2016年12月31日星期六

Functional exercise for gastroptosis

1) Take exercises positively such as walking, Qigong, Taiji, etc.

2) Exercise of abdominal muscle: keep a supine position and unbend the legs; raise them up and then put down; repeat the movements for several times; people also can simulate the movements of riding bikes; or take crouching after eating.

3) Abdominal respiration: Hunch the abdomen when inhaling and sink it when exhaling; repeat the movements for several times. Continue to learn TCM Treatment Evaluation for Stomachache.

4) Massage the abdomen: lying supine with the knees bent; press and knead the abdomen with the right hand for 10 minutes after the exercise.

5) Lying in bed for 20-30 minutes and with a position of the head in a low position and the pelvis on a higher place; then move the stomach upwards.

6) The most suitable exercises for treating gastroptosis are the calisthenics, horizontal bar, parallel bars, swimming, etc. These exercises are beneficial for increasing the force of the napes muscle and strengthening the tensity of the gastrointestinal muscle; the exercise can be chosen according to the individual condition and the amount of it should be increased gradually; besides, it should be taken in a persistent way.

2016年12月29日星期四

What're the folk recipes for frozen shoulder

(1) Handling the scapulohumeral periarthritis with plastic
Method: Shear the white plastic or taker-bag into one larger than the affected area, and cover it on the shoulder after droping some drops of water on it. Do it for long term. On the outbreak of the disease, changimg the plastic or taker-bag every 2-3 days is effective for the scapulohumeral periarthritis. (Patients who are allergic to plastic should be cautious about this prescription)
(2) Puree of ginger and onion for treating scapulohumeral periarthritis
Method: Mash up 250-400g of ginger and onion respectively, stir-fry them with mild fire first and then stir-fry with thick white spirit. Apply the hot paste on the painful area before asleep (based on accepting temperature) and wrap them tightly with towel or a strip of cloth. Take the paste off on the next day morning and re-stir-fry the paste in the evening and apply to the painful area. Usually, a dose of the prescription could be applied for 3-4 nights. Continue to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Frozen Shoulder.
(3) Hot salt for treating scapulohumeral periarthritis
Method: Stir-fry 500g of crude salt, put them into a cloth bag and tie the bag tightly(do not let the salt leak out), and then burn the shoulder with that hot cloth bag. This prescription is perfect for the early stage of the disease while with less effect for later stage.
(4) Puree of crab for treating scapulohumeral periarthritis
Method: Soak three crabs for half a day, making them discharge the mud in them stomach. Mash them up into puree and put the puree onto a cloth with the diameter within 8cm, then apply the cloth on the painful area in the evening and take it off the next day morning. The pain would disappear gradually after 2-3 times. Continue to read TCM Treatment Evaluation for Frozen Shoulder.

2016年12月28日星期三

Health care methods for diarrhea

External medicine
a. Grind 1-2 white pepper into powder, apply to the umbilicus, cover it with gauze and fix it with adhesive tape, once a day, continue apply for 2-3 days.
b. Pharmacotherapy for adult: consist of 15 ingredients: Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex, Homalomenae Rhizoma, Ledebouriellae Radix, Speranskiae seu Impatientis Herba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Angelicae Duhuo Radix, Artemisiae Argyi Folium, Loranthi Ramus, Olibanum, Myrrha, Carthami Flos, Angelicae Sinensis Radicis Extremitas, Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Daemonoropis Draconis Resina.
Method: Cover all the above ingredients in a cloth, then steam it for 30 minutes, apply externally to middle and lower abdomen for 30 minutes, once a day, 15 days as a course of treatment, cure 1-3 courses of treatment.
c. Selected parts include Qizhong (CV8), abdomen and the center of the feet. Qizhong (CV8) also named Shenque (CV8), the abdomen is the large scale, which in the center of Shenque (CV8). The center of feet is Yongquan (K11). Prescription: Grind Atractylodis Rhizoma and Cinamomi Cortex into powder respectively, mix powder 1:1, then mix with wine to make paste, put the paste into the umbilicus for 24 hours.
d. Grind right amount of Caryophylli Flos and Cinamomi Cortex into powder, apply 2-3g of it to Shenque (CV8) once, fix it with adhesive tape, change the prescription for every 8 hours, three times as a course of treatment. Infant and nannie should avoid eating greasy and undigested foods during the treatment.
(2) Acupoints Massage
Adopt sitting or a supine position, massage twice a day, 5 days as a course of treatment.
1) Supplement Pitu: Pitu also named Pijing, which is on the red-white border of the radial surface of the thumbs, the straight line from the finger tip to the end. The doctor pinch the infant thumb by forefinger and thumb of the left hand, apply pushing manipulation from the infantile border of the radial surface of the thumbs to the palm root by finger pulp of the right hand for 500 times. It can tonify the spleen and the stomach.
2) Knead Banmen: Location: On the flat area of the major thenar eminence of palm. The doctor rotate knead infantile great thenar by the finger pulp of the right thumb for 200 times. It can clear foods stagnation, stop bleeding and eliminate distention.
3) Knead Neibagua: Location: On palm surface. Taking the center of the palm as the center of a circle and 2/3 from the center of the circle to the cross striation of the middle finger as the radius, draw a circle. The circle is Neibagua. The doctor kneads infantile finger by the left hand, do the circle movement on the center of the palm of the infant by the left thumb, push for 3-5 minutes. It can clear heat and detoxicate and relieve diarrhea.
4) Massage abdomen: do the circle movement on the infantile abdomen by the four finger pulps for 5 minutes. It can disperse food, eliminate distention and relieve diarrhea.
5) Press and knead Zusanli (ST 36): 3 cun below Oubi (ST35), one finger-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia. The doctor kneads the Zusanli (ST 36) for 3-5 minutes by the forefinger pulps of the thumb or middle finger.
6) Pinch spinal column: when pinching the spinal column, focus on the infantile vertebral column and its two sides. The spinal column belongs to the Du meridian in TCM, control yang of hold body. Pinching the spinal column can regulate yin and yang, strengthen the spleen and tonify the kidney. When manipulating, the doctor press the Changqiang (GV 1) by the forefingers of both hands, then push from Changqiang (GV 1) to Dazhui (DU14), at the same time, apply pressing, pinching and twirling manipulation on the spinal column for 6 times by thumbs of both hands. When in the fifth times of manipulation, apply pinching and raising manipulation to Pishu (BL20)Weishu (BL21) and Geshu (BL17). After the sixth times of manipulation, knead gently on the Shenshu (BL23) for three times by thumbs of both hands. The kneading therapy can be practiced in the morning after get up or in the morning for 3-5 minutes, which can get a better effect. 
(3) Guasha Therapy
1) Back: Du meridian, from Dazhui (DU14) to Xuanshu (DU5), bilateral from Pishu (BL20) to Sanjiaoshu (BL22). Stomach: Ren meridian: from Zhongwan (RN12) to Qihaishu (BL24), bilateral Tianshu (ST25)Zhangmen (LR 13), Sifeng (EX- UE 10) and Zusanli (ST 36).
2) Manipulation: Hold the Guasha board, keep 45° with the skin, apply to the above acupoints with gentle force from top to bottom or from inner to outside until a local light red skin occurs. It can boost qi and strengthen the spleen.
(4) Cupping Therapy
Location cupped and methods:
Acupoints selected:
1. Tianshu, Zhongwan, Qihaishu (BL24)Hegu (LI 4)Zusanli (ST 36)Shangjuxu (ST 37)Sanyinjiao (SP6)
2. Pishu (BL20)Weishu (BL21)Shenshu (BL23)Dachangshu (BL25)
Method: you should let acute diarrhea sufferer lie down on his back and select the moderate cups to cup on the acupoints of Group One for 10-15 minutes one time a day. It takes three times as a circle.
The patient who suffers from chronic bacillary diarrhea should be cupped properly. In other words, you should choose proper posture of the patient as well the cups and then get the acupoints cupped for 10-15 minutes 2-3times a week. Caution that ten times consisting of one course of treatment and you should rest for one week between two courses.
(5) Pedicure
1) Basic reflection areas: stomach, intestines, spleen.
Related reflection areas: brain, solar plexus.
Symptom reflection areas: thoracic diaphragm, lymph node on the upper and lower limbs.
Reflexotherapy take 10-15 times as a course of treatment, 30-40 minutes fir each time, 1-2 times each day, repeat it after 1-2 days. Soak both feet with light salt water to recover the feet sensitive to massage.
2) Pedicure prescription:
INGREDIENTS: Lablab Semen(100g), Radix Puerariae (Gegen)50g, Semen Plantaginis (Cheqianzi) 150g
PROCESS: Decoct all the above ingredients in water for 20 minutes, then pour the decoction into the basin, soak both feet into the decoction when it’s warm. The decoction should be kept in 30 ℃, add hot water if it become cold, 2-3 times a day.
Treat diarrhea by Chinese herbs:
a. Stimulate the accupoints on the feet by warming and rubbing therapy, so as to smooth the meridian-qi movement, strengthen and tonify spleen and stomach.
b. Though the absorption of the herbs to take effect of viscera regulation. The combination of both can play a good antidiarrheal effect.

What are the symptoms of eczema

1. Syndrome of Infiltration of Dampness and Heat
Main Symptoms: Sudden onset, skin lesions spreading on the whole body, flushed and burning sensation, discharge of suppurative fluid, lingering pruritus, accompanied by feverish sensation in the body, vexation, thirst, dry stool, scanty and brown urine, reddened tongue, yellowish or yellow-greasy coating, slippery or rapid pulse.

2. Syndrome of Accumulation of Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency
Main Symptoms: Slow onset, skin lesions in flushed color, pruritus, erosive effusion after scratch, scale and crust, accompanied by poor appetite, low spirit, abdominal distension, loose stool, pale and flabby tongue, whitish or white-greasy coating, and soft pulse. Continue to learn Chinese medicine Treatment for Eczema.
3. Syndrome of Blood Deficiency and Wind-Dryness

Main Symptoms: Dark color or pigmentation in skin lesions after long duration, serious pruritus, or coarse and hypertrophic skin lesions with scratching marks and bloody crust, accompanied by dry mouth, low spirit, poor sleep, pale tongue, whitish coating, thready or wiry and thready pulse.

2016年12月26日星期一

Definition of coronary heart disease in TCM

Coronary arteriosclerotic cardiopathy, called coronary heart disease (CHD) for short, is characterized by paroxysmal oppressed sensation or pain in the chest, pale complexion, anxiety or irritability, palpitation, shortness of breath, and severe pain with sweating. Clinically it is manifested as latent CHD, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, myocardial sclerosis and sudden death. Among them angina pectoris and myocardial infarction are most commonly encountered. CHD often occurs among the people aged above forty. More males suffer from this disease than females and most patients are mental workers. Nowadays, it is one of the most common heart diseases in Europe and America, and about 5.7 millions in U. S. A. (2.5% of the population) suffer from this disease. In China its incidence is increasing in recent years and it has become one of the most dangerous diseases threatening people's lives.

The disease is associated with hypertension, hyper-lipidemia, diabetes, obesity, cigarette smoking, and social and psychological factors. As atheromatous plaque formed in the inner wall of coronary artery causes stenosis or obstruction of the blood vessel and block of blood flow, and results in myocardial ischemia, hypoxia and even necrosis, the disease is also called ischaemic heart disease. About 90 % of CHDs result from coronary atheroclerosis and about 5 %- 10% from coronary vasospasm. Click to read TCM Treatment for Coronary Arteriosclerotic Cardiopathy.
According to the clinical manifestations, it belongs the categories of "xiong bi" (thoracic obstruction of qi), "xin tong" (cardialgia), "xin ji" (palpitation), "jue xin tong" (precordial pain with cold limbs) and "zhen xin tong" (angina pectoris) in TCM. Its pathogenic factors include inward attack of exogenous pathogenic cold, improper diet, emotional disharmony, and aging and debility. Its pathogenesis is involved with the deficiency and excess. The former refers to deficiency of the heart, spleen and kidney and nutritional deficiency of blood vessel; the latter to stagnation of cold, qi and blood, and phlegm obstructing pectoral yang and heart vessels. If the blockage of heart vessels by blood stasis occurs, it may give rise to myocardial infarction and the prognosis may be unfavorable.

2016年12月24日星期六

What're the folk recipes for chronic gastritis

1) Drink of Tangerine Peel with Additions (Fufang Jupi
INGREDIENTS:
Tangerine peel, Pericarpium Cirri" Reticulatae (which must be cut into threads) 6g
Finger citron, Fructus Cirri" Sarcodactylis (which must be cut into threads) 6g
Rose, Flos Rosae Rugosae 3g
PROCESS: Infuse all the three ingredients in boiling water.
DIRECTIONS: To be taken as a drink.  Its indications are the same as those of Gruel Activating Q i and Promoting Digestion.
2) Body acupuncture
Prescription: Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC6)Gongsun (SP4)Liangmen (ST21) and Zusanli (ST 36).
Modification: For liver qi invading the stomach, Taichong (LR 3)Qimen (LR 14) and Ganshu (BL 18) are added; for asthenia-cold in the spleen and stomach, Pishu (BL20) and Weishu (BL21) are added; for insufficiency of stomach yin, Taixi (KI3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) are added; for stagnation of blood in the collaterals, Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL17)are added; for stomach heat, Neiting (ST44) is added; for fullness and distension in the epigastrium and abdomen, Zhangmen (LR 13), Burong (ST 19) and Pishu (BL20) are added.
   
Performance: For liver qi invading the stomach and stagnation of blood in the collaterals, mild reducing and reinforcing needling techniques or reducing needling technique can be used; for asthenia-cold in the spleen and stomach and insufficiency of stomach yin, reinforcing needling technique can be used.  For the treatment of asthenia-cold syndrome, moxibustion can be used in addition.
3) Ear acupuncture
Prescription: Stomach (CO4), Spleen (CO13), Liver (CO12), Triple Energizer (CO17), Sympathetic (AH6a), Ear Shenmen (TF4) and Subcortical (AT4).
Performance: Each time 2 - 3 acupoints is selected. The needles are retained for 30 minutes and manipulated at intervals. Or electropuncture may be used. Or Wangbuliuxingzi (Semen Vaccariae) can be used for ear pressure. Two ears are needled in alternation.

How TCM diagnoses cirrhosis

(1) Mild symptoms are manifested during compensatory phase as fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the epigastrium, dull pain in the right epigastrium, abdominal distension and diarrhea. The chief manifestations of decompensatory phase are poor appetite, emaciation, lassitude, diarrhea, epigastric pain, low fever, abdominal distension, hemorrhage and neuropsychic symptoms.
(2) During compensatory phase, there are no obvious physical signs but hepatomegaly may be present. Some patients may also suffer from splenomegaly accompanied by vascular spider and liver palms. But during decompensatory phase, there are manifestations as darker complexion, jaundice, fever, varicose veins of abdominal wall, ascites, hydrothorax, moderate splenomegaly, enlargement or shrinkage of the liver, gynecomastia and sparsity of pubic hair in males, scanty menstruation or amenorrhea in females, bleeding of skin and mucosa, emaciation, anemia, edema and angular stomatitis.
(3) Anemia, decrease in white blood cell and blood platelet count can be found in blood routine examination;in liver function test, increase in aminotransferase, serum bilirubin and globulin, and decrease in albumin can be found.
(4) Ultrasonography B shows that hepatic echo grows stronger, coarser and uneven. Hepatomegaly is manifested at the early stage of the disease and hepatic shrinkage at the later stage. The surface of the liver is rough, serrate and wavy. Splenic shadow becomes larger; splenic veins thicker and curved; and portal vein thickened.
(5) Hepatic biopsy shows the histological type of hepatocirrhosis, as well as the degree of hepatic cells damage and formation of connective tissue. Continue to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Cirrhosis.

2016年12月22日星期四

Health care methods for bronchitis

External Medicinea.  Apply Yiqi Tie (Paste for tonifying qi): treat bronchitis with the method of treating winter disease in summer: In the summer, applying Xiaochuan Gao (Wasting-asthma Onitment) externally can prevent and treat disease. Specific method: Apply Xiaochuan Gao (Wasting-asthma Onitment) externally to Dazhui (GV 14), Tiantu (CV 22), Feishu (BL 13)and Tanzhong (CV 17) for 2 days, change the paste after 3-5 days, 3 times as a course of treatment, one year as a course of treatment, continuously apply it in the summer successively for 3 years .
b. Baijiezi Tie (White Mustard Paste): Select the acupoints, then apply it to them for 2 days, change the paste after 3-5 days, 3 times as a course of treatment, apply in the attacking stage.
Guasha Therapy1) Acute bronchitis:
Acupoints selected: Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12)Feishu (BL 13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongfu (LU1), release sand (sha) acupoints, Feishu (BL 13)Taichong (LR 3).
Manipulation: Firstly, scrape Dazhui (GV 14) on the neck, then scrape Fengmen (BL 12)Feishu (BL 13), Shenzhu (GV 12) on the back, then scrape Tanzhong (CV 17), lastly scrape Taichong (LR 3). Apply reducing method. Taichong (LR 3)and Feishu (BL 13) can be applied with release sand (sha) method.
2) Chronic bronchitis:
Acupoints selected: Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12)Feishu (BL 13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongfu (LU 1), Shenshu (BL23).
Manipulation: Firstly, scrape Dazhui (GV 14) on the neck, then scrape Fengmen (BL 12)Feishu (BL 13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Shenshu (BL23) on the back, lastly scrape Zhongfu (LU 1) and Tanzhong (CV 17). Apply reinforcing method.
Cupping TherapyAcupoints selected: Dazhui (GV14), Fengmen (BL12), Shenzhu (GV12), Feishu (BL 13), Tanzhong (CV17), Zhongfu (LU1)Chize (LU5).
Manipulation:
a. Cupping method: Cupping the above ingredients for 10-15 minutes, once a day.
b. Blood-letting puncture cupping method: Acupuncture with three edged needles the above ingredients to bloodletting, then cupping them, two groups of acupoints are applied alternately, cupping one group each time, once a day.
Foot MassageBasic reflection areas: lungs, bronchus, lymph node, thyroid gland, adrenal gland.
Related reflection areas: kidney, ureter, bladder, diaphragm, cerebrum.
Symptom reflection areas: head, nose, throat, chest, trachea.
Reflexotherapy is taken up of 10-15 times as a course of treatment, 30-40 times each time, 1-2 times each day, repeat it after 1-2 days. Soak both feet with light salt water to recover the sensitivity of feet to massage.

2016年12月19日星期一

How to prevent acute nephritis

1) Pay attention to keep absolute quite when taking treatment and lying on bed for rest; take a diet with low protein and no salt; maintain the balance between water and electrolyte to reclaim the metabolic poisoning.
2) The patients suffering the glomerulus nephritis should not take drastic exercises.
3) Pay attention to prevent from the cold and infection; people should lie on bed for rest after the attack of disease; it’s better take diet with superior low protein, high heat, high vitamin and avoid the intake of Na and water; prevent all kinds of diseases due to infection of the haemolyticus streptococcus such as infection of the upper respiratory tract, acute amygdalitis, pharyngitis, scarlatina, erysipelas with pus, etc.
4) It is not necessary to stop taking fruit for the normal acute nephritis; but for the patients with severer conditions, we advocate people eat less fruit as the ability for discharging kalium is limited due to the poor kidney function and there is a large amount of kalium in the fruit; if the hyperkalemia has already exist in the body and the condition will be dangerous; the patients suffering from the kidney function failure with the hyperkalemia must avoid the fruit contains kalium such as sweet potato, potato, bamboo shoot, mushroom, cabbage, hot pickled mustard tuber, beans, peanut, walnut, etc. It is good for the health to take fruit during the convalescence.
5) The patients suffering the glomerulus nephritis should keep a good living habit, falling asleep early and getting up early; take a rest for half an hour in the afternoon to maintain physical force and it is good for healing.
6) Pay attention to the hygiene of the living environment and personal clothes to prevent from the gastrointestinal disease as it will influence the healing of the glomerulus nephritis.
7) The clothes should be washed and changes regularly; take loose, comfortable and soft cotton clothes; keep the skin clean to prevent from the infection of the prickly heat and boil as which will lead to recurring or aggravating of the disease. Click to read TCM Treatment Evaluation for Chronic Nephritis.
8) Keep a positive and happy mood is good for healing.

2016年12月17日星期六

Dietary therapy for acute enteritis

(1) Gruel of Agastache and Roasted Ginger
Ingredients: Herba Agastachis (Huoxiang) 6g, roasted ginger 6g, Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fangfeng) root 3g, round cardamom seed 3g, polished round-grained rice 100g.
Process: Decoct the first four ingredients in water and remove the dregs from the decoction; then make gruel with the rice and a right amount of water. When the gruel is done, pour in the decoction and cook them for a few minutes. To be taken hot so that the patients can perspire a bit, this will lead up to a best curative effect. It is applicable to diarrhea of cold-dampness type or wind-cold type.
(2) Gruel of Plantain Herb and Hyacinth-Bean
Ingredients: Plantain herb 15g, lophatherum 9g, dried lotus leaf 9g, white hyacinth-bean 30g, Job’s-tears seed 30g, polished round-grained rice 60g.
Process: Decoct the first three ingredients and remove the dregs from the decoction; make gruel with the last three ingredients and right amount of water; when the gruel is done, add the decoction to it and go on cooking for a white. To be taken twice on the same day. It is applicable to patients with diarrhea of damp-heat or summer-heat-dampness types.
(3) Get 30g of purslane and agrestal shepherd's purse respectively, 20g of dried turnip and 3 sliced gingers; decoct them in water for a drink. Take it 1-2 times a day. It can clear away heat and remove dampness and is applicable to the acute gastroenteritis of warm-heat type which is characterized with frequent vomiting and diarrhoea, sour and rancid puke, smelly stool, severe abdominal pain or fever and red tongue with yellow and greasy coating, wiry and rapid pulse.
(4) The Medicated Diet for the Prevention of Acute Enteritis: Gruel of White Gourd and the Seed of Job’s tears
Process: Wash the rice and the seed of Job’s tears clean respectively; peel the white gourd, take out the seeds of it and wash it clean; cut it into pieces and add the rice, the seed of Job’s tears and moderate water to cook with strong fire; remove the floating foam and then cook the gruel with slow fire until it is done.
(5) The Medicated Diet for the Prevention of Acute Enteritis: Balsam pear and Pork ribs Soup
Process: Put the pork ribs in the pot and add the sliced ginger, shallot, yellow wine and moderate water to cook with low fire until the meat is done; add the chopped balsam pear and cook with high fire for another 3-5 minutes; season with the salt, chicken essence for serving.

How to prevent acute enteritis

1) Pay attention to the hygiene and install the window screen in the room; stamp out the fly and the cockroach. 
2) Pay attention to the dietary hygiene and avoid eating cold and impurity food; eat moderate garlic while taking meals; eat less fatty, spicy, irritating food and have a bland diet; take more gruels and soups during the attack period; avoid cold drinks and food.

3) Take warm boiled water at dawn, 5 to 7 pm and half or an hour before sleeping.
4) Avoid bringing the children to the public places.

5) Pay attention to the cleaning and safety of the eating implement for the children.
6) Insulate the patients and deal with their excretion carefully. 
7)Pay attention to the personal hygiene and health education; for the people who take care the children, they should wash the hands frequently especially after they change the diapers or contact the children’s excretion that would be helpful to prevent the children from the bacterial infection.
8) Pay attention to have a good rest and increase the nutrition, eat more digestible food; keep a diet to promote the absorptive function of the spleen and stomach.
9) Strength the exercise and enrich the constitution to prevent the spleen from the pathogenic factors.
10) Keep a smooth mood and the balance of the stomach and intestine function.

2016年12月13日星期二

Classification of Internal Diseases in TCM

For the convenience of clinical application, internal diseases are usually classified in the light of their etiology and pathogenesis. In terms of etiology, internal diseases are divided into two categories: exogenous diseases that are caused by six exogenous pathogenic factors, and endogenous diseases that are caused by seven abnormal emotional factors, improper diet, overstrain, disturbance of distribution of qi, blood and body fluids, and the pathological product secondary to the disturbance.

In terms of pathogenesis, internal diseases can usually also be divided into two categories: exogenous diseases and miscellaneous diseases. This book mainly discusses the miscellaneous diseases, which are chiefly caused by internal damage. Some diseases caused by exogenous pathogenic factors, such as coughdiarrhea, and stranguria, are conventionally discussed under the category of endogenous diseases. This is because most of their manifestations are similar to those of endogenous diseases.

Although the endogenous diseases are varied in types and complicated in pathological changes, their pathogenesis is always limited to the dysfunction of zang-fu organs, disturbance in the production and distribution of qi, blood and body fluid, and the dysfunction of meridian system. To descend to particulars, the lung controls qi and respiration; disorders such as cough and asthma caused by the impaired dispersion of lung qi and dysfunction of respiration belong to diseases of the lung. The heart dominates blood and vessels, and rules the spirit; diseases such as arrhythmia, coronary heart disease and epilepsy are the result of disturbance of blood circulation and abnormality of emotional and mental activities and belong to diseases of the heart. 

The spleen rules transportation and transformation, and the stomach functions in receiving and digesting food; the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach may lead to gastritis, enteritis and constipation. The liver is a resolute organ, attributed to wood element and responsible for maintaining smooth circulation of qi; the dysfunction of the liver and gallbladder in maintaining smooth circulation of qi may lead to diseases such as hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis and cholecystitis. And endogenous wind due to hyperactivity of liver yang may disturb the head and eyes and lead to dizziness and headache. 

The kidneys store essence, dominate the development and reproduction, and control water metabolism; therefore diseases affecting the urinary and reproductive systems such as impotence, spermatorrhoea, nephritis and urinary infections can be ascribed to diseases of the kidneys. Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout are caused by the invasion of pathogenic factors into the meridian system, and should be classified into diseases of the meridian system. By taking the five-zang-organ system as the key link, associating it with the systems of six-fu-organs, meridian, and qi, blood and body fluids, endogenous diseases may be categorized into different patterns. Some diseases such as "xulao" (consumptive disease) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may affect two or more organs and should be ascribed to the category of systemic disease.

2016年12月11日星期日

Decoction of Pinellia, Bighead Atractylodes and Gastrodia

Source: Yixue Xinwu (A Summary on Medicine from Clinical Practice).
Ingredients:
No. 1 Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g;
No. 2 Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) 6 g;
No. 3 Fuling (Poria) 9 g;
No. 4 Jupi (Exocarpium Citri Grandis) 6 g;
No.5  Baizh (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9 g;
No. 6 Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 3 g.

Administration:
Decoct the above drugs in water for oral application after adding to it 2 slices of fresh ginger and 3 pieces of Chinese dates.

Actions:
Drying dampness, resolving phlegm, calming the liver and subduing wind.
 
Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for the syndrome of upward attack of wind-phlegm, marked by vertigoheadachenauseavomiting, chest fullness, greasy whitish fur, taut and smooth pulse. It is applicable to aural vertigo, neurotic vertigo, and others, which are chiefly manifested as vertigo, nausea and greasy whitish fur and ascribed to upward disturbance by wind-phlegm.
In case of excessive dampness-phlegm with glossy whitish fur, add Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) and Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) to induce diuresis and remove phlegm. In case of dizziness and distending pain of the head due to hyperactivity of the liver-yang, addGouteng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis) and Daizheshi (Ochra Haematitum) to suppress the hyperactive yang and subdue the endogenous wind. If concomitant with weakness due to deficient qi, add Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari) to supplement qi and build up strength.
Elucidation:
The syndrome is caused by dysfunction of the spleen in transportation and transformation, thus phlegm is formed from accumulated dampness and accompanied by internal stirring of liver wind and disturbance of wind-phlegm on the head. It should be treated by eliminating dampness and phlegm and subduing the liver-wind. No. 1 is capable of removing dampness and phlegm and descending qi to relieve vomiting, while No. 2 has the function of subduing the liver-wind and relieving pain and vertigo. Both are used as monarch drugs and effective in treating vertigo and headache due to wind-phlegm.
No. 5 and No. 3 possess the action of reinforcing the spleen and eliminating dampness so as to prevent regeneration of phlegm and function as minister drugs, which can enhance the effect of removing phlegm and treat both the superficial symptoms and the root cause of the disease when combined with No. 1. Used as adjuvant drug, No. 4 can strengthen the effect of the monarch and minister drugs on the one hand, and promote the easy flow of qi and the elimination of phlegm and dampness on the other because it has the function of eliminating dampness and phlegm and regulating the flow of qi and the middle-energizer. No. 6 plays the role of guiding drug, which supplements qi and regulates the middle-energizer as well as mediates the drug properties. The fresh ginger and Chinese dates are meant to regulate the spleen and stomach, further enhancing the effect of this recipe in regulating the middle-energizer and removing phlegm.

Cautions:
This recipe is contraindicated for vertigo and headache as the result of hyperactivity of the liver-yang due to yin deficiency of the liver and kidney.

2016年12月9日星期五

Morning Glory used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis

As one of commonly used Chinese herbs, morning glory flower seeds are also known as Qian Niu Zi in mandarin. It is a key medicine traditionally used to get rid of edema, sputum, and stasis. Besides, it is great for reducing bloating too. Based on the coating colors, medicinally this herb is classified into 3 varieties – black (Hei Chou), white (Bai Chou), and black and white (Er Chou). In addition, morning glory seed based herbal remedies were also reported to be used in the treatment of a variety of other diseases, such as scrofula, Liver Cirrhosis, pinworm, Epilepsy, and so on.
Morning glories are native to American continent. But today there are more than 1,000 morning glory varieties distributed all over the world. However, medicinally it mainly refers to the dried mature seeds from Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy or Pharbitis purpurea (L.) Voigt. They are members in the family Convolvulaceae. Therefore, other names of this herb include Semen Pharbitidis, Pharbitis Seed, Pharbitis nil seed, Hei Chou, Bai Chou, Er Chou, and so on. It grows in most of the regions in China and is usually collected in late autumn when the fruits are ripe but the husk doesn't crack yet. Used as a drug it still needs to be dried in the sun and used smashed in the raw or fried form.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MORNING GLORY FLOWER SEEDS 
Morning glory flowers are with good ornamental value thanks to their beautiful colors. The darker flowers, like purplish red, are generally with black seeds; the lighter flowers, like white and pink, are usually with white seeds. However, it is necessary to point out that seed colors have nothing to do with the species.
When it comes to physicians who are good at exerting morning glories seeds, Li Shizhen, the famous pharmacologist in Ming Dynasty, will be the best of the best. He is familiar with not only drug properties but also principles of medical science. And clinical practice told him that this herb could go to qiphase, unblock Triple Burner, arrive at life-gate, and enter essence tunnel. More than that, he also realized that it could be an amazing medicine for wind or stagnated qi induced constipation. Thus, it can be seen that this is a good purgative medicine.

Morning Glory Flower Seeds
MORNING GLORY FLOWER SEEDS RECIPES ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia says that it is bitter in flavor and cold and toxic in nature. It goes to meridians of lung, kidney, and large intestine. Principal functions are to increase the flow of urine, relax the bowels, dissolve phlegm and drain retained fluid, and kill parasites and remove retention. Basic indications and uses include swelling caused by fluid retention, retention of urine, constipation, accumulation of phlegm and retained fluid, cough and wheezing caused by reversed flow of qi, abdominal pain due to a parasitic infection, roundworm, and tapeworm. Recommended morning glory seeds dosage is from 3 to 6 grams.
1. Yu Gong San from Ru Men Shi Qin (Confucians' Duties to Serve Their Parents). It is used together with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) and Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel Seed) or Mu Xiang (Costus) to treat retained fluid induced turgidity.
2. Zhou Che Wan from Jing Yue Quan Shu (Jingyue's Collected Writings). It is combined with Gan Sui (Euphorbia Kansui), Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flower), Jing Da Ji (Euphorbia pekinensis), Da Huang (Rhubarb), etc. to cure Edema, abdominal fullness and hardness,Constipation, retention of urine, and deep rapid powerful pulse.
3. Niu Huang Duo Ming San from Bao Ying Ji (Prescription Book for saving Babies). It is formulated with Rhubarb and Bing Lang (betel nut) to heal stagnated lung qi, cough and asthma caused by phlegm or retained fluid, and facial edema.

2016年12月7日星期三

Celosia Seeds is for the treatment of painful swollen eyes

Celosia seeds, also called Qing Xiang Zi in Pinyin, is a popular medication in traditional Chinese medicine that is mainly for the treatment of painful and swollen eyes, high blood pressure, nose bleeds, and other complaints that are believed to be caused by flaring-up of liver fire. Celosia argentea is also known as "Taiwan’s lavender". Compared to lavender, this plant seems rougher in appearance. However, it is not second to lavender in terms of availability – the whole celosia plant is used medicinally and its tender shoot is also a tasty edible wild vegetable. As a common Chinese herb, it comes from the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica. And in Tang Ben Cao (Tang Materia Medica), it is named "Kunlun grass" and allegedly ever used as a fan by Nu Wa, a goddess in Chinese mythology.
Medicinally it mainly refers to the dried ripe seeds from Celosia argentea L., one of ornamental and edible plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Other names of celosia argentea include the silver cock's comb and plumed cockscomb and celosia argentea seed is also known as Semen Celosiae in Latin. For ornamental purpose, people gather or buy celosia seeds for growing celosia from seed. In China it is produced in central and southern provinces. The plant is reaped or the ear is collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe. And then, it needs to dry them in the sun, gather celosia seeds, and remove the impurities. Medicinally it is used raw.
CELOSIA SEED HEALTH BENEFITS 
Clinical research confirms that this herb can be of great help in many diseases, especially on treating eye disorders and lowering high blood pressure.
(1). 5 cases of hypertension, an average of 160 to 230/100 to 135mmHg (21.28 to 30.59/13.3 to 17.955kPa), were ever treated with the decoction of 30 grams celosia seed, which was finished in 3 times daily. One week after the administration, blood pressure dropped to 125 to 145/78 to 90mmHg (16.625 to 19.285/10.374 to 11.97kPa).
(2). 156 cases of pinkeye were ever treated with the celosia seed-based formulas, 1 dose each day. And the results were fairly satisfactory.

Celosia Seeds
CELOSIA SEED RECIPES ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
In line with the Chinese Materia Medica, it is bitter in flavor and cold in nature. It covers liver meridian. Primary functions are eliminating wind-heat, clearing liver-fire, and improving vision by removing nebula. Common celosia seeds uses and indications include red painful swollen eyes, slight corneal opacity, blurred vision, high blood pressure, nose bleeding, wind-heat skin itch, sores, and ringworm. Recommended dosage is from 3 to 15 grams in decoction.
1. Qing Xiang Wan from Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng (The Level-line of Patterns and Treatment). It is combined with Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seed), Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri), Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horns), etc. to treat red painful swollen eye, nebula, blurred vision, and other eye problems that is caused by flaming up of the liver-fire.
2. Qing Xiang Wan from Yi Zhong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition). It is formulated with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seeds) to cure blurred vision due to the combination of liver deficiency and blood heat.
3. Lu Feng Huan Jing Wan from Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition. It is joined with Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Rou Cong Rong (Fleshy Stem of Broomrape), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), etc. to heal blurred vision and dry eyes.
4. Qing Xiang Tang from Zhong Yi Lin Chuang Ying Yong (TCM clinical application). It is coupled with Yuan Ming Fen (refined mirabilite), Suan Zao Ren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae), Mi Meng Hua (Butterfly Bush), Cassia Seed, Fu Ling (Poria), and Bai Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean) to treat chronic uveitis.

Treatment of ringing in the ears, dizziness by Cinnamon Sticks

Medicinally Cinnamon Sticks mainly refers to the dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, which is a member in the family Lauraceae. Since it is native to China, it is also known as Chinese cinnamon and Chinese cassia too. But sometimes it may also mean any of its close relatives – Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon), Cinnamomum burmannii (Indonesian cinnamon), and Cinnamomum loureiroi (Vietnamese cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon). Hence, it is also called cinnamon bark or Cortex Cinnamomi in Latin name. In addition, bastard cinnamon is another nickname given by the English speaking world because of its cheaper price, compared to other types of cinnamon.
In China, it is mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Yunnan provinces. It is usually peeled in autumn. After that, it still needs to scrape off the cork and placed in the shade to dry. After gone through the above-mentioned process, it will curl into a role and look like a stick, which thus earn its name as "cinnamon stick". A variety of different specifications can be divided based on the stripped parts and quality. As a drug, it is usually used raw.
CINNAMON BENEFITS 
The Weekly World News, a famous Canadian magazine, ever published a piece of writing talking about the honey and cinnamon cures on January 17, 1995. Beatrice Dexter, the writer of this article, thought highly of this therapy and introduced in details how to use this mix to help a variety of complaints, such as arthritis, hair loss, bladder infections, toothache, cholesterol, colds, infertility, upset stomach, indigestion, heart disease, immune system problem, influenza, aging, acne, skin infections, overweight, cancer, fatigue, bad breath, hearing loss, high blood pressure, sore throat, influenza, etc. And its pharmacology has already offered a range of solid supports to such a claim.
CINNAMON STCKS RECIPES ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
The Chinese Materia Medica says that it is acrid and sweet in flavor and hot in nature. It covers meridians of kidney, spleen, heart, and liver. Basic functions are tonifying fire and helping yang, Guiding fire back on track, eliminating cold to stop pain, and warming meridian to unclogged arteries and veins. Main indications and uses for cinnamon sticks include kidney-yang deficiency, decline of vital gate fire, intolerance of cold, cold limbs, bower back pain and knee weakness, ImpotenceNocturnal Emission, difficult urination or urination frequency, shortness of breath, AsthmaEdema, a scanty production of urine, floating yang, feverish upper body and cold lower extremity, dizziness, ringing in the ears, etc.
Recommended dosage is from 2 to 5 grams in decoction. And please keep in mind that don't decoct it for too long or it will lose the active ingredients. Besides, it can be used in other forms, such as cinnamon tea, tablets, capsules, powder, extract, pills, and so on.

1) Shen Qi Wan from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer). It is combined with Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony), Fu Ling (Poria), Ze Xie (Water Plantain Root), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni), and Fu Zi (Aconite) to treat ED (erectile dysfunction), cold uterus, feeling cold and pain in lower back and knees, frequent urination at night, spermatorrhea, enuresis, and others that are caused by kidney-yang deficiency and decline of vital gate fire.
2) Da Yi Han Wan from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). It is formulated with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger Root), Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal Root), Bi Bai (fructus piperis longi), etc. to cure abdominal pain and hernia pain.
3) Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang from Qian Jin Fang (Thousand golden essential prescriptions). It is matched with Du Huo (Angelica Root), Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe Stem), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), etc. to heal wind-cold-damp pain or numbness, especially arthritis aggravated by cold weather and low back pain.
4) Gui Fu Wan from Shou Shi Bao Yuan (Protection of Vital Energy for Longevity). It is joined with Aconite, Dried Ginger Root, Hua Jiao (Sichuan Peppercorns), etc. to treat angina pectoris and cardiac pain due to the invasion of pathogenic cold and low chest yang.

2016年11月29日星期二

Acupuncture Point Zusanli (ST 36) Used to Treat Asthma

OBJECTIVE:
To observed efficacy differences of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) in rats with Asthma and asthma with spleen-deficency, so as to investigate the therapeutic mechanism.
METHODS:
Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to their weight, named as an asthma with spleen-deficency group (group A), an acupuncture on asthma with spleen-deficency group (group B), an asthma group (group C), an acupuncture on asthma group (group D) and a control group. The rat models with spleen-deficiency in the first two groups were set up by TCM, then the rats of asthma model in the first four groups were induced by egg albumin, but the control group was treated by the same dose of saline. The group B and the group D were both treated with acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), once each day for 8 days, and the other groups remained unhandled. The mRNA expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 in the lung tissues were detected by hybridization in situ and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL (terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dutp nick end labeling).
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, in both the group A and the group C, the expression of Fas mRNA significantly decreased, but the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA significantly increased (all P < 0.01), and eosinophils (EOS) counts significantly increased, but EOS apoptosis rate significantly decreased (all P < 0.01). Compared with the group C, in the group A, the expressions of Fas mRNA significantly decreased, but the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and EOS counts significantly increased (all P < 0.01). At the same time, compared with the corresponding asthma groups, in both acupuncture groups, Fas mRNA expression obviously increased, Bcl-2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced (all P < 0.01), EOS counts remarkably decreased and EOS apoptosis rate significantly increased (all P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the expressions of Fas mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA between the two acupuncture groups (both P > 0.05), but compared with group B,in the group D, EOS counts significantly decreased and EOS apoptosis rate significantly increased (both P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) can regulate the disorders of Fas mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in the state of both asthma and asthma with spleen-deficency, promote EOS apoptosis so as to inhibit the development of inflammatory reaction of asthma, showing that acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) has certain advantages on regulation of related gene of EOS in asthma with spleen-deficency.

2016年11月27日星期日

Acupuncture for Patients with Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)

Pharyngitis is the medical term for a sore throat, or inflammation of the pharynx. Although there are a host of reasons why people experience pharyngitis, ranging from smoking to mouth breathing to allergies, the two most common causes of pharyngitis are viruses and bacteria. Once school resumes in the fall, it is a prime time for germs to spread. Increased exposure extends beyond the classroom as students flock to football games, dances and parties – often resulting in a rise of confirmed cases of the common cold, tonsillitis, strep throat and mononucleosis (mono).
Of course, many adults contract these ailments as well, but mononucleosis most often occurs in teenagers between the ages of 15–17. Since teens of this age are frequently dating, mono also goes by the nickname "the kissing disease" because it is transmitted through saliva and mucus. The reality, however, is that mono and the other contributors to pharyngitis are caused not only by transmitting saliva through kissing, but also by such innocuous methods as sharing a straw or simply being in close proximity when someone coughs or sneezes.
The most difficult aspect is that many people carry the virus and bacteria without presenting any symptoms, meaning carriers are unaware of the threat they pose and others don’t know they should avoid close contact with an unknowing carrier. The problem is compounded by the fact that mono has an extensive incubation period of 30-50 days. That means that symptoms you are just beginning to notice could be the result of sharing an elevator ride with someone who was a carrier over a month ago.
Because it is almost impossible to completely avoid these germs, you will most likely experience a sore throat at least once in your lifetime. And when that happens, you will want relief fast. What should you do?
The Solution: It should first be stated that anyone experiencing high fevers, problems swallowing, or symptoms persisting for several days should absolutely be seen by their physician. However, most people experiencing a stand-alone dry, scratchy and/or sore throat tend to purchase over-the-counter medications and tough it out. What they may not know is that acupuncture therapy, combined with plenty of rest and fluids, is a simple and speedy alternative.
A study of 74 patients in 2012 found that balance acupuncture significantly reduced sore throat pain within one minute of treatment. How can that happen? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes that energy flows through a number of pathways (meridians) to each organ of your body. When those pathways are disrupted, illness or pain ensues.
The key to restoring the pathways is to address corresponding meridian points; each point serves a different function. Thus, when someone experiences a sore throat, a licensed acupuncturist will typically combine multiple meridian points to remove heat (inflammation), increase moisture (resolving the dry, scratchy feeling), transport phlegm (silencing the often associated cough), and boost the overall immune system.
Even though people experience common symptoms, the cause of the pharyngitis can be different for each individual, as has already been discussed. An acupuncturist will therefore spend some time talking to you before the treatment to gain a better understanding of your personal situation in order to identify patterns which indicate which meridian points to address. Thus, two patients both being treated for a sore throat may receive different acupuncture treatments.

2016年11月25日星期五

Acupuncture is an excellent addition to Sinusitis

The Sinuses are air filled cavities that function to warm and humidified inhaled air, increase the resonance of the voice, act as a buffer for trauma and they lower the weight of the skull. Inflammation of the sinus cavities can be caused by allergies, chemical irritants or over use of over the counter nasal sprays, or the common cold.  Viruses or bacteria may cause sinus infections.

Sinusitis Symptoms
nasal congestion
sinus headaches
sinus pressure
sinus pain
difficulty breathing through the nose
Treatment of Sinusitis
Treatment of acute sinusitis involves over the counter decongestants (Sudafed type meds) and the use of vaporizers to inhale steam.  Decongestants will relieve congestion, but they can also dry you out too much, which could lead to more pain.
Chronic sinusitis is treated through more frequent use of vaporizers/humidifiers, and neti pots with saline rinses.  In cases of bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.  It’s important to treat sinus infections as they can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
If the cause of your chronic sinusitis is allergies, you may be given oral steroids or antihistamines.
Many of the current treatment methods mainly offer symptomatic relief.
Why Acupuncture?
Acupuncture can treat all forms of sinusitis: acute, chronic, allergic, or infectious. Acupuncture treats the current congestion while strengthening your immune system to help make you less reactive in the future.
Acupuncture treatments can be so effective that you may notice your congestion lessening during your treatment.   Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the body, which means it helps to reduce the inflammation in the sinus cavities and decrease pain levels.  Acupuncture also helps with the movement of fluids in the body, and can assist in the breakdown of congested mucous.
Chinese herbal medicine is an excellent addition to your treatment regimen for sinus congestion and infections.   There are many Chinese herbs with anti-bacterial or anti-viral properties, allowing for the treatment of both causes of infection (bacteria or virus).  If needed, an individualized formula will be made for your specific needs.

2016年11月23日星期三

Cloves is frequently used for ED(erectile dysfunction)

Also known as FLOS CARYOPHYLLI and Syringa oblata in Latin, it means the dried buds of Eugenia caryophllata Thunb., a tree in the family Myrtaceae. This plant is native to Tanzania, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In China, it is mainly produced in Guangdong, Hainan and other places. Medicinally it is usually harvested from September to the following March when clove bud turns from green to red.
Clove plant is evergreen tree and up to 10 meters. Leaves are opposite and with slender petiole and oblong obovate or elliptic leaf blade. It blooms during autumn. Flowers have strong aroma. The inflorescence is acrogenous thyrses, with about 6mm flower diameter. Berries are red-brown, slightly shiny, rectangular oval, 1 to 2.5cm long, 5 to 12mm in diameter, with fragrant hypertrophy persistent calyx lobes at apex. And there are a few rectangular clove seeds.
Buds contain volatile oil, namely oil of clove. Clove bud oil mainly contains eugenol, acetyl eugenol, B-caryophyllene, methyl n-amyl ketone, methyl salicylate, humulene, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, m-Anisaldehyde, benzyl acetate, Chavicol, a-ylangene, and so on. Normally eugenol accounts for 64 to 85% in oil of cloves. However, some wild species contain no eugenol but Eugenone and Eugenin. Flower bud also contains triterpenoids such as oleanolic acid, flavonoids, Rham-netin, kaempferol, Eugenin, Eugenitin, Isoeugenitin, and Isoeugenol.
BENEFITS OF CLOVES 
As explained above, the clove oil benefits are really astounding. You know, clove essential oil is regarded as the top ten essential oils with special attributes. In addition to its culinary and medicinal value, it is also a famous ornamental plant for garden thanks to its unique aroma, huge lush inflorescence, elegant and harmonic color, and plump and beautiful gesture. Nevertheless, cloves'health benefits are the focal point here. As a matter of fact, cloves have long been used in the treatment of burns and toothache.
MODERN PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS 
1. Oral administration of this herb can promote the secretion of gastric juice, enhance digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, reduce abdominal bloating. These evidences showed that it is an aromatic stomachic;
2. Its water extract and ether extract have analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects;
3. Eugenol has anticonvulsant effect;
4. Its decoction inhibits staphylococcus, streptococcus and diphtheria, proteusbacillus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, escherichia coli, shigella dysenteriae, typhoid bacillus, and so on. And it also has a better acaricidal effect;
5. It also has antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-diarrhea, choleretic and anti-hypoxia effects.

PROVEN CLOVES RELATED HERBAL FORMULAS
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbalists believe that it is acrid in taste and warm in properties. It covers 4 meridians, such as spleen, stomach, lung, and kidney. Its major functions are warming middle energizer to descend adverse-rising and reinforcing kidney to strengthen yang. Chief cloves uses and indications are deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach, hiccups and vomiting, reduced appetite due to vomiting and Diarrhea, crymodynia in heart and abdomen, ED(Erectile Dysfunction) due to kidney deficiency, and so on. Recommended dosage is from 1 to 3 grams in decoction.
1) Ren Shen Ding Xiang San
This formula comes from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). It is primarily formulated for adult or infantile unceasing vomiting that leads to throw up anything swallowed, including the decoction. Other main herbal ingredients include Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Dang Gui (Dong Quai), and so on.
2) Ding Xiang Jian Wan
This prescription comes from Pu Ji Fang (Prescriptions of Universal Relief). It is basically designed for discomfort in chest and diaphragm. Other major herbs include Chen Xiang (Agarwood), Huo Xiang (Patchouli), Sha Ren (Cardamon), and more.
3) Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
This formula is from Zheng Yin Mai Zhi (Pulses, Causes, Patterns, and Treatments). It is exclusively used for deficiency-cold vomiting. The rest key herbs are Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome), and so on.

2016年11月20日星期日

Chinese Herbal Prescription for Treating Lung Abscess

Lung abscess is a disease due to the attack of virulent wind-heat on the lungs, which results in the accumulation of heat and blood stasis and the formation of abscesses; the disease is characterized by fever, chest pain and cough with discharge of foul or even purulent and bloody sputum. The malady appears with a sudden onset of chilliness, rigor, remittent fever as high as 39-40 C, chest pain and cough. The sputum is small in amount and frothy in the beginning, and late it increases in amount and becomes mucous and purulent. As the abscess is formed, large amounts of foul purulent or bloody sputum are discharged, which may form an upper frothy layer, a middle layer of thin mucus and a thick purulent layer at the bottom after settling down for several hours.
Etiology and Pathogenesis
Virulent wind-heat attacks the lungs, which are already affected by endogenous heat. Both exogenous and endogenous evils act on the lungs and render them incapable of keep qi pure and descendant; in turn, heat accumulates and blood stagnates, and lung abscess ensues.
Syndrome Differentiation and Therapeutic Principles
A. Syndrome differentiation
(a) Differentiation between lung abscess and wind-warm syndrome: A case of wind-warm syndrome may develop into lung abscess in cases of erroneous treatment. Although the wind-warm syndrome also presents such symptoms as fevercoughrestlessness, thirst, chest pain and dyspnea, it can be distinguished from lung abscess by the absence of high fever, chills and discharge of profuse, foul and purulent sputum.
(b) Differentiation between lung abscess and pulmonary flaccidity-syndrome: Lung abscess usually manifests itself as a sthenia-syndrome with a sudden onset and a short duration. Pulmonary flaccidity-syndrome is a disorder which involves atrophy of the lung lobe due to exhaustion of qi and yin and damage as asthenic heat, or asthenia-cold of lung-qi which is characterized by an insidious onset and a prolonged duration and manifests itself as an asthenia-syndrome. However, a longstanding case of lung abscess, when its treatment is delayed or erroneous, may develop into pulmonary flaccidity-syndrome because of consumption of lung-yin by phlegm-heat.
(c) Identification of the stages of the disorder: Lung abscess may be grouped under various stages according to its progress, i.e., the early stage (with superficies-syndrome), the stage of abscess formation, the stage of abscess rupture and the convalescence stage.
B. Therapeutic principles
Expelling evil is the major therapeutic principle for lung abscess, including clearing away heat and toxic materials, eliminating blood stasis and draining off pus. Before the formation of abscess, the therapy of clearing the lungs and dissipating suppuration should be adopted, and in cases where abscess has occurred, draining off pus and clearing away toxic materials is the therapy recommended. When superficies-syndrome marked by fever and chilliness exists, drugs with the actions of clearing away heat and expelling superficial evils should be added. In the convalescence period, the therapy of expelling residual heat and tonifying yin and qi ought to be employed. for chronic cases with deficiency of healthy qi and retention of evils, the therapy of supporting healthy qi and expelling evils should be applied.