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January 2010 [Volume 9, Issue 1]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
Donate to Help Victims in Haiti
Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) and Pathways to Wellness have launched a relief response to aid the earthquake victims in Haiti. They are now mobilizing teams of volunteer acupuncturists to go to Haiti to provide assistance. Acupuncture treatments will help heal trauma and provide general body-mind-spirit healing.
In most disaster situations, acupuncturists can be of greatest support beginning several weeks after the disaster, once the people most affected have water, shelter, food, and immediate medical care. When these emergency needs are taken care of, the next critical need is for the people who have been traumatized to be able to function once again.
Donations: You may make donations online by visiting the AWB donation page. AWB is hoping to raise $20,000 to implement the relief effort. There will be regular updates on the AWB Web site of how much money has been raised.
For more information on the many benefits of Oriental medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.
Herb of the Month – Ilex (mao dong qing)
Ilex comes from a type of holly (flex pubescens Hook et Am). The root of the plant is used in herbal remedies. A typical ilex root is grayish-brown and wooden in appearance, with smaller fibrous roots that branch out from it.
According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, ilex root has bitter and cold properties, and is affiliated with the Heart and Lung meridians. Its main functions are to promote circulation, remove stasis, and clear heat and toxins. Among the conditions that ilex root can help treat are angina, high blood pressure, uveitis, coughs, chest congestion and asthma. Ilex root can also be applied topically to treat skin infections and burns, and to promote wound healing. The typical dosage of ilex root is between 30 and 60 g, taken with water as a decoction.
As of this writing, there are no known side effects associated with ilex root. However, because ilex acts as an anticoagulant, it should be used with caution by patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. It may also interact with medications such as coumadin, heparin and enoxaparin. Patients taking these medications should speak with their health care provider before taking ilex. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care practitioner before taking ilex root or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement
Question: I am looking into acupuncture to assist me in quitting smoking. I am wondering if it is similar to chiropractic work in that several sessions are required to attain the goal, or if one session is all it takes?
Answer: Most patients require several sessions, with an average of five. I have treated several patients who stopped smoking following the first treatment. However, most patients require several treatments during the first several days of stopping smoking. One way to aid in this is by leaving a small needle, similar in shape to a thumbtack, in a point in the ear. There is more than one protocol or way of using acupuncture to stop smoking. Some treatments also include Chinese medicinal herbs.
Do you have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit the "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.
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