Here’s an article I wrote which was published in the local Lotus Guide for Healthy Living, Jan-Apr 2021 issue, upon the re-opening of my business in February 2021, in Paradise, Ca (I lost my business in Paradise due to the Camp Fire on November 8, 2018):
Herbal Medicinal Treasures in Paradise
This article is to point out that powerful plant medicine can be used to help yourself heal and can be found even where it may not be expected, in a small mountain town that is being reborn!
I am a big proponent of a gluten-free diet due to all the chronic health issues it may cause. Going gluten-free myself years ago helped my health tremendously, and it was specifically atopic dermatitis or eczema that lead me down this road of healing. This is a great article on the subject of gluten in our diets, the damage it causes in our gut, and the many skin diseases it may cause (from one of my favorite blogs on CAM and natural medicine):
Gluten Skin, or the Gut-Skin Axis
For more information on this topic, search my blog for “gluten” for articles I have written on this topic also.
Here’s an article about one of my favorite Chinese herbs:
The Cold Remedy That Actually Works!
Here’s more links about this herb on my blog:
Top Chinese Herb for Immune System Support
It seems like every season, whether it be Spring or Fall, or Summer or Winter, various patients have symptoms of hayfever or environmental allergies – this need not be the case!! Allergies are a symptom of our immune system needing support so that we can handle exposure to the environment, whether it be from pollens or animal dander, molds or mildews, or even dust. Our standard medical system of allopathy does us a disservice by prescribing anti-histamines, which suppress symptoms and suppresses the body’s natural response to exposure, hence making the condition worse in the long-term. The best long-term solution is to stimulate our body’s natural ability to handle the exposure so that it does not respond to a substance like it is a toxin – a healthy body should tolerate exposure and handle it gracefully, and not respond to pollens and dust like they are toxins!
For more information, see my document on how I treat allergies naturally:
Treating Hayfever or Environmental Allergies with Natural Medicine
From the summary of this research:
“This study … provides the evidence that Xin Yi San alone is an effective herb in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.” (Note: Xin Yi San is the TCM name of the formula, in this case, of only one herb, Xin Yi Hua, or Magnolia Flower.)
In my office, I usually have on hand at least 2 or 3 TCM herbal formulas with this herb in them. For example, the primary herbal formula I recommend for seasonal allergies, or allergic rhinitis, is Bi Yan Pian. A description of this formula can be found here. I have many people come back yearly for this formula plus they always recommend it others! I have other options as well, including homeopathic remedies for allergies. The best thing is that there are no side effects such as drowsiness like conventional anti-histamines!
I also carry “Magnolia Clear Sinus” and “Pueraria Clear Sinus” from Evergreen Herbs, both formulas that are very excellent for sinus infections.
Two Chinese herbal formulas I commonly recommend to boost immunity are Evergreen Herbs Immune + and Zand Astragalus Formula. Immune + is based on a very commonly-used formula Yu Ping Feng San, which is especially used to help those who easily catch common colds or flues, or are commonly affected by seasonal allergies. Zand Astragalus is a very similar formula.
Catching colds or flues easily, and/or having seasonal allergies means that the immune system is weak and needs to be strengthened. These formulas are also ideal to strengthen the immune system when going into the winter season or when one knows they will be exposed to others who are ill from a common cold or flu, or when one is oing into a hospital or convalescent situation where others could be ill. Both of these formulas will also tend to help poor energy too.
Both of these formulas contain Astragalus (Huang Qi) and Reishi mushroom (Ling Zhi, or Ganoderma), both of which research has shown are immunoprotective. Research has also shown that Astragalus can have an antibiotic effect, is anti-asthmatic and is nephroprotective (protects the kidneys) as well. Reishi has anti-cancer properties and a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.
More information on the two main herbs in these formulas can be found at these sample monographs from the premier resource of the Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John Chen and Tina Chen: Huang Qi and Ling Zhi/Reishi
Astragalus is also in the Evergreen Herbs Cordyceps 3 formula. Cordyceps is especially known to treat chronic respiratory disorders; I call it a ‘Ginseng for the Lungs’ since it is also used for its ginseng-like ‘anti-aging’ qualities. Speaking of Ginseng, Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen) is in this formula as well. So Cordyceps 3 is an excellent formula for aging, poor energy or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other conditions as well that need immune-system support, including cancer.
Information on BHI-Heel’s Homeopathic Sinusin Nasal Spray: This is a great product for Sinusitis or Sinus Infections, and will treat and prevent both. It is anti-bacterial and anti-viral, so why this is such a great product for sinus infections. This product is also available as internal oral drops, if a nasal spray is not desired. Using both together is a great combo though!
Sinusin Brochure
Research on Sinusin Nasal Spray (Product was called Euphorbium Nasal Spray until a few years ago with the same exact ingredients.)
I also have stronger Chinese herbal medicinal formulas if Sinusin does not work…
This Traditional Chinese Medicine patent medicine is very famous for treating the symptoms of hayfever and other allergies (dust, pet dander, etc.) such as a runny nose (rhinitis), itchy eyes and nose, sinus congestion and headaches. It even can be used on your pets too for their allergies! For more details, see this patient handout:
This product works very well to desensitize one’s allergic response to the pollens from trees, weeds and grasses in the Western part of the United States. For more details, see the brochure: