Detox and Tone the Liver With Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Oriental Medicine, the nature and quality of food including its flavour, taste and heat/cold nature, determines its healing potential and its ability to balance or unbalance the body, through affecting the Blood, Qi and other body fluids. There are many 'diets, and the aim of this perspective on food and nutrition, is not to give you another 'diet' to follow rigidly, but rather, to give you some simple guidelines from a combined western and oriental perspective. These will give you a way to gently nurture and support your body from the inside.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Wood element relates to the Liver and Gall Bladder organs and the season of Spring. It is the time when the energy moves upwards like a new plant or tree. The energy is active and dynamic, seeking to expand and express itself.

The Liver and Gall Bladder organs which are the organs responsible for maintaining the smooth flow of Chi and Blood and keeping the body free of toxins. In Spring, think Green. Green, light, young foods that promote cleansing and cooling, and encourage movement and activity. Also sweet and pungent flavours which have an expansive, rising quality are good in spring.

Spring is the most appropriate time to do a cleanse or fast. The Liver tends to be the most congested of all the organs, suffering from the effects of too much fat, chemicals, intoxicants and refined foods. When the energy in the Liver is congested or blocked, the energy flow throughout the body is affected, causing numerous emotional and physical problems.

Anger related emotions such as frustration, resentment, aggression and repressed emotions resulting in depression, can be symptoms of a Liver energy imbalance. Physical symptoms include problems with the eyes, headache, heat signs, acne, eczema, tendon and muscle spasms and problems with the production and flow of menstrual blood. To stimulate the flow of energy in the Liver, eat raw and lightly cooked foods, fresh fruit and vegetables and sprouted grains, seeds and beans.

Pungent foods are stimulating, such as onions, tumeric, basil, bay leaf, cardamon, marjoram, cummin, fennel, dill, ginger, black pepper, rosemary and mint.

Other foods that are good for the Liver but not so pungent are beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. To harmonise the flow of energy in the Liver, add some sweet grains, legumes and vegetables such as carrots and sweet potato, and use a little honey, rice syrup, stevia or molasses.

When the Liver becomes swollen and sluggish because too much food has been eaten or other excesses imposed on it, Bitter and Sour foods help to remove the stagnant energy and improve the flow of Chi and Blood.

Sour foods include vinegar (mix with honey for best effects), lemons and limes. Bitter foods include asparagus, alfalfa, citrus peel, romaine lettuce and rocket. To detoxify and cool the Liver, include mung beans and sprouts, celery, seaweeds, lettuce, cucumber, tofu, millet, chlorophyll rich foods, mushrooms and radish.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Acne

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been around for more than 2000 years and is effective at treating several skin conditions including acne. Acne is a skin condition that affects approximately 60% of the American population. Although the cause of acne is unknown, genetic predisposition and hormonal changes are believed to be related to the cause of acne skin conditions. Acne is more prevalent in males and can be aggravated by sweating, oral contraceptives, poor skin hygiene, cosmetics, face creams, exercise, and lack of sunlight. Traditional Chinese philosophy believes that an imbalance in the body, mind or spirit can cause physical symptoms of disease. The TCM believes that an excess of internal heat and dampness causes acne and the symptoms of acne. To alleviate acne you must clear the heat and drain the dampness from the body.

Heat can be caused by different sources such as our over consumption of stimulating foods, hormonal changes, physical activity, inability for blood to clean toxins, agitated thoughts, hot weather, or imbalance of qi. Heat can appear as inflammation, over stimulation, and hyperactivity and is reflected on the skin through rashes, pimples, infections, and redness. Dampness is excess water in the tissues of the body. Dampness can be caused by water accumulation in the digestive tract, excess oil, fatty, cold or raw foods, irregular eating habits, insufficient sweating, damp environment, and insufficient heat. Bacteria, fungus and viruses thrive in excessively damp environments even in the body. Dampness can be reflected through the skin as swelling, cysts, pimples, pus, and fluid discharge.

A traditional Chinese herbalist should be consulted when determining which Chinese herbal supplements to take to clear up your acne. Although there are minimal side effects, you will not see the results you want by indulging in every Chinese herb on the market. Specific concoctions of herbs will work for certain people. An herbalist will determine which concoction of herbs is right for each individual person and their specific symptoms. TCM can use leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, minerals and roots from plants in their acne treatments. There are several different ways to take herbs in decoctions or teas, powders, tinctures, pills, syrups, and plasters. Here are some specific herbs that have been used in TCM for thousands of years to treat acne. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or a skin rash after taking herbal supplements, stop taking them immediately and consult your herbalist.

Cai Feng Zhen Zhu an Chuang Wan/ Margarite Acne Pills: This is an excellent remedy to clear up acne. This product comes ina pill form and is used to clear heat, expel toxins, cool the blood, and regenerate skin cells. Some of its ingredients include Pearl, Honeysuckle Flower, Dandelion Herb, Glehniz Root, Chinese Foxglove Root, Ningpo Figwort Root, Chinese Rhubarb Root and Lucid Gannoderma Sclerotium.

Jin Yin Hua/ Honeysuckle- Can be used in conjunction with chrysanthemum and dandelion to clear excess heat in the blood and stomach. It is a great detoxifier and increases perspiration. It can be consumed as an infusion or applied externally to the skin.

Dandelion Root- Is a blood cleanser which stimulates liver function to cleanse the body. Dandelion root should be drunk in a tea by mixing 2-3 teaspoons of dried dandelion to 1 cup of water. Dandelion leaves can also be eaten in a salad, which aid in digestion but only 2 leaves should be eaten daily.

Dahurian Angelica- Reduces swelling and expels dampness from the body. Should be drunk in a tea by mixing 1 ounce of dried root into 1 pint of water or can be consumed as 1/2 teaspoon diluted in 1 cup water. This root can also be combined with Chrysanthemum and drank.

Skullcap- Clears heat as well as damp heat. Drank as a tea. Combine 1 ounce dried root to 1 pint of water.

Burdock Root- Cleans the blood by detoxifying the body. Acts as an anti-inflammatory. Should be applied topically.

Spica Prunellae/ Prunella Spike- Common herb found in TCM. Boil 1 ounce of dried herb in 1 pint of water. Add honey and drink daily.

Other herbs used in TCM to treat acne include neem, chaste tree berry, chamomile, sarsaparilla, milk thistle, yellow dock, Echinacea root, loquat leaf, rehmania root, moutan bark, forsythia fruit, peach kernel, safflower, Stellaria Root, Purslane, and peppermint.

Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since. My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me. Check out my health website! http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/TCM_Treats_Acne.html

How to Treat the Common Cold Naturally Through Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Autumn is a common time of year to catch a cold, which relates to traditional Chinese medicine theory since each organ system corresponds to a particular season and wouldn't you know it lungs correspond to autumn. That does not mean you can only catch a cold in autumn just that colds are more prevalent especially if the lung system is weak or out of balance. Therefore fall is a good time to strengthen the lung system.

Why is a strong lung system necessary?

The lung system in Chinese medicine governs the nose, skin, breathing and is responsible for the circulation of Wei Qi, a protective energy closely related to the immune system in Western medicine. When this energy is strong the body is able to fight off disease, conversely when it is weak pathogens may enter the body leading to the common cold.

How can Wei Qi be strengthened?

Exercise, such as brisk walking outside can help circulate Qi and strengthen lung Qi. Proper diet and adequate rest also ensure that energy levels are maintained and restored. Some specific foods to strengthen Lung Qi are strawberry, glutinous rice, grapes, honey, tofu, garlic, carrots, oats, sweet potato, yam and fresh ginger.

TCM therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine can also strengthen the lung Qi. Acupuncture must be performed by a licenced acupuncturist, however there are common formulas that can be taken as tea, tinctures or tablets which taken regularly prior to cold season can improve immunity. Common herbs in those formulas are astragalus, ginseng, siler, atractylodes, angelica root, ginger and scallion. These herbs may also be used in treatment of the common cold.

How is it that herbs can both treat and prevent the common cold?

TCM approaches treatment from what is called root and branch, with the root being the underlying cause for the condition and the branch being the current symptoms. Therefore herbs will be chosen to alleviate symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, headache, body ache, sore throat and cough. Once symptoms are alleviated herbs to strengthen the body's Qi can be used. Reishi mushroom tea is a common immune tonic and is mild enough for everyday use.

Other everyday preventative measures include 20 minutes of brisk walking as mentioned above, using a neti pot to keep nasal passages clear, using a diffuser with essential oils such as eucalyptus and cedar, stretching to open the chest and yoga breathing techniques can all be beneficial.

Angela Foran is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine where she uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help clients achieve optimal health. Click here to learn more about her Vancouver acupuncture practice

Ginger root-a Herb with medicinal properties that are used as an alternative to traditional medicine

Ginger root is an Herb that has been used in a variety of ways as a healing agent for more than 2000 years. Considered to have medicinal properties that can be useful for those who suffer from a myriad of diseases, including arthritis, nausea, motion sickness, headaches, and perhaps even the types of heart disease. In the United States the use of herbs as medicine is still considered as an alternative, but in places like China, Caribbean, India, parts of Africa and Europe, Ginger is widely accepted as a healing Herb.
The story of Ginger is very exciting. The Sanskrit name for Ginger is srngaveram, which translates to "Horn root". This is considered to be due to the presence of root ginger, which bears a resemblance to an animal's horn. At some point in history, but disappeared Ginger believed that Marco Polo brought back with him after many trips and then became popular in Europe. Most of the supply of Ginger from Jamaica, India, Africa, and China. Ginger grows in the wild in Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands, because the tropical climate offers the best growing conditions. Wild ginger produces flowers, when the Herb is the most mature stage. Queen Elizabeth I loved the taste of Ginger and encouraged the cooks to experiment with it. Man Melopswmo said that was the direct result of these experiments.
Ginger has been used most often to treat gastrointestinal maladies such as nausea, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, burns fugitive heartburn, intestinal gas, resulting in excessive flatulence and colitis. Many people believe that Ginger can help with these disorders, because it contains properties thought to strengthen the muscles in the gastrointestinal.
Botanists Use Ginger extract to reduce inflammation, which is a major cause of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, like osteoarthritis and bronchitis, dermatitis and ulcerative colitis. Studies are not conclusive, but many people prefer to use a natural remedy instead of ibuprofen or other traditional medicines.
Use Ginger for the treatment of the disease is at least one proposal seems to be somewhat effective but more studies should be conducted and analyzed. With regard to heart disease, it is not clear whether Ginger can be used successfully to reduce cholesterol. It is simply too early to make an intelligent comment on this kind of medical use of the Herb.
Ginger appears as a knotted root with an underground stem called a rhizome. Consists of volatile oils (somewhere between 1 and 4), as well as strong unions, known as gingerol and shogaol. these associations are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic properties of Ginger nausea and vomiting.
You can find Ginger production department, fresh or dried root. Ginger is also available as an extract in powder form, in the form of capsules, or olive oil. You can use ginger, to prepare a tea or to use a cooking Spice to prepare breads, cookies, or as an ingredient in vegetable dishes.
It is always wise to do your research and to speak with a little before supplanting ginger, or any other spice or Herb, with specific medicines. Many health food stores have botanists staff to answer any additional questions you might have. As with all things in your life, moderation is the best choice. However, in the selection of spices which can also be drugs, try to use Ginger as a healthy alternative, of course.



Connie Ragen Green has been used alternative medicine to complement traditional medicine to help it cope with arthritis and cancer for more than 15 years. The http://greenhouse.typepad.com/connie_ragen_green visits in order to find ways to improve the health and well-being.