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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:

Nausea and vomiting are common side-effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although antiemetics are often prescribed to curb the incidence of vomiting, these drugs do not provide adequate relief in many instances, which has led researchers to look for more natural methods of vomiting and nausea control.

In a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 34 cancer patients were treated with acupuncture during a course of chemotherapy sessions. Thirty minutes before chemotherapy, patients received acupuncture bilaterally at the hegu (LI 4), neiguan (PC 6) and zusanli (ST 36) points. For hegu and neiguan, the researchers used filiform needles 3-5 cun in length and punctured the points 0.5-1 cun in depth. After de qi was achieved, the needles were manipulated via reinforcing and reducing techniques. A 5 cun filiform needle was then inserted into the zusanli points approximately 1-2 cun deep. After obtaining de qi, reinforcing technique was used to manipulate the needles.

Needles were retained a total of 20-30 minutes, with acupuncture given before each chemotherapy session. The researchers measured the severity of nausea and vomiting on a scale of 0-4, with 0 indicating a complete resolution of symptoms and 4 indicating that the vomiting could not be relieved through acupuncture.

Of the 34 cases treated with acupuncture, 22 were considered "markedly effective," with the symptoms of nausea being controlled and no vomiting in the week following chemotherapy. An additional two patients experienced vomiting only once or twice a day.

In their conclusion, the researchers explained that they chose the hegu, neiguan and zusanli points for their relationship with the stomach and spleen. "The combined use of all the above points may enhance the effect of promoting the functions of the spleen and stomach to relieve vomiting," they wrote. "Through our clinical observation in 34 cases, we think that acupuncture has satisfactory therapeutic effects in relieving nausea and vomiting during the treatment by chemotherapy."

Reference

Li D, Hong J. Acupuncture treatment of vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2002;22(4):272-273.

Gentian is a small plant native to eastern Europe and Turkey. The plant's root and berries are rich in B vitamins, vitamin F, niacin, and other trace elements. Gentian is classified as a bitter; two substances contained in the plant (gentiopicrin and amarogentin) are among the most bitter substances found in nature.

Gentian has been used as a medicinal by various cultures for more than 3,000 years. Historically, it was used to increase appetite, cleanse sores, and treat stomach and liver ailments. More recent studies have confirmed gentian's effectiveness is treating appetite and indigestion, while independent case reports suggest that gentian can eliminate hiccups, especially those caused by drinking alcohol.

In terms of dosage, the German Commission E recommends taking 2-4 grams of whole gentian root daily, or 1-3 grams of a gentian tincture. Whole gentian root is available at some Asian markets and specialty stores. It is also sold in alcohol-based tinctures and fluid extracts. Additionally, gentian berries are sometimes ground and sold as a powder.

While there are no known side-effects associated with taking gentian, it should not be used by patients who suffer from heartburn, gastritis or stomach ulcers, or who produce excessive stomach acid. There are currently no well-known drug interactions with gentian. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care professional before taking gentian or any other herbal product or dietary supplement.

References

Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds.) The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, p. 135.
Kondo Y, Takano F, Hojo H. Suppression of chemically and immunologically induced hepatic injuries by gentiopicroside in mice. Planta Med 1994;60:414-6.
Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, pp. 40-42.

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: Would someone please explain to me how magnets work? How does it have an effect biologically?

Answer: Magnets are not part of Chinese medicine, even though some practitioners will use magnets to stimulate acupuncture points. It is the magnetic field in the magnet that is supposed to stimulate the point.

Question #2: Is there an effective treatment for neurasthenia? I no longer have anxiety or depression, but I have been exhausted for years, along with headaches, tachycardia, etc. Antidepressants help some, but only very little. I just take them to avoid withdrawal symptoms. What would you advise?

Answer: Yes, there is a treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has treatments available for the symptoms you describe, including neurasthenia, such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. You should see someone for an evaluation of your symptoms, because Chinese medicine has a different viewpoint for these symptoms than Western medicine.

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 2003 [Volume 2, Issue 3] 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: Acupuncture Reduces Vomiting in Chemotherapy Patients Herb of the Month: Gentian Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Acupuncture Reduces Vomiting in Chemotherapy Patients Nausea and vomiting are common side-effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although antiemetics are often prescribed to curb the incidence of vomiting, these drugs do not provide adequate relief in many instances, which has led researchers to look for more natural methods of vomiting and nausea control. In a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 34 cancer patients were treated with acupuncture during a course of chemotherapy sessions. Thirty minutes before chemotherapy, patients received acupuncture bilaterally at the hegu (LI 4), neiguan (PC 6) and zusanli (ST 36) points. For hegu and neiguan, the researchers used filiform needles 3-5 cun in length and punctured the points 0.5-1 cun in depth. After de qi was achieved, the needles were manipulated via reinforcing and reducing techniques. A 5 cun filiform needle was then inserted into the zusanli points approximately 1-2 cun deep. After obtaining de qi, reinforcing technique was used to manipulate the needles. Needles were retained a total of 20-30 minutes, with acupuncture given before each chemotherapy session. The researchers measured the severity of nausea and vomiting on a scale of 0-4, with 0 indicating a complete resolution of symptoms and 4 indicating that the vomiting could not be relieved through acupuncture. Of the 34 cases treated with acupuncture, 22 were considered "markedly effective," with the symptoms of nausea being controlled and no vomiting in the week following chemotherapy. An additional two patients experienced vomiting only once or twice a day. In their conclusion, the researchers explained that they chose the hegu, neiguan and zusanli points for their relationship with the stomach and spleen. "The combined use of all the above points may enhance the effect of promoting the functions of the spleen and stomach to relieve vomiting," they wrote. "Through our clinical observation in 34 cases, we think that acupuncture has satisfactory therapeutic effects in relieving nausea and vomiting during the treatment by chemotherapy." Reference Li D, Hong J. Acupuncture treatment of vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2002;22(4):272-273. Herb of the Month: Gentian Gentian is a small plant native to eastern Europe and Turkey. The plant's root and berries are rich in B vitamins, vitamin F, niacin, and other trace elements. Gentian is classified as a bitter; two substances contained in the plant (gentiopicrin and amarogentin) are among the most bitter substances found in nature. Gentian has been used as a medicinal by various cultures for more than 3,000 years. Historically, it was used to increase appetite, cleanse sores, and treat stomach and liver ailments. More recent studies have confirmed gentian's effectiveness is treating appetite and indigestion, while independent case reports suggest that gentian can eliminate hiccups, especially those caused by drinking alcohol. In terms of dosage, the German Commission E recommends taking 2-4 grams of whole gentian root daily, or 1-3 grams of a gentian tincture. Whole gentian root is available at some Asian markets and specialty stores. It is also sold in alcohol-based tinctures and fluid extracts. Additionally, gentian berries are sometimes ground and sold as a powder. While there are no known side-effects associated with taking gentian, it should not be used by patients who suffer from heartburn, gastritis or stomach ulcers, or who produce excessive stomach acid. There are currently no well-known drug interactions with gentian. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care professional before taking gentian or any other herbal product or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds.) The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, p. 135. Kondo Y, Takano F, Hojo H. Suppression of chemically and immunologically induced hepatic injuries by gentiopicroside in mice. Planta Med 1994;60:414-6. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, pp. 40-42. 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: Would someone please explain to me how magnets work? How does it have an effect biologically? Answer: Magnets are not part of Chinese medicine, even though some practitioners will use magnets to stimulate acupuncture points. It is the magnetic field in the magnet that is supposed to stimulate the point. Question #2: Is there an effective treatment for neurasthenia? I no longer have anxiety or depression, but I have been exhausted for years, along with headaches, tachycardia, etc. Antidepressants help some, but only very little. I just take them to avoid withdrawal symptoms. What would you advise? Answer: Yes, there is a treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has treatments available for the symptoms you describe, including neurasthenia, such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. You should see someone for an evaluation of your symptoms, because Chinese medicine has a different viewpoint for these symptoms than Western medicine. 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.