for ginseng have been steadily creeping upward as more people become aware of all the benefits of this incredible Chinese herb.

Category: Chinese Herbs

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