Tuesday, November, 2nd, 2010
Posted by Dr. Hsu
There is no cure for the common cold. But if you get a cold, there are very soothing Chinese herbal remedies to make you feel better while you are sick. Here are two such remedies. Take the first one for a cold with chills and the second one for a cold with no chills.
Ginger Cinnamon Tea Put 3-4 quarter sized slices into a teapot of boiling water. Add a cinnamon stick, lemon and some brown sugar to taste. Drink it twice a day. If you can, drink it in bed and stay under the covers.
Peppermint Chrysanthemum Tea
Use 1 part dried peppermint to two parts dried chrysanthemum. Boil a teapot of water and add the chrysanthemum. Pour the tea into a cup and add the peppermint. Steep for 5 minutes and add brown sugar to taste.
Monday, November, 1st, 2010
Posted by Dr. Hsu
Luo Han Guo or Enlightened Buddhist Fruit has been used in China for a thousand years as a natural low-calorie sweetener. Its fruit concentrate is many times sweeter than sugar. Traditionally, Luo Han Guo is used to treat chronic cough, constipation and diabetes and throat infections. Current research suggest the mogroside in Luo Han Guo is an antioxidant that may prevent cancer and be useful against the Epstein-Barr virus. Ask your practitioner how it may help you!
Thursday, October, 1st, 2009
Posted by Dr. Hsu
Here is a prevention formula prescribed by the Health Department of Shen Zhen City, Guangdong,China. It is used to boost the immune system and rid the body of infection. Its name is: Infuenza Preventing Herbal Tea:
huang qin 5g
huang qi 10g
huo xiang 10g
fang feng 5g
ge gen 20g
sheng gan cao 5g
Simmer with water for 45 minutes. Drink as tea twice daily for 3 days.
Dosages for children should be quartered. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before taking this formula.
I know, it sounds very complicated. So, ask your practitioner about it!
Tuesday, September, 29th, 2009
Posted by Dr. Hsu
There is a Chinese herbal formula that has been in use for 1000 years to boost the immune system and to increase energy. It is also used today in cancer patients for its antitumor and antimetastatic effects as well its radioprotective effects with no adverse effects.
The formula is: Shi Quan Da Bu Tang or the Ten Complete (All Inclusive) great Healing Formula.
Ask your practitioner about it!
Tuesday, September, 22nd, 2009
Posted by Dr. Hsu
People in China almost universally take these herbs every cold and flu season.
Viruses cause the cold and flu. Here are three of my favorite top antiviral/antibacterial herbs used in Chinese Medicine:
- Ban Lan Gen (Radix isatidis baphicacanthi). A top antiviral and immunostimulatory herb(1)(2) (3). It is also has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antinociceptive and antiendotoxic activities(4)(5).
- Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis). Widely known for its anti-cancer activity(6)(7), its active ingredient baicalin also exhibits anticonvulsive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity(8) (9).
- Da Qing Ye (Isatidis baphicacanthi) Studies indicate that Isatidis has antiendotoxic, antimicrobial, antiviral (10) (1) and immunostimulatory properties (3).
References:
- Wang T, et al. Evaluation on antiendotoxic action and antiviral action in vitro of tetraploid Isatis indigotica. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2000;25:327-9.
- Hoessel R, et al. Indirubin, the active constituent of a Chinese antileukaemia medicine, inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases. Nat Cell Biol 1999;1:60-7.
- Xu YM, Lu PC. Experimental studies on immunostimulatory effects of the Isatis indigotica polysaccharide. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1991;11:357-9, 325-6.
- Hocking G. A Dictionary of Natural Products. Medford (NJ): Plexus Publishing Inc; 1997.
- Ho Y, Chang Y. Studies on the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti pyretic effects of Isatis indigotica root. Phytomedicine 2002;9:419-24.
- Bonham M, Posakony J, Coleman I, Montgomery B, Simon J, Nelson PS. Characterization of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis with antiandrogenic and growth-inhibitory activities toward prostate carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2005;11(10):3905-14.
- Chang WH, Chen CH, Lu, FJ. Different effects of baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin on mitochondrial function, glutathione content and cell cycle progression in human hepatoma cell lines. Planta Medica 2002;68:128-32.
- Ueda S, Nakamura H, Masutani H, et al. Baicalin induces apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway as prooxidant. Molecular Immunology 2002;38:781-91.
- Anticonvulsant effect of wogonin isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. Eur J Pharmacol. Nov 28 2007;574(2-3):112-119.
- Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Revised Ed. Seattle: Eastland Press; 1993.
