August 2006 [Volume 5, Issue 8]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Scalp Acupuncture Improves Mobility for Stroke Victims
• Herb of the Month - Tsaoko Fruit (cao guo)
• Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights From the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

A stroke can leave a person immobilized, sometimes even crippled, cutting off the life they enjoyed before the debilitating event. Although physical therapy can help to relieve these symptoms and re-teach survivors actions they previously took for granted, the time and strain on patients takes its own toll. A recent study may offer stroke victims hope in the form of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA), a special form of traditional acupuncture that centers around 12 specific acupoints on the head and scalp.

Twenty-three stroke patients from a Cologne, Germany hospital served as the study group; prior to receiving YNSA acupuncture treatment, they were examined neurologically and the mobility of their arms or legs with residual paralysis was documented. After the treatment, the participants were reassessed neurologically and for mobility. The researchers questioned them for their impressions of the treatment immediately afterward and then again three weeks later.

Fourteen of the 23 patients experienced a significant improvement in mobility after only one YNSA treatment, with the positive results continuing for up to 17 days. The researchers were unable to record a difference in mobility with the neurological tests, although the YNSA treatments were found to be beneficial, especially when combined with existing therapies.

Tsaoko fruit comes from a perennial herb related to the ginger family. The plant thrives in the world's rain forests and tropical regions, with brightly colored flowers, long leaves and slender stems. In China, tsaoko fruit is produced mainly in the Yunna, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. The fruit is gathered in the autumn when ripe, cleaned, then dried in the sun. Once dried, the outer shell of the fruit is removed, as are the fruit's seeds.

Tsaoko fruit contains an essential oil comprised of numerous chemicals, including cineole, geraniol, and camphor. It has been shown to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal properties in a laboratory setting. It is often used to treat common digestive disorders, ranging from stomach pain and flatulence to excessive belching, indigestion, and nausea. Small amounts of tsaoko fruit will promote urination. In addition, it can treat some types of malaria, often in conjunction with betel nuts, anemarrhena, and dichroa root.

The typical dosage of tsaoko fruit is between 3 and 6 grams per day, decocted with water for oral administration. The outer shell of the fruit and the seeds are removed, after which the fruit is pounded into a pulp or powder. Dried tsaoko fruit can be found at some Asian markets and herbal shops. Tsaoko fruit is also available in powder, pill and capsule forms. Some shops may sell a tincture containing the fruit's essential oil.

Tsaoko fruit is considered safe; it has been given a class 1 rating by the American Herbal Products Association, which means it can be safely consumed when used appropriately. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions associated with tsaoko fruit. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking tsaoko fruit or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral.

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and receive responses from a licensed acupuncturist. Here are a few of this month's questions and answers:

Question #1: I am an elite cyclist and just had surgery for a testicular torsion. I have had a hard time getting back to racing over the past few months. My workouts are weak and my recovery is also not going well. I just had a testosterone level check and it was 600 and normal ranges were 200-800, so its not that. But my CBC came back and showed a HCT level of 41.8 percent, while normal values are 40-54 percent, and a HGB of 14.5, with normal values being 13.5-17.5. I think it shows Im a bit low. What blood-nourishing formulas would you suggest?

Answer: Western medicine blood tests do not always indicate the same Blood deficiency as diagnosed by TCM. You would want to have an evaluation by an acupuncturist before using the blood-building treatments of TCM. It is a common condition seen in TCM practice, but your Western medicine blood tests are not conclusive. With TCM, your diet and lifestyle would be part of the factors considered to arrive at the blood deficiency diagnosis.

Question #2: Hello, I am a 50-year-old male. I have had allergy sinus infections on and off all my life. In the past several years, I have started to have chronic facial pain. I only recently started to receive acupuncture treatments. My acupuncture provider has also prescribed some herbs for my liver and sinus. What in terms of TCM and natural medicine should I familiarize myself with and be aware of?

Answer: Respiratory allergies have more than one cause and treatment in TCM. For instance, it seems as if the Liver is your organ responsible for the imbalance creating your allergic symptoms, but it could also be the Spleen. Each would indicate different treatments and lifestyle advice. Also, dampness may or may not be involved. The safest thing to advise would be for you to avoid any irritating smells, such as perfume and incense, but you would get better advice from your acupuncturist.

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Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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