Dragon Boat Festival
By Rhonda Parkinson
There are few sites more spectacular than a fleet of boats decorated to look like dragons racing to the
finish line, paddlers moving their oars in one fluid motion while the drummer thumps out a steady
rhythm. Once practically unknown outside the Chinese community, today you'll find enthusiastic
crowds cheering on racers participating in dragon boat festivals everywhere from Rome, Italy to
Seattle, Washington. But the dragon boat festival is much more than an athletic event. It is the third
largest festival in the Chinese calendar, following the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Moon
festival. And, like these two other traditional holidays, food plays an important and symbolic role in the
festivities.
Legend Behind the Dragon Boat Festival
Although the races are held on different dates throughout the world, the dragon boat festival officially
falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (June 8, 2008).
There are several legends surrounding the origin of the dragon boat festival, which is also called
the "Festival of the Double Fifth." Traditionally, the fifth lunar month is supposed to be fraught with
danger, as the forces of ying and yang are out of balance. One theory is that dragon boat racing
began as a way of paying homage to the God of Water so that the farmers would have good crops.
During that month, people would also hang calamus and moxa on their front doors in an attempt to
ward off evil spirits.
But bad as the fifth month was, the fifth day of that month was especially inauspicious. It was said
that a child born on that day would be extremely difficult to raise, bringing his parents much grief.
Another legend surrounding the origin of the dragon boat festival concerns a man who had the misfortune to be born on this unlucky day.
Tian Wen survived murder attempts and banishment by his father to eventually to become the Prime Minister of a Chinese state.
Determined that no other child should suffer similar mistreatment, he ordered that the fifth day of the fifth month be considered a regular
day, as propitious as any other. Another theory, put forth by Professor Wen Yiduo, is that celebrations were held on this day as a sacrifice
to the ancient dragon, in honor of the beast's birthday.
But the most popular story revolves around the life and death of one of China's most famous citizens. Qu Yuan was both a statesman and
China's first known poet. During his lifetime, he served as Minister of Law and Ordinance for his home state of Chu in southern China.
Unfortunately, Qu Yuan lived during the Warring States period (481 - 221 B.C.), when larger, more powerful states were trying to
consolidate their power. One of these states, Qin in the north, was determined to control the state of Chu. Qin leaders gave the King of Chu
a peace treaty to sign, which they had no intention of honoring. Suspicious of their motives, Qu Yuan advised the king not to sign the treaty.
Unfortunately, the king was threatened by Qu Yuan's stature, believing the poet was trying to gain greater political power in the government.
Not only did he sign the treaty, but he banished Qu Yuan to a remote region in Hunan province. Eventually, Chu was defeated by the
stronger Qin state.
It is thought that the news of Chu's defeat destroyed Qu Yuan's will to live. As a result, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 278 B.C., he
committed suicide by grasping a large rock and throwing himself into the Miluo River.
Local fisherman raced to their boats to recover his body, beating drums and splashing their paddles on the water to scare away the fish.
But it was all to no avail. In one version of the legend, they began throwing rice on the water as a sacrifice to their dead hero, and to nourish
his spirit. One night, the image of Qu Yuan appeared to one of the fisherman in a dream. In the dream, the poet revealed that the fish were
eating the rice. He asked that the rice be wrapped in silk to protect it. Later, the silk was replaced with bamboo leaves.
In another version, the rice packets were meant for the fish, in an effort to keep them from devouring Qu Yuan's body. But whichever version
you choose to believe, the death of Qu Yuan gave rise to both the dragon boat races and celebrating the day with zongzi - delicious
dumplings made with glutinous rice that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
"Many a heavy sigh I heaved in my despair, Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time...I yoked a team of jade dragons to a
phoenix-figured car, And waited for the wind to come, to soar up on my journey."(Qu Yuan, ancient Chinese poet)
By Rhonda Parkinson
There are few sites more spectacular than a fleet of boats decorated to look like dragons racing to the
finish line, paddlers moving their oars in one fluid motion while the drummer thumps out a steady
rhythm. Once practically unknown outside the Chinese community, today you'll find enthusiastic
crowds cheering on racers participating in dragon boat festivals everywhere from Rome, Italy to
Seattle, Washington. But the dragon boat festival is much more than an athletic event. It is the third
largest festival in the Chinese calendar, following the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Moon
festival. And, like these two other traditional holidays, food plays an important and symbolic role in the
festivities.
Legend Behind the Dragon Boat Festival
Although the races are held on different dates throughout the world, the dragon boat festival officially
falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (June 8, 2008).
There are several legends surrounding the origin of the dragon boat festival, which is also called
the "Festival of the Double Fifth." Traditionally, the fifth lunar month is supposed to be fraught with
danger, as the forces of ying and yang are out of balance. One theory is that dragon boat racing
began as a way of paying homage to the God of Water so that the farmers would have good crops.
During that month, people would also hang calamus and moxa on their front doors in an attempt to
ward off evil spirits.
But bad as the fifth month was, the fifth day of that month was especially inauspicious. It was said
that a child born on that day would be extremely difficult to raise, bringing his parents much grief.
Another legend surrounding the origin of the dragon boat festival concerns a man who had the misfortune to be born on this unlucky day.
Tian Wen survived murder attempts and banishment by his father to eventually to become the Prime Minister of a Chinese state.
Determined that no other child should suffer similar mistreatment, he ordered that the fifth day of the fifth month be considered a regular
day, as propitious as any other. Another theory, put forth by Professor Wen Yiduo, is that celebrations were held on this day as a sacrifice
to the ancient dragon, in honor of the beast's birthday.
But the most popular story revolves around the life and death of one of China's most famous citizens. Qu Yuan was both a statesman and
China's first known poet. During his lifetime, he served as Minister of Law and Ordinance for his home state of Chu in southern China.
Unfortunately, Qu Yuan lived during the Warring States period (481 - 221 B.C.), when larger, more powerful states were trying to
consolidate their power. One of these states, Qin in the north, was determined to control the state of Chu. Qin leaders gave the King of Chu
a peace treaty to sign, which they had no intention of honoring. Suspicious of their motives, Qu Yuan advised the king not to sign the treaty.
Unfortunately, the king was threatened by Qu Yuan's stature, believing the poet was trying to gain greater political power in the government.
Not only did he sign the treaty, but he banished Qu Yuan to a remote region in Hunan province. Eventually, Chu was defeated by the
stronger Qin state.
It is thought that the news of Chu's defeat destroyed Qu Yuan's will to live. As a result, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 278 B.C., he
committed suicide by grasping a large rock and throwing himself into the Miluo River.
Local fisherman raced to their boats to recover his body, beating drums and splashing their paddles on the water to scare away the fish.
But it was all to no avail. In one version of the legend, they began throwing rice on the water as a sacrifice to their dead hero, and to nourish
his spirit. One night, the image of Qu Yuan appeared to one of the fisherman in a dream. In the dream, the poet revealed that the fish were
eating the rice. He asked that the rice be wrapped in silk to protect it. Later, the silk was replaced with bamboo leaves.
In another version, the rice packets were meant for the fish, in an effort to keep them from devouring Qu Yuan's body. But whichever version
you choose to believe, the death of Qu Yuan gave rise to both the dragon boat races and celebrating the day with zongzi - delicious
dumplings made with glutinous rice that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
"Many a heavy sigh I heaved in my despair, Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time...I yoked a team of jade dragons to a
phoenix-figured car, And waited for the wind to come, to soar up on my journey."(Qu Yuan, ancient Chinese poet)
| Professional Edition Volume 2 Issue 5 May 20, 2008 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
Acupuncture and Myofascial Trigger Therapy Treat Same Pain Areas
Newswise — Ancient acupuncture and modern myofascial pain therapy each focus on hundreds of
similar points on the body to treat pain, although they do it differently, says a physician at Mayo Clinic
in Jacksonville who analyzed the two techniques.
Results of the study, published May 10 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
suggest that people who want relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain may benefit from either
therapy, says chronic pain specialist Dr. Peter Dorsher of the Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic.
“This may come as a surprise to those who perform the two different techniques, because the notion
has been that these are exclusive therapies separated by thousands of years,” he says. “But this
study shows that in the treatment of pain disorders, acupuncture and myofascial techniques are fundamentally similar – and this is good
news for anyone looking for relief.”
Classic Chinese acupuncture treats pain and a variety of health disorders using fine needles to “reset” nerve transmission, Dorsher says.
Needles are inserted in one or several of 361 classical acupoints to target specific organs or pain problems. “This is a very safe and
effective technique,” he says.
Myofascial trigger-point therapy, which has evolved since the mid-1800s, focuses on tender muscle or “trigger point” regions. There are
about 255 such regions described by the Trigger Point Manual, the seminal textbook on myofascial pain. These are believed to be
sensitive and painful areas of muscle and fascia, the web of soft tissue that surrounds muscle, bones, organs and other body structures.
To relieve pain at these trigger points, practitioners use injections, deep pressure, massage, mechanical vibration, electrical stimulation
and stretching, among other techniques.
In the study, Dorsher analyzed studies published on both techniques and demonstrated that acupuncture points and trigger points are
anatomically and clinically similar in their uses for treatment of pain disorders.
In another recent study, he found that at least 92 percent of common trigger points anatomically corresponded with acupoints, and that
their clinical correspondence in treating pain was more than 95 percent. “That means that the classical acupoint was in the same body
region as the trigger point, was used for the same type of pain problem, and the trigger point referred pain pattern followed the meridian
pathway of that acupoint described by the Chinese more than 2,000 years before,” Dorsher says.
Myofascial pain therapy has lately incorporated the use of acupuncture needles in a treatment called “dry needling” to treat muscle trigger
points. “I think it is fair to say that the myofascial pain tradition represents an independent rediscovery of the healing principles of traditional
Chinese medicine,” Dorsher says. “What likely unites these two disciplines is the nervous system, which transmits pain.”
The study was funded by Mayo Clinic. Released: Tue 13-May-2008, 08:40 ET
Newswise — Ancient acupuncture and modern myofascial pain therapy each focus on hundreds of
similar points on the body to treat pain, although they do it differently, says a physician at Mayo Clinic
in Jacksonville who analyzed the two techniques.
Results of the study, published May 10 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
suggest that people who want relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain may benefit from either
therapy, says chronic pain specialist Dr. Peter Dorsher of the Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic.
“This may come as a surprise to those who perform the two different techniques, because the notion
has been that these are exclusive therapies separated by thousands of years,” he says. “But this
study shows that in the treatment of pain disorders, acupuncture and myofascial techniques are fundamentally similar – and this is good
news for anyone looking for relief.”
Classic Chinese acupuncture treats pain and a variety of health disorders using fine needles to “reset” nerve transmission, Dorsher says.
Needles are inserted in one or several of 361 classical acupoints to target specific organs or pain problems. “This is a very safe and
effective technique,” he says.
Myofascial trigger-point therapy, which has evolved since the mid-1800s, focuses on tender muscle or “trigger point” regions. There are
about 255 such regions described by the Trigger Point Manual, the seminal textbook on myofascial pain. These are believed to be
sensitive and painful areas of muscle and fascia, the web of soft tissue that surrounds muscle, bones, organs and other body structures.
To relieve pain at these trigger points, practitioners use injections, deep pressure, massage, mechanical vibration, electrical stimulation
and stretching, among other techniques.
In the study, Dorsher analyzed studies published on both techniques and demonstrated that acupuncture points and trigger points are
anatomically and clinically similar in their uses for treatment of pain disorders.
In another recent study, he found that at least 92 percent of common trigger points anatomically corresponded with acupoints, and that
their clinical correspondence in treating pain was more than 95 percent. “That means that the classical acupoint was in the same body
region as the trigger point, was used for the same type of pain problem, and the trigger point referred pain pattern followed the meridian
pathway of that acupoint described by the Chinese more than 2,000 years before,” Dorsher says.
Myofascial pain therapy has lately incorporated the use of acupuncture needles in a treatment called “dry needling” to treat muscle trigger
points. “I think it is fair to say that the myofascial pain tradition represents an independent rediscovery of the healing principles of traditional
Chinese medicine,” Dorsher says. “What likely unites these two disciplines is the nervous system, which transmits pain.”
The study was funded by Mayo Clinic. Released: Tue 13-May-2008, 08:40 ET
| 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.
Simple Sciatica Exercises
By George Best
A large number of sciatica exercises are available to choose from, but if you are in significant pain, it is a
good idea to stick with a simple, easy to implement plan. One or two exercises done frequently can be
far more effective than struggling with a complex program of multiple exercises.
In order to determine which exercise will be of most benefit to you, it is necessary to try to figure out if you
have true sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation, or if you have "piriformis syndrome", which
produces sciatica-like symptoms but is due to excessive contraction of a muscle in the buttock area.
One simple way to tell the difference is to sit in a firm chair to do a couple of basic tests. In the sitting position, try straightening your knee
on the painful side, so that your leg is parallel to the floor. If this increases your symptoms, chances are you have true sciatica related to a
disc problem.
The second test used to differentiate between disc-related sciatica and piriformis syndrome begins by pulling your knee toward the
same-side shoulder. Begin by first bringing the knee on the painful side toward the shoulder on the same side. Then release the leg
slightly and pull the knee toward the opposite shoulder. If the symptoms increase more when you pull the knee toward the opposite
shoulder than when you pulled it toward the same side shoulder, it is likely that you have piriformis syndrome. It should be noted that it is
possible to have both true sciatica and piriformis syndrome at the same time.
Once you determine whether you have true sciatica or piriformis syndrome, or both, you can usually get considerable relief from just a
single exercise for either condition (two exercises if you have both).
For true sciatica, most people will find relief through the basic McKenzie extension exercise (named for physical therapist Robin McKenzie).
This exercise is performed by lying face down on a firm surface and then propping yourself up on your elbows, creating an increase in the
curve of the lower back. Getting into this position may be painful at first, but within about 30 seconds, most people will notice a decrease in
the severity or the range of the sciatica, or both. A positive sign is when the symptoms furthest from the spine decrease.
As long as the symptoms are decreasing furthest from the spine, the exercise described is beneficial, even if the symptoms closer to the
spine seem to increase at first (they'll usually improve with repetition of the exercise over time). I suggest you remain in this position for a
couple of minutes and then take a break by either just lying flat, or by getting up and walking for at least a few minutes in between the
exercise repetitions in order to avoid developing a lot of tightness in the low back muscles.
For piriformis syndrome, you can do a simple stretch of the piriformis muscle. I recommend you do this by lying on your back, pulling your
knee on the painful side toward the same side shoulder for a few seconds, then partially releasing the leg and then pulling your knee
toward the opposite shoulder. Hold this stretch for about 10 seconds at a time, then carefully release your leg for a few seconds before
repeating the stretch.
Regardless of whether you are using the extension exercise or the piriformis stretching, or both, these sciatica exercises are most effective
when done repeatedly - up to several times each day for as long as you are having a lot of pain.
When the symptoms have subsided, it is extremely important to learn what sciatica exercises you can do to prevent the symptoms from
returning in the future. Don't be fooled! Just because the symptoms go away, it doesn't mean that everything is back to normal. All too often,
sciatica sufferers go from one episode of pain to the next, with episodes becoming more severe and more frequent over time, because
they fail to manage the problem correctly so you can avoid the common problem of developing chronic pain and disability.
Dr. George Best has been treating sciatica and priformis syndrome for over 15 years in his San Antonio, Texas practice. To obtain his free
E-book with illustrated sciatica exercises and his free video course on understanding and treating sciatica, go to
http://www.sciaticaselfcare.com
By George Best
A large number of sciatica exercises are available to choose from, but if you are in significant pain, it is a
good idea to stick with a simple, easy to implement plan. One or two exercises done frequently can be
far more effective than struggling with a complex program of multiple exercises.
In order to determine which exercise will be of most benefit to you, it is necessary to try to figure out if you
have true sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation, or if you have "piriformis syndrome", which
produces sciatica-like symptoms but is due to excessive contraction of a muscle in the buttock area.
One simple way to tell the difference is to sit in a firm chair to do a couple of basic tests. In the sitting position, try straightening your knee
on the painful side, so that your leg is parallel to the floor. If this increases your symptoms, chances are you have true sciatica related to a
disc problem.
The second test used to differentiate between disc-related sciatica and piriformis syndrome begins by pulling your knee toward the
same-side shoulder. Begin by first bringing the knee on the painful side toward the shoulder on the same side. Then release the leg
slightly and pull the knee toward the opposite shoulder. If the symptoms increase more when you pull the knee toward the opposite
shoulder than when you pulled it toward the same side shoulder, it is likely that you have piriformis syndrome. It should be noted that it is
possible to have both true sciatica and piriformis syndrome at the same time.
Once you determine whether you have true sciatica or piriformis syndrome, or both, you can usually get considerable relief from just a
single exercise for either condition (two exercises if you have both).
For true sciatica, most people will find relief through the basic McKenzie extension exercise (named for physical therapist Robin McKenzie).
This exercise is performed by lying face down on a firm surface and then propping yourself up on your elbows, creating an increase in the
curve of the lower back. Getting into this position may be painful at first, but within about 30 seconds, most people will notice a decrease in
the severity or the range of the sciatica, or both. A positive sign is when the symptoms furthest from the spine decrease.
As long as the symptoms are decreasing furthest from the spine, the exercise described is beneficial, even if the symptoms closer to the
spine seem to increase at first (they'll usually improve with repetition of the exercise over time). I suggest you remain in this position for a
couple of minutes and then take a break by either just lying flat, or by getting up and walking for at least a few minutes in between the
exercise repetitions in order to avoid developing a lot of tightness in the low back muscles.
For piriformis syndrome, you can do a simple stretch of the piriformis muscle. I recommend you do this by lying on your back, pulling your
knee on the painful side toward the same side shoulder for a few seconds, then partially releasing the leg and then pulling your knee
toward the opposite shoulder. Hold this stretch for about 10 seconds at a time, then carefully release your leg for a few seconds before
repeating the stretch.
Regardless of whether you are using the extension exercise or the piriformis stretching, or both, these sciatica exercises are most effective
when done repeatedly - up to several times each day for as long as you are having a lot of pain.
When the symptoms have subsided, it is extremely important to learn what sciatica exercises you can do to prevent the symptoms from
returning in the future. Don't be fooled! Just because the symptoms go away, it doesn't mean that everything is back to normal. All too often,
sciatica sufferers go from one episode of pain to the next, with episodes becoming more severe and more frequent over time, because
they fail to manage the problem correctly so you can avoid the common problem of developing chronic pain and disability.
Dr. George Best has been treating sciatica and priformis syndrome for over 15 years in his San Antonio, Texas practice. To obtain his free
E-book with illustrated sciatica exercises and his free video course on understanding and treating sciatica, go to
http://www.sciaticaselfcare.com
Herbs and Supplements for Gastrointestinal Problems
By Dr. Doug Bremner
Please note that if you have an ulcer that you know is a potentially life threatening condition for which you may need medication I do not
recommend trying herbs and supplements first. Get to a doctor for help.
Peppermint oil is one food product that has shown the most usefulness for the treatment of dyspepsia and IBS. It has antispasmodic
properties; the active ingredient is menthol, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestines by blocking calcium influx. At least three
randomized placebo controlled trials have shown that peppermint improves symptoms of IBS (while two did not show an effect) (Dew et al
1984; Liu et al 1997). There was heterogeneity amongst trials, meaning that the results are not consistent and therefore not conclusive.
One study showed that peppermint helped symptoms of dyspepsia. Heartburn is a common side effect of peppermint oil treatment. Based
on studies to date I can say it is safe to try peppermint for symptoms of IBS, since it has no long term or dangerous side effects.
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract (ALE) has been promoted as a treatment for dyspepsia. It has been shown in animal studies to
improve bile flow; its active compound is felt to be bitter compounds like cynaropicrin. One study of 244 patients randomized to ALE or
placebo showed an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and quality of life scores compared to placebo after 6 weeks of ALE therapy. The
difference between the two treatments in dyspepsia at the end of treatment was less than 10%, however, so in my view the effects were not
very strong. Of course this is only one study, and I would like to see another controlled trial show that ALE works for dyspepsia before
recommending it. In the meantime if you have dyspepsia and you want to eat more artichoke leaves, I say bon appetite. They certainly can't
hurt.
Ginger has been used to treat nausea as well as bowel symptoms. Ginger extract is thought to be anti-inflammatory, to strengthen the
gastric lining, and to stimulate motility of the intestines. Although it has been promoted for nausea treatment, controlled studies have
shown that it does not decreases post-operative nausea, although it has been shown to work for sea sickness and nausea with
pregnancy. It is safe with no side effects that I know of. So next time you have sushi, don't forget the ginger, although I would like to see
another controlled trial to see if it really works for nausea. There are no controlled studies I know of using ginger for bowel symptoms.
Bowel disorders (and a number of other conditions) are traditionally treated in China with Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). This involves
regular meetings with the CHM practitioner with individualized adjustments targeted to the symptoms and the individual person. The
combination of the different herbs, rather than ingredients in individual herbs, is believed to work for the specific disorder. In the only
controlled trial of CHM for bowel disorders 116 patients with IBS were randomly assigned to receive traditional CHM with an individualized
treatment, a standard formula of 20 herbs used in CHM, or a placebo, for 14 weeks of treatment. Both the herbal treatments were better for
IBS symptoms than the placebo, but the individualized CHM was not better than the standard fixed formula (Bensoussan et al 1998). This
study was well designed and conducted and offers promising results for CHM treatment of IBS.
Bensoussan A, Talley NJ, Hing M, Menzies R, Guo A, Ngu M (1998): Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: A
randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 280:1585-1589.
Dew MJ, Evans BK, Rhodes J (1984): Peppermint oil for the irritable bowel syndrome: A multicentre trial. British Journal of Clinical Practice
38:394-398.
Liu JH, Chen GH, Yeh HZ, Huang CK, Poon SK (1997): Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel
syndrome: A prospective, randomized trial. Journal of Gastroenterology 32:765-768.
Odes HS, Madar Z (1991): A double-blind trial of a celandin, aloevera, and psyllium laxative preparation in adult patients with constipation.
Digestion 49:65-71.
Learn more about alternatives to medications and hidden risks of prescription medications in 'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug
Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and
Supplements', by researcher and physician J. Douglas Bremner, MD.
By Dr. Doug Bremner
- A number of herbs, supplements, and food products are commonly used as self treatments by
patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders like IBS, FD and GERD. For example,
constipation is often treated with herbal therapies that stimulate secretion of fluids into the
bowel and muscular contraction of the intestines. The most commonly used products include
senna, cascara, aloe, and rhubarb root. One small study in 35 patients showed that aloe
vera (combined with celandin and psyllium) was better than placebo in treating
constipation (Odes and Madar 1991).
- As noted earlier fatty foods can increase symptoms of dyspepsia. Patients with IBS commonly
can't tolerate a number of foods, including milk, wheat, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
IBS patients do not however have an increase in lactase deficiency (the enzyme that digests
dairy products) or an inability to absorb sugars (like fructose) when measured in the laboratory,
although they may have more symptoms when exposed to these compounds. A variety of herbs, food products, and
other supplements have been promoted for the treatment of bowel symptoms, constipation and dyspepsia.
Please note that if you have an ulcer that you know is a potentially life threatening condition for which you may need medication I do not
recommend trying herbs and supplements first. Get to a doctor for help.
Peppermint oil is one food product that has shown the most usefulness for the treatment of dyspepsia and IBS. It has antispasmodic
properties; the active ingredient is menthol, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestines by blocking calcium influx. At least three
randomized placebo controlled trials have shown that peppermint improves symptoms of IBS (while two did not show an effect) (Dew et al
1984; Liu et al 1997). There was heterogeneity amongst trials, meaning that the results are not consistent and therefore not conclusive.
One study showed that peppermint helped symptoms of dyspepsia. Heartburn is a common side effect of peppermint oil treatment. Based
on studies to date I can say it is safe to try peppermint for symptoms of IBS, since it has no long term or dangerous side effects.
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract (ALE) has been promoted as a treatment for dyspepsia. It has been shown in animal studies to
improve bile flow; its active compound is felt to be bitter compounds like cynaropicrin. One study of 244 patients randomized to ALE or
placebo showed an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and quality of life scores compared to placebo after 6 weeks of ALE therapy. The
difference between the two treatments in dyspepsia at the end of treatment was less than 10%, however, so in my view the effects were not
very strong. Of course this is only one study, and I would like to see another controlled trial show that ALE works for dyspepsia before
recommending it. In the meantime if you have dyspepsia and you want to eat more artichoke leaves, I say bon appetite. They certainly can't
hurt.
Ginger has been used to treat nausea as well as bowel symptoms. Ginger extract is thought to be anti-inflammatory, to strengthen the
gastric lining, and to stimulate motility of the intestines. Although it has been promoted for nausea treatment, controlled studies have
shown that it does not decreases post-operative nausea, although it has been shown to work for sea sickness and nausea with
pregnancy. It is safe with no side effects that I know of. So next time you have sushi, don't forget the ginger, although I would like to see
another controlled trial to see if it really works for nausea. There are no controlled studies I know of using ginger for bowel symptoms.
Bowel disorders (and a number of other conditions) are traditionally treated in China with Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). This involves
regular meetings with the CHM practitioner with individualized adjustments targeted to the symptoms and the individual person. The
combination of the different herbs, rather than ingredients in individual herbs, is believed to work for the specific disorder. In the only
controlled trial of CHM for bowel disorders 116 patients with IBS were randomly assigned to receive traditional CHM with an individualized
treatment, a standard formula of 20 herbs used in CHM, or a placebo, for 14 weeks of treatment. Both the herbal treatments were better for
IBS symptoms than the placebo, but the individualized CHM was not better than the standard fixed formula (Bensoussan et al 1998). This
study was well designed and conducted and offers promising results for CHM treatment of IBS.
Bensoussan A, Talley NJ, Hing M, Menzies R, Guo A, Ngu M (1998): Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: A
randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 280:1585-1589.
Dew MJ, Evans BK, Rhodes J (1984): Peppermint oil for the irritable bowel syndrome: A multicentre trial. British Journal of Clinical Practice
38:394-398.
Liu JH, Chen GH, Yeh HZ, Huang CK, Poon SK (1997): Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel
syndrome: A prospective, randomized trial. Journal of Gastroenterology 32:765-768.
Odes HS, Madar Z (1991): A double-blind trial of a celandin, aloevera, and psyllium laxative preparation in adult patients with constipation.
Digestion 49:65-71.
Learn more about alternatives to medications and hidden risks of prescription medications in 'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug
Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and
Supplements', by researcher and physician J. Douglas Bremner, MD.
This is a free service for posting educational events related to Chinese medicine . Contact tcm@ashi-resarch.com for the service.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dr. Doug Bremner
No dragon boat celebration would
be complete without zongzi, sticky
rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo
leaves
be complete without zongzi, sticky
rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo
leaves
