Archive for December, 2009

Ways to Remedy Phlegm in the Lungs

December 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm · Filed under Lung Health ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Website visitor asks:

I have a lot of phlegm in my lungs and I get sick a lot, what will help me get better?

Hi,
We may be looking at 3 separate issues here:
1.) If you are “getting sick a lot”, you may need to address your immune system, or Wei Qi in Chinese medicine, for true healing. Luckily, there are many herbal tonics that restore and strengthen the immune system; one of my favorites is elecampane which is included in our White Tiger Return lung formula.
2.) Since the illness is specific to the Lungs, we can deduce that herbal lung tonics would be appropriate to address Lung Deficiencies and phlegm in the lungs.
3.) A lot of phlegm could be the result of Spleen Qi Deficiency in Chinese medicine. If the Spleen energy is depleted, damp conditions tend to develop in the body. Herbal Spleen tonics such as codonopsis are central in repairing the Spleen function and are also included in the White Tiger Return formula. There are also herbs included such as mullein that are astringent and have a more immediate effect on the phlegm in the lungs.

White Tiger Return formula would address all 3 issues, but if you feel that you require more support, we there is Resilient Warrior formula specific for the immune system and Restore the Middle Way formula for Spleen Qi Deficiency. Also, consider a remedy for short-term use to combat those viruses that pop up before your immune system is repaired such as Evil Airborne Warrior; it will also help with the phlegm in the lungs.

Please let me know if you have questions after perusing the formulas and articles.

Kind Regards,

Catherine

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Weight Loss and Raw Foods Diets

December 28, 2009 at 8:35 pm · Filed under Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Website Visitor Writes:

I have been trying to lose weight through a raw foods diet for almost five months now  with mixed results; while my weight dropped about 4 pounds in the first few months, I haven’t lost any more weight and my energy level is dropping. Additionally, I am finding that my digestion is becoming irregular. I would appreciate any guidance!

Hi, When speaking of raw foods, a basic Chinese medical theory comes in to play; in Chinese medicine, the Spleen is the organ system in charge of the ‘transformation and transportation of food and fluids’. The Chinese concept of ‘Spleen’ is not merely an organ that helps to cleanse the blood like a large lymph gland, but functionally, the Spleen is central in the utilization of foods.

Chinese medicine is very practical  in regards to the way the body actually functions. In Western medicine, many of the theories and deductions that have been formulated relate to the way that information has been gathered; through the lifeless, stagnant cadaver and the dissection of the lifeless body. Chinese medical theory is based on the living organism and a myriad of interrelated functions.

Raw foods diets are not typically seen in traditional systems such as Aurvedic medicine and Chinese medicine, and lack the empirical proof of supporting life over a number of generations.  Those going through juicing fasts will often comment that the process is ‘cleaning their system out’. Often, this translates to loose bowel movements removing waste; what is actually occurring is that they are damaging their Spleen function.

Many people become frustrated when trying to live a healthy lifestyle or lose weight because of these contradicting philosophies. If we try to utilize historical uses of herbs and foods to avoid reductionism thinking, we can see that raw foods and juices are best used in moderation. Unfortunately, raw salads, juice, fruits, and iced drinks are a staple in many diets that are reputed to help people improve their health, and possibly maintain a healthy weight. Actually, raw foods best play a minor role, while cooked grains, legumes, steamed vegetables, nuts, and fish would be more beneficial in an overall strategy for sustainable weight loss.

I would suggest utilizing a Spleen Qi tonic to reverse the damage done and to promote healthy weight loss. Please let me know if you have any questions.

My Best,

Catherine

©Catherine Browne 2010

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Chinese Herbs for COPD

December 27, 2009 at 12:27 pm · Filed under Lung Health ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Website Visitor Writes:

Hi Catherine,

I saw my doctor last week and diagnosed me with COPD. My breathing has been labored for many months now and it’s getting worse. I know that there is no way to cure COPD; my doctor said it would likely just continue getting worse even though I quit smoking 20 years ago. I am just wondering if there are any Chinese herbs to slow the progression.

Hi,

Don’t be so certain that COPD is your slow death sentence! I have seen the symptoms related to COPD reversed hundreds of times in clinic using tonic herbs and acupuncture.

Our website has been receiving dozens emails from people reporting how herbs have restored their quality of life through better breathing. Two people reported being able to get off there oxygen for most of the day after only a few months use of White Tiger Return lung formula.

The great thing about Chinese tonic herbs is that they are a way to restore health to the lungs, not just address symptoms temporarily. I actually developed the formula for my asthma patients in acupuncture clinic many years ago, but started having good results with COPD more recently.

Typically, patients with COPD use the formula non-stop for 6 months and adopt a maintenance level of 1 month on and one month off the formula; patients usually report improved breathing within 3 weeks time. I have yet to have a patient who took a full course of treatment and did not improve dramatically, so you should feel hope and optimism related to you health! Find a Community Acupuncture Clinic in your area for affordable acupuncture treatments (sliding scale $15-35).

Best Regards,

Catherine

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Adrenal Fatigue, Infertility and Chinese Herbs

December 26, 2009 at 3:12 pm · Filed under Infertility ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Visitor writes:

Hi Catherine, I am 42 and have been trying to conceive for 2 years. My cycle is irregular and I have been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. Are there any Chinese herbs to help me conceive?

Hi, Yikes; do you really want a toddler running around if you are exhausted? As it turns out, the adrenal fatigue and infertility are directly related according to Chinese medicine, so it is unlikely that you will have a successful pregnancy until you address the exhaustion. Both issues are typically attributed in part to Kidney Deficiency.

The adrenal fatigue is very troubling, as it is an indication of long-standing Kidney imbalances that are not quickly corrected by any measure. It usually takes a lengthy round of Chinese herbs (4-6 months full time) along with regular acupuncture to have lasting effects on this level of Kidney Deficiency.

You likely feel pressured to get pregnant with a short window of opportunity presenting because of your age, and are less likely to take a break from trying to conceive to properly prepare your body for pregnancy. This means you will only be taking the herbs during the first half of your cycle (in case you become pregnant), and it will take about a year for the Kidney energy to be restored; this is a real dilemma, as miscarriages are often attributed to Kidney Deficiency, and a miscarriage will tax your Kidney energy further. You are in a vicious cycle.

It also sounds like you have issues with Liver Qi Stagnation with the irregular periods. This is not uncommon as hormonal balance is typically attributed to a Kidney/Liver association.  Luckily, Liver Qi Stagnation is typically corrected more quickly than long-standing Kidney Deficiency that would result in adrenal fatigue. I would suggest our Woman’s Precious and Free and Easy Wanderer formulas.

I am typically much more optimistic about outcomes using herbs for health conditions, but this is a difficult situation. You will need to correct these imbalances regardless of the possible outcome related to fertility. I would also suggest that you look for a Community Acupuncture Clinic in your area for added support.

Best of Luck,

Catherine

Please comment if you have had experience with Adrenal Fatigue and Infertility:

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Insomnia and Breast Cancer

December 6, 2009 at 7:06 pm · Filed under Woman's Health ·Tagged , , , , ,

Website Visitor Asks:

I have ongoing sleeping problems plus recovered from breast cancer recently. Please let me know what to
order…
Thanks! I think suanzaoren herb??

Hi,
I don’t know if you read the ‘insomnia’ article located on the sitemap page of the website, but it can be helpful in understanding insomnia. There can be a lot of different presentations of insomnia. If you want to fill out the online evaluation linked at the top of each page, I can be much more specific with a recommendation.

Typically breast cancer will have an element of ‘Liver Qi Stagnation‘ (article site map) and this also relates to insomnia. If you have gone through radiation or chemotherapy, those procedures consume Yin and Blood which help to ground you so that you can sleep at night.

I think that the herb you may be looking for is schizandra to calm the mind for sleeping (it is great for many other things also). There are also a class of herbs called ‘nervines’ that we include in our Calm the Dragon formula that are very calming and help you get to sleep.

With the limited information provided, I would suggest that you look at Sage Mountain formula which will help build Blood, Yin and reinforce the Wei Qi (immune system) It will also nourish the Spleen Qi, and Spleen imbalances are often indicated with breast cancer as the Spleen energetic channel traverses the breasts.

Additionally, our Free and Easy Wanderer formula will release Liver Qi constraints leading to Liver Qi Stagnation and contribute to insomnia. Please let me know if you have any questions after perusing the formulas and related articles.

Kind Regards,
Catherine

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