Why is the rat the first animal in the Chinese zodiac?
This year is the year of the rat in China. There are several legends about how the animals were chosen
for the Chinese zodiac and why the rat is the first animal. Here is one of them.
.
Long ago, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday,
he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals that crossed the fast-flowing river
would be the winners and would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.
All the animals lined up along the river bank. The rat and the cat, who were good friends, were worried because they were poor
swimmers. However, the clever animals asked the strong ox if he would carry them across the river.
"Of course," said the kind ox. "Just climb on my back and I will take you across."
The rat and the cat quickly jumped onto the ox's back and were very excited when the ox soon took the lead in the race. They had
almost reached the other side when the rat pushed the cat into the river, leaving him to struggle in the water. Then, just before the ox was
about to win the race, the rat leaped onto the ox's head and then leaped onto the bank to finish first.
' "Well done," said the Jade Emperor to the proud rat. "The first year of the zodiac will be named after you."
The poor ox had been tricked into second place and the second year of the zodiac was named after him. The other ten animals
including the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the boar crossed the river
subsequently and were placed in the zodiac in the order of their arrival.
As for the cat who had been pushed into the water by the rat, he finally crawled out of the water but was too late to have a year named
after him. He was very mad at the rat and since then cats have never been friends with rats.
Low Purine Diet
By Tom Donne
Scientific research has shown that eating a low purine diet can prominently reduce your risk of suffering from an
extremely painful condition called gouty arthritis. It's a very painful disease that is most common in older men, and is
induced by a condition called hyperuricemia, which means that there is an excess of uric acid in the blood. When this
happens, the body will form crystals that accumulate in the joints and cause aching gouty arthritis's symptoms.
Uric acid is a waste product left over from metabolic process of chemical compounds called purines that can be
found in some of the foods ordinarily consumed by many people today. Low purine diets are notably helpful in lowering
levels of uric acid in the body, and will usually cover reducing or cutting out foods that have high levels of purines.
If you suffer from gouty arthritis or have a family predisposition to this malady, it is a good idea to steer clear of low
carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins and Protein Power diets. Their recommendation to eat large amounts of foods
high in purines, such as meats and dark vegetables, is almost sure to cause problems in those predisposed to gouty
arthritis.
Once thought of as a "rich man's disease" because only the wealthy could afford to eat briny meats and rich breads and malted liquors
on a regular basis, gouty arthritis is making a comeback due to the tendency of comparatively modern people to ignore a food’s high
purines content in favor of convenience and cost. However, it's rather easy to switch to a low purine diet and the health benefits are great...
they can even help you to lose weight quicker than low carbohydrate fad diets and keep the weight off, which is another way to dampen your
predisposition to gouty arthritis. Staying away from the list of foods high in purines is a start, and there are natural treatments that can help
alleviate the symptoms as well.
It's an incomplete list of foods high in purines, which have the highest concentration of purines and should be avoided by those who
are prone to gout or are already suffering from it.
Pork
Beef
Lamb
Bacon
Seafood
Foods that are made from yeast like beer and bread
Alcoholic beverages
While these foods’ high purine levels can also prejudice symptoms of gouty arthritis, they can sometimes be enjoyed in moderation by
those who usually follow a low purine diet. In this group is asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, spinach, whole-grain breads and
cereals, white poultry meats, such as chicken, duck and turkey, kidney and lima beans.
There are some foods that are good to include in a low purine diet, though they should not comprise the entirety of your eating plan:
green vegetables and tomatoes, fruits and fruit juices, breads that do not use yeast, nuts, milk and milk products, such as butter and
cheese, chocolate, coffee and tea.
Tom Donne is a full time SEO worker and a freelance writer.
This year is the year of the rat in China. There are several legends about how the animals were chosen
for the Chinese zodiac and why the rat is the first animal. Here is one of them.
.
Long ago, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday,
he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals that crossed the fast-flowing river
would be the winners and would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.
All the animals lined up along the river bank. The rat and the cat, who were good friends, were worried because they were poor
swimmers. However, the clever animals asked the strong ox if he would carry them across the river.
"Of course," said the kind ox. "Just climb on my back and I will take you across."
The rat and the cat quickly jumped onto the ox's back and were very excited when the ox soon took the lead in the race. They had
almost reached the other side when the rat pushed the cat into the river, leaving him to struggle in the water. Then, just before the ox was
about to win the race, the rat leaped onto the ox's head and then leaped onto the bank to finish first.
' "Well done," said the Jade Emperor to the proud rat. "The first year of the zodiac will be named after you."
The poor ox had been tricked into second place and the second year of the zodiac was named after him. The other ten animals
including the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the boar crossed the river
subsequently and were placed in the zodiac in the order of their arrival.
As for the cat who had been pushed into the water by the rat, he finally crawled out of the water but was too late to have a year named
after him. He was very mad at the rat and since then cats have never been friends with rats.
Low Purine Diet
By Tom Donne
Scientific research has shown that eating a low purine diet can prominently reduce your risk of suffering from an
extremely painful condition called gouty arthritis. It's a very painful disease that is most common in older men, and is
induced by a condition called hyperuricemia, which means that there is an excess of uric acid in the blood. When this
happens, the body will form crystals that accumulate in the joints and cause aching gouty arthritis's symptoms.
Uric acid is a waste product left over from metabolic process of chemical compounds called purines that can be
found in some of the foods ordinarily consumed by many people today. Low purine diets are notably helpful in lowering
levels of uric acid in the body, and will usually cover reducing or cutting out foods that have high levels of purines.
If you suffer from gouty arthritis or have a family predisposition to this malady, it is a good idea to steer clear of low
carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins and Protein Power diets. Their recommendation to eat large amounts of foods
high in purines, such as meats and dark vegetables, is almost sure to cause problems in those predisposed to gouty
arthritis.
Once thought of as a "rich man's disease" because only the wealthy could afford to eat briny meats and rich breads and malted liquors
on a regular basis, gouty arthritis is making a comeback due to the tendency of comparatively modern people to ignore a food’s high
purines content in favor of convenience and cost. However, it's rather easy to switch to a low purine diet and the health benefits are great...
they can even help you to lose weight quicker than low carbohydrate fad diets and keep the weight off, which is another way to dampen your
predisposition to gouty arthritis. Staying away from the list of foods high in purines is a start, and there are natural treatments that can help
alleviate the symptoms as well.
It's an incomplete list of foods high in purines, which have the highest concentration of purines and should be avoided by those who
are prone to gout or are already suffering from it.
Pork
Beef
Lamb
Bacon
Seafood
Foods that are made from yeast like beer and bread
Alcoholic beverages
While these foods’ high purine levels can also prejudice symptoms of gouty arthritis, they can sometimes be enjoyed in moderation by
those who usually follow a low purine diet. In this group is asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, spinach, whole-grain breads and
cereals, white poultry meats, such as chicken, duck and turkey, kidney and lima beans.
There are some foods that are good to include in a low purine diet, though they should not comprise the entirety of your eating plan:
green vegetables and tomatoes, fruits and fruit juices, breads that do not use yeast, nuts, milk and milk products, such as butter and
cheese, chocolate, coffee and tea.
Tom Donne is a full time SEO worker and a freelance writer.
| Professional Edition Volume 2 Issue 2 Feb 18, 2008 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
Acupuncture Shows Promise In Improving Rates Of Pregnancy Following IVF
Science Daily (Feb. 10, 2008) — A review of seven clinical trials of acupuncture given with embryo
transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) suggests that acupuncture may improve rates of
pregnancy. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of couples experience reproductive difficulty and seek
specialist fertility treatments, such as IVF. IVF, which involves retrieving a woman's egg, fertilizing it in
the laboratory, and then transferring the embryo back into the woman's womb is an expensive, lengthy,
and stressful process. Identifying a complementary approach that can improve success would be
welcome to patients and providers.
According to Eric Manheimer of the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative
Medicine and colleagues who conducted the systematic review, acupuncture has been used in China
for centuries to regulate the female reproductive system. With this in mind, the reviewers analyzed results from seven clinical trials of
acupuncture in women who underwent IVF to see if rates of pregnancy were improved with acupuncture. The studies encompassed data
on over 1366 women and compared acupuncture, given within one day of embryo transfer, with sham acupuncture, or no additional
treatment.
The reviewers found that acupuncture given as a complement to IVF increased the odds of achieving pregnancy. According to the
researchers, the results indicate that 10 women undergoing IVF would need to be treated with acupuncture to bring about one additional
pregnancy. The results, considered preliminary, point to a potential complementary treatment that may improve the success of IVF and the
need to conduct additional clinical trials to confirm these findings.
Journal reference: Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effect of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women
undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. Published online February 2008.
Science Daily (Feb. 10, 2008) — A review of seven clinical trials of acupuncture given with embryo
transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) suggests that acupuncture may improve rates of
pregnancy. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of couples experience reproductive difficulty and seek
specialist fertility treatments, such as IVF. IVF, which involves retrieving a woman's egg, fertilizing it in
the laboratory, and then transferring the embryo back into the woman's womb is an expensive, lengthy,
and stressful process. Identifying a complementary approach that can improve success would be
welcome to patients and providers.
According to Eric Manheimer of the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative
Medicine and colleagues who conducted the systematic review, acupuncture has been used in China
for centuries to regulate the female reproductive system. With this in mind, the reviewers analyzed results from seven clinical trials of
acupuncture in women who underwent IVF to see if rates of pregnancy were improved with acupuncture. The studies encompassed data
on over 1366 women and compared acupuncture, given within one day of embryo transfer, with sham acupuncture, or no additional
treatment.
The reviewers found that acupuncture given as a complement to IVF increased the odds of achieving pregnancy. According to the
researchers, the results indicate that 10 women undergoing IVF would need to be treated with acupuncture to bring about one additional
pregnancy. The results, considered preliminary, point to a potential complementary treatment that may improve the success of IVF and the
need to conduct additional clinical trials to confirm these findings.
Journal reference: Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effect of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women
undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. Published online February 2008.
| Ashi Pain Relief Products New Solution for Practitioners! Click here to order |
CONTENTS
Ashi Home | Products and Orders | Contact Us | ©2006 Ashi Research, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fibromyalgia
By Sheryl Walters
damage or deformity, and there is no associated damage to internal body organs. This makes fibromyalgia distinct from many other
rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where the pain is primarily due to inflammation. These conditions may also
lead to joint deformity and body damage.
Who does it affect?
People who are affected by fibromyalgia are primarily women, and the average age group is 35 and 55. Fibromyalgia can also affect
men, children, and the elderly, but these cases are rarer. It is more common in the USA, where 2 percent of the population is affected, than
in Sweden and the United Kingdom, where 1 percent of the population is affected.
What are the characteristics of the pain?
There is a large spectrum of fibromyalgia. Some people only experience mild pain and will continue their normal activities and lifestyle.
Others will be in constant, excruciating pain. Disability is common. Fibromyalgia pain affects the skeletal muscles, ligaments, and tendons
in the body. Pain can also be felt in the bursa, the sacs that surround the joints providing nutrients and lubrication required for movement.
The pain can be widespread and experienced anywhere in the body; however there are eighteen particular tender points that are
experienced by people who suffer from Fibromyalgia. In order be diagnosed with the syndrome, one must have pain in at least eleven of
these areas. These points are generally painful on both sides of the body.
On the breastbone
The front of the lower neck
About 2 cm below the elbow
Just above knee on the inside
At the base of the skull beside the spinal column
Where the neck and the shoulder meet
Just above the inner part of the shoulder blade
The top of the buttock
Hip bone
These points seem to be where tendons and muscles join together. Neck, shoulder, lower back, waist ribs, buttocks and knees are the
most common areas for fibromyalgia sufferers to have pain, but the pain can certainly migrate to other parts. Fibromyalgia pain is
described as a deep and persistent ache. Many people also describe stabbing, throbbing, and shooting pains in their muscles. These
pains can also leave a tingling or burning feeling just under the skin. Some claim that the pains are worse in the morning when the body is
stiff; others say their pain gets progressively worse throughout the day.
What are symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. In addition, an FM sufferer's pain threshold is unusually low so that "normal" amounts of
pain are excruciating for a person with Fibromyalgia. Noise, changes in the weather, and emotional stress can all aggravate the condition.
90 percent of people with Fibromyalgia experience fatigue. Abnormal sleep patterns are commonly observed in people with FM, and they
don't appear to reach the deep, most rejuvenating part of sleep. In fact, reaching that restorative level of sleep called non-rapid-eye-
movement (non-REM) may be more important than the length of sleep. Consequently, FM patients often awaken in the morning without
feeling rested. Some patients arise with muscle aches or muscle fatigue that feels as if they had been "working out" all night.
Poor concentration, forgetfulness, mood changes, irritability, depression, and anxiety are also hallmark symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Other
symptoms of fibromyalgia include migraine and tension headaches, numbness or tingling of different parts of the body, irritable bowel
syndrome, and irritable bladder causing painful and frequent urination.
Is there a Cure for FM?
Unfortunately, there is no absolute cure for Fibromyalgia. However, there are many people whose health has dramatically improved
through certain treatments or combinations of treatments.
Sheryl Walters is an experienced holistic health expert. Her blog combines the world's most up to date scientific research on how to
stay young naturally in both mind and body with a heartfelt, personal touch. When we have the right information and take some dedicated
action, we can be in charge of our health and our aging process.
By Sheryl Walters
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles,
tendons, and joints. Accompanying this pain is often a general depletion in overall health and wellbeing.
- What Makes Fibromyalgia Distinct?
- It is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles; however the painful tissues are not a
damage or deformity, and there is no associated damage to internal body organs. This makes fibromyalgia distinct from many other
rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where the pain is primarily due to inflammation. These conditions may also
lead to joint deformity and body damage.
Who does it affect?
People who are affected by fibromyalgia are primarily women, and the average age group is 35 and 55. Fibromyalgia can also affect
men, children, and the elderly, but these cases are rarer. It is more common in the USA, where 2 percent of the population is affected, than
in Sweden and the United Kingdom, where 1 percent of the population is affected.
What are the characteristics of the pain?
There is a large spectrum of fibromyalgia. Some people only experience mild pain and will continue their normal activities and lifestyle.
Others will be in constant, excruciating pain. Disability is common. Fibromyalgia pain affects the skeletal muscles, ligaments, and tendons
in the body. Pain can also be felt in the bursa, the sacs that surround the joints providing nutrients and lubrication required for movement.
The pain can be widespread and experienced anywhere in the body; however there are eighteen particular tender points that are
experienced by people who suffer from Fibromyalgia. In order be diagnosed with the syndrome, one must have pain in at least eleven of
these areas. These points are generally painful on both sides of the body.
On the breastbone
The front of the lower neck
About 2 cm below the elbow
Just above knee on the inside
At the base of the skull beside the spinal column
Where the neck and the shoulder meet
Just above the inner part of the shoulder blade
The top of the buttock
Hip bone
These points seem to be where tendons and muscles join together. Neck, shoulder, lower back, waist ribs, buttocks and knees are the
most common areas for fibromyalgia sufferers to have pain, but the pain can certainly migrate to other parts. Fibromyalgia pain is
described as a deep and persistent ache. Many people also describe stabbing, throbbing, and shooting pains in their muscles. These
pains can also leave a tingling or burning feeling just under the skin. Some claim that the pains are worse in the morning when the body is
stiff; others say their pain gets progressively worse throughout the day.
What are symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. In addition, an FM sufferer's pain threshold is unusually low so that "normal" amounts of
pain are excruciating for a person with Fibromyalgia. Noise, changes in the weather, and emotional stress can all aggravate the condition.
90 percent of people with Fibromyalgia experience fatigue. Abnormal sleep patterns are commonly observed in people with FM, and they
don't appear to reach the deep, most rejuvenating part of sleep. In fact, reaching that restorative level of sleep called non-rapid-eye-
movement (non-REM) may be more important than the length of sleep. Consequently, FM patients often awaken in the morning without
feeling rested. Some patients arise with muscle aches or muscle fatigue that feels as if they had been "working out" all night.
Poor concentration, forgetfulness, mood changes, irritability, depression, and anxiety are also hallmark symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Other
symptoms of fibromyalgia include migraine and tension headaches, numbness or tingling of different parts of the body, irritable bowel
syndrome, and irritable bladder causing painful and frequent urination.
Is there a Cure for FM?
Unfortunately, there is no absolute cure for Fibromyalgia. However, there are many people whose health has dramatically improved
through certain treatments or combinations of treatments.
Sheryl Walters is an experienced holistic health expert. Her blog combines the world's most up to date scientific research on how to
stay young naturally in both mind and body with a heartfelt, personal touch. When we have the right information and take some dedicated
action, we can be in charge of our health and our aging process.
He Shou Wu, the Chinese herb for rejuvenation
By Prof. Jianguo Gu
and his son lived to over 130 years of age. The Chinese have called the plant “He Shou Wu” or “Mr. He’s
Black Hair” ever since.
He Shou Wu is native to East Asia and usually grows along the banks of streams. The plant can reach
a height of 4.5 meters. It blossoms from September to October. The flowers have both male and female
organs and are pollinated by insects. The root tuber of the plant is collected in spring and autumn, washed
clean, sliced, and then dried in the sun. He Shou Wu root is considered to be one of the most important
Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used for restoring vitality and virility, working especially on the liver and
the reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems. According to TCM, He Shou Wu replenishes the liver and kidney, enriches vital essence
and blood, lubricates the bowel, moistens the intestines, and clears away toxins. It is often used to treat insufficiency of both the liver and
kidney, deficiency of essence and blood, and weakness of the lower jiao.
Studies have identified a number of natural compounds that may account for the effectiveness of He Shou Wu. These compounds
include polygoacetophenoside, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystibene-2O-b-D-glucoside , chrysophanol, emodin, rhein, emodin-6physcion,
chrysophanic acid anthrone, quercetins, and lecithin. Pharmacological studies have shown that He Shou Wu can lower blood levels of
"bad" cholesterol, i.e. low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and raise the levels of "good" cholesterol i.e. high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It can also
lower triglycerides and it can increase coronary flow. These effects benefit blood vessels and may prevent patients from developing
cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it has been shown that He Shou Wu can even reverse hardened arteries to the benefit of patients with
high blood pressure. In animal studies, there is some evidence that He Shou Wu may enhance learning and memory and prevent the
degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in the brain. It possesses a strong inhibiting effect on lipid peroxydation (LPO) and the
production of oxygen free radicals thereby preventing oxidation damage to the liver, brain, and other organs. These effects may be
associated with the anti-aging effects of this herb seen in humans. He Shou Wu also seems to improve the immune function and the
development of blood cells. These effects help the body to fight external pathogens thereby preventing infections from bacteria and
viruses. Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumor, hypoglycaemic (treat type II diabetes), and sedative activity. All the above
effects may contribute to the increase in life span seen in people who take He Shou Wu regularly.
There are 4 different He Shou Wu preparations, raw He Shou Wu, soy bean prepared He Shou Wu, steamed He Shou Wu, and soy
plus alcohol prepared He Shou Wu. Among these 4 preparations, raw he shou wu possesses the strongest properties. The strength of
the different preparations in eliminating free radicals is in the following order: raw He Shou Wu, soy bean prepared He Shou Wu, steamed
He Shou Wu, and soy plus alcohol prepared He Shou Wu.
He Shou Wu can be consumed alone or in a formula. A well known He Shou Wu containing formula is called Ren Shen Yang Rong
Tang. This formula contains the following ingredients: Bai Shao 18 g, Dang Gui 15 g, Chen Pi 12 g, Huang Qi 30 g, Rou Gui 6 g, Ren Shen
15 g (boil first), Bai Zhu 15 g, Zhi Gan Cao 9 g, Shu Di 15 g, Wu Wei Zi 12 g, Fu Ling 15 g, Yuan Zhi 9 g, He Shou Wu 30 g, Dan Shen 30 g,
Ji Xue Teng 30 g, Sheng Jiang 6 g, Da Zao 7 pieces. The formula is applicable for for Qi Xu (Qi deficiency) and Xue Xu (blood deficiency)
conditions.
Cautions: People with a tendency towards rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if
including this plant in their diet since it may aggravate these conditions. Excessive doses may cause a skin rash and numbness of the
extremities.
By Prof. Jianguo Gu
- He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti, Chinese Knotweed) is a Chinese herb used for tonification of
Qi and blood. It is said that anyone who takes this herb regularly for a long period of
time can become “younger” and live a long life. The name He Shou Wu means
"Mr. He’s black-hair" in Chinese. This name refers to the following legend: a long time
ago there was a 56-year-old men named Mr. He who lived in a small village in China.
Mr. He had never married because he had been weak since childhood. One day
Mr. He noticed that there was a new plant growing in the vicinity of the village. He dug
out the roots and brought them home to cook and eat as food. After eating the roots for
a week he began to have a desire for marriage. After eating the roots for several
months he become much stronger; and after one year of consumption, his grey hair
and his son lived to over 130 years of age. The Chinese have called the plant “He Shou Wu” or “Mr. He’s
Black Hair” ever since.
He Shou Wu is native to East Asia and usually grows along the banks of streams. The plant can reach
a height of 4.5 meters. It blossoms from September to October. The flowers have both male and female
organs and are pollinated by insects. The root tuber of the plant is collected in spring and autumn, washed
clean, sliced, and then dried in the sun. He Shou Wu root is considered to be one of the most important
Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used for restoring vitality and virility, working especially on the liver and
the reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems. According to TCM, He Shou Wu replenishes the liver and kidney, enriches vital essence
and blood, lubricates the bowel, moistens the intestines, and clears away toxins. It is often used to treat insufficiency of both the liver and
kidney, deficiency of essence and blood, and weakness of the lower jiao.
Studies have identified a number of natural compounds that may account for the effectiveness of He Shou Wu. These compounds
include polygoacetophenoside, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystibene-2O-b-D-glucoside , chrysophanol, emodin, rhein, emodin-6physcion,
chrysophanic acid anthrone, quercetins, and lecithin. Pharmacological studies have shown that He Shou Wu can lower blood levels of
"bad" cholesterol, i.e. low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and raise the levels of "good" cholesterol i.e. high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It can also
lower triglycerides and it can increase coronary flow. These effects benefit blood vessels and may prevent patients from developing
cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it has been shown that He Shou Wu can even reverse hardened arteries to the benefit of patients with
high blood pressure. In animal studies, there is some evidence that He Shou Wu may enhance learning and memory and prevent the
degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in the brain. It possesses a strong inhibiting effect on lipid peroxydation (LPO) and the
production of oxygen free radicals thereby preventing oxidation damage to the liver, brain, and other organs. These effects may be
associated with the anti-aging effects of this herb seen in humans. He Shou Wu also seems to improve the immune function and the
development of blood cells. These effects help the body to fight external pathogens thereby preventing infections from bacteria and
viruses. Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumor, hypoglycaemic (treat type II diabetes), and sedative activity. All the above
effects may contribute to the increase in life span seen in people who take He Shou Wu regularly.
There are 4 different He Shou Wu preparations, raw He Shou Wu, soy bean prepared He Shou Wu, steamed He Shou Wu, and soy
plus alcohol prepared He Shou Wu. Among these 4 preparations, raw he shou wu possesses the strongest properties. The strength of
the different preparations in eliminating free radicals is in the following order: raw He Shou Wu, soy bean prepared He Shou Wu, steamed
He Shou Wu, and soy plus alcohol prepared He Shou Wu.
He Shou Wu can be consumed alone or in a formula. A well known He Shou Wu containing formula is called Ren Shen Yang Rong
Tang. This formula contains the following ingredients: Bai Shao 18 g, Dang Gui 15 g, Chen Pi 12 g, Huang Qi 30 g, Rou Gui 6 g, Ren Shen
15 g (boil first), Bai Zhu 15 g, Zhi Gan Cao 9 g, Shu Di 15 g, Wu Wei Zi 12 g, Fu Ling 15 g, Yuan Zhi 9 g, He Shou Wu 30 g, Dan Shen 30 g,
Ji Xue Teng 30 g, Sheng Jiang 6 g, Da Zao 7 pieces. The formula is applicable for for Qi Xu (Qi deficiency) and Xue Xu (blood deficiency)
conditions.
Cautions: People with a tendency towards rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if
including this plant in their diet since it may aggravate these conditions. Excessive doses may cause a skin rash and numbness of the
extremities.
This is a free service for posting educational events related to Chinese medicine . Contact tcm@ashi-resarch.com for the service.
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