Life Extension Magazine article: Curcumin Protects against Cancer
This is a good, brief article that also summarizes the ‘Ten Key Causative Factors of Cancer Development’ besides noting how much research is available that shows Curcumin is effective against cancer.
I purchase all of my Chinese raw, dried herbs, which I use in customized formulas and tinctures both, from Spring Wind Herbs. This company is considered the premier supplier of quality Chinese herbs and is owned by Andrew Ellis. All herbs are tested for pesticide residues, and increasingly more and more are even available as USDA Certified Organic. I usually try to purchase the organic version also, unless the cost difference is extremely high (but typically isn’t the case at all).
For more information, see
Spring Wind Herbs or
Spring Wind Herbs Quality
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is the world standard of herbal medicine and these guidelines are used, amongt testing for heavy metals, pesticides and bacteria, by Evergreen Herbs, a family-run business with 3 generations of Chinese herbal scholars bringing quality medicine to practitioners and patients alike. Keep in mind also that most herbs are coming from Taiwan, so why the quality is so high. Evergreen Herbs and Herb Safety The formulas are fantastic and bring my patients much healing! The pharmacology tomes written by John Chen and Tina Chen are a boom to phytomedicine worldwide and research is the basis of this materia medica. Order book: Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology from Evergreen Herbs or Amazon.
Look at all the research showing Traditional Asian Medicine is an important medicine that works – the 8 branches of this medicine are Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, Tui Na Massage and other manual therapies (cupping, gua sha), Dietary Therapy, Astrology and Caligraphy!!!! (And I think I am somehow missing Feng Shui but it may fit into the Astrology branch.) The last two are very important, unique arts, and therefore, medicinal themselves!) All are represented here: Qi Journal and Traditonal Chinese Medicine Research
Red Yeast Rice Extract is a supplement used in natural medicine to help reduce cholesterol levels. However, it is one of the few over-the-counter supplements that should be used under the direction of a natural medicine healthcare provider! It can affect the liver, so liver enzymes should be routinely monitored via blood chemistry panels. Additionally, it can have the serious side effects of myopathy and/or myalgia (muscle weakness and/or muscle pain) and peridontal disease. These side effects are the same as with statin drugs, but to a lesser extent (statin drugs originally came from research on Red Yeast Rice). To counteract the possible side effects of Red Yeast Rice Extract, one MUST take CoQ10 with it, as with statin drugs.
Therefore, in my office I only sell a product of Red Yeast Rice combined with CoQ10 (in one bottle). Additionally, I typically will try safer natural remedies first to lower cholesterol and resort to using Red Yeast Rice Extract only when other efforts have failed.
Reference for the skeptics:
Dr. Weil’s comments on Red Yeast Rice for Cholesterol Control
For more info on CoQ10, please also see my general CoQ10 post for the CoQ10 Monograph (research summary).
Research that shows electrical acupuncture stimulation on an acupuncture point traditionally used to aid digestion and strengthen immune system does in fact influence digestive tract function. What may be very impressive to the lay person is to note that it is on the leg and not on the abdomen!! More proof that an ancient health system works!
These results suggest acupuncture on this point has the “potential to influence gastric mucous substances and enteroendocrine cells (gastrin, serotonin, CGRP, insulin, and PP) that subsequently modulate digestive functions”.
Notes:
‘CGRP’ refers to Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, ‘PP’ refers to Pancreatic Peptides, and enteroendocrine cells refers to different types of hormone-secreting cells present throughout the epithelium of the digestive tract
Research showing that several areas in the brain responds to Acupuncture, and in this case, specific areas that are involved in Parkinson’s Disease. Conclusion of research: Acupuncture may be effective in improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Research shows that Burdock root, or Niu Bang Gen as it is known in Chinese herbal medicine, is great for protecting the liver from the effects of Acetaminophen (Brand name: Tylenol).1 So if one takes Tylenol, even occasionally, it is best to also take Burdock root at the same time. This way you can prevent the toxicity of this drug on the liver.
Tylenol or Acetaminophen is also found in the pharmaceutical Vicodin (along with Hydrocodone Bitartrate).
If one takes Tylenol or Acetaminophen regularly for mild pain and headaches, consider trying safer herbal remedies to help instead. Since Tylenol is very hepatotoxic (toxic to Liver), it is highly recommended to avoid the use of Tylenol whenever possible. When severe pain occurs, consider trying other herbal pain management as well. In this case, one should consult with an integrative medical professional such as an Acupuncturist/Clinical Herbalist or Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) for a proper diagnosis based on integrative medicine principles to prescribe the correct herbal combinations for you.
The typical dosage for a patient to take is 1-3 grams/day. A higher dosage could be tolerated, but because this herb is both bitter and cold in nature, it could cause loose stool or diarrhea in certain people (especially those that are already prone to this). This is just a simple example of how discussing your specific case or constitution with a qualified natural medicine professional will help you use herbal medicinals correctly.
1. Chen, John K. and Tina T. Chen, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, p. 71. (Research article: Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage, American Journal of Chinese Medicine.)
An article co-written by Dr. Oz about the benefits of acupuncture such as musculoskeletal and arthritis pain management, insomnia and reducing side effects of radiation and chemotherapy:
The You Docs: Why we still like ancient acupuncture, by
Michael Roizen, M.D. AND Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Brief article on Doctor Oz website about the ‘Power of Chinese Medicine’, by Dr. Mao Shing Ni:
Dr. Mao, as he is known, is author of many books on Chinese Medicine. I have his book, Secrets of Longevity in my office waiting room, and I have used it as a reference for patients and also in articles I have written myself.
As Dr. Oz states in this brief article about pain management, acupuncture is a ‘highly effective complementary therapy’.
Herbs “more helpful” than drugs for period pain
Note that most of these herbs are in a traditional Chinese herbal formula for PMS symptoms, including dysmenorrhea (painful periods), called Xiao Yao Wan (available at any acupuncturist’s office).
This is an article about the safety of Chinese herbs and the misinformation that the medical profession continues to tell patients why not to use an herbal medicine that has a safety record far surpassing pharmaceutical drugs!
‘Concerning “Chinese Herbal Nephropathy”
“This is one of the fastest pain attenuators in existence — the pain can be gone in five minutes,” said Col. Richard Niemtzow, a physician, acupuncturist and senior adviser to the Air Force surgeon general. See article at Air Force to Use ‘Battlefield Acupuncture’ for Pain Relief
Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects from Tamoxifen, Arimidex
Finally research shows that acupuncture will treat menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats, and in this case, specifically the side effects of Breast Cancer drugs!
Article by Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) re: