Tumeric, Curcumin and Chinese Herbology: Powerful Anti-inflammatory to Relieve Pain and More

 ADHD/ADD, Cancer Research/References, Cancer Treatment, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Chinese Herb Research, Chinese Medicine, Depression, Pain Syndromes, Psychiatric Disorders, Women's Health
Aug 192014
 

While most of us in the US may know of tumeric as a spice coming from India, it has been in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Materia Medica for as far back as 657 A.D. Tumeric is in the same plant family as ginger, commonly used in both Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese cooking1 . Tumeric is from the plant known as Curcuma longa, hence Curcumin became the name for the main active ingredient in tumeric.

In TCM, we commonly use at least three species that belong to the Curcuma genus. Each one contains Curcumin but each plant has different unique medicinal qualities. In the last few years, Curcumin has become popular as an anti-inflammatory herbal ingredient and is used in many western herbal and supplement products for musculo-skeletal injuries and arthritis, and for anti-cancer support. However, the various Curcuma species have been used in Chinese Medicine for a long time for pain syndromes, benign or malignant masses, and much more.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) or Jiang Huang (literal English translation is “ginger yellow”) is used in TCM to treat chest and hypochondriac (anterior rib area) pain, epigastric pain, dymenorrhea, and hepatitis liver pain. It is also used to treat pain syndromes such as tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis, especially in the upper limbs. Additionally, it is used to treat pain from certain types of infected sores and lesions. Modern research has shown it does have an anti-inflammatory effect and antiplatelet effect. Additionally, it has also shown the ability to lower both cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and has demonstrated an ability to increase production and excretion of bile.

Curcuma aromatica or Curcuma domestica (Yu Jin) is used in TCM to treat pain, cramping and bloating associated with menstruation, especially irregular menstruation. It also treats abdominal masses, especially those in the hypochondriac region and disorders such as liver cirrhosis, or hepatomegaly or splenomegaly (liver or spleen enlargement). It also has the ability to stop certain types of bleeding (based on diagnosis) such as vomiting blood, hematuria (blood in the urine) or nosebleeds. It is also used to treat certain types of disorientation, epilepsy, mania and other psychologically-related disorders. It will also treat jaundice and gallstones.

The root or rhizome of another species, Curcuma Zedoria or E Zhu, is traditionally considered one of the strongest herbs to break up masses, especially in the abdomen. Masses can be tumors, either benign or malignant. This herb is used in formulas for many types of cancer in TCM, however, modern research has shown this herb is most effective against cervical cancer. E Zhu is also a strong pain-relieving herb, especially used for abdominal pain, including certain types of epigastric or hypochondriac fullness, abdominal distention or hardness, and pelvic inflammation. It is also used for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and indigestion . Additionally, this herb has shown antiplatelet and anti-thrombotic properties, along with having antibiotic-like effects against Staph, Strep and E. coli.

In TCM, all health conditions, including pain syndromes or diseases, are treated after determining a diagnosis based on analyzing a patient’s signs and symptoms, along with by observing the tongue and pulse, all of which help determine the affected organs and the pattern of disharmony in the body. Once a diagnosis is made, an herbal formula will be prescribed, never an individual herb as often assumed by western patients. This is because an individual’s diagnosis is complex and specific, and in order to treat it, a combination of properties of herbs are needed to be most effective.

So, here are a few examples of modified traditional Chinese herbal formulas that I prescribe in my clinic, when appropriate, that contain Curcumin in them, along a description of their specific clinical applications (all products are from Evergreen Herbs):

1) Jiang Huang
Arm Support –
Shoulder: periarthritis of the shoulder, frozen shoulder, capsulitis, rotator cuff tear, rotator cuff tendonitis, bursitis, inflammation and pain of the shoulder, subluxation or dislocation, AC (acromioclavicular) separation.
Elbow: lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), olecranon bursitis, tendonitis.
Wrist: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sprain and strain.
General musculoskeletal injuries: tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis of the arm.
Numbness, decreased range of motion and atrophy of the arm.

2) Yu Jin
Shine – Depression with low energy, prolonged sadness or irritability, and lack of interest in daily activities.

Calm Jr – ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, difficulty in focusing, inattentiveness, restlessness; childhood convulsions, epilepsy, seizures and twitching of muscles.

Liver DTX – Liver damage with high levels of SGPT and SGOT; liver detoxification: enhances the normal metabolic and detoxification functions of the liver; hepatitis: treats hepatitis with or without jaundice, repairs liver cell damage; liver cirrhosis from excessive alcohol intake; addiction: detoxifies liver during alcohol, drug or smoking cessation; cholecystitis with increased liver enzymes, possibly with liver impairment.

Migratrol – Migraine headache: acute and chronic; tension headache: acute and chronic; cluster headache: acute and chronic.

Cholisma ES – High cholesterol and triglycerides levels; fatty liver; obesity; prevention and treatment for the conditions above.

Back Support (Upper) – Acute injury or trauma to the chest, ribs, or thoracic area with pain, inflammation, swelling, or bruises; upper back stiffness and pain, scapular pain and/or pain between the scapulae; subluxation of the thoracic vertebrae; rib fracture.

3) E Zhu
CA Support – Cancer patients who suffer extreme weakness and deficiency and cannot receive surgery or chemotherapy and radiation treatments; late stage, terminally-ill cancer patients with pain and suffering.

Resolve (Lower) – Fibrocystic disorders in the lower half of the body, such as fibroids and cysts in the uterus and ovaries; endometriosis; palpable masses and benign tumors of the female reproductive organs; female infertility due to obstruction in the lower abdominal region (i.e. tubal obstruction); pelvic pain due to obstruction in the lower abdominal region; scarring or blood stagnation in the pelvic cavity from surgery.

Arm Support – described above

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Footnotes:
1 The only dish I have seen in Chinese restaurants that has turmeric in it is ‘Singapore Noodles’. I especially like it because it combines turmeric with rice noodles (vs. noodles with wheat), which is great for those who are gluten sensitive.

References:
1. Chen, John K. and Tina T. Chen. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. AOM Press: 2004.
2. Bensky, Dan and Andrew Gamble. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Eastland Press, Revised Edition: 1993.
3. Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine, 2nd edition, Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine. (Descriptions of Evergreen Herbs products.)

Herbal Remedies and Supplements for Heart Health

 Cardiovascular Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension
Feb 112013
 

February is ‘American Heart Health Month’ and natural medicine can be a very valuable tool to help treat cardiovascular disease. This could range from hypertension to hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) to irregular heartbeat and arrhythmias. Two remedies I often recommend to use for any heart health condition are CoQ10 and Hawthorn Fruit. Both of these are readily available, however I now typically prescribe patients a stronger, specialized extract of Hawthorn (see my post Hawthorn for your Heart). For treating hyperlipidemia, there are specific remedies as well (for more information on this, see another post Natural Recommendations instead of Statin Drugs)

Additionally, treating hypertension is best accomplished with a complete analysis of the specific imbalance involved in the individual, as we diagnose in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Two typical patterns that are seen can be treated with Chinese herbal remedies such as Evergreen Herbs Gentiana Complex or Gastrodia Complex (there are more patterns as well, as seen in more progressive, complicated cardiovascular disease).

The hypertension pattern of an individual who is impatient, easily upset or angered and may have throbbing headaches, possibly also has restlessness and/or is a workaholic, and possibly is even an alcoholic, results in a diagnosis requiring Gentiana Complex. (An example of this type of person can be those that get red in the face or ears when upset or angered.) The opposite hypertension pattern is a person who may be tired or fatigued easily, may have dizziness, dull headaches or blurry vision, or may have hot flashes and/or night sweats (even in males), may have a history of blood loss and/or poor dietary habits such as not consuming adequate protein. This pattern typically is an older individual who has had hypertension for years, with resulting congestive heart failure and/or renal (kidney) failure. In this case, the person has a deficiency or weakness which results in hypertension. The correct remedy for this pattern is Evergreen Herbs Gastrodia Complex.

Additionally, if a patient has coronary heart disease or even angina or has poor circulation, there is a remedy for that pattern as well. As with any chronic health condition, one needs to consult with a natural healthcare practitioner to obtain a specific diagnosis and corresponding treatment.

For more information on using Chinese Herbs, see
Why Chinese Herbs? And How Long Before I See Results?” by Evergreen Herbs.

Red Yeast Rice for High Cholesterol – CoQ10 necessary too!

 Cardiovascular Disease, Herb Safety, Hyperlipidemia, Products
Feb 072013
 

Red Yeast Rice Extract is a supplement used in natural medicine to help reduce cholesterol levels. However, it is one of the few over-the-counter supplements that should be used under the direction of a natural medicine healthcare provider! It can affect the liver, so liver enzymes should be routinely monitored via blood chemistry panels. Additionally, it can have the serious side effects of myopathy and/or myalgia (muscle weakness and/or muscle pain) and peridontal disease. These side effects are the same as with statin drugs, but to a lesser extent (statin drugs originally came from research on Red Yeast Rice). To counteract the possible side effects of Red Yeast Rice Extract, one MUST take CoQ10 with it, as with statin drugs.

Therefore, in my office I only sell a product of Red Yeast Rice combined with CoQ10 (in one bottle). Additionally, I typically will try safer natural remedies first to lower cholesterol and resort to using Red Yeast Rice Extract only when other efforts have failed.

Reference for the skeptics:
Dr. Weil’s comments on Red Yeast Rice for Cholesterol Control

For more info on CoQ10, please also see my general CoQ10 post for the CoQ10 Monograph (research summary).

CoQ10 for your Heart

 Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension
Jun 232012
 

CoQ10 (pronounced Coenzyme Q10), is an anti-oxidant, which can benefit many conditions1. It is known to strengthen the heart and can even lower mild hypertension. CoQ10 is absolutely necessary when one is on statin drugs (for high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia) or even when one is on the more natural form of Red Yeast Rice extract to counteract serious side effects (for more info see: add reference – blog).

The average person could use 100 mg/day whereas someone with hypertension or cardiovascular disease could be taking up to 400 mg/day (discuss with alternative healthcare provider).

Pathologies with anecdotal coenzyme Q10 therapeutic benefit2:
Mitochondrial neuromuscular diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, dementias,
others)
Congestive heart failure-prevention/support therapy
Muscle weakness
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cancer-breast treatment
Chemotherapy amelioration, support for AZT/AIDS treatment
Vascular disease, diabetes mellitus
Sports medicine. Performance enhancement (not a pathology)

References:
1) Summary of research on benefits of CoQ10: CoQ10 Monograph
2) Research article reference:
Cellular redox poise modulation; the role of coenzyme Q10, gene and metabolic regulation, Anthony W. Linnane and Hayden Eastwood, Mitochondrion 4 (2004) 779–789

High Cholesterol or Hyperlipidemia: Natural Recommendations instead of Statin Drugs

 Hyperlipidemia
Dec 072011
 

My general protocol is:

1) Krill Oil: 2g/day or Fish Oil: 3g/day (less expensive than Krill Oil)
(Brands: Thorne for Krill Oil, Metagenics for Fish Oil)

2) Policosanol: 1/day
(Brand: Metagenics Cholarest)

3) Niacinamide: 1000mg/day
(Brand: Metagenics Alapars)

4) Folic Acid/B12: 600 mcg of B12
(Brand: Professional Complementary Health Formulas Homocysteine Spray)

If cholesterol levels do not normalize within 3 months, add:
5) Red Yeast Rice: 1200 mg w/ CoQ10 30 mg (minimum). Preferred: w/ CoQ10, 100 mg/day.
(Brand: Doctor’s Best)

NOTE: Red Yeast Rice can affect the liver, so yearly liver function tests are recommended.

Although I highly recommend not using statin drugs, if you are taking a statin drug for reducing hyperlipidemia, the anti-oxidant CoQ10 is definitely needed. See brief article about statin drug use and CoQ10.