September 2010 [Volume 9, Issue 9]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupressure Treats Dysmenorrhea
• Herb of the Month – Oldenlandia (bai hua she she cao)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Acupressure Treats Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea, which can be quite common in women, is characterized by lower abdominal pain and cramping, sometimes accompanied by heavy bleeding, that begins at the start of the menstrual cycle. Studies have estimated that the prevalence of women who suffer from dysmenorrhea can range from 28 percent to as high as 72 percent. Now, a new study has found that a simple acupressure technique may help relieve symptoms.

A group of Iranian researchers randomly divided 172 university students with dysmenorrhea into two groups. One group received an acupressure treatment at the Tai Chong point on the foot and the other received acupressure at a sham point. The students were not told which group they were in.

During the first menstrual cycle of treatment, all subjects were given information about the acupressure protocol and filled out a symptom questionnaire. They were then shown how to administer the acupressure protocol themselves. At the second-cycle session, the acupressure, alternated with massage of the point was applied. Each treatment lasted for 20 minutes. The subjects were asked to perform the acupressure treatment themselves three to seven days before their next two menstrual cycles. Once the fourth menstrual cycle started, they were asked to evaluate the level of their dysmenorrhea symptoms.

For those subjects who received acupressure at the Tai Chong, the number of subjects who stated that they were not affected by symptoms (both in terms of pain severity and lost work time) went from 20 (23 percent) to 48 (55 percent). At the other end of the scale, 14 subjects 16 percent) reported the most severe symptoms at the beginning of the study. By the end of the study, none reported having the most severe symptoms. As the researchers explained, "In other words, in the group in which the acupressure protocol was applied to the Tai Chong point, rather than an arbitrary point, the number of participants with the most severe dysmenorrhea decreased and the number of participants with the least severe dysmenorrhea increased over three menstrual cycles." As they concluded, "Applying acupressure to the Tai Chong point not only decreased pain and physical symptoms of our study group participants, but also decreased the social and economic consequences of their having dysmenorrhea."

Reference

• Bazarganipour F, Lamyian M, Heshmat R, et al. A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of applying a simple acupressure protocol to the Taichong point in relieving dysmenorrhea. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2010 Jun 12. [Epub ahead of print]

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

Herb of the Month – Oldenlandia (bai hua she she cao)

Oldenlandia is one of the oldest herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and has one of the longest Chinese herb names. It grows mainly in the southeastern provinces of China, and is found it low altitudes in fields with moist soil.

It gets its name due in part to its leaves, which are thin and are shaped like a snake's tongue. The part of the plant used in herbal formulas is the rhizome. It is collected in summer and autumn, with the fibrous roots removed, before being used fresh or dried.

In traditional Chinese medicine, oldenlandia has slightly bitter, sweet and cold properties. Its functions are to clear heat, resolve toxins, and relieve swellings on the skin. Oldenlandia can be used internally or externally. Its most famous use is to treat snake bites, particularly the bite of the agkistrodon, a type of pit viper. Oldenlandia has also been employed to treat sores and carbuncles on the skin, appendicitis, sore throats, and urinary tract infections. Experiments conducted in China suggest that an oldenlandia extract can also treat some types of cancer in animals; however, these studies have yet to be duplicated in humans.

The amount of oldenlandia to be taken depends on the condition being treated. To treat skin problems and acne, 20 to 30 grams of oldenlandia can be combined with other herbs and boiled in water, then applied to the skin as a type of wash. Larger doses (extracts of 30-60 grams) have been used in clinical studies to help treat some forms of cancer. Oldenlandia is often used with other herbs, such as scutellaria, as a decoction. Typically, it is recommended that patients take small amounts of oldenlandia first, gradually raising the dosage to an acceptable level.

Fresh oldenlandia can be found at many Asian markets and specialty stores. Oldenlandia is also available in pill, powder, extract and infusion form. Fresh oldenlandia can also be harvested and crushed to create oldenlandia juice.

Oldenlandia should not be taken by pregnant women. In addition, it may cause allergic skin reactions in some individuals; if this occurs, patients should discontinue use. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking oldenlandia or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: My husband has low sperm count. We want to get pregnant, and we have been trying for 5 years. He had a surgery to remove varicocele veins. His count is still below 1 million. Should we try acupuncture before doing the IVF, which we are saving up for.

Answer: It is a good idea for both of you to have acupuncture with prescribed Chinese herbal medicine for a month to a month and a half prior to IVF. These treatments will enhance the fertility of both partners. In addition, acupuncture can be timed with the IVF to give it a better chance of succeeding.

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