December 26, 2011 at 2:52 pm · Filed under Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged chinese, cold, damp, medicine, mucous, phlegm, remedies, tcm, wind
A Website Visitor Asks:
inever had any type of sinus problems, live in new york and went to visit someone in the mountains, the air was colder and i felt something in the air get in my body and from then on i have been severly congested, cannot sleep at night, constantly blowing nose, mucous is white, no tinges of yellow or green, had some coughing not much, but when i did cough it was deep and some mucous came very minute amount of a yellow and green tinge looked up the causes for this and found stagnant yang qi, wind and dampness etc.
what can be reccommended, i am into acupunture and chinese herbs, tried the traditional but perhaps i will get some acupunture. what herbs can you reccommend, i need both nasal passages clear, it is either one or the other that is clear and it shifts from one nasal passage to another, thanks
Sounds like a Wind-Cold-Dampness Invasion; I would suggest that you consider a warm soup of broth with green onions and ginger. Pick up some mullein tea bags at your local health food store for the congestion. You could also dilute some cinnamon, lavender, and thyme essential oil in olive oil and add it to your bath (5% EO).
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December 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm · Filed under Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged chinese, chinese herbs, deficiency, herb, herbal, herbs, hypothyroidism, kidney, medicine, tcm, thyroid, tonic, yin yang
A Website Visitor Asks:
Can Kidney Yang Tonic help with hypothyroidism, after the thyroid has been removed?
That is an interesting question. In Chinese medicine, the “Kidney” is an energetic organ system relating to various functions, and the energetic channel that acupuncturists utilize and is also part of the system. Hypothyroidism is typically related to the Kidney Yang Deficiency in TCM, and if you have indications of Kidney Deficiency, than the tonics will be of benefit. Note that one indication, such as hypothyroidism, is not enough to make a diagnosis of Kidney Deficiency; you would have several that begin to form a pattern. Take care when utilizing a Kidney Yang tonic such as our Ancestor Treasure formula. What we typically do in clinic in this situation is utilize Yin Valley and Ancestor Treasurer formulas together. Please peruse the Yin/Yang article to understand how to balance Yin and Yang in the body, and why it is important.
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December 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm · Filed under Answers ·Tagged alchol, chinese herbs, deto, detxification, herb, herbal, herbs, liver, liver qi stagnation
A Web Site Visitor Asks:
My husband has, in the past (and up until a month-and-a-half ago), been a binge drinker and occasional-to-frequent user of marijuana. At one point, I was concerned that he may have been addicted to both. He has, thankfully, sworn off both as of a month-and-a-half ago and seems to be sticking to his resolution very well this time. Although he had a recent medical work-up done and the doctors found nothing wrong with either his liver or kidney, I am convinced he has done some harm to both. His symptoms are: occasional diarrhea, bad breath, gets angry easily, pain in the ribs whenever he gets angry or stressed, lack of sexual desire. I am wondering whether I should get him the Free & Easy Wanderer formula or should I start him off on Peaceful Warrior for 2 months and then switch to Free & Easy Wanderer?
Thanks and please let me know if you require additional information.
I think your deductions are dead on, and you did not have to waste all of those years in Oriental medical school! The Peaceful Warrior will last about 6 weeks, and then you could make the switch. I would suggest that you consider utilizing Sustained Essence and Yin Valley formulas to address the Kidney Deficiency, as he does have a lot of heat indications. The 3 can be used together at one time.
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December 12, 2011 at 5:19 pm · Filed under Chinese Medical Theory, Wellness ·Tagged chinese herbs, energy, herb, herbal, herbs, ma huang, qi, stimulant, tcm, tonic
A website visitor asks:
Do you have a product with pinyin: ma huang? The ingredient helped with my energy level, my appetite and my sex drive and was quite literally a miracle. Then I think it was taken off the market. Now I am reading it is back with specific parts of the plant removed. Is it still effective? It seems if the FDA is requiring the active compound to be removed it will no longer be useful. I am confused and looking for a solution.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ma huang was not used an energy stimulant, it was used for lung and breathing problems. The misuse of the herb as an energy stimulant is what led to it being removed. You would do better to utilize Qi tonics and benefit your health rather than utilizing ephedra this way. It is said that using stimulants is like stealing vitality from your future health; ask anyone with adrenal fatigue. By utilizing a Qi Tonic, you are actually helping to build your energy and support the organ systems that help you maintain healthy energy levels.
Oh! I like that reasoning! That makes perfect sense! Thank you!! I will go find the appropriate Qi tonic and be grateful to hang onto the healthy energy I have!
Thank you so much. grins
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December 11, 2011 at 4:59 pm · Filed under Woman's Health ·Tagged chinese herbs, deficiency, herb, herbal, herbs, hot flashes, kidney, liver qi stagnation, severe, stress, tcm
A Customer Inquired:
Previously, this customer filled out an online evaluation.
Thank you for your response. I have read about the herbs you are suggesting on your website. I do have one question will they help with stress reduction and hot flashes. The hot flashes I have are getting unbearable. I break out in a sweat and go so hot I can’t stand it, then I get chilled because of the sweating. I get them about every 15 minutes. I have a hard time sleeping because they will wake me up. Most of my weight is around my stomach and is due to stress – burning the candle for some many years at both ends.
Realizing how severe your hot flashes and stressed youare, you will want to begin with Peaceful Warrior formula, Enlightened Emperor formula, and Yin Valley formula to begin with for around 3-4 months before utilizing any Qi tonics; you can send a new evaluation and let me know of progress. thanks!
I received the herbs today. I have another question. Will this help with the feeling of rage and hopelessness I feel inside? If not, would it be safe to take with an anti-depressant if that is what the doctor recommends? I yelled at someone at work today which I don’t do. I am usually calm, but feel really bad and never thought it could be due to menopause and hormone fluctuations.
That is exactly what they should do! If you read the Liver Qi Stagnation article, you will understand further. The peaceful warrior drains Liver Fire and begins to pacify the Liver energy.
Thanks so much for the quick reply. How long before I feel some relief? Will it take 3-4 months as you indicated?
Draining fire is relatively fast, so you may see some “chill-out” effects in the first week. You cannot take Peaceful Warrior more than for 3 months and will then want to go to Free and Easy Wanderer (the herbs are cold, and prolonged use will damage Spleen Qi). The 3-4 months is the time when I would anticipate the hot flashes starting to ease up both in intensity and frequency.
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December 7, 2011 at 4:48 pm · Filed under Answers ·Tagged chinese herbs, Chinese medicine, herb, herbal, herbs, kidney, tcm, tonic
I still have some kidney issues and take your yin valley occasionally. We have communicated several times before and I have thanked you, my GFR varies but mostly is ok. I do have constant kidney pain, not stones. I now have chronic inflammation of various areas of my body, including kidneys the most recent is inflammation of my prostate. I just had a scope. What do you recommend for my urinary tract and prostate that will not hurt my kidneys…
As always, you want to run supplements by your local health care professional. Your concern is well founded, as most of the western herbs used for the urinary and kidneys are quite diuretic and can cause more stress on the kidneys. The Yin Valley is supporting in its actions rather than stimulating, so it seems a good fit. You would want to read the tonic herb article and our faq’s page to better understand that this formula is not something that can be taken occasionally with any great effect. Saw Palmetto berry is something we often utilize in clinic for the prostate inflammation and can be purchased inexpensively at any local health food store.
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December 5, 2011 at 3:16 pm · Filed under Answers ·Tagged agitated, child, children, free and easy wanderer, herb, herbal, herbs, liver, liver qi stagnation, safe, yellow dock
Dear Catherine,
Is Free and Easy Wanderer safe for a six year old? Should we reduce the dosage?
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
While there are not any highly toxic substances in Free and Easy Wanderer formula, with a young child I would likely go with yellow dock root decoction (2 T dry root daily) strained in to the nightly bath if there truly is Liver Heat, and ground milk thistle (1 T daily) in food for general liver health and Liver Yin Deficiency. If the child is agitated, you could add in American Skullcap (1/8-1/4 cup) at the end of the yellow dock decoction to steep for 10 minutes and then go in to the bath after it cools.
Kindly,
Catherine
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December 1, 2011 at 2:51 pm · Filed under Answers, Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged chinese herbs, deficiency, herb, herbal, herbs, kidney, theory, tonic, yang, Yin
A website visitor asks:
If I’m mostly Kidney Yang deficient and taking Ancestral Treasure, should I also take Kidney Yin deficient herbs such as Yin Valley to balance the Yin/Yang? I don’t seem to have any of the symptoms listed on the Yin deficient list except constipation. I always feel cold and never sweat and it seems like Yin deficiency causes people to be hot and sweat a lot.
Hi,
Yin/Yang theory is a bit tricky, and it sounds like you may have read the related article on our website that explains, in this situation, a Yin tonic supports the “substance” of the body. You will likely be able to tolerate the AT by itself for a time, but as you heal the Yin Deficiency will likely show itself as Deficient Heat signs develop. This is why we sell the two formulas separately, as every individual will have different levels of Yin and Yang deficiency, and the formulas can be adjusted as needed. Yin is a relative term that has to be used in reference to something Yang. It could be cold to hot (so you are correct), or substance to activity.
Kind Regards,
Catherine
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November 30, 2011 at 1:19 pm · Filed under Woman's Health ·Tagged breast, cancer, chinese herbs, drainage, herb, herbal, herbs, lymph, lymphatic
Ask the Herbalist
can we use the lymphatic cream and pills for sommeone who had breast cancer and still takes a chemo (mild) pill every day? or is like contra indication? Thanks
Hi,
I have treated many breast cancer survivors in acupuncture clinic and we used Central River formula and our lymphatic drainage cream when the patient was still on chemo, and I am not aware of any contraindications; with that said, it is always best to ask your health care provider directly.
Kind Regards,
Catherine Browne, LAc, MH, DiplAc
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November 28, 2011 at 1:10 pm · Filed under Hair Loss, Uncategorized ·Tagged chinese herbs, herb, herbal, herbs, supplements, testosterone, thinning hair
Website Visitor fill out the “Ask the Herbalist” form:
I am 31 years old and have obvious signs of thinning hair. I was thinking about taking a testosterone booster to help with low levels of testosterone to help hair production. What do you think is my best choice, Tribulus, DHEA, or fennegreek? I also have read about Fo-Ti. Do you think that is a better choice?
Hi,
This would be considered a “reductionist theory” question, and it is hard for me to think that way about herbs anymore. Here is an article on how Chinese medicine typically addresses hair loss: As far as a “best choice”, it is more likely the most appropriate choice and if you have tested you testosterone levels and you are certain that none of the other factors outlined in the article could be contributing to your condition, than you may do well with the tribulus.
Kindly,
Catherine
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