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Eight Chinese herbs that help treat hangovers.

1/25/2013

Most of us enjoy a drink now and then, often when socializing with friends and family. And when you are in Oregon, you just have to try those microbrews. While modern research shows drinking can be beneficial depending on your age, health status, and how much you drink. However, its harmfulness should not be overlook, such as alcohol abuse.

But for those socializing (“party”) drinkers, hangover is a more immediate issue. Here are eight Chinese herbs that have shown good efficacy in treating hangovers.

1. Zhi Ju Zi (Turnjujube)

Zhi Ju Zi has the ability to treat drunkenness, heat-irritability (vexation), thirst, vomiting, heat-related incontinence and constipation.

In the “South Yunnan Materica Medica” (“Diān Nán Bĕn Căo”, ~1436 CE), Zhi Ju Zi “treats all paralyzed and numbness of the limbs, rheumatism, numbness, cure alcohol-poisoning (hangover)."

2. Bai Bian Dou (Lablab, Hyacinth Bean)

Bai Bian Dou has the ability to strengthen the Spleen, transforms dampness, and eliminates summer-heat.

In the “Materica Medica Sketches” (“Bĕn Căo Tú Jīng”, ~1061 CE), Bai Bian Dou “treats vaginal discharge, also treats alcohol-poisoning (hangover) and pufferfish toxin (tetrodotoxin).”

3. Ge Gen Hua (Pueraria Flower)

Ge Gen Hua is excellent in treating hangover, wakes the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach; alleviate thirst, indicated for excessive drinking, headache, dizziness, polydipsia (excessive thirst), vomiting, bloating, fullness, and etc.

4. Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower)

Ju Hua has the ability to disperse wind-heat, sedate the Liver and brighten the eyes, and resolving toxicity.

5. Ku Shen (Flavescent Sophora Root)

Ku Shen has the ability to clear heat, and dry dampness, kill parasites and promote urination.

In the “Annotated Notes on Materica Medica” (“Bĕn Căo Jīng Shū”, ~1625 CE), Ku Shen “treats hangovers, alleviates thirst, brightens the eyes, and shows great effectiveness against swine dysentery, malnutrition, and other dysentery”.

6. Gao Liang Jiang (Galanga)

Gao Liang Jiang has the ability to disperse cold, stops pain, warms the middle and stop vomit.

In the “New Materica Medica” (“Bĕn Căo Cōng Xīn”, ~1757 CE), Gao Liang Jiang “warms the Stomach, and dispel the cold, dissolve food stagnation and cures hangover, and treats epigastric cold-pain.”

7. Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg)

Rou Dou Kou has the ability to warm the Spleen and Stomach, promotes the movement of Qi, and binds up the Intestines to stop diarrhea.

In the “Yi Hua Zi Chinese Materia Medica” (“Rì Huá Zĭ Zhū Jiā Bĕn Căo”, Date Published Unknown), Rou Dou Kou "harmonizes the middle, descends Qi, stops diarrhea and dysentery, promote appetite, dissolve food stagnation . . . cures hangover and cholera”.

8. Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fruit)

Cao Guo has the ability to dry dampness, dispel cold, expectorant, and checks malaria.

In the “Grand Compendium of Materia Medica” (“Bĕn Căo Gāng Mù”, ~1578 CE), cited by Gao Yu Li, “warms the Spleen and Stomach, and stops vomiting . . . cures hangover . . . .”

These eight Chinese herbs have shown good efficacy in treating hangover, and some since the 1000 CE, so why not give them a try next time you wanted a natural remedy for hangovers. For more details please go visit you local herbalist or acupuncturist, and Please Drink Responsibly.

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Tonify the Kidney to fortify against the Cold Evil

1/20/2013

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we believe that Cold is the major Qi of the Winter, considered to be an Yin Evil, it could easily damage the body’s Yang Qi, causing stagnation of Qi and Blood.

Longevity Principle: according to the ancient TCM textbook, the “Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine”, we should nourish the Yin during the autumn and winter seasons.

Other than paying attention to exercise and keeping warm (such as walking, jogging, and keep warm in order to prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases), one should also modify their diet to be “nourishing tonics”, so we could "Tonify the Kidney to fortify against the Cold Evil."

After spring, summer, and autumn seasons, the accumulated consumption of the internal organs’ energy tense to lead to partial deficiency of both Yin and Yang. Thus reasonable tonic can replenish the blood fluid against the Cold invasion of this year and the next.

Recommended diet: the consumption of foods such as lamb, chicken, walnut, Chinese jujube, longan fruit, yam, lotus seed, lily bulb, and chestnut has the functions to tonify the Spleen and Stomach, warms the Kidney Yang, tonify the Spleen to dissolve Phlegm, and tonify the Lungs to stop couch. Those with body constitutions consider being more hot and in excess should not eat these foods in excess. And as a general rule, avoid all cold foods, such as ice cream and cold raw foods.

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Strengthen your Yang energy this season.

1/14/2013

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Here is a simple TCM recipe to tonify your Liver and Yang Qi this season to do just that (especially for our male friends).

The pickle ginger slices:

Wash and dried fresh gingers
Cut the gingers into thin slices.
Take a small bowl or other container, add ginger, pour rice vinegar (or if you can get your hands on the Chinese black vinegar, which would be better) just enough to cover the top of the slices.
Place the container (covered) into the refrigerator, and the slices will be edible after three days.

Direction: Take 1-3 thin slices in the morning (7-9 AM) after breakfast. 7-9 AM is when the Stomach Channel has the maximum energy. Eating ginger slices at this time would also uplift the Stomach Qi and promote digestion. However, eating these ginger slices is not recommended for noon or in the evening, especially not for nights.

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TCM preventions against the flu.

1/13/2013

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As the TCM saying goes "exogenous cold, (is) the source of sickness”. Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious disease, peaking in the winter and spring seasons. In everyday life, there are many ways to prevent or reduce the probability of being infected; according to the flu.gov (2013), a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the best way to protect yourself from the flu are vaccination, and by follow these simple steps such as: hand washing, avoid touching your face, avoid close contact with sick people, get plenty of sleep and exercise, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy, etc.. Here I also present to you three TCM methods, and invite you to give them a try this flu season.

Vinegar Fumigation: Vinegar contains acetic acid and other active ingredients that had certain properties to cure infestations of various molds and other contagions. For each room you wish to fumigation, mix in a pot consisted of 100mL of vinegar and 200ml of water, bring it into a slow boil and allows the vapors to fill the house. If a room is too far from the kitchen, carefully pour a portion of the mixture in a large mug, and place the mug in the center of that room. Again, allow the vapor to fill the room (caution: do not burn yourself or others during this process).

Herbal Sachet: 15g of Gao Liang Jiang (Galanga), 15g of Pei Lan (Eupatorium), 5g of Gui Pi (Cinnamon bark), 1g of Bing Pian (Borneol), 0.3g of Xiong Hung (Realgar), and 0.5g of Zhang Nao (Camphor). Grind these herbs into fine powders, place them inside a teabag or sachet, and simply put it in your chest pocket. These herbs have a function to warm the interior, expel cold, and open the orifices.

Acupoint massage: Regular massages of your acupoints Yin-Tang (M-HN-3), Tai-Yang (M-HN-9), He-Gu (LI4), and Ying-Xiang (LI20) also play a preventive role against the flu.

During an influenza season, it is necessary to minimize or not to participate in large gatherings and group activities. And for those already sick with the flu, you should stay home and to take protective measures to prevent yourself from infecting others, those who are in close contact with the patient should wear surgical mask.

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The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (5-6/6)

1/13/2013

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Backache and discomfort: The waist area is the "mansion" of the Kidney, and the lack of Kidney Essence would result in inadequately supplied “mansion”, back pain and other related symptoms will appear, and must be taken seriously.

Forgetfulness: Kidney Essence nourishes the bones, but it also nourishes the brain (Sea of Marrow) because the bones are the cavity that houses the Marrow. When you notice your memory isn’t what it used to be, it is the telltale sign of Kidney Essence Deficiency.

When treating for Kidney Deficiency, we must first identify the root cause in order to improve the symptoms of the Kidney. Common causes of Kidney Deficiency are mainly the following: congenital deficiency; emotional disorders, moodiness, emotional excesses; excessive sexual intercourse; chronic illness that damages the Kidney; aging and ailing. The treatment principles are intimately related to the imbalance of Yin and Yang. One needs to correctly differentiate between Kidney Yang Deficiency and Kidney Yin Deficiency (in Deficiency of Yang, tonify Yang; In Deficiency of Yin, nourish Yin), otherwise the treatment will be counterproductive.

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The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (2-4/6)

1/12/2013

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Hearing loss (gradual), tinnitus, and feelings of agitation: According to TCM theory our facial features, our eyes, tongue, mouth, nose, and ears corresponds to the five internal organs Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. Our ears’ auditory functions are closely related to the Kidney. When Kidney is functioning normally, so does our hearing. Conversely, when symptoms of tinnitus, feelings of agitation, and/or gradual hearing loss occur, one should consider the possibility of Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Loose teeth: Kidneys control the bones, and bones rely on the nourishment of the Kidney Essence. The teeth are considered an ‘extension of the Bones’, so the state of bones have a direct impact on the teeth. Kidney Deficiency could lead to malnourishment of the bones, which in turn leads to loose teeth. Both Kidney Yin Deficiency and Kidney Qi Deficiency could cause loose teeth.

Hair loss or premature graying: from TCM theory, the kidneys manifest in the hair, and hair is the surplus of blood. Since the kidneys play a role in transforming stored essence into blood, they are thought to be the origin of hair. Kidney Qi Deficiency or excessive worry would affect the quality and quantity of hair. Under normal circumstances, graying start after the age of 40, this is due to the nature but gradual decay of Kidney Essence. The malnourished hair begins to turn gray, and as a natural phenomenon, no treatment is needed. But if the hair loss and graying occurred suddenly, it is mostly likely caused by the disruption of the body's functional activities of Qi, and treatment is recommended.

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The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (1/6)

1/11/2013

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Older people often feel weakness and soreness of the knees and back, and a lot of people familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suspect that they have Kidney Deficiency, a.k.a. Kidney Xu. In fact, the Kidney Deficiency is divided into many concepts by Chinese medicine. The most common concepts are Kidney Yin Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency. The symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency: backache, cold extremities, chills, and even edema; symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency are "hot" signs and mainly backache, hot flashes, night sweats, sweating without exertion, dizziness and etc. In addition, the Chronic Kidney Qi Deficiency and Kidney Essence Deficiency may also cause discomfort in other parts of the body. We will go over these common symptoms below and blog entries of the next few days.

Frequent yawning and feelings of fatigue: Kidney is the foundation of pre-heavenly constitution, stored within the Kidney are the Essence and Qi that is the raw power for the activities of human life, with adequate Kidney Essence, one feels energetic and fitter; with deficient Kidney Essence, the human spirit and the body are not sufficient nourished, one feels fatigue and yawns frequently.

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Eight Chinese herbs that help treat hangovers.

Tonify the Kidney to fortify against the Cold Evil

Strengthen your Yang energy this season.

TCM preventions against the flu.

The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (5-6/6)

The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (2-4/6)

The six small symptoms that indicates Kidney Deficiency, (1/6)

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