January 2008 [Volume 7, Issue 1]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Herbal Preparation for Treating Osteoarthritis
• Herb of the Month – Leechee (Lychee) Nut (li zhi he)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Herbal Preparation for Treating Osteoarthritis

Although most Oriental medicine treatments for osteoarthritis have focused on the use of acupuncture, a recent study in the March 2008 issue of Chinese Medicine looked at herbal treatments. Sixty-eight patients were treated for degenerative arthritis of the knee, using the herbal preparation duhuo jisheng tang at 2.5 grams twice daily for four weeks.

Starting at the second week of treatment, the patients reported less pain and stiffness, as well as better physical functioning. They continued to improve by week 4. The researchers noted, "In the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, a four-week therapy with the Chinese herbal preparation DJT reduced pain and stiffness and improved physical functioning."

For more information on the many benefits of acupuncture, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Herb of the Month – Leechee (Lychee) Nut (li zhi he)

The leechee nut is not actually a nut at all, but a type of fruit that comes from the litchi, a tree native to southern China. The fruits dehydrate naturally, with the skin becoming brown and brittle, and the inner flesh becoming dry and shriveled, giving it the appearance of a nut. The fruits are picked fresh, with the seed removed, and usually packed in heavy syrup.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, leechee nut has sweet and warm properties, and is associated with the Liver and Stomach meridians. Its functions are to regulate qi and to treat a variety of pain. Some practitioners also used leechee nut to treat diabetes and reduce blood sugar levels. The typical dose of leechee nut is between 6 and 15 grams, ground into powder and taken with boiling water as part of a decoction. Fresh, canned leechee nuts are widely available at Asian markets and specialty stores. Dried, powdered leechee nut is also available at some herbal shops, as are leechee pastes.

The seed of the leechee nut contains a type of toxin; as such, it should be consumed with caution, and should not be eaten by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking leechee nut or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: My husband has damaged nerve endings in his lower back. His pain comes and goes, sometimes down his left leg to his ankle and heel. He has tried physical therapy to no avail and wants to try acupuncture. We know very little about the field and would like to have information that could enable us to make informed choices.

Answer: Acupuncture has been shown to relieve this type of back pain, even when associated with damaged nerves. Acupuncture treatment helps the nerves to heal and be less susceptible to damage in the area. After a proper evaluation, he would want to plan on 10 to 15 treatments, once or twice a week. There may be response earlier, but this is a fair trial. Acupuncture is only one treatment modality of TCM. There are other ways to stimulate the points and healing in the area. Moxibustion and manual therapy are a couple of examples.

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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