Middle Autumn Festival (Chinese Moon Day, September 14th, 2008)
The 15th of the eighth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar, is the date for the traditional Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival. The reason for celebrating the festival at this time is that the moon is the fullest and the
brightest in a year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the two most important occasions in Chinese calendar (the other being the
Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year). It is an official holiday, and is the time for families to be together.
People who are far from home will gaze longingly at the moon and think about their families.
The traditional food for Mid-Autumn Festival is the moon cake, a round sweet cake that symbolizes family reunion.
Celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history. In ancient time, emperors of China had the tradition of worshiping the Sun in spring,
and the Moon in autumn. The word "Mid-Autumn" first appeared in the famous ancient book "Zhou Li" (The Zhou Rituals, a book telling the
rituals in the Zhou Dynasty). However, it was until the early Tang Dynasty that the day of Mid-Autumn was officially celebrated as a traditional
festival. It became an established festival during the Song Dynasty, and has become as popular as the Spring Festival since the Ming and
Qing Dynasties. Celebrations have continued ever since and more customs for marking this occasion have been formed.
Chang'e Flying to the Moon - a Legend of Mid-autumn Festival
Almost every traditional Chinese festival has a connection with legends. The most well-known story of the
Mid-Autumn Festival is Chang'e flying to the moon. This story has been passed down from generations to
generations alongside the celebrations of the festival itself. Today for young children, listening to the story is still
an important part of their way to celebrate the Moon Festival.
It is said that long ago there used to be 10 suns in the sky. Each day, one of the suns would travel around the sky
on a carriage driven by Xihe, the mother of the suns. One day, unexpectedly, all 10 suns simultaneously appeared
in the sky, which instantly dried the crops and caused disaster to the people on earth. Hou Yi, a local archer, had
great sympathy for people's sufferings from the blistering weather and decided to help them out. Houyi climbed up to the summit of Kunlun
Mountains and shot down the suns leaving only one to benefit people. After he shot down the sun, Hou Yi became a hero who was revered
by local people.
Later, Hou Yi married a beautiful girl—Chang'e. The young couple lived a happy and sweet life.
Hou Yi was so famous for his perfect archery skills that he had a lot of apprentices, including the unrighteous Peng Meng. One day when
Hou Yi was on the way to visit his friend, the Queen Mother of the West gave him an elixir of immortality as a reward for his heroic
undertaking. Meanwhile, he warned Hou Yi "Do not swallow this pill before preparing yourself with prayer and fasting for a year". Hou Yi
gave the elixir to Chang'e for safekeeping and she took it as a treasure and hid it in her jewelry box. Unfortunately, Peng Meng found this
secret and made a plan to steal it. Several days later, when Hou Yi and other apprentices went out for hunting, Peng pretended to fall ill and
stayed at home. After they left, Peng forced Chang'e to give him the elixir. Chang'e, knowing that she could not defeat Peng, swallowed the
elixir herself, and immediately she felt herself floating up and flied to the sky. With deep love to her husband, Chang'e chose to be an
immortal on the moon, closest to the earth; then she could see her husband every day.
In late afternoon, Hou Yi came back and was told what had happened. Heart-stricken, Hou Yi went to the back garden and called his wife's
name ceaselessly. Surprisingly, he found that the moon was extremely clean and bright that night; and that there was a moving figure like
Chang'e in the moon. Hou Yi desperately tried to catch up with the moon, but he could not do it. Hou Yi then asked servants to set a table in
his back garden and with his wife's favorite snacks and fruits on it. In a short time, more and more people heard about the news that
Chang'e had become an immortal, and they also put tables under the moon to pray to Chang'e for good fortune and safety. From then on,
the custom of worshipping the moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival began to spread in China.
The 15th of the eighth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar, is the date for the traditional Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival. The reason for celebrating the festival at this time is that the moon is the fullest and the
brightest in a year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the two most important occasions in Chinese calendar (the other being the
Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year). It is an official holiday, and is the time for families to be together.
People who are far from home will gaze longingly at the moon and think about their families.
The traditional food for Mid-Autumn Festival is the moon cake, a round sweet cake that symbolizes family reunion.
Celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival has a long history. In ancient time, emperors of China had the tradition of worshiping the Sun in spring,
and the Moon in autumn. The word "Mid-Autumn" first appeared in the famous ancient book "Zhou Li" (The Zhou Rituals, a book telling the
rituals in the Zhou Dynasty). However, it was until the early Tang Dynasty that the day of Mid-Autumn was officially celebrated as a traditional
festival. It became an established festival during the Song Dynasty, and has become as popular as the Spring Festival since the Ming and
Qing Dynasties. Celebrations have continued ever since and more customs for marking this occasion have been formed.
Chang'e Flying to the Moon - a Legend of Mid-autumn Festival
Almost every traditional Chinese festival has a connection with legends. The most well-known story of the
Mid-Autumn Festival is Chang'e flying to the moon. This story has been passed down from generations to
generations alongside the celebrations of the festival itself. Today for young children, listening to the story is still
an important part of their way to celebrate the Moon Festival.
It is said that long ago there used to be 10 suns in the sky. Each day, one of the suns would travel around the sky
on a carriage driven by Xihe, the mother of the suns. One day, unexpectedly, all 10 suns simultaneously appeared
in the sky, which instantly dried the crops and caused disaster to the people on earth. Hou Yi, a local archer, had
great sympathy for people's sufferings from the blistering weather and decided to help them out. Houyi climbed up to the summit of Kunlun
Mountains and shot down the suns leaving only one to benefit people. After he shot down the sun, Hou Yi became a hero who was revered
by local people.
Later, Hou Yi married a beautiful girl—Chang'e. The young couple lived a happy and sweet life.
Hou Yi was so famous for his perfect archery skills that he had a lot of apprentices, including the unrighteous Peng Meng. One day when
Hou Yi was on the way to visit his friend, the Queen Mother of the West gave him an elixir of immortality as a reward for his heroic
undertaking. Meanwhile, he warned Hou Yi "Do not swallow this pill before preparing yourself with prayer and fasting for a year". Hou Yi
gave the elixir to Chang'e for safekeeping and she took it as a treasure and hid it in her jewelry box. Unfortunately, Peng Meng found this
secret and made a plan to steal it. Several days later, when Hou Yi and other apprentices went out for hunting, Peng pretended to fall ill and
stayed at home. After they left, Peng forced Chang'e to give him the elixir. Chang'e, knowing that she could not defeat Peng, swallowed the
elixir herself, and immediately she felt herself floating up and flied to the sky. With deep love to her husband, Chang'e chose to be an
immortal on the moon, closest to the earth; then she could see her husband every day.
In late afternoon, Hou Yi came back and was told what had happened. Heart-stricken, Hou Yi went to the back garden and called his wife's
name ceaselessly. Surprisingly, he found that the moon was extremely clean and bright that night; and that there was a moving figure like
Chang'e in the moon. Hou Yi desperately tried to catch up with the moon, but he could not do it. Hou Yi then asked servants to set a table in
his back garden and with his wife's favorite snacks and fruits on it. In a short time, more and more people heard about the news that
Chang'e had become an immortal, and they also put tables under the moon to pray to Chang'e for good fortune and safety. From then on,
the custom of worshipping the moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival began to spread in China.
| Professional Edition Volume 2 Issue 9 September 13, 2008 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
Acupuncture May Hold Promise For Women With Hormone Disorder Who Experience Fertility Challenges
ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2008) — Getting pregnant with her first child was difficult, but when Rebecca
Killmeyer of Charlottesville, Va. experienced a miscarriage during her second pregnancy, she wasn't
sure if she would ever have another baby. When she decided to enter a study testing the impact of
acupuncture on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at the University of Virginia Health System,
she came out with a miracle.
"To our great surprise we were blessed with a third pregnancy during the PCOS study," said Killmeyer.
"I'm absolutely certain the acupuncture treatments helped me ovulate regularly, which allowed me to
become pregnant."
Lisa Pastore, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UVA Health System and principle
researcher of the study, was hoping for results like this. Her goal has been to help women with PCOS
have regular menstrual cycles. PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance, interfering with ovulation and
ultimately, fertility. With several women in the study reporting pregnancies, Pastore believes that
acupuncture could be an important alternative, non-drug therapy for women with this disorder.
"Over the last year we have seen women who never had a regular menstrual cycle start having regular periods. We can also boast several
pregnancies since the study began," said Pastore. "Now we would like to recruit more people to the study in order to complete the study. It
is important for research to have enough participants to ensure that the results are scientifically credible and not due to chance."
Scared and skeptical was how Killmeyer described her initial feelings towards the experimental treatment, but soon her worries gave way
to relaxation.
"When I saw those tiny little needles coming at me I thought to myself, 'I didn't sign up for this!' but I tried it and after a few minutes I was
asleep on the table," Killmeyer said. "The sessions were completely refreshing after awhile."
Killmeyer learned of her PCOS in 2005. Over the past five years she did not have regular, monthly periods. One month after she started
acupuncture treatments she got a period and for the next three months, they continued.
"I had finished all my acupuncture treatments and was in the end stages of the study when I became pregnant," Killmeyer said. "We had
already scheduled our follow-up appt with our fertility doctors when we found out we were pregnant."
Five percent of reproductive age women are affected by PCOS. Symptoms of PCOS can include small cysts on their ovaries, infrequent or
irregular vaginal bleeding, male-pattern hair growth, and acne. Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes also can develop.
While there are many traditional drugs and therapies that manage this syndrome, this research is assessing whether acupuncture can be
successful in regulating hormones and curing the symptoms of PCOS.
Adapted from materials provided by University of Virginia Health System
ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2008) — Getting pregnant with her first child was difficult, but when Rebecca
Killmeyer of Charlottesville, Va. experienced a miscarriage during her second pregnancy, she wasn't
sure if she would ever have another baby. When she decided to enter a study testing the impact of
acupuncture on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at the University of Virginia Health System,
she came out with a miracle.
"To our great surprise we were blessed with a third pregnancy during the PCOS study," said Killmeyer.
"I'm absolutely certain the acupuncture treatments helped me ovulate regularly, which allowed me to
become pregnant."
Lisa Pastore, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UVA Health System and principle
researcher of the study, was hoping for results like this. Her goal has been to help women with PCOS
have regular menstrual cycles. PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance, interfering with ovulation and
ultimately, fertility. With several women in the study reporting pregnancies, Pastore believes that
acupuncture could be an important alternative, non-drug therapy for women with this disorder.
"Over the last year we have seen women who never had a regular menstrual cycle start having regular periods. We can also boast several
pregnancies since the study began," said Pastore. "Now we would like to recruit more people to the study in order to complete the study. It
is important for research to have enough participants to ensure that the results are scientifically credible and not due to chance."
Scared and skeptical was how Killmeyer described her initial feelings towards the experimental treatment, but soon her worries gave way
to relaxation.
"When I saw those tiny little needles coming at me I thought to myself, 'I didn't sign up for this!' but I tried it and after a few minutes I was
asleep on the table," Killmeyer said. "The sessions were completely refreshing after awhile."
Killmeyer learned of her PCOS in 2005. Over the past five years she did not have regular, monthly periods. One month after she started
acupuncture treatments she got a period and for the next three months, they continued.
"I had finished all my acupuncture treatments and was in the end stages of the study when I became pregnant," Killmeyer said. "We had
already scheduled our follow-up appt with our fertility doctors when we found out we were pregnant."
Five percent of reproductive age women are affected by PCOS. Symptoms of PCOS can include small cysts on their ovaries, infrequent or
irregular vaginal bleeding, male-pattern hair growth, and acne. Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes also can develop.
While there are many traditional drugs and therapies that manage this syndrome, this research is assessing whether acupuncture can be
successful in regulating hormones and curing the symptoms of PCOS.
Adapted from materials provided by University of Virginia Health System
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Licorice: The Peacemaker
By Beth Netter, M.D.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza globra, Gan Cao) has been used for centuries as an endocrine gland tonic, gastrointestinal
supporter, and sweetener for herbal remedies. Hippocrates called it glukos riza or sweet root. Licorice contains
many nutrients including isoflavones, lignans, calcium, choline, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus,
potassium, selenium, zinc, silicon, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C. It is considered to have anti-inflammatory,
anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-allergy effects.
Licorice has estrogenic and steroidal properties that, by balancing estrogen/progesterone (hormone) levels,
seems to help some women regulate symptoms of severe PMS and menopause. It is an adrenal gland tonic
with cortisol-like activity.
One of the potential side effects of licorice may be high blood pressure. This is due to high levels of
glycerheticinic acid in licorice, the effects of which can be similar to the adrenal hormone ACTH (thus leading to the retention of sodium and
potassium and a following rise in blood pressure). Fortunately there are now supplements which are made from deglycyrrhized licorice
(DGL) that carry the same healing properties as the pure licorice form.
Licorice has been used to help soothe ulcers, cleanse and tonify the liver, and alleviate spasm, stress, and inflammation in the
gastrointestinal tract. It is often prescribed as part of Chinese herbal formulas, and is called the “peacemaker” by Chinese physicians. The
ulcer soothing effects were discovered by chance. People who were taking a cough syrup made from licorice root that had been extracted
and boiled down to a thick syrup soon discovered that their ulcers had healed! This was probably due to the high mucilage content of
licorice root. It is still considered to be a potent expectorant. Licorice also tonifies the upper and lower gastroesophageal sphincters which
can help alleviate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
It is helpful to note that “licorice candy” is often made from anise and thus does not carry the same health-promoting effects as the licorice
discussed here. (Plus, pro-inflammatory sugar is added to most candy).
Again, because of the potential side effects of pure licorice, it is best to use it carefully or not at all if pregnant or if you have a history of high
blood pressure, cardiac disease or cardiac arrhythmias. I believe the DGL or deglycyrrhized form would most likely be safe for most people.
Licorice as a medicine can be taken as a chewable tablet, tincture, or licorice paste can be made into a stomach-soothing tea. You can find
out more by consulting with an herbalist, holistic/integrative medicine practitioner, or naturopathic physician.
Note: This material is provided for informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. Beth Netter, M.D. is a holistic
physician, meditation teacher, and Reiki master healer and teacher who practices at The Center for Integrative Health and Healing in
Delmar, NY.
By Beth Netter, M.D.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza globra, Gan Cao) has been used for centuries as an endocrine gland tonic, gastrointestinal
supporter, and sweetener for herbal remedies. Hippocrates called it glukos riza or sweet root. Licorice contains
many nutrients including isoflavones, lignans, calcium, choline, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus,
potassium, selenium, zinc, silicon, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C. It is considered to have anti-inflammatory,
anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-allergy effects.
Licorice has estrogenic and steroidal properties that, by balancing estrogen/progesterone (hormone) levels,
seems to help some women regulate symptoms of severe PMS and menopause. It is an adrenal gland tonic
with cortisol-like activity.
One of the potential side effects of licorice may be high blood pressure. This is due to high levels of
glycerheticinic acid in licorice, the effects of which can be similar to the adrenal hormone ACTH (thus leading to the retention of sodium and
potassium and a following rise in blood pressure). Fortunately there are now supplements which are made from deglycyrrhized licorice
(DGL) that carry the same healing properties as the pure licorice form.
Licorice has been used to help soothe ulcers, cleanse and tonify the liver, and alleviate spasm, stress, and inflammation in the
gastrointestinal tract. It is often prescribed as part of Chinese herbal formulas, and is called the “peacemaker” by Chinese physicians. The
ulcer soothing effects were discovered by chance. People who were taking a cough syrup made from licorice root that had been extracted
and boiled down to a thick syrup soon discovered that their ulcers had healed! This was probably due to the high mucilage content of
licorice root. It is still considered to be a potent expectorant. Licorice also tonifies the upper and lower gastroesophageal sphincters which
can help alleviate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
It is helpful to note that “licorice candy” is often made from anise and thus does not carry the same health-promoting effects as the licorice
discussed here. (Plus, pro-inflammatory sugar is added to most candy).
Again, because of the potential side effects of pure licorice, it is best to use it carefully or not at all if pregnant or if you have a history of high
blood pressure, cardiac disease or cardiac arrhythmias. I believe the DGL or deglycyrrhized form would most likely be safe for most people.
Licorice as a medicine can be taken as a chewable tablet, tincture, or licorice paste can be made into a stomach-soothing tea. You can find
out more by consulting with an herbalist, holistic/integrative medicine practitioner, or naturopathic physician.
Note: This material is provided for informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. Beth Netter, M.D. is a holistic
physician, meditation teacher, and Reiki master healer and teacher who practices at The Center for Integrative Health and Healing in
Delmar, NY.
Painkiller on Your Kitchen Shelf
By Rajen M.
The powerful painkiller that Mother Nature produces may be sitting in your kitchen cabinet. In fact, you probably
ate it in the last 24 hours as part of your meal.
It should come as no surprise that it is called "living gold" or "Mother nature's gold". It is more commonly
called Indian saffron, haridra or jiang huang. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) consists of more than 100 species
and over 30 varieties of a cylindrical tuber (rhizome) with orange- coloured flesh. It is related to ginger. The botanical name is Zingiber
officinale and is also commonly known as Curcuma domestica. It is sometime called "Chinese ginger".
The intensity of its yellow-orange colour and fragrant, earthy aroma depends on the plant's maturity at harvest, the more mature the better.
The Ancient Indian culture prizes turmeric more - far more - than just "a spice". Sure, it has a distinctive flavour and a gorgeous yellow
colouring. Ancient Indian culture values it for its ability to attract good luck, robust, vital health and beauty. Ayuvedic medicine long ago knew
and used this spice for its most amazing anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving powers.
In India, turmeric sits on every kitchen shelf of every household, according to Vasant Lad, an Indian trained practitioner of Ayurvedic
medicine, in the United States. "It is our daily spice. But there's more than seasoning behind this reasoning!"
Turmeric is a powerful, anti-inflammatory agent, useful for any disorder or condition that is accompanied by inflammation, as the ancient
Hindi physicians recognised. Taken orally, turmeric inhibits the response of the body to inflammatory agents both directly and indirectly, by
stimulating production of natural corticosteroids from the adrenal glands, "sensitising" cortisone receptor sites on cells, and preventing the
breakdown of cortisol. In fact, curcumin has been found to be every bit as effective as the pharmaceutical drugs cortisone and
phenylbutazone in clinical trials.
Unlike anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, curcumin has no known side effects. Rated by the editors of Time-Life Books (The Alternative
Advisor, 1997) as one of the 75 most effective herbs, the authors cite a baker's dozen medical applications for the spice, including many of
the Ayurvedic applications.
Turmeric is found not only in Ayurvedic medicine but also Siddha, Unani and other traditional medicine from the Indian sub continent. In
fact, it is also part of Chinese medicine and has even made its way to the Middle east where is has become part of Islamic medicine and
was recommended by the Holy Prophet himself.
While it has many medicinal uses, perhaps its greatest potential lies in its ability to reduce inflammation due to osteoarthritis -- those
everyday aches and pains in the joints that affect more than 12.1 per cent of the American population. In other words, more than 21 million
Americans above 25 years are affected with some degree of arthritis.
And in this modern world where painkillers are being withdrawn due to unacceptable side effects, many people are more attuned than ever
to the potential deadly side-effects of prescription drugs. That means more people than ever before are searching for more natural
solutions to the constant joint pain of arthritis.
A 1997 study in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry showed that turmeric along with capsaicin (from red pepper) lowered inflammation in
rats' paws. Other studies have been done on inflammation not related to joints; one of the studies involved rats, and another involved
surgery patients with post-operative inflammation. Both the studies showed that turmeric reduced inflammation as powerfully as the drug
phenylbutazone.
While preparing this article, I spoke to Professor Mark Blumenthal who is the founder of the American Botanical Council that has done
much work on this herb. "It is wonderful herb" he said. The evidence he cited was that the herb is found and used by practically every culture
in the world. "The Asian, Middle Easterns, African were way ahead with this herb." In fact, the Europeans may have been the last to catch on.
But They are catching on big.
The herb has been used in clinical trials. All the clinical trials point to one thing - you need to get 1,200 mg of turmeric extract before you get
the needed blood levels to influence pain and inflammation positively. Therein lies a big problem as tumeric is a huge molecule that is very
poorly soluble and hence poorly absorbed. In fact, less than 1 per cent gets absorbed. Thus, you need to get cupfuls to get the required
blood levels.
However, new technology from a Belgian university has now enhanced this absorption by 1,000 times. Thus, it is almost like an injection.
You get the blood levels that are needed to reduce pain and swelling with just one capsule taken orally.
Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine.
By Rajen M.
The powerful painkiller that Mother Nature produces may be sitting in your kitchen cabinet. In fact, you probably
ate it in the last 24 hours as part of your meal.
It should come as no surprise that it is called "living gold" or "Mother nature's gold". It is more commonly
called Indian saffron, haridra or jiang huang. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) consists of more than 100 species
and over 30 varieties of a cylindrical tuber (rhizome) with orange- coloured flesh. It is related to ginger. The botanical name is Zingiber
officinale and is also commonly known as Curcuma domestica. It is sometime called "Chinese ginger".
The intensity of its yellow-orange colour and fragrant, earthy aroma depends on the plant's maturity at harvest, the more mature the better.
The Ancient Indian culture prizes turmeric more - far more - than just "a spice". Sure, it has a distinctive flavour and a gorgeous yellow
colouring. Ancient Indian culture values it for its ability to attract good luck, robust, vital health and beauty. Ayuvedic medicine long ago knew
and used this spice for its most amazing anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving powers.
In India, turmeric sits on every kitchen shelf of every household, according to Vasant Lad, an Indian trained practitioner of Ayurvedic
medicine, in the United States. "It is our daily spice. But there's more than seasoning behind this reasoning!"
Turmeric is a powerful, anti-inflammatory agent, useful for any disorder or condition that is accompanied by inflammation, as the ancient
Hindi physicians recognised. Taken orally, turmeric inhibits the response of the body to inflammatory agents both directly and indirectly, by
stimulating production of natural corticosteroids from the adrenal glands, "sensitising" cortisone receptor sites on cells, and preventing the
breakdown of cortisol. In fact, curcumin has been found to be every bit as effective as the pharmaceutical drugs cortisone and
phenylbutazone in clinical trials.
Unlike anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, curcumin has no known side effects. Rated by the editors of Time-Life Books (The Alternative
Advisor, 1997) as one of the 75 most effective herbs, the authors cite a baker's dozen medical applications for the spice, including many of
the Ayurvedic applications.
Turmeric is found not only in Ayurvedic medicine but also Siddha, Unani and other traditional medicine from the Indian sub continent. In
fact, it is also part of Chinese medicine and has even made its way to the Middle east where is has become part of Islamic medicine and
was recommended by the Holy Prophet himself.
While it has many medicinal uses, perhaps its greatest potential lies in its ability to reduce inflammation due to osteoarthritis -- those
everyday aches and pains in the joints that affect more than 12.1 per cent of the American population. In other words, more than 21 million
Americans above 25 years are affected with some degree of arthritis.
And in this modern world where painkillers are being withdrawn due to unacceptable side effects, many people are more attuned than ever
to the potential deadly side-effects of prescription drugs. That means more people than ever before are searching for more natural
solutions to the constant joint pain of arthritis.
A 1997 study in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry showed that turmeric along with capsaicin (from red pepper) lowered inflammation in
rats' paws. Other studies have been done on inflammation not related to joints; one of the studies involved rats, and another involved
surgery patients with post-operative inflammation. Both the studies showed that turmeric reduced inflammation as powerfully as the drug
phenylbutazone.
While preparing this article, I spoke to Professor Mark Blumenthal who is the founder of the American Botanical Council that has done
much work on this herb. "It is wonderful herb" he said. The evidence he cited was that the herb is found and used by practically every culture
in the world. "The Asian, Middle Easterns, African were way ahead with this herb." In fact, the Europeans may have been the last to catch on.
But They are catching on big.
The herb has been used in clinical trials. All the clinical trials point to one thing - you need to get 1,200 mg of turmeric extract before you get
the needed blood levels to influence pain and inflammation positively. Therein lies a big problem as tumeric is a huge molecule that is very
poorly soluble and hence poorly absorbed. In fact, less than 1 per cent gets absorbed. Thus, you need to get cupfuls to get the required
blood levels.
However, new technology from a Belgian university has now enhanced this absorption by 1,000 times. Thus, it is almost like an injection.
You get the blood levels that are needed to reduce pain and swelling with just one capsule taken orally.
Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine.
This is a free service for posting educational events related to Chinese medicine . Contact tcm@ashi-resarch.com for the service.
