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Chinese Medicine: A Look at Diagnostic Practices

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When a health system such as the ancient Chinese medicine is looked at one of the most intriguing factors is that of whole doctors and practitioners worked as a whole in order to diagnosis elements. Today’s health care system requires a lot of tests, x-rays and various other diagnostic tools, that it is hard to imagine a system that is less complex but at the same time offered the same amount of treatment.

Chinese medicine uses a system of diagnostics largely based off of the observation method. These observations can come in a wide form of types of observations. A practitioner can sit down and observe human behavior, physical symptoms and various other visual aspects of the disease. They can also observe auditory, sensory and physical types of elements. These involve running a few elementary tests and seeing how the patient reacts. Another huge element of the diagnostic process involves questioning. This can range from asking about types of symptoms, when they started, how a person feels, etc. The last area of observation that comes under Chinese medicine is that of touch. Touch is very important when diagnosing illnesses and conditions and learning the right areas to prob and look at takes a lot of skill and knowledge as many conditions can have over 5 areas to touch to see if something is wrong.

Those that practice Chinese medicine practice the art of observing and diagnosing illness for a number of years. It does not come naturally to a person and could take over two decades to learn. Because of this it takes extreme skill and patience to learn to practice in Chinese medicine. It does not happen over night and it takes a number of years to develop the knowledge and ability to be able to diagnosis a number of illnesses and conditions that can be treated by Chinese medicine.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Education, Health, Herb, Large intestine, Medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine

Chinese Herb Guide: Feverfew

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Feverfew is used in Chinese medicine for a number of different purposes, including to prevent migraines from occurring. There are some recent studies that are confirming that feverfew has beneficial effects for people that suffer from migraines. You can take the leaf material in a capsule or pill, and generally 85 milligrams is best. You may also take between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon of leaf material in a tea per cup of hot water. Steep the feverfew for between 5 minutes and 10 minutes and drink as many as two cups every day to feel the positive effects of this herb.

Feverfew is also thought to be capable of alleviating pain related to many other conditions including arthritis and menstrual cramping. It is also believed to cure asthma and to increase the appetite. The feverfew herb contains a number of beneficial nutrients including vitamin C and vitamin A, iron and niacin.

Historically, this herb has been used for the management and treatment of a number of different conditions. For example, it has been used for treating fevers, pain and inflammation. Studies are currently showing that feverfew has migraine-stopping power as well. It may be able to prevent the severity of the migraine as well as the occurrence of the migraines. Feverfew does not seem to have capability of helping a migraine once it has started, but if taken before the migraine begins, it can help in reduce the effects of the migraine.

In the past, people have consumed feverfew similarly to how they would chew tobacco, and this would allow them to receive the herb’s nutrients by chewing its leaves. Unfortunately, this method can cause irritation in the mouth and stomach, and so feverfew is best taken as a tea or in a pill or capsule form in order to best benefit from its nutritional contents.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Feverfew, Headache, Health, Herb, Herbalism, Migraine, Neurological Disorders

Chinese Herb Guide: Raspberry Leaf

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Raspberry leaf is an herb that has seen a great deal of use as a treatment for morning sickness, uterine irritability and as a way of helping to prevent miscarriage during pregnancy. The most common way to take raspberry leaf is as a tea by adding between one and two teaspoons of the herb for each cup of hot water. Steep your raspberry leaf tea for at least ten minutes and drink as many as three cups daily.

Raspberry leaf is a popular uterine stimulant as well as an astringent that has tonic properties. It happens to be one of the most popular herbs for pregnancy because it is both toning and relaxing with astringent actions, and it appears to have a particular affinity for the woman’s uterus. Both the stimulating and astringent properties of the raspberry leaf can help to strengthen as well as tone up the muscles in the uterus and the pelvis. The relaxing properties, coupled with other soothing properties associated with raspberry leaf can help to relax the uterus during the same time.

The raspberry leaf herb is used as a means of encouraging an easier childbirth, likely as a result of its ability to strengthen the muscles in the uterus, because this both increases and coordinates the contractions during childbirth.

There are other purposes for why you might want to use raspberry leaf. For example, raspberry leaf can be used for relieving diarrhea. It can also be used externally, because raspberry leaf works well as a wash in the eyes for conjunctivitis, a wash in the mouth for mouth sores, a wash in the vaginal area for discharge and a wash for wounds as well. The raspberries themselves also have astringent properties.

Some people also recommend the raspberry leaf for treating discomforts associated with menstruation, morning sickness, bed wetting and sore throat.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Health, Herb, Herbalism, Morning sickness, Pregnancy, Raspberry, Shopping, Uterus

Chinese Herb Guide: Comfrey

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Comfrey is an herb that has the ability to help in the growth of new cells. Because comfrey contains allantoin, it can also help in the healing of wounds. The recommended way to use comfrey is to cover a scrape or a clean cut with a bruised comfrey leaf. Hold the leaf over the wound and keep it in place with medical tape or a bandage. Comfrey leaves are not intended for internal use and should not be consumed whole. Only take comfrey as directed.

In the past, the Greeks valued comfrey highly as an herbal medicinal remedy. During medieval times, it was used as a healing herb for fractured bones. There are numerous benefits offered by this herb, and it is capable of healing a variety of different ailments. It can ease pain, fight off fungal and bacterial infections, inflammation reduction, swelling reduction and to shrink the blood vessels.

Comfrey is an effective herbal treatment for a wide variety of different conditions, especially considering its antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can use it for the reduction of swelling, the reduction of inflammation and the healing of wounds and fractures. Comfrey is known as an anodyne, which means that it is capable of relieving pain. It is also known as an astringent, which means that it can shrink the blood vessels. Comfrey is also capable of stimulating blood clotting, expelling mucous and mildly sedating those who take it. Because it is so effective in expediting the healing process, it offers numerous additional health benefits as well.

Comfrey is also indicated for use as a dietary supplement or tonic, because it is full of nutrients as well as beneficial chemicals like vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, vitamin B12 and other B-complex vitamins, sulphur, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, germanium, potassium, phosphorus, fiber, calcium and selenium.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: B vitamins, Blood vessel, Comfrey, Dietary supplement, Health, Herb, Herbalism, Wound

Chinese Herb Guide: Uva Ursi

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Uva ursi is an herb that is primarily used in conjunction with other herbs to create effective medicinal treatments. The herb uva ursi is particularly bitter, and it provides diuretic and urinary antiseptic results. The most common way to take uva ursi is in a tea, in which case you would add a teaspoon of the herb to a cup of water, boiling them together for ten minutes. You can drink as many as three cups of uva ursi every day to realize its benefits.

The herb known as uva ursi can be used for a wide variety of different purposes, including to treat inflammations of the urinary tract including cystitis. Uva ursi has also been used as an astringent and as a healing remedy. Uva ursi has history in treating ailments within many different cultures including the Native Americans, who used it for treating uterine dropsy and other uterine and urinary diseases and ailments.

The herb Uva ursi is capable of treating many different conditions including cystitis, infections of the urinary tract and also kidney stones. The primary compound that Uva ursi contains is known as arbutin, and this is a derivative of hydroquinone. It is absorbed by the stomach and then allowed to change into a substance that has anti-microbial, disinfectant and astringent properties that lend many health benefits to the person taking it. This compound is capable of soothing irritations, fighting infections and reducing inflammation experienced during urination.

Herbs are capable of fighting disease as well as strengthening the body, though they can also possess chemicals and compounds capable of reacting with other herbs. As such, you should only take Uva ursi when recommended by a physician. Certain medications and other herbs can cause reactions to your body when taken with Uva ursi so keep this in mind prior to taking this herb.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Astringent, Bearberry, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Herb, Shopping, Urinary system, Urinary tract infection

Chinese Herb Guide: Ginger

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Ginger is an herb with numerous health benefits, and as such, it has a rich history of being used in many different cultures to treat ailments and improve general health. For example, it has the capability to prevent blood clots internally, and as such, it may be able to reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Ginger is also used for a variety of different ailments involving stomach upset including motion sickness.

If you want to avoid motion sickness you can take between 2 and 3 capsules of 500 milligrams of ginger each, or you can drink your ginger in a tea. To do this you are going to want to grate or powder the ginger and add two tablespoons to each glass of 8 ounces that you drink. Steep the ginger in the tea for at least 10 minutes, and drink as many as three cups of your ginger tea per day.

The primary benefits of ginger are that it helps to improve digestion, can reduce motion sickness and nausea and is also capable of protecting good bacteria and working to eliminate any harmful bacteria in your intestine. Ginger has been in use for several thousand years so far in Chinese medicine and in other cultures because of its healing properties and health benefits. In ancient Chinese medicine, ginger was used to treat a wide variety of different problems including abdominal bloating, vomiting, coughing, diarrhea and even rheumatism. Ginger has also been used for the purpose of treating joint diseases involving inflammation including arthritis and rheumatism.

Ginger root has been used to provide relief for not only nausea, but other symptoms associated with motion sickness as well including vomiting, dizziness and sweating. Ginger has shown similar effects as commercial medications designed to treat these and similar symptoms of the ailment.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Disease, Ginger, Health, Health insurance, Motion sickness, Nausea, Pregnancy, Shopping

Chinese Herb Guide: Licorice

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Licorice is an herb that is used for relieving and treating sore throats, ulcers and other health ailments. If you want to treat ulcers, the best course of action is to add half of a teaspoon of licorice powder for each cup of tea, boiling the licorice herb and the water together for ten minutes. Allow the concoction to cool completely prior to drinking it, and drink one to two glasses of licorice tea per day but no more.

Historically, licorice has been used for treating coughs and a number of skin conditions as well as constipation, inflammation, bronchitis and arthritis. The licorice herb can be prescribed by a health care professional for the treatment of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and adrenocortical insufficiency as well.

Almost 8 percent of the licorice plant is made up of a glycoside known as Glycyrrhizin. This chemical compound is said to have numerous beneficial impacts and effects on the body. There are two enzymes that glycyrrhizin prevents from breaking down PGE or prostaglandin E. If you have a low level of PGE, you may experience a number of health problems including stomach inflammation, ulcers and colic. The glycyrrhizin prevents the two enzymes from lowering these PGE levels. Increased levels of PGE can aid in producing stomach mucous, lowering high acidic levels in the stomach that can lead to a variety of different stomach irritations and problems.

Traditional Chinese medicine has used the licorice herb for a variety of different issues from diabetes to tuberculosis. The flavonoids and the glycyrrhizin in the licorice herb can restrain the production of cortisol and produce anti-inflammatory effects. Research has shown that licorice has numerous health benefits, and so it is beneficial as part of a regular herbal medicine supplement or when treating specific problems including stomach issues, digestive issues, arthritis, tuberculosis, diabetes and more.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Health, Herb, Inflammation, Liquorice, Peptic ulcer, Stomach, Tea

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Urine Therapy

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Seeing the term â€œurine therapyâ€ certainly causes a degree of intrigue. Also known as uropathy, urotherapy or urinotherapy, urine therapy is the use of human urine for medical and cosmetic purposes.

Now Iâ€™m sure that intrigue has transformed into some expression of disgust.

However, donâ€™t count urine therapy out just yet. While, scientifically, there has been little research done to fully support the effects of urine for medical purposes, there are other uses, like in the nitrogen-based chemical called urea, which is typically made from mammal urine and used as an ingredient in dish soap and as a stabilizer in nitrocellulose explosives

Another example is urokinase. High levels of urokinase in the urine appear to be correlated with the malignancy of a tumor. It is for this reason that researchers are looking into the creation of a drug that inhibits cancer cells. However, the American Cancer Society does not currently support the usage of urine as an anticancer agent, since research is still limited.

Though possibly a wives’ tale, there is some record of individuals using their own urine as an acne treatment, harvesting urine from early morning bathroom breaks, applying it directly to acne (including the face) with a washcloth or brush and then washing their face after it dries. There is no research to support the effectiveness of this acne treatment method.

Modonna has claimed to use urine therapy to help cure atheleteâ€™s foot that often occurs frequently in avid dancers. Dolores Oâ€™Riordan from The Cranberries claims that urine therapy aided in relieving calluses on her fingers when she first learned to play guitar.

In a September 2007 interview, British actress Sarah Miles claimed to drink her own urine over the past 25 years. She believes it helps her with allergies and has other health benefits. Sheâ€™s not alone. Other celebrities that have claimed to drinking their own urine include MMA fighter Luke Cummo, author J.D. Salinger and boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

Itâ€™s likely that urine therapy wonâ€™t become the next big trend among health fanatics any time soon, since most people canâ€™t get past the smell.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Herbal, Herbal Food Supplements, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: American Cancer Society, Cancer, Health, Luke Cummo, Research, Sarah Miles, Urine, Urine therapy

Chinese Medicine Diagnostics

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If you were ill and decided to go to a Chinese medicine practitioner to get some help with the health care what could you expect in terms of treatment?

Under the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice the way to diagnosis an illness is through observation. This involves looking at the visual, sensory, questioning and observation area of a patient. If you were to go to a Chinese medicine practice here are some of the items that you may expect to come upon in order for them to figure out what was wrong with you.

Heart. The way the heart beats can really help in figuring out a diagnosis. In Chinese medicine a practitioner will look at the heart pulse or palpitations in six different areas to see if there is any difference in the areas.

Observing Body Parts. By looking at various areas such as the hair, body, tongue, throat, skin, fingers and veins a person can figure out if there is something going on with the body and where. A practitioner will look at all of these areas and see if they can observe something along the way.

Tenderness/Pulse. The chest, abs and heart area are all areas that can become swollen or tender when there are various health concerns by a person. Looking at these areas will help them figure out if something is wrong and help figure out what it is.

Questioning. There will be tons of questions regarding past health problems, what is currently going on with them, what feels odd and various other aspects of the body. This will give them a better understanding of what is going on and your past health issues.

Odors. What a person can smell will help with a diagnosis. Also occasional illnesses will cause you to omit odors that are not always natural.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Herb, Herbalism, Large intestine, Medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Magnet Therapy

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Youâ€™re drifting on a large cruise liner across the high seas, and the incessant rocking â€“ rocking â€“ rocking is making your stomach churn in ways you never though imaginable. Among the many recommendations to alleviate the nausea from fellow passengers, someone suggests you wear a magnetic bracelet directly on the veins of your wrist.

At this point youâ€™re willing to try anything, but what do magnets have to do with your unruly stomach?

Also known as magnetic therapy or magnotherapy, magnet therapy is the exposure of the body to static magnetic fields to cure certain conditions, such as nausea.

The claim is that the magnetic field affects the hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying protein) in the blood, since hemoglobin is repelled by magnetic fields. However, experts find this to be highly unlikely, since most of the magnets uses in magnetic therapy are too weak to effect the hemoglobin in any way.

The claimed benefits of magnet therapy range from aiding in the healing process of wounds to simply increasing the wearerâ€™s energy. There are a number of magnetic products available as well, including jewelry, shoe insoles, mattresses, blankets, body creams, vitamins or supplements and magnetized water.

The claimed effects that magnet therapy has on the body, such as increasing and correcting blood flow or effecting the bloodâ€™s hemoglobin, are not even observed in the modern medical use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is several times stronger than any of the magnets used in magnet therapy practices. Additionally, studies in both 2008 and 2009 showed that magnet therapy had no effect on the patients.

Still, the industry of magnet therapy products sees over a billion dollars in global sales each year, according to a 2007 report in the Skeptical Inquirer. Thereâ€™s no use thinking Americans donâ€™t believe in the practice, since $300 million of those annual sales come from the U.S.

However, there is no indication that magnet therapy is harmful in any way either. So, you might as well give that magnetic bracelet a shot and, who knows, maybe it will cure your sea sickness after all.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Healthy Tips, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: Health, Magnet, Magnetic field, Magnetic resonance imaging, Magnetic Therapy, Magnetism, Skeptical Inquirer, United States