| Professional Edition Volume 1 Issue 8 August 13, 2007 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
The Effects of Cinnamon in Type 2 Diabetes
From Debra Manzella, R.N.
There has been a lot of talk these days about cinnamon. According to some studies, cinnamon may
improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The results of a study from
2003 in Pakistan showed lower levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total
cholesterol after 40 days with levels continuing to drop for 20 days after that.
The study was made up of 60 people with Type 2 diabetes who were divided into 6 groups of 10. Three groups received cinnamon in the
form of capsules totaling 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon a day. The other three groups received placebo capsules. The capsules were taken
three times a day, after meals. All three levels of cinnamon showed results, leading researchers to believe that as little as 1 gram a day of
cinnamon may benefit people who have Type 2.
There has been some debate in this country on whether "true" cinnamon was used for the study.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are two types of cinnamon sold in the United States; cinnamomum zeylanicum
nees or cinnamomum cassia (L.) blume. Most of the cinnamon sold in our grocery stores is cinnamomum cassia. The Pakistani study
does list cinnamomum cassia as the cinnamon that was used.
Richard A. Anderson, Ph.D., CNS, of the the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), is one of the original researchers in the
Pakistan study. The BHNRC is under the United States Department of Agricuture (USDA). From results of his continued study of the
components of cinnamon and their effect on blood glucose and cholesterol, he states,
"We have also shown that the active components of cinnamon are found in the water-soluble portion of cinnamon and are not present in
cinnamon oil, which is largely fat-soluble. In addition to ground cinnamon consumed directly, one can also make a cinnamon tea and let
the solids settle to the bottom or use cinnamon sticks, which make for a nice clear tea. Cinnamon can also be added to orange juice,
oatmeal, coffee before brewing, salads, meats etc. The active components are not destroyed by heat."
Based on these studies, it seems that cinnamon may lower blood glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in people with Type 2
diabetes. The fact that studies so far have involved a small amount of people and have not yet explored the long term benefits of cinnamon,
would lead to the conclusion that there may not be enough evidence gathered yet, to support cinnamon as a major player against Type 2.
But adding more cinnamon to already healthy lifestyle changes probably wouldn't hurt either.
Sources:
Khan, MS, PHD, Alam, Safdar, MS, Mahpara, Ali Khan, MS, PHD, Mohammad Muzaffar, Khattak, MS, Khan Nawaz, and Anderson, PHD,
Richard A.. "Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes." Diabetes Care 26(2003): 3215-3218.
Anderson, Ph.D., CNS, Richard A.. "Cinnamon, Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes." Agricultural Research Service. 08 Aug 2005. United
States Department of Agriculture. 17 Nov 2006.
Deb Manzella is a freelance writer and an RN with practical experience helping patients with diabetes, from teaching the newly diagnosed,
to providing continuing care for the established diabetic patient in the hospital setting. She believes that there is a need for a
comprehensive site for information for people who have diabetes. It is a unique disease in that it requires the patient to manage the
majority of their own care right from the beginning of the diagnosis. This can be confusing at first, but Deb believes that "knowledge is
power". Armed with information, the diabetes patient can make good choices for care and maintain a quality life.
From Debra Manzella, R.N.
There has been a lot of talk these days about cinnamon. According to some studies, cinnamon may
improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The results of a study from
2003 in Pakistan showed lower levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total
cholesterol after 40 days with levels continuing to drop for 20 days after that.
The study was made up of 60 people with Type 2 diabetes who were divided into 6 groups of 10. Three groups received cinnamon in the
form of capsules totaling 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon a day. The other three groups received placebo capsules. The capsules were taken
three times a day, after meals. All three levels of cinnamon showed results, leading researchers to believe that as little as 1 gram a day of
cinnamon may benefit people who have Type 2.
There has been some debate in this country on whether "true" cinnamon was used for the study.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are two types of cinnamon sold in the United States; cinnamomum zeylanicum
nees or cinnamomum cassia (L.) blume. Most of the cinnamon sold in our grocery stores is cinnamomum cassia. The Pakistani study
does list cinnamomum cassia as the cinnamon that was used.
Richard A. Anderson, Ph.D., CNS, of the the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), is one of the original researchers in the
Pakistan study. The BHNRC is under the United States Department of Agricuture (USDA). From results of his continued study of the
components of cinnamon and their effect on blood glucose and cholesterol, he states,
"We have also shown that the active components of cinnamon are found in the water-soluble portion of cinnamon and are not present in
cinnamon oil, which is largely fat-soluble. In addition to ground cinnamon consumed directly, one can also make a cinnamon tea and let
the solids settle to the bottom or use cinnamon sticks, which make for a nice clear tea. Cinnamon can also be added to orange juice,
oatmeal, coffee before brewing, salads, meats etc. The active components are not destroyed by heat."
Based on these studies, it seems that cinnamon may lower blood glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in people with Type 2
diabetes. The fact that studies so far have involved a small amount of people and have not yet explored the long term benefits of cinnamon,
would lead to the conclusion that there may not be enough evidence gathered yet, to support cinnamon as a major player against Type 2.
But adding more cinnamon to already healthy lifestyle changes probably wouldn't hurt either.
Sources:
Khan, MS, PHD, Alam, Safdar, MS, Mahpara, Ali Khan, MS, PHD, Mohammad Muzaffar, Khattak, MS, Khan Nawaz, and Anderson, PHD,
Richard A.. "Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes." Diabetes Care 26(2003): 3215-3218.
Anderson, Ph.D., CNS, Richard A.. "Cinnamon, Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes." Agricultural Research Service. 08 Aug 2005. United
States Department of Agriculture. 17 Nov 2006.
Deb Manzella is a freelance writer and an RN with practical experience helping patients with diabetes, from teaching the newly diagnosed,
to providing continuing care for the established diabetic patient in the hospital setting. She believes that there is a need for a
comprehensive site for information for people who have diabetes. It is a unique disease in that it requires the patient to manage the
majority of their own care right from the beginning of the diagnosis. This can be confusing at first, but Deb believes that "knowledge is
power". Armed with information, the diabetes patient can make good choices for care and maintain a quality life.
- Yin Qiao San and Jin Yin Hua
- Many TCM practitioners prescribe Yin Qiao pills (Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian) for their patients
at the first signs of respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and influenza.
Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian was derived from Yin Qiao San which was first formulated in 1798
by Wu Tang (Wu Jutong, 1758-1836), and published in “Systematic Differentiation of
Warm Pathogen Diseases” (Wen Bing Tiao Bian). The main components of this
ancient formula are Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower or Lonicera) and Lian Qiao
(Forsythia Fruit). These two herbs make up about 40 percent of the formula, hence it
was named Yin Qiao. In TCM, the combination of Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao is
Jie Geng (Root of the Balloon Flower), Niu Bang Zi (Great Burdock Fruit), Bo He (Field Mint, Mentha), Dan Dou
Chi (Prepared Soybean), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta Bud or Stem), Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum Stem and Leaves),
Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome), and Gan Cao (Licorice Root). These herbs support the effects of Jin Yin Hua and
Lian Qiao and also balance Yin and Yan in the body.
The earliest recorded use of Jin Yin Hua dates back to 659 AD in Tan Ben Cao, long before Yin Qiao San. In the west, this herb is
commonly known as honeysuckle. Europeans also used honeysuckle for different complaints, including asthma, urinary problems, and
childbirth. It can still be found in some over-the-counter (OTC) syrups used as expectorants for coughs. Jin Yin Hua, the flower buds, are
usually gathered in the beginning of summer and dried in the shade. In addition to the flower buds, the stem of the plant, called Ren Dong
Teng in TCM, is a Chinese herbal that is believed to help move Qi.
The TCM properties of Jin Yin Hua are sweet and cold, and it enters the large intestine, lung, and stomach meridians. Chemical
constituents extracted from Jin Yin Hua include luteolin, inositol, saponins, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, lonicein, germacrene D,
linalool and linalool oxide C. Of these compounds, chlorogenic acid is believed to be the most active one of those that produce therapeutic
effects.
Jin Yin Hua and its formulas are used mainly for clearing heat, eliminating toxins, and expelling pathogenic wind-heat as well as damp-
heat. The term “heat” is often used in a manner similar to the western medical term inflammation. Inflammation in tissues is often the
results of an external pathogen invasion, i.e., infections from bacteria, yeast, and viruses. TCM refers to symptoms of pathogen-induced
inflammation as damp-heat. Damp-heat caused by bacterial infections in the upper respiratory system often manifests with a yellow
coating on the tongue. Not all inflammation is the consequence of an external pathogen invasion. For example, without pathogen
infections, inflammation is present in conditions such as
tumors, arthritis, tissue degeneration, and traumatic tissue injury.
Studies have shown that Jin Yin Hua has broad-spectrum antibiotic effects. It inhibits a number of bacteria, including staphylococcus
aureus, streptococcus β-hemolytic, E. coli, pseudomonus aeruginosa, typhoid bacillus, bacillus dysenteriae, candida albicans, pyloric
spirillum, gonococcus, and mycobacterium tuberculosis. Jin Yin Hua inhibits some flu viruses and herpes simplex viruses (HSV). These
bacteria and viruses are causes of infections in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, as well as of the skin. Jin Yin Hua also
directly inhibits inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-8. These inflammatory mediators have important implications for respiratory
tract, gastrointestinal system, and skin disorders. The anti-pathogen and anti-inflammation effects of Jin Yin Hua explain why this herb
and its formulas can be used for infections of the respiratory tract (e.g., common colds, influenza, and acute bronchitis), inflammations in
the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies), and skin infections (e.g., measles, chicken pox, and
psoriasis).
Yin Hua was found to have an anti-implantation activity and it decreased pregnancy rates in clinical trials. Therefore, for women who
wish to get pregnant, it is advised to avoid taking Jin Yin Hua. The herb also may not be suitable for women in the early stages of
pregnancy.
Chinese herbs can help control eczema: HK study
A mixture of five traditional Chinese herbs can help control and manage eczema, a study by researchers in
Hong Kong suggests. The five herbs are Flos lonicerae (Jinyinhua), Herba menthae (Bohe), Cortex moutan
(Danpi), Rhizoma atractylodis (Cangzhu) and Cortex phellodendri (Huangbai). Considered a chronic condition,
eczema is the inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. It results in rashes, dryness, itching, flaking, even
blistering and bleeding. While there is no definitive cure for it in Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine
has long held that eczema can be countered by clearing heat and removing dampness in one's body and by strengthening the spleen.
In an article published in the August issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, doctors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
described how they ascertained the efficacy of the five Chinese herbs which have long been used to treat eczema. Between February 2004
and July 2005, they recruited 85 children suffering from eczema; 42 of them were given capsules containing extracts of the five herbs twice
daily for 12 weeks, while the remaining 43 children were given placebos. By the end of the treatment, the condition of the children who were
given the herbs improved and their use of corticosteroid creams and ointments was reduced by one-third, the researchers wrote.
Corticosteroids are a class of hormones that do not cure eczema, but are effective in controlling or suppressing the symptoms.
Ellis Hon, one of the researchers, and an associate professor with the Department of Pediatrics at the university, stressed that the
herbs were not a cure. "Such chronic diseases cannot be cured ... But they can help some patients control and manage the problem.
People like to think that there is something magical and mystical about Chinese herbs. But there's no such thing," Hon told Reuters, "With
this study, we are demystifying it and showing that herbs are effective."
- Reuters (HONG KONG)
A mixture of five traditional Chinese herbs can help control and manage eczema, a study by researchers in
Hong Kong suggests. The five herbs are Flos lonicerae (Jinyinhua), Herba menthae (Bohe), Cortex moutan
(Danpi), Rhizoma atractylodis (Cangzhu) and Cortex phellodendri (Huangbai). Considered a chronic condition,
eczema is the inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. It results in rashes, dryness, itching, flaking, even
blistering and bleeding. While there is no definitive cure for it in Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine
has long held that eczema can be countered by clearing heat and removing dampness in one's body and by strengthening the spleen.
In an article published in the August issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, doctors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
described how they ascertained the efficacy of the five Chinese herbs which have long been used to treat eczema. Between February 2004
and July 2005, they recruited 85 children suffering from eczema; 42 of them were given capsules containing extracts of the five herbs twice
daily for 12 weeks, while the remaining 43 children were given placebos. By the end of the treatment, the condition of the children who were
given the herbs improved and their use of corticosteroid creams and ointments was reduced by one-third, the researchers wrote.
Corticosteroids are a class of hormones that do not cure eczema, but are effective in controlling or suppressing the symptoms.
Ellis Hon, one of the researchers, and an associate professor with the Department of Pediatrics at the university, stressed that the
herbs were not a cure. "Such chronic diseases cannot be cured ... But they can help some patients control and manage the problem.
People like to think that there is something magical and mystical about Chinese herbs. But there's no such thing," Hon told Reuters, "With
this study, we are demystifying it and showing that herbs are effective."
- Reuters (HONG KONG)
| Ashi Pain Relief Products New Solution for Practitioners! Click here to order |
CONTENTS
Jin Yin Hua
"Gold Silver Flower"
Honeysuckle Flower
"Gold Silver Flower"
Honeysuckle Flower
Ashi Home | Products and Orders | Contact Us | ©2006 Ashi Research, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ashi Patch - has been designed specifically to enhance and prolong the effects of acupuncture.
It relieves pain caused by any disease condition except an open wound. The patch can also be used for
effective pain relief without the patient having had acupuncture first. When used in combination with
acupuncture, it is recommended that the Ashi Patches be applied to Ashi points (or trigger points) after
the acupuncture treatment. If an acupuncture treatment is scheduled once a week, three Ashi Patches
will be needed between each session of the acupuncture treatment (one patch every 2 days). We
recommend keeping each patch on the affected site for 24 to 36 hours, allowing at least 8 hours between
applications.
.
Ingredients: Corydalis (Yan hu suo), cinnamon twig (Gui zhi), radix stephaniae tetrandrae (Feng fang ji),
notoginseng (San qi), capsaicin (Hu jiao su), menthol (Bo he chuan), rhizoma curcumae
longae (Jiang huang), radix et rhizoma rhei (Da huang), cortex phellodendri (Huang bai), radix trichosanthis (Tian hua fen), radix angelicae
dahuricae (Bai zhi), rhizoma arisaematis (Cang zhu), pericarpium citri reticulatae (Chen pi), rhizoma atractylodis (Tian nan xing), cortex
magnoliae officinalis (Hou po), and angelica pubescens (Du huo).
.
Ashi NerveCalm - is an oral dietary supplement formulated by Ashi Research to help improve sleep and
mood for patients with different types of chronic pain conditions. The resulting improvement, in turn, has a very
positive effect on pain management. Ashi NerveCalm may also be used for patients without chronic pain.
Ingredients: Semon ziziphi spinosae (Suan zao ren), radix glycyrrhizae (Gan cao), poria (Fu ling)
It relieves pain caused by any disease condition except an open wound. The patch can also be used for
effective pain relief without the patient having had acupuncture first. When used in combination with
acupuncture, it is recommended that the Ashi Patches be applied to Ashi points (or trigger points) after
the acupuncture treatment. If an acupuncture treatment is scheduled once a week, three Ashi Patches
will be needed between each session of the acupuncture treatment (one patch every 2 days). We
recommend keeping each patch on the affected site for 24 to 36 hours, allowing at least 8 hours between
applications.
.
Ingredients: Corydalis (Yan hu suo), cinnamon twig (Gui zhi), radix stephaniae tetrandrae (Feng fang ji),
notoginseng (San qi), capsaicin (Hu jiao su), menthol (Bo he chuan), rhizoma curcumae
longae (Jiang huang), radix et rhizoma rhei (Da huang), cortex phellodendri (Huang bai), radix trichosanthis (Tian hua fen), radix angelicae
dahuricae (Bai zhi), rhizoma arisaematis (Cang zhu), pericarpium citri reticulatae (Chen pi), rhizoma atractylodis (Tian nan xing), cortex
magnoliae officinalis (Hou po), and angelica pubescens (Du huo).
.
Ashi NerveCalm - is an oral dietary supplement formulated by Ashi Research to help improve sleep and
mood for patients with different types of chronic pain conditions. The resulting improvement, in turn, has a very
positive effect on pain management. Ashi NerveCalm may also be used for patients without chronic pain.
Ingredients: Semon ziziphi spinosae (Suan zao ren), radix glycyrrhizae (Gan cao), poria (Fu ling)
