Herbal Formulas
Creating your own Herbal Medicine Kit
Discovery of antibiotic drugs is one of the most important breakthroughs in modern medicine. Unfortunately, decades of abuse and misuse have let to problems of resistance, especially when antibacterial drugs are used to treat viral infections, because they are useless in treating these.. In modern western medicine, antibiotics play a very important role in dealing with infections. When the body's immune system is overwhelmed, antibiotics can be very useful. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, more and more antibiotics have been discovered, but infections still plague us. Many bacteria develop resistance to the antibiotics that once killed them. While antibiotics can be lifesaving when used appropriately, overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics has caused cause widespread health problems.
The overuse of antibiotics in the United States is recognized by both health professionals and the public as a cause for great concern. However, this problem is much less prevalent in Asian countries. They find the answer in a natural and powerful substitute for antibiotics -- Chinese herbal formulas!
Natural herbal antibiotics prescribed by Licensed Acupuncturists have been used for more than 2000 years by millions of people. Classical Chinese medical textbooks such as Theory of Febrile Diseases and Synopsis of the Golden Cabinet, by Zhang Zhongjing, (150-219 AD), and Treatise on Differentiation and Treatment of Seasonal Febrile Diseases, by Wu Jutong, 1798, include effective formulas for "Clearing Heat," "Expelling Cold," and "Relieving Toxicity" which are used to treat infectious diseases. Although traditional Chinese medicine and conventional Western medicine are based on different philosophies, they share the same goal of curing their patients. Chinese medicine may be especially advantageous with modern complicated conditions where "bugs", and "super-bugs", come in so many different forms that a single antibiotic fails to deal with them. The proper use of Chinese herbal formulas can not only inhibit bacterial, viral and fungal infections, but also minimize the need for antibiotics with their adverse side effects.
Conventionally, two theories dominate the practice of medicine on infectious diseases. One theory is that germs cause infectious diseases. The other theory is that diminished host resistance causes infectious diseases. The "great compromise" of these two theories is widely accepted by both the public and professionals. That is, infectious organisms are present in the host or the environment, but infection does not occur unless the host's resistance diminishes. The implication of this compromise is that a strong immune system is fundamental if the body is to resist infections. A medicine which controls bacterial infection and sustains the immune system is always preferable to a medicine which kills bacteria but depresses the immune system. These formulas can replace antibiotics in many cases, and they also benefit the immune system. I do not intend to diminish the role of antibiotics in any sense, but when antibiotics do not work and their prolonged use causes side effects, Chinese herbal formulas can be a very viable alternative.
The overuse of antibiotics in the United States is recognized by both health professionals and the public as a cause for great concern. However, this problem is much less prevalent in Asian countries. They find the answer in a natural and powerful substitute for antibiotics -- Chinese herbal formulas!
Natural herbal antibiotics prescribed by Licensed Acupuncturists have been used for more than 2000 years by millions of people. Classical Chinese medical textbooks such as Theory of Febrile Diseases and Synopsis of the Golden Cabinet, by Zhang Zhongjing, (150-219 AD), and Treatise on Differentiation and Treatment of Seasonal Febrile Diseases, by Wu Jutong, 1798, include effective formulas for "Clearing Heat," "Expelling Cold," and "Relieving Toxicity" which are used to treat infectious diseases. Although traditional Chinese medicine and conventional Western medicine are based on different philosophies, they share the same goal of curing their patients. Chinese medicine may be especially advantageous with modern complicated conditions where "bugs", and "super-bugs", come in so many different forms that a single antibiotic fails to deal with them. The proper use of Chinese herbal formulas can not only inhibit bacterial, viral and fungal infections, but also minimize the need for antibiotics with their adverse side effects.
Conventionally, two theories dominate the practice of medicine on infectious diseases. One theory is that germs cause infectious diseases. The other theory is that diminished host resistance causes infectious diseases. The "great compromise" of these two theories is widely accepted by both the public and professionals. That is, infectious organisms are present in the host or the environment, but infection does not occur unless the host's resistance diminishes. The implication of this compromise is that a strong immune system is fundamental if the body is to resist infections. A medicine which controls bacterial infection and sustains the immune system is always preferable to a medicine which kills bacteria but depresses the immune system. These formulas can replace antibiotics in many cases, and they also benefit the immune system. I do not intend to diminish the role of antibiotics in any sense, but when antibiotics do not work and their prolonged use causes side effects, Chinese herbal formulas can be a very viable alternative.
Creating your own Spring Herbal Medicine KitAllergies
With spring’s sunshine and flowers come wind and pollen, which for many people signals the onset of allergy season. Tree pollens are the most prevalent pollens in the spring and many trees are prolific pollinators. Grass and weed pollens follow in late spring and summer, and airborne mold spores can be found almost year round, as well as other common allergens such as dust, dust mites, and animal dander. While many over-the-counter remedies promise symptomatic relief, Acupuncturists know that addressing the causes of allergies, treating the whole person, and focusing on enhancing the immune system leads to substantial long-term health benefits in managing allergies. What are Allergies? Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an example of misplaced immunity. It is a learned response by the immune system wherein rapid physiological changes resulting in itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion and sneezing, asthma, and even diarrhea are produced. Typically, exposure to an allergen such as tree pollen elicits a massive release of IgE antibodies which attach to white blood cells known as mast cells. These cells are mostly located in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, the lining of the stomach and the skin. When these cells are stimulated, they release a number of chemicals including histamine which produce the allergic symptoms. IgE-mediated allergies result in almost immediate symptoms and may be life-long or "fixed." There are also other types of allergic responses, which can be transient. One example is the delayed hypersensitivity reaction in which the allergic response may take up to 72 hours to manifest itself. These immune system reactions are often IgG-mediated and are commonly seen with food as well as inhalant allergies. Additionally, practitioners may also use the term allergy to describe other immune system responses such as nonspecific hypersensitivity or intolerances which are not classic allergic reactions but produce undesirable health effects in response to environmental exposures. One useful theory of allergy is the Total Load Theory, which states that for some people exposure to a single allergen may not be enough to trigger a symptomatic response; however, exposure to several allergens near the same time elicits an allergic response. For example, let's say that one is allergic to cow's milk and to cypress pollen. She may drink milk daily without any noticeable allergic response, however when cypress pollens are present, she suffers from allergies. By avoiding dairy products during pollen season, she may be able to lessen her "allergic load" and reduce her symptoms without reliance on symptomatic medications. Pharmaceutical treatment of Allergies Basic allopathic [western] medical therapies often rely on inhibiting the allergic response. Antihistamines (Chlor-trimetron, Benadryl, etc.) are a good example. Other types of drugs used to treat allergic rhinitis or asthma include ones which act on the nervous system (Albuterol, epinephrine), cortico-steroids (prednisone), and decongestants. Vasoconstrictive drugs can also cause side effects such as nervousness, restlessness, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, upset stomach, difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, palpitations, tremors and hallucinations. Western medicine also emphasizes the importance of avoiding the allergen if possible, and the use of air filters to decrease exposure. When avoidance or elimination is impossible or impractical, the next level of treatment may be desensitization, the injection of small amounts of the allergen in gradually increasing doses in order to neutralize over time the number of antibodies present. Although western medicine is very effective at treating the allergic response, side effects such as drowsiness in some people, immune system suppression or over-reliance on medications cause many to seek integrative approaches to managing their allergies. Many turn to their Acupuncturist for advice and treatment. The Acupuncturist looks for constitutional or more deeply-rooted signs in each person who presents with allergies. The principle here is treating the whole person. The goal of Acupuncture treatment is to develop a plan which addresses the person's acute symptoms and provides relief, while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance which is thought to be at the root of the person's allergies. Treatment includes Acupuncture (Needling therapy), diet changes and Chinese Herbal formulas. Chinese Herbal Formula for for Allergies: The following is my favorite for allergies: Magnolia Clear Sinus formula is used to treat seasonal allergies (especially in spring and winter), sinusitis or rhinitis. Patients will have general nasal symptoms such as
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Creating your own Winter Herbal Medicine KitHerbal Formulas for cold, flu & respiratory infections
The most common type of infections are respiratory infections. Almost everyone has experienced a running nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, sinus infection, etc. In China, Chinese herbal formulas are the first option for dealing with this type of problem. The following are my favorites for the winter months and during the cold and flu season. Lonicera Complex, also known as Yin Qiao San is the most popular. This hundred-year-old remedy is famous for both prevention and treatment of common cold, and should be stocked in your medicine cabinets. Honeysuckle and forsythia, which are the leading herbs in Lonicera Complex, have a strong inhibitory effect against many pathogenic bacteria such as streptococcus and staphylococcus. Lonicera Complex contains herbs with antibacterial and antiviral properties to treat infections such as:
Herbal ABX is designed specifically as an antibiotic formula for treatment of infections. It is used to treat all types of infections, with or without fever, inflammation, redness or swelling and has broad spectrum antibiotic functions.
It is used to treat:
These 2 formulas may be combined for moderate to severe cases of infection or inflammation. I use Evergreen Herbs exclusively as I like the quality and purity of their herbal formulas. I have found that patients taking encapsulated Chinese Herbal Formulas are more compliant and have greater success with ease of use and results. |