Use it, Don’t Lose it! Tai Chi benefits Parkinson’s

Posted by Cathy on with 2 Comments
Chinese Medicine and Tai Chi go hand in hand. Both can help you get a good nights sleep.The Struthers Parkinson’s Center in Minneapolis teaches a form of Tai Chi and both The Cleveland Clinic and the Stanford School of Medicine recommend Tai Chi for Parkinson’s sufferers.  This healing art, or should I say Chinese medicine, developed over a 1000 years ago are a series of slow, flowing movements that can help maintain flexibility, balance and coordination.
I enjoy it because Tai Chi requires you to combine mental poise and concentration into movement.  Tai Chi movements rotate the human body nearly all possible ways the body can move.  In fact, it is one of the most coordination enhancing exercises.  “Use it or Lose it”, that’s the way it goes. What better way prevent the debilitating loss of movement from a gradually progressive disease such as Parkinson’s.  Tai Chi helps can benefit not only Parkinson’s sufferers but people dealing with high blood pressure and stress related diseases.
A while back I wrote about the benefits of Tai Chi for with those with tinnitus and dizziness disorders.   Doctors are not yet informed on all the benefits of Tai Chi but give it another decade or so and I’m convinced we’ll see doctors write prescribing that say “ Start a Tai Chi Class ASAP & practice on your own daily”.   But can we afford to wait that long for our medical practitioners to wake up and smell the roses? In the meantime millions of people lose out on the benefits of this ancient Chinese medicine practice.
Additionally, Tai Chi has been a proven benefit in University studies for reducing falls. This would be a huge cost saving to Medicare  since the 6th leading cause of death of seniors in the U.S. are complication of falling. The most astonishing part of this equation is there is really no downside.
From all the research that has been done, Tai Chi has no negative side effects. Tai Chi classes are not a deductible medical expense, yet.  Even though any rational person could make the argument for its’ cost savings effects for health insurance companies. But don’t let that stop you.
With the beginning of a new year, it’s time the West gain an insight into Chinese medicine and as a society we begin incorporating self-healing techniques into our daily lives.  A Tai Chi class is the right place to start.

Indigestion, Need Some Relief?

Posted by Cathy on
Chinese herb mint bo he for heartburnOver indulgence and holidays seems to go hand in hand. Rich, tempting food seems to be everywhere, leaving us with heartburn and indigestion. For thousands of years people have turned to natural plants to relieve their suffering from acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion. Many found Chinese herbs, fruits and roots were the answer to what ailed them. Here are a four herbal remedies from the history books that helped back then and still help today with the age old problem of indigestion.
 
1. Hawthorne Berry (Shan Zha) not a strawberry or raspberry but a sour fruit (I call it an herb) that works great after the overindulgence of meats and greasy foods. If you’re prone to familiar heartburn, abdominal distension and acid regurgitation this herb is for you. Shan Zha has also an abundance of data as a cardio-tonic. Similar to many Chinese herbs it has the ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and even widens the coronary arteries. If you’re a buffet gourmet this is your herb.  Shan Zha can be found dried at most Asian markets or online. Boil it and drink as a tea.

2. Massa Fermentata (shen qu)   Also known as medicated leaven, massa is not just one herb, but actually a mixture of fermented wheat flour, bran and a few other herbs. In traditional Chinese medicine, massa’s main function is to eliminate indigestion, and harmonize the stomach and stop diarrhea. Dried massa is available in Asian markets, often referred to as “medicinal fermented mass,” which usually contains orange peels and different herbs. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions or side-effects associated with massa.

(In 1997, a professor of School of Agriculture of Tokyo University of Japan,  Akira Endo discovered that monacolin K, a by product during the fermentation process of shen qu,  can inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in human body and can promote circulation.)

3. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) has a long and lustrous history in Chinese medicine. As one of the most widely used herbs, licorice has a host of benefits. It’s ability to  increase production of mucin provides proven benefits to the mucous membrane lining of the digestive tract and its flavonoids also protect against stomach acid.  Licorice flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-acid effects along with many other actions.  Use raw, boil and drink as a tea, or purchase in capsules. Be aware that capsule products won’t be the same strength as raw herbs unless you take large handfuls at a time.
 
4.  Mint – Peppermint is well known as a breath freshener but its actions go much deeper.  The active component, menthol oil, activates our saliva glands as well as glands that secrete digestive enzymes. Mint  helps to balance intestinal flora by eliminating the harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses present in the gut, the main causes of bad breath and acid reflux.  Buy it fresh and let it seep in hot water a few minutes and drink, you can strain out leaves. Don’t boil it for any length of time, you will likely cook out the beneficial menthol oils.

When you’re looking for natural remedies for indigestion you can always try the “old stand bys”:  eat small meals, chew your food thoroughly to activate those digestive enzymes, eat fresh not processed foods and don’t grab food in a rush. That’s all good advice but when it doesn’t work, get yourself some of the Chinese herbs listed above, all guaranteed to work.
References
  • Lu HY, et al. New usages of jian pi wan. Journal of New TCM 1992;24(11):44-45.
  • Wang GJ. Treating 33 cases of duodenal stasis with jian pi wan. National Journal of Medicine Forum 1995;10(5):41.
  • Xiong ZF. Treating 300 cases of child diarrhea with modified jian pi wan. Journal of Chengdu College TMC 1986;(3):29-30.
  • Yu WP. Comparative experimental research in jian pi fang and vitamin E’s effect on fruit fly life span. Jiangsu Journal of TCM 1991;12(8):33-34.
  • http://www.www.alternativehealing.org/shen_qu.htm

New Years Reflections and Resolutions

Posted by Cathy on
New year with Chinese herbsIt is nearly the end of another year and always a time for reflection.  If you are like me you give yourself an annual report card on your year.  Or you just skip the judgment phase and simply create some New Years Resolutions of things to change.   My report card for the year would say something like “valiant effort, but balance needs improvement”.  The “balance” I promised myself each day didn’t quite materialize the way I had hoped, so my New Years Resolution is to change that and find more balance. What is this balance I'm referring to?

Balance is a state of equilibrium between opposing forces. I’m referring to the opposing forces of yin and yang. 

The historian in me enjoys looking back on not just this past year but on 2200 years of history, particularly in relation to Chinese medicine . Since the first organized body of Chinese medicine literature dates back to 200 BC, that’s where I started.  In an ancient Chinese text called the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic of Medicine,  I find the same principals of balance as I use for my annual  report card. These are the foundation from which Chinese medicine in the ancient world and Oriental Medicine in the modern world are based.  Amazing that  2200 years later we are still trying to master the same principals of balance.  (Guess I shouldn’t be too hard on myself, I haven’t been at it all that long.)

In 2010 I’m striving for a better balance between my yin energy and my yang energy- balance between work and play and a balance between rest and activity. For 2200 years (probably more) people have sought such a balance. For the balance we look for in this New Year I quote Sir Winston Churchill, “Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Best wishes for a “Balanced Year”.

You Can’t Dismiss 2000 Years of History

Posted by Cathy on with 2 Comments
2000 years of chinese medicine history2000 years ago today, the year was AD 9. (on most calendars anyway)  No cell phones, no cars, no health insurance. Things were pretty different, or were they? People still talked without cell phones, traveled without cars and got sick without insurance. What hasn’t changed in 2000 years is herbal medicine. Specifically, Chinese herbal medicine is not much different than what we use today.
 
2000 years ago if you caught a flu (let’s say in China), you went to a local doctor and a cure was given in the form of bark, roots, stems and leaves. You took home a little bag, boiled your raw Chinese herbs in water and then drank the water. Many people around the world do the same thing today using the same herbal formulas used 2000 years ago.  But does the world remember this history? In Asia and the East the answer is a resounding yes. The West where “modern drugs” have a foothold the answer  is… the tide is turning. Finding herbal medicine, what’s often referred to as “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (CAM) is getting easier.  
 
One group supporting complementary medicine that has grown exponentially in just the last 10 years is The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine. This group includes traditional medical schools  across the country. Members include Stanford, Yale, Northwestern, Duke University and  from The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota across the country to the University of Hawaii. Forty four medical schools in the U.S. have recognized the value in integrating western medicine with other modalities including herbs, acupuncture and incorporating  the mind, body and spirit into modern medical practices.
 
Their mission is to advance the principles and practices of integrative health care within academic institutions.  They support  and mentor academic leaders, faculty, and students to advance integrative health care curricula, research and clinical care. They also disseminate information on rigorous scientific research, which includes research on Chinese herbal compounds. (connect here to a research study done on  Chinese herbal medicines for people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting blood glucose)
 
As is often said, history repeats itself.  I think we’re returning to our roots. (no pun intended) Funny how the more things change the more they stay the same and Chinese herbal medicine is proving just that,  even after 2000 years.
In case your interested The Consortium’s website is: http://www.imconsortium.org/

I Was Only Making Dinner

Posted by Cathy on
Herb in PacketsI was making dinner tonight, nothing special, chicken, rice pilaf and salad. I’ve love the Near East brand of Rice Pilaf and have used it for years. So what’s so special to make me write about this.   Well, Near East is a well known, multi-million dollar company who has done their share of research on packaging their products. A small cardboard box holds the rice and a FOIL PACKET holds the herbs and spices, the secret ingredients that give the rice that great flavor.    

I poured my rice into my boiling water and then tried to rip open the foil packet even knowing in advance I’m going to have to get the knife or scissor to open it. It’s not a paper packet it’s a foil packet that holds the herbs and spices.   So I asked myself, why did this company decided to put their herbs and spices into a separate foil packet even though you mix the two together? Clearly the answer is the same reason that I have chosen to package my Chinese herb products into foil packets. 

Because freshness matters. Foil packets preserve freshness and flavor.  Foil packets are air tight and moisture tight and this matters when your dealing with natural herbs and spices.

Freshness makes the difference in potent herbs or stale herbs and spices. When your product is natural herbs, the  fresher the better.  This is the very reason packet technology is being used to package Chinese herbs throughout  Asia.  Foil packets don’t breath. Once the herbs are inside and sealed they are as fresh as the day they were dried. Foil packets provide a level of potency unmatched by any other type of packaging of Chinese herbs.

So thank you Near East for reminding us all, something simple like a foil packet can make the difference between a good product and a great, fresh, potent product. 

(Pac Herbs is the only company who has Chinese herbs packaged in stay fresh, individual PACKETS.)

Natural Remedy for Tinnitus and Dizzyness, Try Tai Chi

Posted by Cathy on with 5 Comments

tai_chiThe American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) says Tai Chi can help your  dizziness and  balance disorders. Tai chi is a form of Chinese martial arts often practiced for its health benefits.  Practiced widely in Asia it can  be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from dizziness and vestibular disorders.   

Research done on  “Tai Chi as a Form of Vestibular Rehabilitation” has been conducted  by Paul S. Lee, MD.  Researchers evaluated the utility of Tai Chi in managing patients with vestibular symptoms who have failed conventional vestibular therapy. It could include individualized physical therapy or different sets of physical maneuvers that a doctor performs on a patient.  In Asia, not only is Tai Chi popular am

Researchers conducted a questionnaire study from April 2008 to March 2009 at an outpatient rehabilitation program, utilizing the activities-specific balance confidence scale and dynamic gait index survey, both prior to therapy and at the conclusion of an eight-week course. A total of 21 patients (18 females, three males) completed the study to date. Patients reported subjective improvements in their vestibular symptoms.  For those who experience ringing in the ears  or tinnitus may not necessarily be helped by Tai Chi, but may see improvement with Chinese herbs. Researchers theorize that the technique may be effective because Tai Chi promotes coordination through relaxation, rather than muscular coordination.


Dr. Oz Recommends Ginseng for Swine Flu

Posted by Cathy on with 1 Comment

Chinese herb ginsengEver since Dr. Oz’s interview in Esquire magazine (Dec. 09) I’ve been fielding a phethera of questions on ginseng.  Thanks Dr. Oz, I’m always happy to talk about the Chinese herbs I love.  It’s an added bonus that the best American Ginseng is actually grown in Wisconsin, my old stomping grounds. I also love to buy American whenever possible.

In response to a question “how to prevent swine flu”, Dr. Oz says: “Vitamin D and American ginseng are the two things I recommend the most. Vitamin D because it stimulates dramatically the ability of the immune system to respond, and American ginseng because it stimulates these things called Toll-like receptors in the gut. They’re ancient – our most primitive immune response – and they make it difficult for bugs to get in through the intestinal wall.”

 

This is an excellent post on ginseng from Acupuncture Chicago.
By Jennifer Dubowsky

Did you know there are different types of ginseng and they are all considered potent herbs for helping the body adapt to stress – both mental and physical. Ginseng is best known for its ability to stimulate your immune system and fight fatigue and stress. Several dozen studies have shown that ginseng enhances physical and mental performance, improves mood, and aids metabolic function. Other studies suggest ginseng maybe anti-inflammatory and can provide a wealth of benefits including: improved blood cholesterol; lowered liver toxicity; lowered blood sugar levels; improved blood oxygen flow; control of respiratory diseases; and enhanced stamina.

The 3 Most Well Known Types Of Ginseng

Chinese Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Considered the “king of all herbs” in many countries, found in the forests of northeast China, Manchuria and Korea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese ginseng is used to tonify the “Qi” (vital energy or life energy force) and is a powerful “yang” or warming tonic herb. It has been reported to: stimulate the immune system; fight fatigue, combat stress, slow aging, balance blood sugar levels, enhance mental performance and memory, lower cholesterol, and strengthen the heart muscle. It may even have anti-tumor and anticancer properties. Before rushing off to get some Chinese Ginseng be aware that it’s overuse can have some negative side effects including; irritability, insomnia and rapid heart beat.

*Panax ginseng has had a notorious reputation as a sexual rejuvenator, particularly for men, however much of this reputation seems to be over-hyped.

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)

Is indigenous to eastern woodlands from Georgia to Quebec, and was used by Native Americans. The picture in this post is of American Ginseng. While not as well known as Chinese Ginseng, American Ginseng has been around for hundreds of years. Jesuit Priests were reported to be trading American Ginseng to the Chinese as early as 1718. American Ginseng has a more “yin” or cooler nature than its Chinese counterpart. While still energizing the body, American Ginseng calms the central nervous system, quiets the brain and lowers blood pressure. Also, because of its more “yin” nature, it is generally better to use on a daily, long term basis than Chinese Ginseng. However if you tend to have a cold constitution, this might not be the herb for you.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Native to Siberia, Japan, Korea and China. Although not a “true ginseng”, this variety is most highly prized. Eleuthero was traditionally used to promote longevity and general health. Many herbalists prefer Eleuthero as the ginseng for helping with women’s health issues, particularly with depression associated with PMS and menopause. Research, mostly from Russia, confirms this herb’s ability to increase mental and physical performance, stimulate the immune system, increase movement of white blood cells, promote circulation and enhance the benefits of medical radiation treatments while lessening its negative side-effects.

Cautions About Ginseng

Ginseng should be avoided by patients who are pregnant or have high blood pressure. In addition, ginseng may increase the effects other stimulants, which may cause sweating, insomnia, or an irregular heartbeat. It should not be used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications, steroids or hormones. As with all Chinese herbs it is best to consult with a Chinese Herbalist and see what is best for you before taking ginseng products.

Shop for ginseng here.

Flower Medicine on the Forefront of Liver Cancer Treatment

Posted by Cathy on
Ye Ju Hua Wild Chrysanthemum Flower Chinese HerbNatural products like Chinese herbs have become increasingly important for new pharmaceutical discoveries. Chinese Herbs and other phyto-medicinals  are being widely studied particularly for cancer treatments. Currently more than 60% of cancer drugs are of plant origin.  New research on the Chinese herb called Ye Ju Hua or Wild Chrysanthemum flower shows anticancer activities and could be a valuable resource in the fight against cancer.

The flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum (Chrysanthemi Indici Flos), is a traditional Chinese herb widely used throughout China and Asia which this study suggests could be a promising novel treatment for liver and other cancers. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known as a common and aggressive malignant cancer worldwide.  In China, HCC accounts for 90% of primary liver cancer, which is the second most common cause of death. Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of cancer, but it is limited to a significant extent by its toxicities and side effects. One possible way to increase the potency of anticancer drugs and to decrease side effects is to develop traditional medicines, especially from medicinal plants.
 

Chrysanthemum   has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat vertigo, hypertensive symptoms and several infectious diseases such as pneumonia, colitis, stomatitis and carbuncles.   A series of recent studies have demonstrated that Chrysanthemum possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, and neuroprotective effects.  Recently, much attention has been devoted to the anticancer activity of Chrysanthemum on human cancer cells, however, its anticancer mechanism of action is still not clear and needs further investigation. The inhibition of tumor cell growth without toxicity in normal cells has attracted considerable attention in cancer therapy.  

Clinical studies have shown Chrysanthemum  can be used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and other Chinese herbs.  One study  found that patients with metastatic breast cancer postoperatively receiving Chrysanthemum as one of the main components, in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines, had a 5-year overall survival rate of 70% and a complete response rate of 60%, and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, had a 5-year overall survival rate of 77% and a complete remission rate of 80%, without adverse effects.  Another study demonstrated that Chrysanthemum  in combination with traditional Chinese herbs, achieved a response rate of 67% in advanced stage esophageal carcinoma patients. 

Plant-pharmacology used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) continues to be an important source of discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatments.
 
Link to Study:
 
Zong-Fang Li, Zhi-Dong Wang, Shu Zhang, Xian-Ming Xia, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China. Chen Huang, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of the Education Ministry, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Supported by Grants From the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30672766 and Science and Technology Developing Foundation of Shaanxi Province, China, No. 2006 K16-G4 (1)
Published online: September 28, 2009
Peer reviewer: Dr. Yukihiro Shimizu, Kyoto Katsura Hospital, 17 Yamada-Hirao, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8256, Japan

Dang Gui, An Ancient Herb for Modern PMS

Posted by Cathy on

Chinese herb dang gui Mood swings. Depression. Irritability. Crying. Anger. Bloating. Breast tenderness. Fatigue. Insomnia. Painful menstrual cramps. Most likely you are one of the 90% of women that experiences Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). And of that, 30-40% of you will have to rearrange your daily lives in order to maintain the proper self-care needed to manage these symptoms. Approximately every 28 days the body repeats this beautiful, life-affirming, and natural cycle. 

However,  if you are one of the millions of women who experience PMS, you may find yourself wondering what is ‘natural’ about your experience.  For most, these symptoms color every moment of those 5 – 7 days, including the week prior to the beginning of menstruation. This means that for 14 days out of every given month, you are feeling less than yourself. For thousands of years, practitioners of Chinese Herbal Medicine have been treating symptoms of PMS naturally. So in this modern world, where many of the solutions for relief involve harsh chemicals with potentially unpleasant side effects, returning to roots/plants is natural.  Dang gui is prescribed in Asia for almost every gynecological complaint, from regulating the menstrual cycle to treating menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal changes.

Dong quai produces a balancing effect on estrogen activity. In Chinese herbal medicine it's a welcome change in restoring the unique rhythms and cycles of a woman’s body.  This herb has earned a reputation among practitioners as the ‘ultimate’ herb for women. In China it is widely used, in combination with other herbs, as a daily tonic for women.   It is prescribed for almost every gynecological complaint, from regulating the menstrual cycle to treating menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal changes. Dong quai seems to have an adaptogenic effect on estrogen activity. This means it adapts to what your body needs at the moment.

Found in moist meadows, alongside of riverbanks, and in mountain ravines, the root of Dang Gui (pronounced ‘dahng gway’) resembles carved ivory, while the leaves resemble those of carrots, celery, or parsley. From May to August, honey-scented, greenish-white flowers bloom in flat-topped clusters. True to the serene environment in which it grows, it helps to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus and provides a mild sedative effect. It is able to do this because it contains chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen on the body, restraining and supplementing the production of estrogen as needed.

As Chinese Herbal Medicine gains further acceptance in the United States, the doors of research are opening as well. A study by the international nonprofit organization, the Cochrane Collaboration, found that Chinese Herbal Medicine for primary dysmenorrhea roughly doubled pain relief and improvement in overall symptoms when compared with conventional Western pharmaceuticals. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dang Gui is  known to treat many types of gynecological problems, fatigue, anemia, and high blood pressure. It is the only non-animal source of Vitamin B12, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and sedative properties, and is also used as an aphrodisiac.   It is high in iron content and helps to prevent iron deficiency and anemia.  It is truly the ultimate all purpose tonic herb for women.

This article is designed to provided the reader with clinical research results and the potential benefits and or risks associated with CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicines). The author advocates neither for or against any particular therapy and recommends individuals speak with licensed medicial practitioners before using any Chinese herbal supplements or other health supplements.

US Navy and Marine Corps personnel use Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Posted by Cathy on
acupuncture at pacherbs.com A heart felt thank you to all our troops oversees who will miss their families this Thanksgiving. We salute you and say God Bless.  
In recent years, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has shown an increasing presence in the US health care system as well as in Canada, Australia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.   The number of visits to practitioners of alternative therapies and total expenditures have  increased, rivaling or exceeding visits and expenditures for conventional medical care.  A study done on the use of CAM by the US military was consistent with patterns in the US civilian populations. 37% of a healthy US Navy and Marine Corps population who participated in this study  reported the use of at least one CAM treatment in the previous 12 months.
While CAM therapies such as chiropractic care have been a part of the military health care system for over a decade,  it is important to understand CAM treatments so that guidelines may be created for personnel who choose to use any of the diverse methods of treatment. Several treatments were consistently reported together; almost 55% of individuals who used acupuncture also used massage; 67% of individuals who used hypnosis also used relaxation, and 78% of individuals who used homeopathy also used herbal therapy.
The study results suggests that people more likely to use some form of CAM are women ages 25–49 years, White, educated, and middle economic class. Officers were 50% more likely to report CAM use than were enlisted personnel  Those who reported moderate to severe body pain were nearly twice as likely to report CAM use in comparison with those with none or very mild body pain Among the most commonly reported CAM therapies in civilian populations are chiropractic care, herbal medicine, relaxation therapy, and massage.
As the use of complementary and alternative medicine becomes more widespread, the DoD Force Health Protection program seeks to create a military force fully protected from preventable health threats throughout their military service. This includes assessing potential risks or benefits from unconventional medical alternatives and supplementation. For this reason, it is important to begin to understand prevalence of CAM use in active military personnel as well as general beliefs associated with CAM use in this population.
 
Read entire study here

TCM & Chinese Herbs May Be Another Alternative In Fight Against H1N1

Posted by Cathy on

Chinese Herb researchTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is used by more than 3 billion people in the world. As temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches the seasonal flu and H1N1 cases begin to spread. There may be another alternative to Tamiflu & flu vaccines to battle the virus. Hong Kong based Rorric Bio-Technology Ltd. believes it may be able to offer a less invasive cure to H1N1 using Chinese Medicine. The Chairman of R&B Dr. Chow Ching-Fung says, “This formula is effective in two ways.

First it combats and eliminates the virus. Second, it boost the immune system, helping the patient to become stronger. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being proven to have fewer side effects, as it uses herbal ingredients. But western medicine contains a mixture of chemicals from the manufacturing process. So the risks are higher.”

The formula is made of up 21 Chinese herbs. Dr. Chow says he has prescribed the formula to 100 patients suspected of contracting taking H1N1 and they have fully recovered after taking the formula. It’s currently in a powder form, but Dr. Chow says there may be a pill version in the future. Tests at the Wu Han Institute of Virology show that the formula is not only effective on H1N1 but also against other mutated forms of influenza A. Tests continue on 300 patients. If successful it will be the first Chinese Herbal prescription drug to cure H1N1.