Posts Tagged herbs

Is Hawthorn Leaf or Berry Better to Use?

November 27, 2011 at 1:00 pm · Filed under Wellness ·Tagged , , , , , ,

A Visitor to the website asks:

Hello, I was thinking about incorporating
Hawthorn into my diet, I was hoping if I could ask you some general questions.

 1. I am thinking of using a tea or powder, which one would be the most effective way to avail the benefits of the hawthorn berry? ( I don’t want to use a tincture)
2. Also, which is better the leaves and the flower or the berry?
 Thanks again

Hi,
They are both considered gentle Heart tonics, but the berry tends to be used more with digestive issues, and the leaf and flower more as a cardio-tonic; I use both in our Blood Mansion formula. You will need more than a tea bag to experience the tonic effects, but a tea would be best of the leaf and flower. The berry powder can be incorporated in to foods easily.

Kindly,
Catherine

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Sleep Apnea and COPD Herbal Remedies

November 23, 2011 at 6:40 pm · Filed under Lung Health ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Website visitor asks:

Do you have any remedies for severe obstructive sleep apnea; that would assist in strengthening the respiratory system, soft tissues, etc.  I have heard that lobellia is good. I also have COPD, and generalized anxiety as a result of the apnea and COPD.

Hi,

Sever sleep apnea sounds life threatening; not likely a self-treatment issue so I would hope you are in contact with a local health care professional. We have a Lung support formula that I have used with good results in clinic called White Tiger Return for patients with COPD. Sleep Apnea is typically a Spleen/Dampness issue combined with Liver Heat attacking the Heart imbalance in Chinese medicine (very generally). Again, it is a little complicated for self-treatment. You could look at White Tiger Return, Restore the Middle Way, and Free and Easy Wanderer formulas. They can be used together.

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Herbal Cure for Diabetes

November 21, 2011 at 6:28 pm · Filed under Wellness ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Website visitor asks:

I am looking for a cure for diabetes; are there herbs that will reverse the condition? Thank you.

Hi,

I do not know from what you are saying if you are type 1 or type 2 diabetic, or how long you have been diagnosed with diabetes. I practiced at a hormonal clinic where they tested patients, and we were able to reverse pre-diabetic insulin resistance levels and bring them back to normal alternating Temple of Health and Restore the Middle Way formulas each 6 weeks on a regular basis for 6-8 months.

For diabetics who are insulin dependent, the two formulas have helped to maintain balanced sugar levels for my patients, but not reverse the condition. It would be unethical of me to suggest a “cure” for diabetes, but there are certainly herbs that will help improve your health and help you move towards wellness.

Kindly,

Catherine Browne, LAc, MH, DiplAc

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Endometriosis with Sharp Pain and Chinese Medicine

November 20, 2011 at 6:10 pm · Filed under Woman's Health ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Website visitor fill out an online evaluation noting that endometriosis and sharp pelvic pain are her main complaints.

Additional Indications-

Relating to Spleen Qi Deficiency and Internal Dampness:

  • Cold Feet & Hands
  • Sweet cravings
  • Body feels cold
  • Low energy
  • Over thinking-worry
  • Heavy feeling in body
  • Trouble waking in morning
  • BM formed like balls

Relating to Liver imbalances:

  • Watering eyes
  • Frequent headaches
  • Migraines
  • Depression

Relating to Kidney Deficiency:

  • Night sweats
  • Interruption of urine flow
  • Low sex drive
  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Dry skin

Hi,

You have the classic imbalances we often see with endometriosis of Liver Qi Stagnation, and Spleen Qi Deficiency with Internal Dampness developing. Additionally, you have indications of Kidney Yin Deficiency with the afternoon sweats. The sharp pain in your abdomen would point to Blood Stagnation, also common in endometriosis. Pain is your main indication, but Chinese medicine best works to bring the body back in to balance, thus normalize organ functions and allowing for prolonged relief and true wellness. I would suggest that you consider Stasis in the Lower Palace, Free and Easy Wanderer, Restore the Middle Way formulas. They can be used together.  Yin Valley formula should also be considered for the Kidney Yin Deficiency.

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Uterine Fibroids Preventing Conception and Chinese Herbs

November 16, 2011 at 4:28 pm · Filed under Answers, Infertility ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Website Visitor Inquires:

I am 34 and I recently had a small 2.5 sm submucusal (inside uterus) fibroid surgically removed. Apparently I have another small one (2 cm.) on the outer side of the uterus which nobody really worries about because it doesn’t interfere with pregnancy.

I have been trying to get pregnant for 1 year – after surgery, we have been trying only 1 month.  I tried acupuncture for fertility before knowing I had the fibroid and I am afraid it actually triggered the fibroid as I started bleeding more and more after each treatment, so now I am scared of acupuncture. I do believe in Chinese herbs and acupressure though. I was wondering if you could recommend me a liver cleanse that wouldn’t interfere with my trying to conceive plan but would help shrinking the remaining fibroid. I do not believe I am atypical fibroid patient though, I am very thin (96 pounds for 5’5”) – my cycles are regular.

I firmly believe that my fibroids came from the anger I hold inside.  Everything started getting worse and worse after I got extremely upset  seeing everybody around me getting pregnant while I was struggling so  much – I used to cry  days and nights and hate the people who got pregnant. Now, thank G-d, I am calmer and I am trying to have faith in G-d and that He il help me having a baby, but helping myself won’t hurt.

Any suggestions are extremely appreciated, I am sorry for the long and confusing email but I am so confused myself and I am looking for help.
 Thank you and have a great day.

Hi,

If you fill out an online evaluation , I can help guide you. Chinese medicine relies on patterns of imbalance to determine the best way to bring the body back in to balance, thus normalize reproductive functions according to TCM. There are not clear patterns allowing me to discern specific imbalances according to Chinese medicine from what you have written beyond Liver Qi Stagnation (which is indicated by the anger and typical with uterine fibroids).

I would suggest that you read our fertility article and uterine fibroid article to understand how Chinese medicine works to improve fertility. You will not be able to use the herbs in the second half of your cycle if you are not on a reliable type birth control (barrier is best because hormonal birth control creates more Liver Qi Stagnation). The woman with the quickest results take a break from trying to get pregnant and use the herbs full time in an effort to bring the body in to balance and becoming ready to conceive.

Typically, if there were Blood and Qi Stagnation of the Lower Jiao, you would have cramping associated with menstruation, clots, or dark/purple bleeding and that would indicate that Stasis in the Lower Palace formula is indicated, but it does not sound like you are experiencing this.

We use the Free and Easy Wanderer with great success in clinic for the Liver Qi Stagnation. With fibroids, you likely also have Internal Dampness and the Restore the Middle Way formula would be indicated, but would use the three formulas together hoping for any significant improvement.  I would also note that acupuncture could not create uterine fibroids.

Kindly,
Catherine Browne, LAc, MH, DiplAc

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How Long Does it Take to Reverse Hair Loss with Chinese Herbs?

November 14, 2011 at 12:58 pm · Filed under Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Customer writes:

 hello I’ve just ordered my second bottle of Return to Spring formula and I was wondering how long it takes to grow your hair back. My hairline is receding but it looks like little hair is starting to grow.

There is information located on the  Hair loss article relating specifically to this. If some hair is starting to come back after just 6 weeks or so, that is a good sign that you are dealing with hair loss due to Kidney Deficiency and that this is the correct product; most people do not see new hair growth for a few months. You should be thinking at least 6 months to a year, but I have no idea what your specific situation is or the level of your deficiency.

Kind Regards,
Catherine Browne, LAc, MH, DiplAc

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Chinese Herbs for Hair loss and Hypothyroidism

November 13, 2011 at 3:54 pm · Filed under Answers, Wellness ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Website Visitor Inquires:

I have a serious hair loss problem since the last 10 years. I had been hypo thyroid since last 13 years. I have very scanty hair especially in the front and cover it up with concelers.I had tried tropical solutions and vitamins, but did not see much improvement. Want your recommendation on Chinese herbs/medication that would help me to
regrow hair and stop hair loss.

Hi,

I have had a lot of positive feedback from customers and patients over the years in regards to the benefits of Return to Spring formula and hair loss. It is important to first understand how they work, and that you have realistic expectations of tonic herbs.
http://www.agelessherbs.com/chineseherbsfor/hypothyroidismhyperthyroidism.html

First, hair loss and premature graying is generally attributed to Kidney Deficiency in Chinese medicine, but there are countless other possibilities for your hair loss. Hypothyroidism is also often attributed to Kidney Deficiency, so there is a good chance that this is the reason for your hair loss.

http://www.agelessherbs.com/hairlossremedy.html

Instead of viewing Chinese herbs as some type of potion that will magically re-grow your hair, realize that you are restoring Kidney (TCM)  health, and therefore your hair will grow normally. Restoring Kidney health in Chinese medicine takes time and you will not likely see improvement in one or two months. A lot of people start seeing some improvement in 3 months, but it will take many more months to benefit from the full potential of the herbs.

Kindly,
Catherine Browne, L.Ac, MH, DiplAc

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Kidney Failure Dialysis and Chinese Herbs

November 11, 2011 at 5:28 pm · Filed under Answers, Wellness ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Website visitor asks:

My mother has chronic kidney disease and the doctor wants to do dialysis. They also said she has to much phosphorus in her body which limits her food choices. What vitamins/herbs would be good for her to take and to strengthen her kidney function.

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I have had the opportunity to assist quite a number of patients in clinic who were in kidney failure or approaching kidney failure, and they responded very well to acupuncture.

Supplements are another thing all together in this situation, as you never want to overstress the kidneys when they are failing; the time for herb tonics would be years before this stage when symptoms of imbalance begin to appear. I wish that I could pull some miracle out of my hat for you, but this has gone beyond a self treatment situation. You may be able to find a local licensed acupuncturist who also prescribes herbs who can work together with your mothers prescribing physician to work out a smart plan for her.

Kind Regards,
Catherine

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Can Herbal Remedies Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Diarrhea Predominant IBS?

September 6, 2010 at 3:58 pm · Filed under Answers, Digestion ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Website Visitor Asks:

Making inquiries about herbal treatment for ibs. My daughter is 24 and has been suffering with diarrhea predominant IBS for about 3 years. We are not sure how it started, gastric flu or glandular fever but it is really ruining her life. Constantly worrying where the nearest toilet is. Symptoms are worse during the time she has her period and she gets very bloated.


Conventional western medicine has been less than useful so we would like to know if herbal remedies would help.

Hi,
We are certainly able to treat IBS effectively in clinic, and herbs are a big part of the treatment plan, but Chinese medicine addresses it many different ways; the ability to differentiate the individual’s imbalance is what makes TCM so effective. If your daughter is able to fill out the online evaluation form fully, I will try to help guide her.

Getting worse during her period could point to Liver Qi Stagnation, and the bloating could be Spleen Qi Deficiency. The diarrhea predominance in IBS often points to a condition called Damp Heat Draining down and we often use Peaceful Warrior and Restore the Middle Way formulas to address this.

Kind Regards,
Catherine

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What is the Difference Between Detoxing the Liver and Soothing the Liver?

August 27, 2010 at 7:46 am · Filed under Answers, Chinese Medical Theory ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Website Customer Asks:

I bought the peaceful warrior to detox the liver in the past what is the difference between Free and Easy Wanderer and Peaceful Warrior?

Our Peaceful Warrior formula is used to detox the Liver and contains several very bitter and cold herbs. Bitter herbs stimulate bile flow and removes “Toxic Heat” , or “Liver Fire”, according to Chinese medicine. A Liver Detox has its place, but is too cold energetically to use over a long period of time as it would disrupt the Yin/Yang balance of the body and possibly damage the Spleen. It should be limited to 2-4 months use, and should only be used once per year (ideally in the Spring as this is the Wood Element Season). Exposure to toxins is a common culprit with Liver Fire.

Our Free and Easy Wanderer formula is more neutral (not so cold) and can be taken over a longer period of time to soothe Liver Qi Stagnation. Liver Qi Stagnation is a much more common condition; very few patients come in to clinic without an element of Liver imbalance in the states. Since anger and frustration can lead to Liver Qi Stagnation, it is no surprise that our stressed out society suffers from this condition.

Hope this clarifies,

Catherine

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