AcupunctureToday.com | To Your Health Newsletter

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:

Menopause is a normal part of a woman's natural aging process, usually affecting women between the ages of 45 and 55. One of the most common symptoms of menopause is "hot flashes" - temporary sensations of warmth that can last from a few minutes to an hour. When hot flashes occur, skin temperature rises, causing the face and upper body to become hot, flushed and sweaty. Hot flashes that occur at night may also cause sleep disturbances and discomfort.

Research has shown that postmenopausal women in Japan, China and southeast Asia have fewer hot flashes than Western women. One of the reasons for this statistic, scientists believe, is because of high amounts of plant compounds called isoflavones in the Asian diet, which mimic the female hormone estrogen. Since red clover is the only plant known to contain all of the isoflavones women need, a group of researchers in Peru conducted an experiment to see if a red clover supplement could reduce the frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Thirty women suffering from hot flashes were divided into two groups and given either an over-the-counter supplement containing red clover isoflavones or a placebo for 16 weeks. Results showed that women given the red clover supplement experienced more than four times fewer hot flashes than those given the placebo. Specifically, there was a 48% reduction in the incidence of hot flashes in women taking red clover, compared to a decrease of only 11% in women in the placebo group. The supplement also showed no adverse side-effects.

This study suggests that there may be a safe, effective treatment for women looking for a natural way to reduce hot flashes during menopause. If you or someone you know suffers from hot flashes, speak with an acupuncturist or doctor of Oriental medicine who is trained in herbal medicine. Also, be sure to eat foods that are high in isoflavones, such as soybeans; chickpeas and other legumes; soy milk; and tofu.

Reference

Jeri A. The use of an isoflavone supplement to relieve hot flashes. The Female Patient (primary care edition) August 2002;27(8):35-37.

Also known as thoroughwax or hare's ear (because of the shape of its leaves), bupleurum is an upright-growing plant native to China, Japan and Europe. The plant's leaves, or petals, are yellow-green and grow in groups of five, with small yellow flowers. The root of bupleurum is used in herbal medicines.

In traditional Chinese medicine, bupleurum is usually taken as part of various herbal remedies. In TCM terminology, it reduces fever and resolves the shao yang level; spreads liver qi (which is good for vertigo, emotional instability and menstrual problems), and raises yang qi in spleen/stomach deficiency.

Because bupleurum is typically used as part of a larger formula, the amount to be taken depends in large part on the condition being treated. For general use, many practitioners recommend 1.5-6 grams of dried bupleurum root in a decoction, or 3-12 ml of a 1:2 extract. Bupleurum is available in tincture or capsule form; dried root can be found at Asian markets and some specialty food stores.

When taken in the proper dosage, there are no known adverse reactions associated with bupleurum. However, large doses of bupleurum may cause dizziness or diarrhea. It should not be taken by patients with high blood pressure, or by women who are pregnant or nursing. There are no known drug interactions with bupleurum. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care provider before taking bupleurum or any other dietary supplement or herbal product.

References

Duke J. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press, 1992.
Jin RL, Shi L, Kuang Y. Comparative studies on the roots of wild and cultured bupleurum chinense. DC Chung Yao Tung Pao April 1988;23:11-3.
Ohtsu S, Irumi S, Iwanaga S, et al. Analysis of mitogenic substances in bupleurum chinense by ESR spectroscopy. Biol Pharm Bull Jan 1997;20:97-100.

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: Kidney function can be improved by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, in some cases. You might need a better evaluation than I can give you here. You could call an acupuncturist in your area and ask.

Answer: Chinese medicine is formulated around a system of energy circulation in the body. This energy has various forms, and is referred to as chi (or "qi"). When this energy is imbalanced, illness occurs. Chinese medicine attempts to rebalance this energy.

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

	Archives Unsubscribe Update e-mail address
September 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 8] 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: Red Clover May Bring Relief from Hot Flashes Herb of the Month: Bupleurum Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Red Clover May Bring Relief from Hot Flashes Menopause is a normal part of a woman's natural aging process, usually affecting women between the ages of 45 and 55. One of the most common symptoms of menopause is "hot flashes" - temporary sensations of warmth that can last from a few minutes to an hour. When hot flashes occur, skin temperature rises, causing the face and upper body to become hot, flushed and sweaty. Hot flashes that occur at night may also cause sleep disturbances and discomfort. Research has shown that postmenopausal women in Japan, China and southeast Asia have fewer hot flashes than Western women. One of the reasons for this statistic, scientists believe, is because of high amounts of plant compounds called isoflavones in the Asian diet, which mimic the female hormone estrogen. Since red clover is the only plant known to contain all of the isoflavones women need, a group of researchers in Peru conducted an experiment to see if a red clover supplement could reduce the frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Thirty women suffering from hot flashes were divided into two groups and given either an over-the-counter supplement containing red clover isoflavones or a placebo for 16 weeks. Results showed that women given the red clover supplement experienced more than four times fewer hot flashes than those given the placebo. Specifically, there was a 48% reduction in the incidence of hot flashes in women taking red clover, compared to a decrease of only 11% in women in the placebo group. The supplement also showed no adverse side-effects. This study suggests that there may be a safe, effective treatment for women looking for a natural way to reduce hot flashes during menopause. If you or someone you know suffers from hot flashes, speak with an acupuncturist or doctor of Oriental medicine who is trained in herbal medicine. Also, be sure to eat foods that are high in isoflavones, such as soybeans; chickpeas and other legumes; soy milk; and tofu. Reference Jeri A. The use of an isoflavone supplement to relieve hot flashes. The Female Patient (primary care edition) August 2002;27(8):35-37. Herb of the Month: Bupleurum Also known as thoroughwax or hare's ear (because of the shape of its leaves), bupleurum is an upright-growing plant native to China, Japan and Europe. The plant's leaves, or petals, are yellow-green and grow in groups of five, with small yellow flowers. The root of bupleurum is used in herbal medicines. In traditional Chinese medicine, bupleurum is usually taken as part of various herbal remedies. In TCM terminology, it reduces fever and resolves the shao yang level; spreads liver qi (which is good for vertigo, emotional instability and menstrual problems), and raises yang qi in spleen/stomach deficiency. Because bupleurum is typically used as part of a larger formula, the amount to be taken depends in large part on the condition being treated. For general use, many practitioners recommend 1.5-6 grams of dried bupleurum root in a decoction, or 3-12 ml of a 1:2 extract. Bupleurum is available in tincture or capsule form; dried root can be found at Asian markets and some specialty food stores. When taken in the proper dosage, there are no known adverse reactions associated with bupleurum. However, large doses of bupleurum may cause dizziness or diarrhea. It should not be taken by patients with high blood pressure, or by women who are pregnant or nursing. There are no known drug interactions with bupleurum. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care provider before taking bupleurum or any other dietary supplement or herbal product. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Duke J. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press, 1992. Jin RL, Shi L, Kuang Y. Comparative studies on the roots of wild and cultured bupleurum chinense. DC Chung Yao Tung Pao April 1988;23:11-3. Ohtsu S, Irumi S, Iwanaga S, et al. Analysis of mitogenic substances in bupleurum chinense by ESR spectroscopy. Biol Pharm Bull Jan 1997;20:97-100. 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 relieve a compromised kidney function? Answer: Kidney function can be improved by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, in some cases. You might need a better evaluation than I can give you here. You could call an acupuncturist in your area and ask. Question #2: My question is, how does acupuncture work? Answer: Chinese medicine is formulated around a system of energy circulation in the body. This energy has various forms, and is referred to as chi (or "qi"). When this energy is imbalanced, illness occurs. Chinese medicine attempts to rebalance this energy. Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at 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.