| Professional Edition Volume 1 Issue 10 October 15, 2007 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
Chinese Chong Yang Festival
The 9th day of September in the Chinese lunar calendar is the Chong Yang Festival and is a happy occasion in
autumn. According to the traditional theory of Yin and Yang, both the 9th month and the 9th day of the month
belong to Yang, which means positive and masculine. Chong means double, thus the day is called Chong Yang.
It is on Friday October 19th this year. During Chong Yang, Chinese people often gather for a party, appreciate
chrysanthemums, and pin cornus (Shan Zhu Yu) leaves on their clothes. Climbing mountains and eating a
special cake are also features of the day. In addition, some Chinese people go to the hillsides to tend their
ancestors’ graves and make sacrifices of special paper money and paper winter clothing, after which a picnic is
held.
The custom of climbing mountains on the day of Chong Yang can be dated back as early as the West Han
Dynasty. Some old travel notes have it that people climbed to mountain peaks not only for beautiful scenes and
poetic inspiration, but also for the avoidance of evil spirits and disasters. The practice is based upon an ancient folktale. It is said that long
ago there appeared a plague devil in the Ruhe River. People lay down and died wherever it came up. A boy named Heng Jing swore to
help his neighbors and fellow people to get rid of it. He visited many famous mountains to seek a powerful master. Finally an old Taoist
took him in and taught him how to defeat the devil. Heng Jing put his whole heart into study and practice. One day, the Taoist called Heng
Jing before him and said, 'Heng Jing, tomorrow is the 9th day of September and the devil will reappear. It is time for you to go home and
stop the devil. The master gave him a pack of cornus leaves and a jar of chrysanthemums soaked in liquor. Riding a crane, Heng Jing
went a great distance back home in a day. As instructed by his master, he told his fellow villagers to climb up the nearby mountain with a
Cornus leaf pinned to their clothes and a glass of chrysanthemum liquor in their hand. When the plague devil came up from under the
water, it was made dizzy by the scent of cornus and chrysanthemums. Heng Jing fought with his master's sword and killed the devil after a
few rounds. People held parties and drank chrysanthemum liquor to celebrate. The next year, the custom of mountain climbing was begun
by the villagers and over time, the tradition of a special cake with dates, chestnuts, and meat, was added to make the day more festive.
In golden September the chrysanthemum blooms reminding people of the folktale. As the number nine is regarded as being auspicious,
feasts, ascending a height, a walk in the country, and flying kites on the hill, are part of the day’s celebration. People believe participating
will bring good luck.
The 9th day of September in the Chinese lunar calendar is the Chong Yang Festival and is a happy occasion in
autumn. According to the traditional theory of Yin and Yang, both the 9th month and the 9th day of the month
belong to Yang, which means positive and masculine. Chong means double, thus the day is called Chong Yang.
It is on Friday October 19th this year. During Chong Yang, Chinese people often gather for a party, appreciate
chrysanthemums, and pin cornus (Shan Zhu Yu) leaves on their clothes. Climbing mountains and eating a
special cake are also features of the day. In addition, some Chinese people go to the hillsides to tend their
ancestors’ graves and make sacrifices of special paper money and paper winter clothing, after which a picnic is
held.
The custom of climbing mountains on the day of Chong Yang can be dated back as early as the West Han
Dynasty. Some old travel notes have it that people climbed to mountain peaks not only for beautiful scenes and
poetic inspiration, but also for the avoidance of evil spirits and disasters. The practice is based upon an ancient folktale. It is said that long
ago there appeared a plague devil in the Ruhe River. People lay down and died wherever it came up. A boy named Heng Jing swore to
help his neighbors and fellow people to get rid of it. He visited many famous mountains to seek a powerful master. Finally an old Taoist
took him in and taught him how to defeat the devil. Heng Jing put his whole heart into study and practice. One day, the Taoist called Heng
Jing before him and said, 'Heng Jing, tomorrow is the 9th day of September and the devil will reappear. It is time for you to go home and
stop the devil. The master gave him a pack of cornus leaves and a jar of chrysanthemums soaked in liquor. Riding a crane, Heng Jing
went a great distance back home in a day. As instructed by his master, he told his fellow villagers to climb up the nearby mountain with a
Cornus leaf pinned to their clothes and a glass of chrysanthemum liquor in their hand. When the plague devil came up from under the
water, it was made dizzy by the scent of cornus and chrysanthemums. Heng Jing fought with his master's sword and killed the devil after a
few rounds. People held parties and drank chrysanthemum liquor to celebrate. The next year, the custom of mountain climbing was begun
by the villagers and over time, the tradition of a special cake with dates, chestnuts, and meat, was added to make the day more festive.
In golden September the chrysanthemum blooms reminding people of the folktale. As the number nine is regarded as being auspicious,
feasts, ascending a height, a walk in the country, and flying kites on the hill, are part of the day’s celebration. People believe participating
will bring good luck.
Red Wine Ingredient -- Resveratrol -- Fights Diabetes In Mice
Science Daily — Even relatively low doses of resveratrol--a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red
wine--can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a new report. As insulin resistance
is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings
"provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating" both conditions, the researchers said.
The research group also confirmed that increased levels of an enzyme called SIRT1, which earlier studies had
linked to longevity, DNA repair, and insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity in mice. Resveratrol is known to
activate the SIRT1 enzyme.
The results suggest that "red wine might have some benefits for insulin sensitivity, but it needs to be confirmed
by further investigation," said Qiwei Zhai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Given the potential complications
of drinking alcohol, "an even better option may be to find other natural foods enriched with resveratrol or foods
supplemented with resveratrol," he added, noting that the chemical is also an active ingredient in other plants,
including one called Polygonum cuspidatum (Hu Zhang) used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.
Diabetes mellitus, the most common endocrine disorder, currently affects more than 170 million people
worldwide and is expected to affect more than 353 million by the year 2030, Zhai said. Type 2 diabetes, which
accounts for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases, is characterized by the resistance of body tissues to
stimulation by the peptide hormone insulin. Insulin normally lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the
sugar's uptake, mainly into skeletal muscle and fat tissue, and by inhibiting glucose production in the liver.
Currently, alleviating insulin resistance is still one of the key avenues to treating type 2 diabetes.
Earlier studies had reported a connection between SIRT1 and the processes of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. However,
whether SIRT1 was directly involved in insulin sensitivity remained largely unknown, the researchers said.
Now, the researchers report that SIRT1 levels are reduced in insulin-resistant cells and tissues and that treatments that block the
enzyme's function lead to insulin resistance. Furthermore, increased SIRT1 activity improved insulin sensitivity. Similarly, resveratrol--at a
dose of just 2.5 mg/kg/day--enhanced insulin sensitivity in cells. That low dose of resveratrol also reduced insulin resistance in animals
fed a high-fat diet, the researchers showed.
Reference: Sun et al.: "SIRT1 Improves Insulin Sensitivity under Insulin-Resistant Conditions by Repressing PTP1B." Publishing in Cell
Metabolism 6, 307--319, October 2007.
Science Daily — Even relatively low doses of resveratrol--a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red
wine--can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a new report. As insulin resistance
is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings
"provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating" both conditions, the researchers said.
The research group also confirmed that increased levels of an enzyme called SIRT1, which earlier studies had
linked to longevity, DNA repair, and insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity in mice. Resveratrol is known to
activate the SIRT1 enzyme.
The results suggest that "red wine might have some benefits for insulin sensitivity, but it needs to be confirmed
by further investigation," said Qiwei Zhai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Given the potential complications
of drinking alcohol, "an even better option may be to find other natural foods enriched with resveratrol or foods
supplemented with resveratrol," he added, noting that the chemical is also an active ingredient in other plants,
including one called Polygonum cuspidatum (Hu Zhang) used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.
Diabetes mellitus, the most common endocrine disorder, currently affects more than 170 million people
worldwide and is expected to affect more than 353 million by the year 2030, Zhai said. Type 2 diabetes, which
accounts for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases, is characterized by the resistance of body tissues to
stimulation by the peptide hormone insulin. Insulin normally lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the
sugar's uptake, mainly into skeletal muscle and fat tissue, and by inhibiting glucose production in the liver.
Currently, alleviating insulin resistance is still one of the key avenues to treating type 2 diabetes.
Earlier studies had reported a connection between SIRT1 and the processes of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. However,
whether SIRT1 was directly involved in insulin sensitivity remained largely unknown, the researchers said.
Now, the researchers report that SIRT1 levels are reduced in insulin-resistant cells and tissues and that treatments that block the
enzyme's function lead to insulin resistance. Furthermore, increased SIRT1 activity improved insulin sensitivity. Similarly, resveratrol--at a
dose of just 2.5 mg/kg/day--enhanced insulin sensitivity in cells. That low dose of resveratrol also reduced insulin resistance in animals
fed a high-fat diet, the researchers showed.
Reference: Sun et al.: "SIRT1 Improves Insulin Sensitivity under Insulin-Resistant Conditions by Repressing PTP1B." Publishing in Cell
Metabolism 6, 307--319, October 2007.
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CONTENTS
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Magnesium - The Fibromyalgia Connection
By Heidi Whitaker
A magnesium deficiency is considered to be one of the most common, but treatable, causes of disease. An
estimated 72% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Low magnesium levels are associated with
several autoimmune disorders including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon,
and asthma. Reduced levels are also thought to be the reason for muscle pain in SLE (Lupus) patients.
A magnesium deficiency is connected to a host of other health conditions including: migraines, heart disease, mitral
valve prolapse, sleep disturbances, over-sensitivity to light and noise, autism, depression, anxiety, PMS, and kidney
stones. Insufficient magnesium causes an increase in a body chemical called substance P, which is responsible for
pain perception. In other words, you will hurt more if you don’t have enough magnesium. (Fibromyalgia sufferers have on average three
times more Substance P than normal.)
Magnesium is involved in thyroid production and protein synthesis. Magnesium is also necessary in the production of stomach acid and
digestive enzymes, which are deficient in people with autoimmune disease. It is a powerful weapon in the autoimmune protection arsenal
because magnesium can reduce inflammation.
In a six month 1995 study, patients with Fibromyalgia were given a daily dose of 200 mg of malic acid and 50 mg of magnesium. Patients
who participated showed significant reduction in pain and tenderness. Since the study, the magnesium/malic acid combination has
become controversial. Some practitioners believe that over time, the malic acid will do more harm than good.
Many factors can deplete magnesium in the body. Consuming sugar, starchy foods, and the seasoning monosodium glutamate (MSG) will
deplete your body of magnesium. More contributing factors to magnesium deficiency are stress, mercury, and sleep deprivation. Vitamin B
deficiencies, especially B12, can lead to the inability of the body to utilize magnesium, even when it is getting adequate amounts.
Surprisingly enough, even loud noises can decrease magnesium availability, so turn the radio down.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400mg. Dietary sources of magnesium include whole grains, nuts, seeds,
cocoa, green vegetables, seafood, brown rice, and kidney and lima beans.
While this mineral is no cure-all by any means, magnesium has been shown to relieve muscle pain and fatigue in individuals with
Fibromyalgia. This fact alone makes giving magnesium worth a try.
Heidi Whitaker is an author, herbalist, health coach and popular speaker on the subject of autoimmunity. She co-founded http://www.
HealthyDivas.com, a resource center for those with autoimmune disease looking for help and answers. Heidi has given hope to many with
fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, arthritis, Chrohn's, and other autoimmune diseases.
By Heidi Whitaker
A magnesium deficiency is considered to be one of the most common, but treatable, causes of disease. An
estimated 72% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Low magnesium levels are associated with
several autoimmune disorders including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon,
and asthma. Reduced levels are also thought to be the reason for muscle pain in SLE (Lupus) patients.
A magnesium deficiency is connected to a host of other health conditions including: migraines, heart disease, mitral
valve prolapse, sleep disturbances, over-sensitivity to light and noise, autism, depression, anxiety, PMS, and kidney
stones. Insufficient magnesium causes an increase in a body chemical called substance P, which is responsible for
pain perception. In other words, you will hurt more if you don’t have enough magnesium. (Fibromyalgia sufferers have on average three
times more Substance P than normal.)
Magnesium is involved in thyroid production and protein synthesis. Magnesium is also necessary in the production of stomach acid and
digestive enzymes, which are deficient in people with autoimmune disease. It is a powerful weapon in the autoimmune protection arsenal
because magnesium can reduce inflammation.
In a six month 1995 study, patients with Fibromyalgia were given a daily dose of 200 mg of malic acid and 50 mg of magnesium. Patients
who participated showed significant reduction in pain and tenderness. Since the study, the magnesium/malic acid combination has
become controversial. Some practitioners believe that over time, the malic acid will do more harm than good.
Many factors can deplete magnesium in the body. Consuming sugar, starchy foods, and the seasoning monosodium glutamate (MSG) will
deplete your body of magnesium. More contributing factors to magnesium deficiency are stress, mercury, and sleep deprivation. Vitamin B
deficiencies, especially B12, can lead to the inability of the body to utilize magnesium, even when it is getting adequate amounts.
Surprisingly enough, even loud noises can decrease magnesium availability, so turn the radio down.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400mg. Dietary sources of magnesium include whole grains, nuts, seeds,
cocoa, green vegetables, seafood, brown rice, and kidney and lima beans.
While this mineral is no cure-all by any means, magnesium has been shown to relieve muscle pain and fatigue in individuals with
Fibromyalgia. This fact alone makes giving magnesium worth a try.
Heidi Whitaker is an author, herbalist, health coach and popular speaker on the subject of autoimmunity. She co-founded http://www.
HealthyDivas.com, a resource center for those with autoimmune disease looking for help and answers. Heidi has given hope to many with
fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, arthritis, Chrohn's, and other autoimmune diseases.
Hu Zhang
Sour date seed (Suan Zao Ren) for improving mood, sleep, and chronic pain.
to produce sedative effects. However, these western medicines often cause drug-dependence and patients’
symptoms often reappear when they stop taking them.
Many Chinese herbs and herbal formulas are used for calming disturbed “shen”, i.e. to reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and to improve
sleep. Among them, sour date seed (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Ziziphus Jujuba Spinosa), or "Suan Zao Ren", is believed to be one of the
best herbs in the TCM repertoire for calming disturbed "shen" when symptoms of nervous exhaustion, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia are
present. Sour date (Suan Zao) is an oblong and very sour fruit of a wild shrub. The seeds of the sour date contain chemical ingredients
such as betulic acid, betulin, jujubosides, jujubogenin, ebelin lactone, daucosterol, ceanothic acid, alphitolic acid, swertisin, zivulgarin,
spinosin, ferulic acid, and phytosterol. Of these compounds, spinosin is found to be the major effective sour date seed constituent that
produces sedation and hypnosis. Sour date seed has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure, relax tightened muscles, prevent
convulsions, restore energy, and alleviate pain.
Clinically in TCM, sour date seed is often used to relieve different types of chronic pain such as headaches, neuropathic, back, muscle, and
visceral pain. It is particularly useful for coping with pain at night. However, sour date seed is less effective for acute pain. The therapeutic
effects of sour date seed in the relief of chronic pain probably take place indirectly through its effect on the central nervous system which
leads to improved mood and sleep. The use of sour date alone may not be sufficient to relieve severe pain. A combination of it (or its
formulas) with other pain medications such as a topical pain relief cream can produce synergistic actions that achieve desirable pain relief
effects.
Sour date seed can be used alone or with other herbs. Suan zao ren tang (Zizyphus Decoction) is one of the most often used TCM
formulas. This formula was originally created by Dr. Chang Chung-Ching in 220 A.D, and described in his late Han dynasty work, Jin Gui
Yao Lue (“Essentials from the Golden Cabinet”). It addresses blood deficiency patterns and yin deficient symptoms including weakness
and anxiety, depression, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, night sweats, excessive dreaming, palpitations, and weak memory.
Ashi NerveCalm is a more recent sour date seed containing formula developed by Ashi Research to help improve sleep and mood for
patients with or without chronic pain.
- Stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia are very common in western society today. These
are called “shen” (spirit) disturbances in Chinese medicine and are considered disorders of
the central nervous system in western medicine. These disorders consume the vital energy
of the body, cause the deterioration of general health, speed aging, and create a low quality
of life. Stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia are also commonly associated with chronic
pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraine and low back pain. In fact, chronic pain
conditions are often the direct cause of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. These
central nervous system disorders can, in turn, make chronic pain worse. Understanding this
negative relationship can help clinical treatment of both chronic pain and CNS disorders.
For example, medicines that help improve sleep and the mood of patients can be very helpful
to produce sedative effects. However, these western medicines often cause drug-dependence and patients’
symptoms often reappear when they stop taking them.
Many Chinese herbs and herbal formulas are used for calming disturbed “shen”, i.e. to reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and to improve
sleep. Among them, sour date seed (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Ziziphus Jujuba Spinosa), or "Suan Zao Ren", is believed to be one of the
best herbs in the TCM repertoire for calming disturbed "shen" when symptoms of nervous exhaustion, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia are
present. Sour date (Suan Zao) is an oblong and very sour fruit of a wild shrub. The seeds of the sour date contain chemical ingredients
such as betulic acid, betulin, jujubosides, jujubogenin, ebelin lactone, daucosterol, ceanothic acid, alphitolic acid, swertisin, zivulgarin,
spinosin, ferulic acid, and phytosterol. Of these compounds, spinosin is found to be the major effective sour date seed constituent that
produces sedation and hypnosis. Sour date seed has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure, relax tightened muscles, prevent
convulsions, restore energy, and alleviate pain.
Clinically in TCM, sour date seed is often used to relieve different types of chronic pain such as headaches, neuropathic, back, muscle, and
visceral pain. It is particularly useful for coping with pain at night. However, sour date seed is less effective for acute pain. The therapeutic
effects of sour date seed in the relief of chronic pain probably take place indirectly through its effect on the central nervous system which
leads to improved mood and sleep. The use of sour date alone may not be sufficient to relieve severe pain. A combination of it (or its
formulas) with other pain medications such as a topical pain relief cream can produce synergistic actions that achieve desirable pain relief
effects.
Sour date seed can be used alone or with other herbs. Suan zao ren tang (Zizyphus Decoction) is one of the most often used TCM
formulas. This formula was originally created by Dr. Chang Chung-Ching in 220 A.D, and described in his late Han dynasty work, Jin Gui
Yao Lue (“Essentials from the Golden Cabinet”). It addresses blood deficiency patterns and yin deficient symptoms including weakness
and anxiety, depression, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, night sweats, excessive dreaming, palpitations, and weak memory.
Ashi NerveCalm is a more recent sour date seed containing formula developed by Ashi Research to help improve sleep and mood for
patients with or without chronic pain.
Suan Zao
