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This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

Qigong is an ancient health practice that combines meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises. For thousands of years, practitioners and patients have used qigong to restore balance and cleanse the body of unwanted toxins. Researchers in New Jersey and China recently teamed up to see if qigong could be used for removing toxins of a different sort - those caused by heroin addiction.

As published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the scientists examined 86 male heroin addicts between the ages of 18 and 52 and divided them into three groups. One group practiced a simple, four-movement form of qigong known as pan gu collectively, two to two-and-a-half hours per day, for 10 consecutive days. Patients also received daily external qi emissions or adjustments from a qigong master to help gain extra energy and balance the flow of qi. A second group received a popular detoxification medication; the control group received neither qigong nor detoxification therapy during the study.

Patients enrolled in the qigong group showed "statistically significant" improvements in every category measured in the study, including anxiety levels, withdrawal symptoms, blood pressure rate, and levels of morphine in the blood. In most instances, the improvements seen in the qigong patients occurred up to twice as fast as those seen in the control or medication groups.

"This study shows that qigong practice may accelerate the detoxification process, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and shorten recovery time," the scientists noted in their conclusion. They added that no side-effects or risks were noted from using qigong, and that with further studies, it could have "significance and wide application" in treating addiction for substances other than heroin.

Although the nature of this study was to measure qigong's effectiveness in treating drug addiction, it has a wide range of mainstream uses as well. Millions of people use qigong every day to improve fitness levels, maintain wellness and attain a heightened sense of well-being. If you would like to learn more about the healing effects of qigong, make sure to schedule an appointment with an acupuncturist or doctor of Oriental medicine.

SOURCE: Li M, Chen K, Mo Z. Use of qigong therapy in the detoxification of heroin addicts. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine January/February 2002;8(1):50-59.

Valerian is a tall, perennial herb that grows in damp, elevated areas and grasslands. It blooms in the summertime, with, small fragrant flowers that can reach up to four inches in diameter; most of its healing properties are contained in the root.

Valerian has a variety of medicinal uses. In human studies, valerian has been shown to reduce sleep disturbances, ease anxiety, and improve the overall quality of sleep. It may also ease menstrual and stomach cramps and some types of headaches. Preliminary trials have also shown that valerian is as effective as many prescription medications in treating sleep disorders, but without any adverse side-effects.

While a recommended daily allowance for valerian has yet to be determined, many herbalists recommend that patients take a dose of valerian between 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime to reduce insomnia and aid in restful sleep. Recommended doses include:

Valerian can be found as a powder, extract or tincture. Although it usually sold as a stand-alone product, it is often found in compounds with other supplements that promote restful sleep.

Valerian is considered safe and mild. The German Commission E has listed no side-effects for valerian, while the American Herbal Products Association has given it a class I (safe when used appropriately) rating.

Because valerian acts as a sedative, it may increase the effects of anti-anxiety medications or painkillers. It may also react with antiepileptic drugs, and may enhance the effects of other herbs, such as kava kava, passionflower and skullcap. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before you begin to take valerian or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

References

Blumenthal M (ed). The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.
Diefenbach K, et al. Valerian effects on microstructure of sleep in insomniacs. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1997;52(suppl):A169.
McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997: 120.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Answer: Yes, there is a treatment for psoriasis. There are also Chinese herbal medicines. There are more complex acupuncture techniques used for the treatment of psoriasis than the average acupuncture treatment.

Question #2: Is acupuncture effective on vertigo when associated with Meniere's disease?

Answer: There are treatments, and effectiveness is mixed. You would probably need to try seven to ten treatments to see if it helps your particular case.

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

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March 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 2] To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Qigong Treats Drug Addiction Herb of the Month: Valerian Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Qigong Treats Drug Addiction Qigong is an ancient health practice that combines meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises. For thousands of years, practitioners and patients have used qigong to restore balance and cleanse the body of unwanted toxins. Researchers in New Jersey and China recently teamed up to see if qigong could be used for removing toxins of a different sort - those caused by heroin addiction. As published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the scientists examined 86 male heroin addicts between the ages of 18 and 52 and divided them into three groups. One group practiced a simple, four-movement form of qigong known as pan gu collectively, two to two-and-a-half hours per day, for 10 consecutive days. Patients also received daily external qi emissions or adjustments from a qigong master to help gain extra energy and balance the flow of qi. A second group received a popular detoxification medication; the control group received neither qigong nor detoxification therapy during the study. Patients enrolled in the qigong group showed "statistically significant" improvements in every category measured in the study, including anxiety levels, withdrawal symptoms, blood pressure rate, and levels of morphine in the blood. In most instances, the improvements seen in the qigong patients occurred up to twice as fast as those seen in the control or medication groups. "This study shows that qigong practice may accelerate the detoxification process, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and shorten recovery time," the scientists noted in their conclusion. They added that no side-effects or risks were noted from using qigong, and that with further studies, it could have "significance and wide application" in treating addiction for substances other than heroin. Although the nature of this study was to measure qigong's effectiveness in treating drug addiction, it has a wide range of mainstream uses as well. Millions of people use qigong every day to improve fitness levels, maintain wellness and attain a heightened sense of well-being. If you would like to learn more about the healing effects of qigong, make sure to schedule an appointment with an acupuncturist or doctor of Oriental medicine. SOURCE: Li M, Chen K, Mo Z. Use of qigong therapy in the detoxification of heroin addicts. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine January/February 2002;8(1):50-59. Herb of the Month: Valerian Valerian is a tall, perennial herb that grows in damp, elevated areas and grasslands. It blooms in the summertime, with, small fragrant flowers that can reach up to four inches in diameter; most of its healing properties are contained in the root. Valerian has a variety of medicinal uses. In human studies, valerian has been shown to reduce sleep disturbances, ease anxiety, and improve the overall quality of sleep. It may also ease menstrual and stomach cramps and some types of headaches. Preliminary trials have also shown that valerian is as effective as many prescription medications in treating sleep disorders, but without any adverse side-effects. While a recommended daily allowance for valerian has yet to be determined, many herbalists recommend that patients take a dose of valerian between 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime to reduce insomnia and aid in restful sleep. Recommended doses include: 2-3 grams of dried root taken as a tea; 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of a valerian tincture; or 150-300 milligrams of a dried or liquid valerian extract. Valerian can be found as a powder, extract or tincture. Although it usually sold as a stand-alone product, it is often found in compounds with other supplements that promote restful sleep. Valerian is considered safe and mild. The German Commission E has listed no side-effects for valerian, while the American Herbal Products Association has given it a class I (safe when used appropriately) rating. Because valerian acts as a sedative, it may increase the effects of anti-anxiety medications or painkillers. It may also react with antiepileptic drugs, and may enhance the effects of other herbs, such as kava kava, passionflower and skullcap. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before you begin to take valerian or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Blumenthal M (ed). The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998. Diefenbach K, et al. Valerian effects on microstructure of sleep in insomniacs. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1997;52(suppl):A169. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997: 120. Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions: Question #1: Can acupuncture help with psoriasis? Answer: Yes, there is a treatment for psoriasis. There are also Chinese herbal medicines. There are more complex acupuncture techniques used for the treatment of psoriasis than the average acupuncture treatment. Question #2: Is acupuncture effective on vertigo when associated with Meniere's disease? Answer: There are treatments, and effectiveness is mixed. You would probably need to try seven to ten treatments to see if it helps your particular case. Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask. Unsubscribe Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php. Update your e-mail address To update the e-mail address your newsletter is sent to, click here. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.