Method
Normally ,apply ear seed-pressing ;For serious patient ,blood letting on Ear Apex area , filiform needle puncture,needle embedding therapy can be applied ,usually therapy course needs to be about repeated one to two times .

Climacteric Syndrome -Ear acupuncture

(A) Liver energy that hurts the stomach

It is usually manifested as dilation of the stomach, and can be caused by emotional reasons. Sini Powder is used to soothe the liver and regulates energy.

(B) Exposure to cold that harms the stomach

It is usually seen as cold pains on the upper abdomen, and the pain subsides as temperature rises, and increase as temperature drops. Treatment is focused on gaining warmth and expelling cold. Galangale soup is prescribed to treat this ailment.

(C) Harm to the stomach gue to eating and drinking habits

Symptoms displayed are swelling of the stomach cavity, belching of stomach acids, or vomiting undigested food. Baohe pills are prescribed to aid digestion and clear stagnation.

(D) There is not enough stomach-yin for nourishment

Long-term illness hurts the spleen and stomach. Displayed symptoms include blistering pain of stomach cavity, dryness of mouth and throat, little intake of food, dry stools. Yangyin-yiwei decoction is prescribed to reduce the symptoms.

(E) Cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach

Recurrence of gastritis, vomiting of clear fluids, lack of strength and energy, infrequency of excretory stolls. Treatment is focused on strengthening the spleen and reducing pain in a warm setting. Astragalus soup is prescribed to heal this ailment.

(F) Stagnation and stasis of blood

When having gastrointestinal ailments, the pain is sustained at a fixed location. If it is as prickling pain, then it is classified as stagnation of blood. Treatment is focused on reducing pain, invigorating blood to remove extraverted blood. Shixiao powder is prescribed to this condition.

(G) Damp heat obstructing the middle passage

Displayed symptoms include burning sensation of stomach cavity, sticky and bitter mouth, and yellowish urine. Qingzhong decoction is prescribed to clear heat and expel dampness, as well as regulate stomach function and energy.

DIETOTHERAPY FOR GASTROINTESTINAL AILMENTS

(I) 3-5 slices of fresh ginger, moderate amounts of brown sugar; immerse ingredients in hot water ans consume. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments caused by exposure to colds.

(II) 1g of pepper, 3 stalks of fiveleaf gynostemma herb, 3-5slices of ginger. Boil the fiveleaf gynowstemma herb and ginger for a while then add pepper to the concoction and consume the soup when warm. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments caused by colds.

(III) Add water to 65g of honey, stir and consumes with an empty stomach. This is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments due to secretion of too much gastric acid.

(IV) Prepare 250g of fresh mutton, cut them into cubes and cook till soft; then add polished round-grained rice and make porridge. Consume 2 servings a day, it can treat gastrointestinal ailments related to cold vacuity of the stomach. (V) 100g of polished round-grained rice, 25g of pork floss; cook polished rice into porridge form, add pork floss and stir evenly. Consume when it’s hot. Useful treating gastrointestinal ailments related to cold vacuity of the spleen and stomach.

(VI) Boil 20g of bergamot orange and remove residue, place 100g of polished rice in water and cook into porridge form. Add the Bergamot orange extract and cook for a while before consumptions. It is useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments related to liver energy that hurts the stomach.

(VII) 30-60g of cactus, 1 pig’s stomach. Stuff cactus into pig’s stomach, and put all ingredients in a pot with appropriate amounts of water. Cook with a slow fire till contents are mashed form. Drinking the soup and eating the pig’s stomach helps to treat patients who experience stagnation of vital energy flow and blood stasis, as well as those who suffer from chronic gastrointestinal ailments.

Ingredients:

Barley Porridge with Astragalus and Red Beans

* 30g astragalus
* 30g Job’s Tears Seeds
* 15g phaseolus beans
* 9g Endothelium Cornuem Glgeriae Galli (powder form)
* 1 tangerine.

Preparation:

1. Cook astragalus for 20 minutes and removeresidue, add other ingredients and cook into porridge.

2. After the meal, consume tangerine.

Function: Suitable for those with Nephritis and water retention conditio
(II) Stewed Turtle with Cordyceps Sinensis

Ingredients:

Stewed Turtle with Cordyceps Sinensis

Function: Suitable for patients with chronic nephritis

(III) Fried Meat Slices with Chinese Chives

Ingredients:

Fried Meat Slices with Chinese Chives

Preparation:

1. Stir-fry the ingredients and serve as dish

Functions: Suitable for patients with chronic nephritis

Home > Dietotherapy > Treatment of Chronic Kidney Dysfunction

Dietotherapy

Treatment of Chronic Kidney Dysfunction
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Chronic kidney dysfunction is caused by prolonged damage to the kidney. Dialysis and kidney transplant are effective in later stages of kidney dysfunction, but unable to resolve problems in early and intermediate stages. Chinese medicine can play a crucial role in treating chronic kidney dysfunction. By combining treatment with western medicine, it helps to detoxify and reduce side-effects in three areas:

(A) Oral Administration

Consuming Chinese rhubarb over the long-term can ease bowel movement, detoxify intestines, reduce blood viscosity and prevent kidney glomerulor and tubular problems.

(B) Enema

Used in treating early and intermediate stages of kidney dysfunction. Ingredients used include Chinese rhubarb, dandelion, leonurus and oyster shell.

(C) Medicated Bath

For kidney patients who do not respond to diuretics, can not undergo dialysis and with sensitive skin condition, they can bathe in water boiled with medicinal tangerine leaves, Chinese wormwood, perilla leaves, ginger, Chinese ephedra, cassia twig and pomelo skin to force out toxins through perspiration.

Diet For Uremia Patients

Uremis patients’ diet should be low in protein, low in phosphorus, high in carbohydrates, high in amino acid, and moderate in vitamins and minerals.

Many people have the misconceptions that proteins are high in nutritional value, but this is incorrect because too much protein will affect and damage kidney function. However , zero protein intake is also not right either because it may lead to malnutrition.

So, intake of high quality protein in foods like dairy products is essential. Foods that are low in phosphorus and high in calcium include paludina, egg white, kelp, sesame, lotus root starch, cabbage, spniach, tomato, melons and apples. Intake of high energy food is essential before low protein treatment, otherwise proteins in diet will be broken down quickly which do not benefit the kidney. The main source of high carhydrate in foods can be derived from potatoes, apples, water chestnut flour, lotus root powder, wild yam powder and vegetable oil.

Dietetic Treatment for Kidney Disease

(I) Barley Porridge with Astragalus and Red Beans

Ingredients:

* 30g astragalus
* 30g Job’s Tears Seeds
* 15g phaseolus beans
* 9g Endothelium Cornuem Glgeriae Galli (powder form)
* 1 tangerine.

Preparation:

1. Cook astragalus for 20 minutes and removeresidue, add other ingredients and cook into porridge.

2. After the meal, consume tangerine.

Function: Suitable for those with Nephritis and water retention condition.

(II) Stewed Turtle with Cordyceps Sinensis

Ingredients:

* 3-5g Cordyceps Sinensis
* 1green turtle or golden coin turtle

Function: Suitable for patients with chronic nephritis

(III) Fried Meat Slices with Chinese Chives

Ingredients:

* Fry 100g Chinese Chives
* 50g sliced lean meat

Preparation:

1. Stir-fry the ingredients and serve as dish

Functions: Suitable for patients with chronic nephritis

(IV) Stewed Chicken With Cordyceps Sinensis

Ingredients:

* 3-5g Cordyceps Sinensis
* 30g chicken
* 3 pieces of ginger

Preparation:

1. Marinate with oil and salt before stweing.

Function: Suitable for patients with Uremia.

(V) Stweed Fish Head With Rhizome Gastrodiae

Ingredients:

* 10g Rhizome Gastrodiae
* Fish head (half)
* 3 slices ginger
* 2 pieces red dates

Preparation:

1. Stew ingredients in claypot, add oil and salt as seasoning.

Function: Suitable for patients with chronic nephritis and hypertension.

Stewed Chicken With Cordyceps Sinensis

(A) Oral Administration

Consuming Chinese rhubarb over the long-term can ease bowel movement, detoxify intestines, reduce blood viscosity and prevent kidney glomerulor and tubular problems.

(B) Enema

Used in treating early and intermediate stages of kidney dysfunction. Ingredients used include Chinese rhubarb, dandelion, leonurus and oyster shell.

(C) Medicated Bath

For kidney patients who do not respond to diuretics, can not undergo dialysis and with sensitive skin condition, they can bathe in water boiled with medicinal tangerine leaves, Chinese wormwood, perilla leaves, ginger, Chinese ephedra, cassia twig and pomelo skin to force out toxins through perspiration.

Diet For Uremia Patients

Uremis patients’ diet should be low in protein, low in phosphorus, high in carbohydrates, high in amino acid, and moderate in vitamins and minerals.

Many people have the misconceptions that proteins are high in nutritional value, but this is incorrect because too much protein will affect and damage kidney function. However , zero protein intake is also not right either because it may lead to malnutrition.

So, intake of high quality protein in foods like dairy products is essential. Foods that are low in phosphorus and high in calcium include paludina, egg white, kelp, sesame, lotus root starch, cabbage, spniach, tomato, melons and apples. Intake of high energy food is essential before low protein treatment, otherwise proteins in diet will be broken down quickly which do not benefit the kidney. The main source of high carhydrate in foods can be derived from potatoes, apples, water chestnut flour, lotus root powder, wild yam powder and vegetable oil.

The five elements of Chinese medicine is a metal, wood, water, fire, earth, is a allelopathy mechanism of the cycle: the impact of the wood is the liver, the heart of the fire, the soil is a spleen, the lung tubes, water is kidney, among them closely. The properties were not entirely single, could be water-soil, or wood-fire.

The first step: inquiry

Since the five elements of Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine is the first step, of course, the look, smell and asked, cutting through the four clinics, doctors can determine your body is metal, wood, water, fire and earth in which, and Will be classified as obese, are widely see the size, type or puffiness of lower extremity edema, and followed by the right medicine, designed for the prescription.

The second step: Acupuncture

Physical transfer, local thin

To judge a good physique, then it is necessary to transfer the body. Acupuncture can be physical transfer, that is, in accordance with the thin physique, find the need to strengthen and stimulate acupuncture points of adjustment, the Huo-wang to Reduce Pathogenic Fire, to the Qi Qi. In addition, obesity can also strengthen the local partial acupuncture, so that the local active metabolism.

Step three: drug bath

Metabolic conditioning, symptomatic of thin

It was a different physical shape and can be used to make medicine bath herbs in different packages. Hiromu body needs wind, Nepeta, forsythia, Ephedra, mast Hill, rhubarb, and other drugs made from medicinal bath package, the use of anti-puffiness others, Astragalus, Atractylodes drugs made from medicinal herbs such as bath package, lower limb edema Aconite will need to type, such as peony and Fuling made from drug bath package. Bath Bath can be drug metabolism to promote, facilitate the passage of time to achieve the purpose of downsizing.

Step four: Massage

Meridian relax

According to the physical properties of thin, the selection of metal, wood, water, fire, earth element for the essential oils, acupuncture points on the back of the massage. Under normal circumstances, as a result of each one specific to a particular property, it may be to use a variety of massage oils. Massage is also very suitable for local thin.

Lane SPA massage using essential oils to massage, but the masseurs are rarely able to acquire a certain amount of knowledge of Chinese medicine; Chinese medicine hospital in a professional massage of Chinese medicine division, but they will not choose to be almost smell the aroma is very comfortable to massage oil. SPA election is a massage therapist or a Chinese medicine division, in accordance with their preferences it!

Step five: Diet

Eating thinner

Chinese medicine is not only to bear hardships and conditioning have shed tears of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicines and food will be a combination of methods now being used in a lot of Diet Center, has been well received. It should be emphasized that these Diet should be in line with the physical attributes in order to achieve the thin Yang Shen.

Including hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic two major categories, after treatment, are often left hemiplegia, the negative language, such as after-effects Kouyanwaixie. Mainly due to wind resistance meridian to stay sputum, blood stasis caused by the use of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture, massage for modulating, often played better.

In the acute phase of stroke, and five more critically ill patients will not, that is, stand up, sputum, to speak, eat, the urine can not take care of themselves, the need for close observation and meticulous care, treatment, in order to reduce and mitigate the effects. The most acute phase of stroke prone to bed sores, to prevent the occurrence of pressure sores, must turn over ground, unconscious patients to ensure that the skin, clothing, linen and dry indeed formation, when some of the pressure on the skin red, the application of the palm of your hand Rouca Waicha or safflower oil in order to improve the local blood circulation.

And the after-effects of stroke recovery period, patients and counseling to encourage them to exercise. Paralysis in the limbs can not be independent movement, should help patients passive movement and body massage to give patients the same time, so the size of the joint flexion and extension, rotation, adduction, and outreach activities to promote the blood running, while the increase in muscle strength. When the paralyzed limb can be restored to much credit when a patient should be encouraged to conduct their own campaigns. In order to help patients with muscle strength training, you can tape Shuanshang bed end, so that the patient took his seat belt, other features of the training exercise include: foot pedal, leg muscle strength training; hand grasping the wooden Roudong or walnut, Grip strength training and the activities of the finger joints; be able to stand up when a patient should be patient to practice walking arm as soon as possible and at the same time pay attention to the patient walking posture, skill, stamina and speed, all to safety. In addition, the speech can not stroke patients should be patient to help them practice pronunciation for the progressive restoration of language functions.

In view of the incidence of stroke, mortality, disability rates are higher, and actively enhance the prevention of this disease is very important. First of all, would like to stress that threatened to observe the symptoms of this disease is not made until patients have symptoms of a sign, such as dizziness and numbness side of the body. See if dizziness, convulsions Deng Zheng, Yang-Kang for the liver, liver, as the wind want to move, interest rates should be Pinggan Wind Uncaria, chrysanthemum and white Tribulus terrestris, oysters, peony, and other drugs. See if limb numbness, stagnate, as the context Bizu caused by blood, promoting blood circulation to be Tongluo of Salvia, Paeonia, Millettia, and other drugs.

The prevention of stroke, usually from the start, keeping their minds at ease, stability and avoid excessive drinking Feiganhouwei, do not smoke and avoid alcohol. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to weather changes, addition and subtraction clothes in a timely manner. To have the law of life, appropriate attention to the work and rest

As the modern work pressure, mental stress, the more sentimental Chi fail to materialize, Ganqiyuzhi, cutting Pitu grams of liver depression, stomach adverse air, transportation of the spleen, stomach of receiving, dysfunctional maturity, Sheng Tan Yi , A product of pathology, such as silt. Pain treatment and therefore more teachers to use hi CHAI Ping fry (that is, Xiao Chai Hu Tang Ping Weisan) addition and subtraction treatment. Xiao Chai Hu Tang from “typhoid fever” is the treatment of disease Shaoyang the main square, with a reconciliation Shaoyang, liver and spleen stomach of work, side by Radix, baicalin, Pinellia, ginger, ginseng, licorice Sunburn, Jujube Qiwei drug component. Chai Hu Fang relief by the Shaoyang in the heat of evil Yu, Xie Qing baicalin guts of internal organs evil, Radix, baicalin suitable to Xie Qing guts of evil heat internal organs; vomit as the main evidence of Shaoyang, Pinellia, the flavor of ginger Wen Xin, Xin can be scattered and can do it, can be used to reconcile and Wei Qi Jiangni antiemetic; dangshen, Zhigancao, the date, Spleen Wen Qi Gan, Gan can be priorities. Ping Weisan from “peace and Waste Management Bureau agents” from Atractylodes, Magnolia, Chenpi, licorice, ginger, jujube Liuwei composition. This side features Spleen dampness, Qi Dao Zhi, Ping’s Pythium stomach, abdomen of Wan Xiao Zhang Man, the noisy anti-acid, nausea and vomiting, over Xinxia Pi, where the thick white greasy tongue coating, such as its effect God. Xiao Chai Hu Tang Shan rule of the liver and gallbladder gas fire Yu, Xiao Ping Weisan gas for the benefit of full, warm dampness hard for a long line of the two sides, liver and stomach by two hepatogastric care, clinical treatment of chronic gastritis TCM belonging to the hepatogastric And those who do not-good effect. The treatment of stomach removed when the date due to stomach more vomit, and “vomit at home who do not like it is also Gan.”

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency) is a generally fatal disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS patients suffer from flu-like illness characterized by fever, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. Symptoms of AIDS might be experienced only after many years’infection. Both clearing toxins and enhancing immunity are incorporated in the traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Conventional medicine treats sexually transmitted diseases by identifying the pathogens of the disease and attacking them with antibiotics and other drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine treats sexually transmitted diseases (and all disease) by differentiating patterns of disease and then treating the specific pattern. Symptoms presented by the patient are analyzed and then classified into an overall pattern of disease or imbalance. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are then used to treat the problem. Chinese medicine therapies were well-established before microscopes permitted researchers to see bacteria and virus, but many of the traditional herbal formulas have anti-bacterial or anti-viral properties, and are highly effective against what modern science calls infection, and what classical Chinese texts call heat toxins. Other traditional herbal formulas tonify various Fundamental Substances of the body (such as Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang), and seem to have a positive effect on what modern science identifies as the immune system.

The following sections contain some historical background on sexually transmitted diseases in Chinese medicine, descriptions of the two most common patterns of sexually transmitted diseases, Chinese herbs used in the treatment of sexually transmitted disease patterns, and brief descriptions of common sexually transmitted diseases.

In Chinese medicine, the term chancre (Xia Gan) includes all diseases of the reproductive system which are sexually transmitted. This long legacy of Chinese medicine – the painstaking observation and analysis that differentiates patterns ?is still valuable today in dealing with the increasing number of modern diseases.

Common Patterns of AIDS
Most expressions of AIDS fall into one of the two patterns discussed below. Generally, acute, infectious-type eruptions of disease fall into the Toxic Heat pattern, whereas chronic, debilitating expressions of disease fall into the Chronic Deficiency pattern. Symptoms of each pattern are detailed, as well as the Chinese herbal formulas commonly used in treatment.

Toxic Heat Pattern. Symptoms include: ruptured abscesses; itching and burning sensation in the genital area; fever; headache; nausea; vomiting; increased vaginal discharge; turbid/cloudy urine; a burning sensation during urination; painful urination; frequent urination; urgent urination; a red tongue body with a yellow tongue coating; and a rapid pulse. UT Clearing (Ba Zhen San), Damp Heat Clearing (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang), Toxin Cleansing (Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin), and Honeysuckle & Forsthia Decoction (Yin Chao Hong Jiang Jie Du Tang) are some widely used formulas for clearing Heat toxins.

Chronic Deficiency Pattern. Symptoms include: ruptured abscesses; low-grade fever; cough without sputum; dry throat; dizziness; back soreness; chest congestion; heart palpitations; insomnia; lassitude; irregular periods; dry bowel movements; weak pulse; and a red tongue body with a thin tongue coating. For this pattern, toxin-cleansing herbal formulas should be combined with tonic herbal formulas. Chi Yin Tonic (Sheng Mai Yin), Water Fire Balance (Zhi Bai Di Huang Tang), Chi Blood Tonic (Ba Zhen Tang), Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang), GI Strength (Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan), and Kidney Yang Tonic (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) are some time-tested formulas for tonifying the Qi and Blood, and nourishing and strengthening the Lung, Spleen and Kidneys.

Top Chinese Herbs for AIDS
From age-old sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis to modern sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, enhancing immunity is fundamental to the sufferers. People with a lowered immune-system response are more vulnerable to infections, and to the abnormal cell changes that can lead to cancer and tumors. The leading Chinese herbs for enhancing immunity and combating infections and tumor formation are as follows:
1. Herbs for Enhancing Immunity: The leading Chinese herbs which boost the immune system include: ginseng (Ren Shen), astragalus (Huang Qi), atractylodis (Bai Zhu), licorice (Gan Cao), rehmannia (Shu Di Huang), angelica (Dan Gui), white peony root (Bai Shao), and buplerum (Chai Hu). These herbs are traditionally used for tonifying Qi and Blood and nourishing the Kidneys and Spleen. Modern research indicates they are natural immune system enhancers.
2. Herbs that are Anti-infection Agents: Leading anti-infectious herbs in Chinese medicine include: honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), woad leaf (Da Qing Ye), yedeon’s violet (Di Ding Cao), scabiosaefolia (Bai Jiang Cao), houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao), woad root (Ban Lan Gen), phellodendron (Huang Bai), and sophora (Ku Shen). Most of these herbs are traditionally used for clearing Heat and toxins. Modern pharmacological and clinical research focuses on their anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effects.
3. Herbs that Counteract Tumors: Leading anti-tumor herbs in Chinese medicine include: bur-reed rhizome (San Ling), zedoary rhizome (E Zhu), edulis (Shan Ci Gu), nux-vomica (Ma Qian Cao), lobelia (Ban Zhi Lian), and odlenlandia (Bai Hua She She Cao). In traditional Chinese medicine, masses and tumors are diagnosed as Blood Stasis. The function of these herbs is to move and resolve Blood Stasis.

Amenorrhea in Conventional Medicine
From the viewpoint of conventional Western medicine, normal menstrual cycles are based on a complex feedback system between the hypothalmus, the pituitary gland, and the ovaries, as well as the cyclical reaction of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) to sex hormones. Primary amenorrhea is considered to be caused by one of the following disorders: hypothalamic disorder, such as deficiency of thyrotropic, adrenocorticotropic or gonadotropin-releasing hormones; pituitary insufficiency; or an ovarian disorder, such as a sex-chromosome problem. Secondary amenorrhea can be caused by any of the following disorders: pituitary dysfunction; ovarian dysfunction; adrenal gland dysfunction; thyroid dysfunction, etc. Quite a few hormones are involved in the absence of menstruation, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, androgen, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Because menstrual irregularities are so strongly linked to hormone imbalances, it is natural for doctors to prescribe hormone therapy to regulate menstrual cycles. Progesterone and estrogen are given to start or restart the periods. Estrogen supplements are frequently prescribed to help prevent osteoporosis in women with no underlying disorder if the amenorrhea has lasted for more than six months. Birth control pills are the most popular form of estrogen replacement therapy. If hormone replacement therapy is recommended to you, it is important for you to know about the functions of these hormones, as well as their side-effects and long-range effects. In this article, we will focus on secondary amenorrhea in the framework of Chinese medicine.

Amenorrhea in Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, the most important organs that regulate Blood and menstruation are the Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys; and the key Fundamental Substances are Chi and Blood. The Liver stores the Blood, and is responsible for maintaining a smooth and even flow of Blood, Chi, and emotions through the body. Emotions such as anger, irritation, resentment, and anxiety can lead to stagnation of Liver Chi, which in turn can lead to Blood Stasis (especially in the lower body). A main function of the Spleen is to produce Chi and Blood. If the Spleen is weak, there will eventually be a deficiency of Chi and/or Blood, so there will not be enough blood for normal menstruation, or enough Chi to regulate normal cycles. Also, if the Spleen is too weak, it can lead to a condition of Dampness in the body, and Phlegm-Damp can obstruct the uterus. The Kidneys are the organ responsible for conception, reproduction, and aging over time. Kidney-essence is the ultimate origin of menstrual blood.

Amenorrhea can be differentiated into Deficiency patterns or Excess patterns. With Deficiency patterns, the Blood is exhausted or deficient. With Excess patterns, Chi or Blood may be stagnant, retention of Phlegm-Dampness can lead to obstruction of menses, or there is Blood Stasis.

Besides the mechanisms discussed above, some lifestyle factors can cause amenorrhea. Long-term use of contraceptive pills can bring about Blood Deficiency or Kidney Chi Deficiency. Excessive physical exercise or participation in sports, with over-use of the muscles and sinews, can lead to a deficiency condition of the Spleen and Liver. The Spleen fails to produce adequate amounts of Blood, and the Liver fails to store Blood properly, which leads to amenorrhea.

Patterns and Herbal Treatment of Amenorrhea in Chinese Medicine
The following four patterns are very common in cases of secondary amenorrhea. The first two patterns, Kidney Liver Deficiency and Chi Blood Deficiency are Deficiency patterns. To treat these two patterns, the Deficiency must be tonified. The other two patterns, Chi Stagnation with Blood Stasis, and Phlegm Dampness Retention, are Excess patterns. For these two patterns, the Excess should be eliminated through the use of Chinese herbal medicines. Kidney Liver Deficiency. General weakness, malnourishment of the Kidneys and Liver, or an irregular sex life are the origins of this pattern. Symptoms include: absence of menstruation for a significant period of time; a thin body; dizziness; palpitations; back and knee soreness; insomnia; dream-disturbed sleep; chest congestion; anxiety; hot flashes; excessive perspiration; a red tongue body, absence of tongue coating, or cracks on the tongue; and a wiry-rapid-thin pulse. Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang), dioscorea root (Shan Yao), and angelica (Dang Gui) are the leading herbs that tonify Kidney-essence and Liver Blood. Restoring Kidney Formula (Gui Shen Wan), which includes these herbs, is a wonderful formula for this pattern of amenorrhea.

Chi Blood Deficiency. Chronic illness; excessive bleeding from childbirth, miscarriage, or surgery; or prolonged breast feeding are possible origins of this pattern. Typically, periods become scantier and scantier at the end of the cycle, and eventually cease altogether. Other symptoms include: a pale complexion; dizziness; palpitations; weakness of the limbs; lassitude; loose stools; a pale, thin tongue; and a thin-wiry or thin-weak pulse. Ginseng (Dang Shen) is the top Chi tonic herb. Angelica (Dang Gui) is the leading Blood tonic herb. Chi Blood Tonic (Ba Zhen Tang) is the most widely-used herbal formula for the Chi Blood Deficiency pattern.

Chi Stagnation and Blood Stasis. Emotional stress or trauma is the most common origin of this pattern. Menstruation ceases after intense or prolonged emotional stress or trauma. Symptoms include: absence of menstruation; depression; anxiety; a sensation of fullness in the chest and under the rib cage; swelling or fullness of the abdomen with an aversion to pressure; lack of appetite; thirst; desire to drink cold water; constipation; sides of the tongue are purple, with a yellow-white-sticky tongue coating; and a thin-wiry or deep-choppy pulse. Buplerum (Chai Hu), angelica (Dang Gui), and white peony (Bai Shao) are some popular herbs, and Liver Spleen Harmonizer (Xiao Yao San) is a well-known herbal formula to address this pattern.

Phlegm Dampness Retention. Chronic overweight or a deficient Spleen are a common background for this pattern, as well as the habitual consumption of cold, raw, or greasy foods (especially dairy products). Overweight and Spleen Deficiency contribute to metabolism problems, and retention of Phlegm Dampness leads to absence of menstruation. Other symptoms include: a feeling of fullness and congestion in the chest and lower rib cage; nausea; vomiting; a feeling of sticky phlegm in the mouth; lassitude; large amounts of sticky, mucoid vaginal discharge; a yellow-white-sticky tongue coating; and a thin-slippery pulse. Single herbs such as atractylodes lancea tuber (Cang Zhu), cyperus tuber (Xiang Fu), and tangerine peel (Chen Pi), and an herbal formula, Phlegm Cleansing (Cang Fu Dao Tan Tang) are widely used to address this pattern of amenorrhea.

Acupuncture vs. Medications for Amenorrhea
Besides herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion are two other widely-used healing tools in traditional Chinese medicine. Although both traditional Chinese medicine and conventional Western medicine aim to achieve the same goal — restart the periods and restore the normal cycle, a significant difference exists between these two modalities. Traditional Chinese medicine stimulates the body to regulate its naturally-occurring hormones and restore the normal hormone function, while conventional Western medicine restores the function of the thalamus-pituitary-ovary axis through the use of artificial hormones. The following clinical study shows that they have very different long-lasting effects.

A clinical study was conducted at the Thousand Buddha Mountain Hospital in Jinan, China, to determine the efficacy of acupuncture vs. medication for amenorrhea. There were ninety-five subjects in the study. All the patients’ amenorrhea has lasted for six months or more, and was attributed to the use of birth control pills. Fifty-seven of the patients were in the Acupuncture Treatment Group, and thirty-eight patients were in the Medication Group. Two patterns of amenorrhea, Spleen Liver deficiency and Liver-Chi stagnation, were differentiated in the Acupuncture Treatment Group. Acupuncture points Ren 3 (Zhong Ji), extra point Zi Gong, Ki 12 (Da He), Sp 6 (San Yin Jiao), and BL 32 (Ci Liao) were used. BL 20 (Pi Shu), BL 23 (Shen Shu), St 36 (Zu San Li), Sp 4 (Gong Sun) and moxibustion on these points were added for the Spleen Liver Deficiency pattern, while BL 18 (Gan Shu), Liv 13 (Qi Men), and Sp 9 (Yin Ling Quan) were added for the Liver Chi Stagnation pattern. A course of treatments consisted of twenty treatments. The whole treatment consisted of six courses, with five-day breaks between the courses. In the Medication Group, patients took Stilbestrol first, then Progesteronum was injected. One month after finishing the treatments, the effective rate (cure, great improvement and improvement) for the Acupuncture Treatment Group was 96.49%, while the effective rate for the Medication Group was 97.36%. Initially, there was no significant difference between these two groups. Six months after finishing the treatments, however, the effective rate was reported at 94.73% for the Acupuncture Treatment Group, while the effective rate dropped to 78.94% for the Medication Group. This is a significant difference between the two groups, suggesting that the long-range effects of acupuncture are very positive.

Many studies in China reveal that acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine are superior to conventional medicine in the treatment of menstrual disorders, including amenorrhea.

The common cold is an acute viral infection that generally causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. It is the most common infectious disease in humans, and accounts for more time lost from work or school than any other disease. Flu is an acute and contagious infection of the respiratory tract. Its symptoms include running nose, cough, chills, headache, fever, and severe aching in the muscles and joints. Although flu affects all age groups, schoolchildren have the highest incidence. Although colds and flu are generally of brief duration, they can lead to complications in the very young, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems.

Because both cold and flu are viral infections, conventional medicine has no cure for them. Bed rest and increased fluid intake are generally suggested to make the patient more comfortable. Aspirin, nasal decongestants, and other medications such as steam inhalation, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, amantadline, or rimantadine are prescribed.

A friend of mine traveled to China last winter. She told me that when she visited a college there, she saw every student in the cafeteria drinking a kind of herbal tea for the prevention of cold and flu before their lunch. She thought that was very interesting and asked me what they were drinking. I told her that every school in China, from grade school through college, offers herbs to the students during the flu season to prevent cold and flu. There are quite a few teas and herbal formulas available for prevention purposes.

In China, these anti-cold and flu formulas will be found in every family’s medicine cabinet. It would be almost impossible to find a person in China who has never taken one. Most of these effective and time-tested herbal formulas come from two important schools in traditional Chinese medicine: the school of cold-induced febrile diseases, represented by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 AD), and the school of seasonal febrile diseases, represented by Wu Jutong (1758-1836).

Using herbal formulas to prevent and treat colds and flu is one of the best-developed and most successful aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Specific treatment practices and formulas have been handed down unbroken from the earliest schools to the modern universities of China. In this country, more and more people are becoming aware of the existence and efficacy of the ancient cold and flu formulas. At our clinic, TCM Health Center, we see increased demand for this type of treatment, especially among school teachers, who are constantly being exposed to colds. Our clients say that their doctors have been surprised by the effectiveness of Cold & Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San), which is a common and popular formula in China.

Top Antiviral Herbs in Chinese Medicine

Woad Root (Ban Lan Gen) is one of the leading anti-viral herbs. In a study of over 11,000 people who were exposed to mumps, the infectious manifestation was forestalled by using a decoction of woad root. Woad root tea is the most popular herbal tea to prevent and treat flu in China.

Woad Leaf (Da Qing Ye) shares similar properties with woad root. In a study of 100 people, only 10% of the treatment group that took a woad leaf decoction twice daily had upper respiratory infections during the study period, while 24% of the control group had infections.

Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao) is a pointed, oval-shaped capsule with a hard shell. Because of its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunity-enhancing properties, forsythia fruit is widely used to treat common cold, influenza, swelling and pain in the throat, and skin inflammation.

Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) is named gold-and-silver flower in Chinese. Research indicates that this flower bud can deactivate the PR8 strain of influenza virus. The study also indicates that honeysuckle works wonderfully to treat other infectious diseases, including pneumonia and viral conjunctivitis.

Baical Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) is the dried root of scutellaria. It is an anti-viral agent, effective against influenza viruses. This herb and its active substance, baicalin, are used in the treatment of upper respiratory infections, either bacterial or viral.

Effective Herbal Formulas in Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, patterns are differentiated according to the imbalances of the body and the causes and stages of the disease. Herbal formulas (combinations of herbs) are always recommended by practitioners because they are stronger and more effective than single herbs. I will discuss three patterns of cold and flu symptoms, and the appropriate formulas for each type.

Wind-Heat Pattern: Symptoms of the Wind-Heat pattern include: fever; headache; sweating; a running nose with yellowish-colored mucus; dry mouth; thirst; sore throat; productive coughing with thick yellowish phlegm; a thin, yellow tongue coating; and a floating and rapid pulse. Cold and Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San) is the most popular herbal formula to treat the Wind-Heat pattern. Wind-Heat Clearing (Sang Ju Yin) and Lung Heat Clearing (Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang) are also basic formulas for cold and flu of the Wind-Heat pattern.

Cold & Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San)

Forsythia (Lian Qiao)
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua)
Platycodon (Jie Geng)
Mint (Bo He)
Bamboo Leaf (Dan Zhu Ye)
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Schizonepeta (Jing Jie)
Soy Bean (Dan Dou Gu)
Arctium (Niu Bang Zi)

Wind-Cold Pattern: Symptoms of Wind-Cold pattern include: aversion to cold; mild fever; absence of sweat; chest congestion; sneezing; running nose with clear mucus; itching throat, or a cough with clear mucus; a thin, white tongue coating; and a tight pulse. Wind-Cold Formula (Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang) is commonly used for cold and flu of the Wind-Cold type. Among others, Cinnamon Decoction (Gui Zhi Tang), Minor Blue Dragon Decoction (Xiao Qing Long Tang), and Cnidium and Tea Formula (Chuan Qiong Cha Tiao San) are also widely used.

Wind-Cold Formula (Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang)

Notopterygium (Qiang Huo)
Ledebouriella (Fang Feng)
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes)
Asari (Xi Xin)
Cnidium (Chuan Qiong)
Dahurian Angelica (Bai Zhi)
Rehmania (Shen Di Huang)
Skullcap (Huang Qin)
Licorice (Gan Cao)

Deficiency Pattern: Most people with chronic illness fall into the Deficiency category. They are the targets of cold and flu during every seasonal change and in every flu season. Their energy is low, their immune systems are weak, and they have trouble recovering from prolonged illness. Women with a Deficiency condition often catch a cold before every menstrual cycle. When Deficiency-pattern people are hit by cold or flu, they should use either Cold & Flu Formula or Wind-Cold Formula, depending upon whether their illness falls into the Wind-Heat type or the Wind-Cold type. Once cold or flu symptoms are gone, other formulas can be taken to strengthen the immune system and prevent recurrence of disease. Immunenergy (Shi Quan Da Bu Wan) is a well-known tonic for the immune system. Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan), Spleen Heart Tonic (Gui Pi Wan), Kidney Yin Tonic (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) and Kidney Yang Tonic (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) are also popular formulas which tonify the immune system. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to determine the best formula for you.

Immunenergy Formula (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang)

Angelica (Dang Gui)
Cnidium (Chuan Qiong)
Peony (Bai Shao)
Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang)
Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu)
Poria (Fu Ling)
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Cinnamon (Rou Gui)