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Research: Acupuncture for Treating Symptoms in Patients with Lung Cancer

Jan 132014

From the summary of this research paper: “This study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture may be an effective approach for improving symptoms — in particular, pain and well-being – in a lung cancer population. Acupuncture is a safe and minimally invasive modality, and it may have a particularly useful role in patients undergoing anticancer treatment…” and “Statistically significant improvements in pain, appetite, nausea, nervousness, and well-being were observed. A clinically important improvement … was reported by 61% of patients for pain and by 33% for well-being.”

The potential role for acupuncture in treating symptoms in patients with lung cancer

Acupuncture for Cancer Patients: Help with Chemotherapy Side Effects

Acupuncture News and Research, Cancer/Integrative Oncology

Jan 092014

This is an article about why acupuncture should be used for the side effects of chemotherapy. It refers to several studies on this topic, one of which highlights that ‘electroacupuncture worked better than anti-nausea medications’:
Time for Acupuncture to Become Part of Standard Care

Luckily, in our local area, we do have a progressive program at a local hospital doing such work (if only more MDs would refer their patients to it)! See my blog post:

Acupuncture at Local Hospital Cancer Center

Monograph: GoJi Berries (Lycium Barbarum)

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Products, Scholars, TCM Scholars

Dec 122013

Obtained online circa 4/13, I can no longer find this on the Smart Publications website, but this is an excellent summary or monograph of the research done on GoJi Berries, aka Gou Qi Zi in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Materia Medica (Lycium Barbarum):
GoJi Berries Monograph

Another great summary of the benefits of this herb, or berry, is:
Ray Sahelian’s GoJi Berry Information

Additionally, information of the brand of GoJi Berries I carry in my office can be found at:
Dragon Herbs GoJi Berries
The founder of this company, Ron Teeguarden, is a scholar in the field of Chinese Medicine and his company carries some of the best products around!

Product: Cocoa MoJo – Organic Cocoa with Organic Extracts of Medicinal Mushrooms

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Organic Foods, Products

Dec 042013

Healthy Cocoa – what a concept?!?!?

EnerHealth Botanicals Cocoa MoJo is now carried in my office. It is a ‘great way to enjoy yummy Cocoa while supporting your immune system… especially during the winter’¹. This is an organic non-dutched (no alkaloids) cocoa powder with organic coconut palm sugar and organic extracts immune-boosting medicinal mushrooms. The coconut palm sugar has a low glycemic index (of 35), making this a nice dessert treat even for diabetics and others who are watching their sugar intake. The medicinal mushrooms extracts in Cocoa Mojo are:

√ Cordyceps Sinensis – this is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb that I call the ‘Ginseng for the Lungs’; it is a ‘Lung Tonic’ and is used to treat many respiratory disorders. It is also effective in the prevention and treatment of a variety of cardiovascular disorders, and is also a strong immune stimulant, being antineoplastic (anti-cancer) as well. Additionally, research has shown it is renal-protective (for example, it can help kidney problems such as chronic renal failure).²,³

√ Ganoderma Lucidum aka Reishi mushroom – this is another TCM herb, used to calm the mind, strengthen the Lungs and the body in general, and it also known to be antineoplastic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial (see this excerpt from a TCM professional reference).

√ Coriollus Versicolor aka Turkey Tail mushroom – now widely known to have anti-cancer effects, more research has shown direct antioxidant effect as well.⁴,⁵

√ Agaricus Blazei – this is a Brazilian mushroom, researched highly in Japan, that has demonstrated antineoplastic abilities in many research studies, along with immunomodulatory effects.⁶. It is also known by its Japanese name of himematsutake.

References:
¹http://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com/cocoa-mojo.html
²Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine, 2nd edition, Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine.
³Panaxea.com research summary.
⁴http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627468
⁵http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-stamets/mushrooms-cancer_b_1560691.html
⁶http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17639159

More references for medicinal mushrooms:
1) Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms – An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture. Santa Cruz, CA: Botanica Press, 1995.
2) MycoHerb Clinical Guide for Practitioners. Golden Mirror Press, 2008.
3) Review of Medicinal Mushrooms Advances: Good News from Old Allies, Solomon P. Wasser, HerbalGram. 2002; 56:28-33 American Botanical Council (article online).

Dr. Mao’s “Secrets of Longevity” Products Now Available

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Products, Recipes

Dec 032013

I now have some great new products available and all of them are food items to help support a healthy diet! These products are from Dr. Mao Shing Ni, affectionately known as Dr. Mao. Dr. Mao co-wrote one of the first Chinese Medicine dietary therapy books years ago, called the “Tao of Nutrition”, which is basically considered a classic text in this field today. Dr. Mao has written many others books about health from a Chinese Medicine perspective as well. Dr. Mao is now more widely known since appearing on the Dr. Oz show in recent years. Dr. Mao’s most recent book is the “Secrets of Longevity Cookbook”. (See my book review also.)

1) One recipe published in this cookbook is his Hot Herbal Cereal. This recipe, modified slightly, is now available pre-packaged for easy preparation from Dr. Mao as “Dr. Mao’s Beautiful Hot Herbal Cereal“. This is a gluten-free combination of over 20 ingredients that has been eaten in his family for generations. As he says in his cookbook, this is a ‘one-stop, complete-nutrition meal’! It benefits the heart, immune system, digestion, helps metabolism and moods, and is also anti-inflammatory.¹ The ingredients are:

Whole grain brown rice, mung beans, dried chestnuts, long-grain white rice, white lotus seeds, black rice, oats, green lentils, red lentils, black beans, millet, black sesame seeds, dried fox nuts, small red beans, red kidney beans, white beans, green split peas, black-eyed beans, yellow split peas, lima beans, pink beans, pinto beans, poria cocos, wild yam root.

2) Dr. Mao’s Longevity Spice Blends: These are special herb and spice blends, also published in the “Secrets of Longevity” cookbook² , created by Dr. Mao for his patients to incorporate into their diets and then made available pre-packaged as well. There are many blends, and the following list are those that I am carrying in my office at this time:

√ Digestion Spice Blend: Without proper digestion, your body isn’t able to absorb the nutrients from the healthy food you are eating. This blend supports healthy digestion, helping ensure regularity, absorb nutrients, and relieve heartburn, gas, and bloating.

√ Anti-Inflammatory Spice Blend: This spice blend helps combat inflammation, making it very helpful for arthritis support and muscle pain.

√ Sexual Health Spice Blend: Hormonal and sexual support for both women and men is supported by this blend.

√ Metabolism Spice Blend: The herbs and spices in this blend help increase your energy level and boost the function of your metabolism, making it good for healthy weight management. This blend can be helpful for insulin resistance and pre-diabetes care.

√ Heart Spice Blend: The herbs and spices in this spice blend are an all-around heart support, helpful for heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes conditions, and diabetes.

3) Anti-Aging Brain Mix
I originally came across this recipe in Dr. Mao’s book, “Second Spring”, published in 2009, and have shared it with my patients since then. And Dr. Mao has also made this available pre-packaged (with slight modification). This is a nice medicinal ‘trail mix’ combination to snack on daily, and wonderful for your health and brain too! Ingredients: walnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried goji berries, dried apricots, and dried blueberries.

References:
¹ Ni, Dr. Mao Shing. Dr Mao’s Secrets of Longevity Cookbook. Kansas City, MI: Andrews McNeel Publishing, Inc., 2012, p. 77.
² Ibid, p. 47-49.

Grandma’s Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes

Sep 262013

This was my paternal grandmother’s recipe (I am unsure of the original source). I still love it to this day. It is very simple to make (no-bake), and the pie is very light – perfect for after the heavy meals of the holidays. The trick is to whip egg whites to be very stiff, making sure to use room-temperature egg whites. (I now substitute a gluten-free crust I make, which is similar to a graham cracker crust.)

3/4 cup brown sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
3 egg yolks
3/4 cup milk
1-1/4 cup canned or cooked pumpkin
_______
3 egg whites
1/3 cup sugar

Combine first 8 ingredients and bring to boil. Then stir in pumpkin and chill slightly. Beat egg whites and sugar. Fold into above mixture. Put into crumb crust.

Book Review: Dr. Mao’s Secrets of Longevity Cookbook

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes

Sep 202013

This cookbook is a jewel! Dr. Mao, as he is affectionately known, is a 38th-generation doctor of Chinese Medicine, a co-founder of an acupuncture college, a prolific author, and of course, a well-respected authority on Chinese Medicine. Hippocrates said ‘let food by thy medicine’, and Dr. Mao shows one how in this book full of recipes from centenarians and from many years of experience with patients from around the world. The intro to this book gives ‘Top Ten Longevity Habits for Good Digestion and Good Health’ and the recipes focus on using his ‘Top Ten Healing, Anti-Aging Foods’ (which I must add, is very similar to my ‘Top Ten Foods for Longevity’ article written in 2010). Additionally, Dr. Mao’s book lists commonly-used culinary herbs and spices for specific health conditions, and each recipe notes which health condition(s) it can benefit. There is also specific menu combinations given for certain health conditions. But the real ‘treasure’ of this ‘jewel’ are the recipes themselves! Besides being healthy, these recipes are unique, scrumptious, and most of them are simple and easy too, so one who is new to cooking healthy should not be overwhelmed at all. Sample recipes are: Banana Buckwheat Pancakes (gluten-free), Avocado Hummus, Chicken Mango and Butternut Squash Soup, Vegetable Almond Pie (gluten-free), Millet Pilaf, Curry Vegetables with Brown Rice, and Pecan Pudding. (Some of the recipes use dried Chinese herbs, all of which are readily available at my office from my ‘herbal pharmacy’ – GoJi berries, hawthorn fruit, chrysanthemum, etc.) And I must lastly mention Dr. Mao’s Hot Herbal Cereal recipe – it is a combination of over 20 grains, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes that his family has been eating for generations – it is really a ‘one-stop, complete-nutrition meal, as he describes! Definitely consider adding this treasure of a cookbook to your kitchen shelf!

Dr. Mao is also the author of several other books, many of which I consider ‘must-haves’ for those interested in Chinese or Natural Medicine – Second Spring: Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age and Secrets of Self-Healing: Harness Nature’s Power to Heal Common Ailments, Boost Your Vitality, and Achieve Optimal Wellness.

Autumn 2013 Newsletter

Sep 192013

Heavenly Herbs and Acupuncture Newsletter:

Autumn – A Time to Nourish

Referenced in this newsletter is a “Chinese Medicine and Food Therapy Lecture Series” talk that I will give on September 26, 2013. Those lecture notes will be posted on my blog soon thereafter (and will be referenced here)!

Here’s a pdf version of this newsletter (but unfortunately, links do not work):
Autumn – A Time to Nourish

Nam Singh’s Chinese Casserole: Autumn Lung Tonic

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes

Sep 172013

This is a great combination of root vegetables for Autumn. Autumn corresponds to the Lung energy in Chinese Medicine, and the flavor associated with Autumn is pungent or spicy. Hence, this is an Autumn Lung Tonic.

Kale, one bunch – line bottom of stove-top pan
2 parsnips
1 daikon radish
1 carrot
1 turnip, preferably green
1 taro root (difficult to obtain fresh everywhere, dried root soaked overnight could work)
1 rutabaga
1/2 cup bamboo shoots (usually canned)
tofu, marinated or baked (5-spice ideal, or teriyaki (gluten-free preferred))
1-1/2 cup broth, preferably shiitake mushroom, but veggie or chicken broth can be substituted
sesame oil (pref roasted)
vegetarian oyster sauce
2 TBS rice wine
ginger

Mix together last 3 ingredients. Cut or slice veggies so they are the same size. Add liquid to veggies. Med-high heat to boil 30 min. Then lower heat to medium-low flame for another 30″ to an hour until veggies are fork-tender. If thickening desired, add cornstarch, water, more stock/sauce combo. Add sesame oil when done cooking for added flavor.

Medicinal qualities of ingredients:
Kale – warm, slightly bitter; strengthens Stomach, good for ulcers
Parsnips – warm, pungent; good for common cold
Daikon – cooling, pungent, sweet; affects Lung and Stomach
Carrot – neutral to cool, sweet, pungent; lubricates colon (enters LI), benefits vision, clears heat, strengthens all internal organs, promotes digestion, reduces cholesterol per research
Turnip – cold, sweet, bitter, pungent; clears heat, cough, removes dampness, detoxifies
Taro – neutral, sweet, pungent; benefits, regulates digestion, clears heat, good externally for bug bites and a drawing salve (raw)
Rutabaga – sweet, similar to turnips
Bamboo shoots – cooling, affects Lung and Large Intestine; clears Lung heat, fiber helps lower cholesterol per research
Shiitake – neutral, sweet; anti-tumor, promotes healing, strengthens Stomach; lowers cholesterol
Ginger – warm, pungent; affects Lung and Stomach; good for common cold, cough, anti-toxin, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, expels pathogens

From: Nam Singh‘s Chinese Medicinal Cooking Class, circa 1996, San Francisco. (Blessings to Nam Singh for his great knowledge in Chinese Medicinal Cooking and sharing some of that knowledge with me!)

References used:
Chinese Medicine Dietitics, by Jeffrey Pan and Adam White
The Tao of Nutrition, by Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease

Basic Green Leafy Stir-Fry Recipe

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes

Sep 162013

Olive oil, as needed
Onion, white or yellow preferred (but use what you like)
Garlic
Swiss chard, kale, bok choy, spinach, mustard greens, or any combo of greens you like (basically we all need to eat more dark, green leafy veggies)
Mushrooms, shiitake or maitake, or any type preferred can be used such as portobellos, buttons, chanterelle, enoki, or combos of above (shiitakes/maitake are recommended here since they are more medicinal)
Tamari or Bragg’s Amino Acids (gluten-free soy sauce)
Rice wine

Cut up all the veggies first (into bite-size pieces). Stir-fry the garlic and onions initially in a little bit of olive oil. Add those veggies that need to cook longer first. Add tamari, condiments and culinary spices to taste throughout cooking time. Typically the green, leafy veggies are best to add at the end since they require little cooking time to wilt. Top with options listed below (sesame seeds, sesame oil, peppers, etc.)

Possible additions for exciting flavor options:

Condiments/spices:

Veggies:

Spices such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, sage can be added for an ‘American’ or Italian flavoring vs. Asian spices.

Recommend using organic veggies and spices as much as possible too.

Chinese Herbal Formulas to Boost Immunity

Allergies, Auto-immune Disease, Cancer Treatment, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Immune System Disorders, Influenza/Viral Infections

Sep 162013

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.

Research: Moxabustion on Acupuncture Point works to correct Breech Birth

Reproductive Health, Women's Health

Sep 132013

Moxabustion on Acupuncture Point works for Breech

Note: Acupuncture is done on this point also to correct breech.

Menopause and Vaginal Lubrication

Menopause, Women's Health

Aug 082013

Heavenly Herbs and Acupuncture handout:

Menopause and Vaginal Lubrication

Research: Acupuncture Benefits Heart and Reduces Angina

Acupuncture News and Research, Cardiovascular Disease, News and Research

Aug 052013

Acupuncture Benefits Heart and Reduces Angina

Recipe: Natural Electrolyte Drink

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes

Jun 192013

Natural Electrolyte Drink recipe

Additionally, I always carry the product ElectroMix in my office, an instant electrolyte drink mix by Alacer Corporation (the makers of Emergen-C).

A more comprehensive product can also be obtained at my office, Endura. This is a high-quality, ‘high performance’ electrolyte and mineral drink mix from the nutraceutical company Metagenics, with a really nice taste. For details and list of ingredients, see: Metagenics Endura. I usually don’t keep this in stock year-round, so it will normally need to be special ordered – however, this only takes a few days.

Spring 2013 Newsletter

May 222013

Heavenly Herbs and Acupuncture Newsletter:

Spring – A Time for Renewal

Referenced in this newsletter is a “Chinese Medicine and Food Therapy Lecture Series” I started in April 2013. I gave a lecture entitled “Spring – Time to Tame the Liver!”©. Lecture notes will be posted on my blog soon (and will be referenced here)!

Here’s a pdf version of this newsletter:
Spring – A Time for Renewal

This newsletter includes a few book reviews also.

Homeopathy for Sinus Infections: BHI-Heel’s Sinusin Nasal Spray

Allergies, Infectious Disease, Influenza/Viral Infections

Apr 052013

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…

Make Yogurt in Your Crockpot (from StephanieOdea.com)

Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Organic Foods, Recipes

Apr 042013

You Can Make Yogurt in Your CrockPot!

From Stephanie O’Dea, New York Times author and blogger Stephanie O’Dea’s website or more direct link at Crockpot365 Blog

(Summarized here since blog post above is too hard to read and follow while in your kitchen! But her posting does have pictures for those of you who need them. And I thank Stephanie O’Dea tremendously – I love this simple way to make yogurt and have used it many times!! I recommend using organic milk and organic yogurt starter though. Note: I have never added fruit as noted here – I add fruit later when I eat it instead (save plain yogurt for starter though, for sure.) —Sheryl Sanchez, L.Ac.)

The Ingredients.
–8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk–pasteurized and homogenized is
fine, but do NOT use ultra-pasteurized. (Debbie recommends starting with
whole milk until you get the hang of yogurt-making)

–1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt (you
need to have a starter. Once you have made your own, you can use that as
a starter)

–frozen/fresh fruit for flavoring

–thick bath towel

–slow cooker

The Directions.
This takes a while. Make your yogurt on a weekend day when you are home to monitor.

I used a 4 quart crockpot. This is so exciting. My fingers are shaking!

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.

Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.

Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened—it’s not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt.

Blend in batches with your favorite fruit. I did mango, strawberry, and blueberry. When you blend in the fruit, bubbles will form and might bother you. They aren’t a big deal, and will settle eventually.

Chill in a plastic container(s) in the refrigerator. Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days. Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

Curcumin Monograph (Curcuma Longa)

Cancer Links, Cancer Research/References, Cancer Treatment, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Chinese Herb Research

Apr 032013

Monograph on Curcuma Longa, published by Alternative Medicine Review, a peer-reviewed CAM journal years ago now, summarizing research on Curcumin (now considered the main active ingredient in Curcuma Longa).

Curcumin Monograph

Curcumin and HPV (known cause of Cervical Cancer)

Cancer Research/References, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Chinese Herb Research

Apr 032013

Scientists at the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) based in India have recently found that Curcumin works against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a known cause of cervical cancer. As the research abstract summarizes “These novel findings imply that Curcumin may be an effective chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for cervical cancer prevention and treatment”.
Curcumin and HPV

Note also there is research showing Astragalus and Silymarin (from Milk Thistle) show promising results against HPV (research references will be updated later).

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