(done in sand – photo by Sandy Aquila)

Generally, the Year of the Rabbit is good for diplomacy and persuasion.  It is certainly not the right  moment for trying to barge ahead, since this will only result in time-consuming confrontation.  On the other hand, it is an ideal time for dealings of a more congenial nature; the exchange of contracts, or the peaceful transfer of authority.  Money can be made easily, and spent just as easily!

This is a period of increased awareness and concern for human rights, the underprivileged and the victims of unjust treatment.  Internationally, much will be achieved to help those in need.  Expect political compromise and diplomatic peacemaking on a global level.

As the possessor of the recipe for the elixir of life, the Hare is credited with knowledge of herbal remedies and medicine, and this year is seen as a suitable period for expansion in the field of pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, and dealings to do with herbs, drugs or preparations of vegetable origin (gluten-free?).  Interest in alternative medicine will continue to expand.

Greater emphasis will be placed on the importance of family life, and there is good news for those wishing to expand their families this year; but those involved in illicit liaisons should ponder the Hare’s procreative prowess.

The Dragon year that occurs next year will be a wild and exhausting time, so enjoy this year as an opportunity for relaxation, pleasure, family gatherings, entertainment and comfortable travel.

Birth, March 2009:  Acupuncture helps labor pain.

Clinical Journal of Pain, May 2009:  Acupuncture is as good as steroids for carpal tunnel.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, July 2009: Acupuncture protects white blood cells during chemotherapy.  August 2009: Acupuncture lowers anti-depressant requirement.

Menopause, May/June 2009:  Acupuncture helps reduce menopausal hot flashes.

Sweden, April 2009: Researchers found that electro-acupuncture can lower high sympathetic nerve activity, which may be a contributing factor in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 2009:  Electro-acupuncture reduces uterine artery blood flow impedance during IVF.

Taken from Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine newsletter of January 2010.

A little-known facet of Chinese medical diagnosis involves looking at a person’s tongue.  A lot can be learned by this exercise.  We look at:

1)  Tongue body: the color and shape

2)  Tongue coating: the color, thickness, location on the tongue body and root (is the coating an integral part of the tongue or does it seem to just sit on top)

3)  Tongue moisture

For example, if your digestion is weak, your tongue could be larger than normal (a bit swollen) and scalloped around the edges and/or coated.

If you have a pale, gray and very wet tongue, it could indicate hypoglycemia or an inability to utilize the nutrients in your food.    Try eating more cooked foods and spice them up.

A dry, red tongue with cracks indicates a state of dehydration and/or internal inflammation.   You could have acne, hot flashes – or could be a smoker.   Cooling spices would work for this tongue, as well as increasing your consumption of vegetables – and, of course, drinking more water.

These are just a few examples.  It’s interesting to look at the changes in your tongue from day to day.  In general, pale colors indicate “cold” or low metabolic issues and red colors are related to “heat” and higher metabolic, inflammatory conditions.

The ideal tongue is a healthy-looking pink tongue, with some moisture.  It’s smooth without cracks and papillae (those red, raised dots).

Honey in the tea and/or on the toast is very tasty, especially raw honey – which has lots of nutrients.  Honey is also good when added to a hot toddy – lemon, water, and, if it is the right time of day, a little whiskey(!!).  To make this drink, squeeze a fresh lemon (or some lemon essential oil) into a cup of hot water and add the honey.  This drink will replace your fluids while breaking down mucus in your sinuses and lungs and is also good for the vitamin C it provides.

Also, breathing in steam from your drink will warm up your respiratory tract which the little viruses hate – they like it nice and cold!

GANMAOLING TABLETS

This is an excellent cold or flu remedy and can also be used as a preventative.  The main herb in this formula is Isatis (Ban Lan Gen), a great anti-viral.  Take at the first signs of illness, since it works better the earlier you start it.  It’s good for both wind-cold and wind-heat.  Some possible symptoms are fever/chills, swollen lymph glands, sore throat and upper back/neck stiffness.  The  normal dosage would be 4-5 pills three times/day or 2 pills two times/day as a preventative.

NASAL OIL

This is an oil that is applied to your nose with a q-tip.  It will open up the nose and is used for acute and chronic sinus problems and allergies.  It can be used as needed.

Remember that:

Herbs are recommended for most healthy adult people as a means to promote better health and well-being. However, the following precautions are recommended:

***Pregnant women or women nursing a baby refrain from taking ANY herbs due to lack of testing of most herbs on fetuses and infants.

***For children under the age of 18, please see a medical practitioner.

***People who have food allergies, sensitivities or digestive problems should be cautious when taking herbs, and carefully review the ingredients on the label for potential allergic reactions.

***If you’re currently taking any prescription medication, please see your doctor before taking herbs to ensure there are no contraindications.

***If you have a serious or life-threatening medical condition, please see your doctor.

Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.  I make no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources:  Chinese Herbal Patent Formulas by Jake Fratkin, Outline Guide to Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines in Pill Form by Margaret Naeser.

BI YAN PIAN

Dispels wind-cold (clear mucus, scratchy throat, slight or no fever) or wind-heat (yellow mucus, bad sore throat, fever/chills).  Use this one  for nasal or eye problems, sinus headache.  It will open the nose and treat acute or chronic sinus problems.  It’s also good for allergies with nasal symptoms as well as nasal bacterial infections.

You would choose this if you are sneezing, have itchy eyes, facial congestion and/or sinus pain.  Try this one first for any sinus problem!

The usual dose is 3-6 three times / day.

PE MIN KAN WAN or BE MIN GAN WAN

Relieves headache and inflammation.  It opens the nose and will treat acute and chronic sinus problems with stuffy or runny nose plus pressure.  Relieves asthma due to allergies.  This formula is also used to treat acute and chronic bronchitis.

If Bi Yan Pian doesn’t work, this one is the next to try.

The usual dose for an adult is 2-4 pills three times / day.

Remember that:

Herbs are recommended for most healthy adult people as a means to promote better health and well-being. However, the following precautions are recommended:

***Pregnant women or women nursing a baby refrain from taking ANY herbs due to lack of testing of most herbs on fetuses and infants.

***For children under the age of 18, please see a medical practitioner.

***People who have food allergies, sensitivities or digestive problems should be cautious when taking herbs, and carefully review the ingredients on the label for potential allergic reactions.

***If you’re currently taking any prescription medication, please see your doctor before taking herbs to ensure there are no contraindications.

***If you have a serious or life-threatening medical condition, please see your doctor.

Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.  I make no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources:  Chinese Herbal Patent Formulas by Jake Fratkin, Outline Guide to Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines in Pill Form by Margaret Naeser.

Other forms of Chinese patent medicines include powders, liniments, etc. – most of them based on standard herbal formulas.

Most of the Chinese patents are based on  herbal formulas that have been around for centuries.  Historical references to patents go as far back as the Warring  States Period (403BC – 221BC).  A medical book from that period, Wu Shi Er Bing Fang (Formulas for the Treatment of 52 Diseases), talks about patents.

Tea made from raw herbs is stronger and is absorbed more rapidly, but patents are much more convenient to take and economical as well.

CHUAN QIONG CHA TIAO WAN (Ligusticum Green Tea Mix Pill)

This is a classical formula to disperse wind-cold and stop pain. Wind-cold symptoms include sneezing, runny nose with clear mucus, neck and upper back ache, disliking cold, no sweating, scratchy or itchy throat.  Often used for headache that comes with colds and flu; also good for nasal congestion, sinusitis and rhinitis and migraines.  Doesn’t work for all types of headaches.  If you have mucus, make sure it is clear and/or white.  Take with strong green tea.

YIN CHIAO CHIEH TU PIAN or YIN QIAO JIE DU PIAN (Lonicera, Forsythia Dispel Heat Tablets)

A very popular patent that treats wind-heat with symptoms like fever, stuffy nose with sticky yellow mucus, sore throat, sweating.  It works best if taken when you first begin to feel that you are coming down with something or when a wind-cold attack is just turning to wind-heat (when mucus turns from white to yellow).

It also treats ear infections, allergic skin reactions like hives and is a natural antibiotic.  Use for early stages of common cold or flu, acute bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, etc.

Remember that:

Herbs are recommended for most healthy adult people as a means to promote better health and well-being. However, the following precautions are recommended:

***Pregnant women or women nursing a baby refrain from taking ANY herbs due to lack of testing of most herbs on fetuses and infants.

***For children under the age of 18, please see a medical practitioner.

***People who have food allergies, sensitivities or digestive problems should be cautious when taking herbs, and carefully review the ingredients on the label for potential allergic reactions.

***If you’re currently taking any prescription medication, please see your doctor before taking herbs to ensure there are no contraindications.

***If you have a serious or life-threatening medical condition, please see your doctor.

Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.  I make no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources:  Chinese Herbal Patent Formulas by Jake Fratkin, Outline Guide to Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines in Pill Form by Margaret Naeser.

Life takes us in different directions than the ones we expect.  Let it take us away…