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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:

Ginseng is one of the most commonly-used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. There are several varieties of ginseng on the market, each of which has different properties and is used for different conditions. In the last few years, ginseng has come into favor as a means of improving learning and memory by students and elderly people; however, its feasibility in the treatment of memory loss caused by conditions such as vascular dementia remains unknown.

Research presented at the latest International Stroke Conference in Phoenix, Arizona has shed new light on the ability of ginseng to boost one's memory. In the study, researchers examined 40 patients (average age 67) who had mild to moderate vascular dementia that had resulted from multiple, small strokes. Twenty-five patients were selected to take a tablet of ginseng extracted from Chinese ginseng roots, leaves, and pseudoginseng three times daily for 12 weeks. The other patients were given a prescription medication, Duxil, which increases oxygen in brain tissue and has been used to improve memory in elderly patients.

Before the study began, and at its conclusion, participants were subjected to a battery of psychometric tests based on reading excerpts. Overall, the researchers found that patients who took the ginseng compound showed a "highly significant increase" in total memory scores, with greater improvements in story recall, delayed word recall, verbal learning and recognition, and visual recognition, in the ginseng group than the Duxil group.

"Treatment with the compound of Chinese ginseng extract may improve memory function in patients with mild and moderate dementia after stroke," the researchers concluded. They also suggested that larger clinical trials be conducted to establish the safety and efficacy of the compound.

Reference

Yin J, Yang C, Shi J, Wang Y. A randomized pilot study of compound of Chinese ginseng treatment of memory impairment in patients with mild and moderate dementia after stroke. Presented at the 28th International Stroke Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, February 14, 2003. Abstract #P327.

Red clover is a perennial herb that grows up to 18 inches in height. Native to Europe, central Asia and northern Africa, it is now found in many other parts of the world. The plant derives its name in part from its flowers, which are fragrant and can range in color from white to a dark, fleshy red. Both fresh and dried flowers can be used medicinally.

Red clover flowers contain a number of substances believed to facilitate healing, including a volatile oil and isoflavones. In traditional Chinese medicine, red clover is believed to help clean the blood, clear heat and remove toxins. Internally, red clover is used for hot flashes that occur during menopause; skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis; chronic degenerative diseases; gout; whooping cough; and dry coughs.

Red clover is available in powder and liquid extract forms. The recommended daily dosage of red clover is four grams of dried flower heads, added to water and taken as an infusion up to three times daily. Alternatively, some practitioners recommend 1.5-3ml of a liquid extract up to three times per day.

When taken in the recommended therapeutic dosages, there are no known side-effects or drug interactions associated with red clover. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care professional before taking red clover or any other herbal product or dietary supplement.

References

Howes JB, Sullivan D, Lai N, et al. The effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on the lipoprotein profiles of post-menopausal women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia. Atherosclerosis 2000;152:143-147.
Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, pp. 177-8.
Yanagihara K, Ito A, Toge T, et al. Antiproliferative effects of isoflavones on human cancer cell lines established from the gastrointestinal tract. Cancer Res 1993;53:5815-5821.

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: have suffered with very sensitive skin all of my life, which I believe is, in part, triggered by anxiety. During these times of sensitivity, my skin hurts to touch. It feels as if it has been burned or bruised. It is very irritated by clothing, especially seams within clothing. There is no visible sign of sensitivity, as in redness or a rash. I have seen my family doctor, a dermatologist, and the head of the neurology department at the hospital where I live. Can acupuncture help, and if so, how?

Answer: In traditional Chinese medicine, there is an imbalance of the "yang qi," the active essence of vitality, that can show itself in this way. It can be a complicated condition involving the liver, kidney and spleen energies, but I do believe acupuncture, especially combined with herbs, could do a lot. You might want to visit the NCCAOM's website (www.nccaom.org) to find a qualified practitioner near you.

Question #2: My eight-month-old child has been diagnosed with asthma. He has no known allergies, but his breathing problems appear to be exacerbated by cold weather and viral infections such as the common cold. It has been suggested to me to use acupuncture as an alternative to the inhaled medications he is currently using. Is this safe and prudent measure in a child so young?

Answer: Yes. Acupuncture techniques are different for infants than for adults. Treatments are gentle, and because of the quality of an infant's qi, rapidly effective. That is prudent. You can ask the acupuncturist's office about their experiences with infants.

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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February 2003 [Volume 2, 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: https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Ginseng May Improve Memory in Stroke Patients Herb of the Month: Red Clover Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Ginseng May Improve Memory in Stroke Patients Ginseng is one of the most commonly-used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. There are several varieties of ginseng on the market, each of which has different properties and is used for different conditions. In the last few years, ginseng has come into favor as a means of improving learning and memory by students and elderly people; however, its feasibility in the treatment of memory loss caused by conditions such as vascular dementia remains unknown. Research presented at the latest International Stroke Conference in Phoenix, Arizona has shed new light on the ability of ginseng to boost one's memory. In the study, researchers examined 40 patients (average age 67) who had mild to moderate vascular dementia that had resulted from multiple, small strokes. Twenty-five patients were selected to take a tablet of ginseng extracted from Chinese ginseng roots, leaves, and pseudoginseng three times daily for 12 weeks. The other patients were given a prescription medication, Duxil, which increases oxygen in brain tissue and has been used to improve memory in elderly patients. Before the study began, and at its conclusion, participants were subjected to a battery of psychometric tests based on reading excerpts. Overall, the researchers found that patients who took the ginseng compound showed a "highly significant increase" in total memory scores, with greater improvements in story recall, delayed word recall, verbal learning and recognition, and visual recognition, in the ginseng group than the Duxil group. "Treatment with the compound of Chinese ginseng extract may improve memory function in patients with mild and moderate dementia after stroke," the researchers concluded. They also suggested that larger clinical trials be conducted to establish the safety and efficacy of the compound. Reference Yin J, Yang C, Shi J, Wang Y. A randomized pilot study of compound of Chinese ginseng treatment of memory impairment in patients with mild and moderate dementia after stroke. Presented at the 28th International Stroke Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, February 14, 2003. Abstract #P327. Herb of the Month: Red Clover Red clover is a perennial herb that grows up to 18 inches in height. Native to Europe, central Asia and northern Africa, it is now found in many other parts of the world. The plant derives its name in part from its flowers, which are fragrant and can range in color from white to a dark, fleshy red. Both fresh and dried flowers can be used medicinally. Red clover flowers contain a number of substances believed to facilitate healing, including a volatile oil and isoflavones. In traditional Chinese medicine, red clover is believed to help clean the blood, clear heat and remove toxins. Internally, red clover is used for hot flashes that occur during menopause; skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis; chronic degenerative diseases; gout; whooping cough; and dry coughs. Red clover is available in powder and liquid extract forms. The recommended daily dosage of red clover is four grams of dried flower heads, added to water and taken as an infusion up to three times daily. Alternatively, some practitioners recommend 1.5-3ml of a liquid extract up to three times per day. When taken in the recommended therapeutic dosages, there are no known side-effects or drug interactions associated with red clover. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care professional before taking red clover or any other herbal product or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Howes JB, Sullivan D, Lai N, et al. The effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on the lipoprotein profiles of post-menopausal women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia. Atherosclerosis 2000;152:143-147. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, pp. 177-8. Yanagihara K, Ito A, Toge T, et al. Antiproliferative effects of isoflavones on human cancer cell lines established from the gastrointestinal tract. Cancer Res 1993;53:5815-5821. 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: have suffered with very sensitive skin all of my life, which I believe is, in part, triggered by anxiety. During these times of sensitivity, my skin hurts to touch. It feels as if it has been burned or bruised. It is very irritated by clothing, especially seams within clothing. There is no visible sign of sensitivity, as in redness or a rash. I have seen my family doctor, a dermatologist, and the head of the neurology department at the hospital where I live. Can acupuncture help, and if so, how? Answer: In traditional Chinese medicine, there is an imbalance of the "yang qi," the active essence of vitality, that can show itself in this way. It can be a complicated condition involving the liver, kidney and spleen energies, but I do believe acupuncture, especially combined with herbs, could do a lot. You might want to visit the NCCAOM's website (www.nccaom.org) to find a qualified practitioner near you. Question #2: My eight-month-old child has been diagnosed with asthma. He has no known allergies, but his breathing problems appear to be exacerbated by cold weather and viral infections such as the common cold. It has been suggested to me to use acupuncture as an alternative to the inhaled medications he is currently using. Is this safe and prudent measure in a child so young? Answer: Yes. Acupuncture techniques are different for infants than for adults. Treatments are gentle, and because of the quality of an infant's qi, rapidly effective. That is prudent. You can ask the acupuncturist's office about their experiences with infants. 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.