Traditional Chinese Medicine

Posts Tagged ‘body’

Cupping refers to an ancient Chinese practice in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (by using change in heat or by suctioning out air), so that the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup. In some cases, the cup may be moved while the suction of skin is active, causing a regional pulling of the skin and muscle (the technique is called gliding cupping).
This treatment has some relation to certain massage techniques, such as the rapid skin pinching along the back that is an important aspect of tuina (12). In that practice, the skin is pinched, sometimes at specific points (e.g., bladder meridian points), until a redness is generated. Cupping is applied by acupuncturists to certain acupuncture points, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain (where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled). When the cups are moved along the surface of the skin, the treatment is somewhat like guasha (literally, sand scraping), a folk remedy of southeast Asia which is often carried out by scraping the skin with a coin or other object with the intention of breaking up stagnation. Movement of the cups is a gentler technique than guasha, as a lubricant allows the cup to slide without causing as much of the subcutaneous bruising that is an objective of guasha. Still, a certain amount of bruising is expected both from fixed position cupping (especially at the site of the cup rim) and with movement of the cups. more
Traditional cupping, with use of heated cups, also has some similarity to moxibustion therapy. Heating of the cups was the method used to obtain suction: the hot air in the cups has a low density and, as the cups cool with the opening sealed by the skin, the pressure within the cups declines, sucking the skin into it. In this case, the cups are hot and have a stimulating effect something like that of burning moxa wool.
In some cases, a small amount of blood letting (luoci; vein pricking) is done first, using a pricking needle, and then the cup is applied over the site. The pricking is usually done with a three-edged needle, applied to a vein, and it typically draws 3–4 drops of blood (sometimes the skin on either side is squeezed to aid release of blood). A standard thick-gauge acupuncture needle or plum blossom needle may be used instead. This technique is said to promote blood circulation, remove stasis, and alleviate swelling and pain. It is employed especially when there is a toxic heat syndrome and for a variety of acute ailments.

Traditional Chinese Herb Slows Tumor Growth in Laboratory Testing
Cordyceps mushrooms have proven to reduce radiation and chemotherapy side effects. Now research indicates this Chinese herb can prevent some types of cancer cell growth.

Dong Chong Xia Cao, or Cordyceps sinensis, is Traditional Chinese Medicine used in patients with kidney and lung diseases, as well as to ameliorate the effects of radiation and chemotherapy. A recently published study has shown that an extract of the cordyceps mushroom interferes with the growth of some types of tumor cells. Clinical trials are still needed to determine how best to use this herb in cancer treatment. more
The Use of Cordyceps Sinensis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dong Chong Xia Cao, as Cordyceps sinensis is known in TCM, is primarily a kidney yang tonic, warming the body and having anti-aging effects. It is also a lung yin tonic used for respiratory disorders such as coughing, wheezing and bronchitis if the Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern indicates it to be appropriate. Because it is both a yin and yang tonic, it is considered to be one of the safer Chinese herbs, not causing imbalance in the patient. In Western terms, this Chinese herb can be considered an immune stimulant and adaptogen.
How Cordycepin Fight Tumor Growth
Research at the University of Nottingham has shown that the active ingredient, cordycepin, acts on the cellular level to slow the growth of cancer cells. This effect happens at two levels, depending on the dose of the Cordyceps sinensis extract given.
At lower doses, cordycepin interferes with mRNA, which instructs the cancer cell on building proteins. At higher doses the mushroom extract directly impacts the production of protein by the cells. Although these two effects are technically different, both occur because cordycepin interferes with protein production in the cells.
Other Ways These Chinese Mushrooms Are Used in Cancer Treatment
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s review of Cordyceps sinensis includes information on its use as an anti–tumor agent. It cites a study in which the mushroom extract ameliorated chemotherapy and radiation side effects in lung cancer patients, enabling them to complete treatment. Other studies showed positive results when using Cordyceps sinensis in treating leucopenia, or low white blood cell counts.
In accordance with its Traditional Chinese Medicine use, patients with respiratory symptoms improved when given Dong Chong Xia Cao. There was also some preliminary evidence for the mushroom extract reducing renal toxicity in kidney transplant and chronic renal failure patients.
Potential Concerns When Considering the Use of Dong Chong Xia Cao
Although there were no reported adverse reactions, it is important to know that certain conditions may be exacerbated by the use of this mushroom extract. As an immune-stimulant, Cordyceps sinensis would be contraindicated for patients with auto-immune diseases.
Cordyceps sinensis may also lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking insulin would be advised not to take this mushroom extract without physician supervision. Similarly, the ability of Dong Chong Xia Cao to stimulate red blood cell production means it may not be appropriate for cancers originating in the bone marrow.
As with other Chinese herbs used in cancer treatment, Dong Chong Xia Cao may be most effective when used in accordance with Traditional Chinese Medical precepts, as has been borne out by recent scientific findings. Used in this way Cordyceps sinensis may prove useful in the treating both tumors and the side effects of the radiation and chemotherapy used to combat them.

To discuss coffee’s classification into traditional Chinese medicine energetics I prefer to look at its actions and side effects. Increased alertness/energy, diuretic, diaphoretic, and purgative. The last three are easy to classify as drain dampness, resolve exterior and mild purgative. Classifying increased energy I think can mistakenly be classified as a Qi tonic. I mention mistakenly as I do not see coffee having any supplementing energies. If it were supplementing like Ren Shen or Huang Qi then I would expect over time that coffee would build your Qi and stamina. This is not the case. Once the effect of coffee wears off you are tired again and often more tired needing more coffee. I think coffee is borrowing from your jing and this is experienced as an increase in energy. Over time continuous coffee consumption will deplete your Jing and causes more fatigue. Bob Flaws explains how coffee can cause the stirring of ministerial fire giving you a sense of increased energy. more
To Quote Bob Flaws: It is also possible for ministerial fire to stir frenetically simply due to too much stirring. This means mental-emotional, verbal, and/or physical stirring. All stirring or movement is the expression of the activity of yang qi, and all the yang qi of the body is rooted in the life gate fire. Stirring consumes yang qi at the same time as it transforms and consumes yin essence. In particular, stirring of heart and/or liver fire due to emotional stress, excitement and anger or the stirring of excessive sexual desire and activity may stir ministerial fire to flame upward and become hyperactive above. Last but not least, many so-called recreational drugs which are acrid, warm, up bearing, out-thrusting, and scattering may also cause upward stirring of ministerial fire. – This includes marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiods, and hallucinogens. It also includes coffee, alcohol, and tobacco.
Bob Flaws has referenced from somewhere that coffee is acrid, warm, up bearing, out-thrusting, and scattering. My question is how does this description explain the diuretic and purgative affect?
Coffee is acrid, warm, up bearing, out-thrusting, and scattering may also cause upward stirring of ministerial fire according to Bob Flaws. Knowing Bob, he came to this conclusion through detailed analysis and appropriate references to respected Chinese medicine sources and journals.
This description explains how it can give a sense of increased energy and act as a diaphoretic. Any comments how the traditional Chinese medicine classification of Coffee above explains the purgative and diuretic effect?
According to traditional Chinese medicine herbal theory, which channel(s) do(es) coffee have an affinity for? This is often a contentious subject within traditional Chinese medicine since many of the main effects of coffee are related to its ability to affect the mind (i.e. inducing wakefulness and insomnia, reducing anxiety, and enhancing cognition). And since, according to traditional Chinese medicine, the mind is housed in the heart, it may appear that coffee is primarily directed to the heart channel. However, it is in my opinion that the tropism of coffee is primarily the liver, secondarily for the heart, and kidneys. The five-element theory illustrates the effect that coffee has on these three channels/organs. The liver over taxes from its mother element, the kidneys. In turn, the liver generates excessively with its child element, the heart.
I agree that coffee’s flavor is predominantly acrid and that its energy is very warm. Acrid herbs that enter the Liver act to up bear (another example is chai hu). Chai hu is acrid and cool, and it up bears qi. Coffee is acrid and warm and seemingly up bears the yang. This up bearing of yang is transferred to the heart where it arouses the mind, which leads to wakefulness, or insomnia, etc.
It is difficult to fit coffee neatly into a Chinese herbal category. It appears that coffee regulates the qi, while at the same time warms the interior. Generally, acrid herbs for releasing the exterior have affinities for the lung (the most superficial organ), or the bladder (the most superficial channel, taiyang). Even though coffee is considered to possess diaphoretic and diuretic actions, I do not think coffee has affinities for either the lung or bladder, and therefore would not be a particularly effective herb for releasing the exterior. Nor does coffee conform to the downward draining purgatives and laxatives categories, despite promoting bowel movements.
The grounds for coffee’s diaphoretic, diuretic, and purgative actions are less orthodox. From extensive self-experimentation, I understand that the diaphoretic action of coffee is a property that relates to coffee overdose. That is, an excessive consumption of coffee brings about diaphoresis, along with a host of other adverse effects: jitters (stirring of liver wind), and anxiety (disturbed mind). Diaphoresis and anxiety occur when coffee’s dispersing action excessively diffuses heart qi. The diuretic and purgative actions for the most part stem from the over taxation of the kidney and less so from any direct action on the fu organs. This seems a reasonable explanation, since the kidney controls the lower two orifices (1).

Traditionally in China, when once people got married, they would immediately get ready for having a baby. That is why symbolic things such as dolls or lotus seeds would be put on the beds of the newly weds on their wedding day so as to bring in the meaning of having a baby as soon as possible.

When once a married woman becomes pregnant, things for the baby will start to be prepared. Prams, cot, baby clothes, etc will be readily prepared to welcome the arrival of the new born. more
From now on, the health of the mother is of utmost importance. Therefore, the mother should reduce her workload, eat healthily, and employ prenatal education. Prenatal education has come into being for over 2000 years in China. It was believed that a good pregnant mother should eat only meat which was cut only in square cubes, sit only on properly built chairs, walk without a sway, talk softly, etc. By doing so, the fetus would be able to learn the most valued virtues. Although in present days the above mentioned practice is no longer common, pregnant women in China still behave very carefully so as not to do anything which affects the fetus. Still now most people believe that the structure of the house or flat should not be changed while a woman in the house is pregnant since it will cause the fetus no good but harm.
Chinese Pregnancy- The first month after giving birth
The first month after giving birth is very important for a mother. She needs the most rest and the best nutrition. Otherwise, her body will not be able to recover and can easily get ill. In this month, she can’t go outdoors, can’t be exposed to wind, can’t wash with cold water, can’t drink cold water, can’t read books etc. However, if a mother really has to wash herself, she should do so by using water boiled with dried ginger skin. In some places in China, a mother must not wash her hair because otherwise she will get a chronic headache.
Compared to the west, western women can leave home after a week of giving birth and can go to work after two weeks. It is unimaginable in China.
In China, after giving birth, a woman should eat plenty of fish soup and pig knuckle soup. The pig knuckle soup is boiled for a long time with ingredients such as a lot ginger, eggs, pig knuckles in plenty of sweet black vinegar. It is believed that this soup can compensate for the loss of calcium and other nutrients needed by the body. It is a tradition to give out and share such soup to friends and relatives but one can only do so twelve days after the baby is born. Chicken is also ideal for meals after giving birth. In order to help a mother to recover from giving birth, it is recommended that she should eat rice cooked with ginger daily since it can enhance all bodily circulation. Apart from the above, it is also a tradition that after the baby has been born for one lunar month, eggs dyed red should be given to friends and relatives. However, anything salty should be avoided since it will hinder the production of breast milk of a mother.
It is only after the baby has weaned then the mother can start considering controlling her body weight.
Some practices may seem quite unimaginable. However, they are still practiced in most places in China. Even in Hong Kong, women would follow the above traditions as long as family expectations are involved.