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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:

Up to 40 percent of the adult American population suffers from insomnia. Research suggests that while insomnia and anxiety are not related, they share several characteristics. Anxious people usually have difficulty sleeping an entire night, spend less time in "deep" sleep, and often have fragmented sleep patterns. Conversely, people who suffer from sleep deprivation often produce symptoms similar to those seen in people with high anxiety levels.

Traditionally, people who suffer from insomnia caused by anxiety are prescribed drugs to help them sleep - particularly, a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Unfortunately, these drugs carry with them a wide range of physical and psychological side-effects, ranging from impaired motor skills, depression, and addiction to medication. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective remedy for insomnia, without producing any of the side-effects of drugs; however, none of the studies examining the use of acupuncture for insomnia have measured the effects such treatment can have on hormone production or chemical changes in the brain during sleep.

To see what effects acupuncture has on brain chemistry, researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada recruited 18 adults suffering from anxiety and insomnia, and treated them with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks. One week before and after treatment, they were given a battery of tests to determine changes in melatonin, sleep quality, total time spent asleep, and other variables.

Results showed that anxiety levels were significant lower, while sleep efficiency and nighttime melatonin levels increased, in the week following the last acupuncture session compared to before the start of the study. Anxiety levels decreased an average of 20 points per patient; average sleep time increased by 1.4 hours; and "sleep efficiency" increased an average of 12.5 points. Urinalysis showed a significant increase in melatonin production between midnight and 8 a.m.

The researchers concluded: "In this preliminary study, acupuncture was shown to be of value as a therapeutic intervention for insomnia in anxious subjects and may therefore represent an alternative to pharmaceutical therapy for some categories of patients." They recommended that a more rigorous study, including a control group, be conducted to verify their results.

Reference

Spence DW, Kayumov L, Chen A, et al. Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report. J Neuropsychiaty Clin Neurosci Winter 2004;16:19-28.

Black cohosh is a tall, flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada, with a black stem and small white flowers. Black cohosh gets its name in part from an Algonquin word meaning "rough" in reference to the plant's root structure. The plant's roots and rhizome are used medicinally.

Black cohosh contains several ingredients, including glycosides (such as acetin, deoxyactein and cimicifugoside) and isoflavones (such as formononetin). Other items found in black cohosh include aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty acids, starches, and sugars. Native Americans used black cohosh for a wide range of conditions, from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites. Studies conducted in Europe suggest that black cohosh may combat the effects of hot flashes associated with menopause, along with other symptoms such as night sweats; insomnia; nervousness; and irritability.

Black cohosh can be taken in several forms. Powdered black cohosh root is widely available at most health food stores. It can also be found in teas, extracts (both solid and liquid) and tinctures. The recommended dose is 40mg of liquid black cohosh extract per day, with a ratio of 1mg of deoxyactein per 20mg of extract.

The German Commission E has recommended that patients should not take black cohosh longer than six months at a time. Some patients taking high doses of black cohosh have reported mild side effects, including abdominal pain; diarrhea; dizziness; headaches; nausea; tremors; and a slowed heart rate. In addition, pregnant women should not take black cohosh, especially during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, because an overdose of the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature birth. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care professional before taking black cohosh or any other dietary supplement.

References

Blumenthal M (ed.) The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.
Gruenwald J. Standardized black cohosh (cimicifuga) extract clinical monograph. Quart Rev Nat Med Summer 1998;117-25.
Liske E, Wüstenberg P. Therapy of climacteric complaints with cimicifuga racemosa: a herbal medicine with clinically proven evidence [abstract #98.0020]. Poster presentation. Ninth Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society, Toronto, Canada, September 16-19,1998.

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: I have been receiving acupuncture for severe TMJ and since receiving the treatment, have felt extremely lethargic and tired. Is this a side effect of acupuncture? What are the most common side effects?

Answer: Often patients feel relaxed after treatment, so I recommend a short period of rest. Some patients will feel more energized. It seems to be an effect of balance, so that if a person is excited, they will relax, or if they are lethargic, they feel more energized.

Question #2: I am a typical pear-shaped person, and I have been walking and exercising a lot to lose weight. I have lost a lot of weight on my upper body, but I can't seem to shift the weight from my thighs and butt. I was wondering if acupuncture can be used to mobilize fat tissue so that it is evenly distributed over the entire body; in my case, to my upper body.

Answer: Although acupuncture can facilitate your weight loss, as far as targeting specific areas for fat loss, it is unrealistic. Our culture overemphasizes an "anorexic" fashion/appearance. A practitioner will recognize your natural predilection and encourage you to accept and enhance your unique beauty.

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

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March 2004 [Volume 3, 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: www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Acupuncture Increases Melatonin Levels, Promotes Quality Sleep Herb of the Month: Black Cohosh Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Acupuncture Increases Melatonin Levels, Promotes Quality Sleep Up to 40 percent of the adult American population suffers from insomnia. Research suggests that while insomnia and anxiety are not related, they share several characteristics. Anxious people usually have difficulty sleeping an entire night, spend less time in "deep" sleep, and often have fragmented sleep patterns. Conversely, people who suffer from sleep deprivation often produce symptoms similar to those seen in people with high anxiety levels. Traditionally, people who suffer from insomnia caused by anxiety are prescribed drugs to help them sleep - particularly, a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Unfortunately, these drugs carry with them a wide range of physical and psychological side-effects, ranging from impaired motor skills, depression, and addiction to medication. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective remedy for insomnia, without producing any of the side-effects of drugs; however, none of the studies examining the use of acupuncture for insomnia have measured the effects such treatment can have on hormone production or chemical changes in the brain during sleep. To see what effects acupuncture has on brain chemistry, researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada recruited 18 adults suffering from anxiety and insomnia, and treated them with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks. One week before and after treatment, they were given a battery of tests to determine changes in melatonin, sleep quality, total time spent asleep, and other variables. Results showed that anxiety levels were significant lower, while sleep efficiency and nighttime melatonin levels increased, in the week following the last acupuncture session compared to before the start of the study. Anxiety levels decreased an average of 20 points per patient; average sleep time increased by 1.4 hours; and "sleep efficiency" increased an average of 12.5 points. Urinalysis showed a significant increase in melatonin production between midnight and 8 a.m. The researchers concluded: "In this preliminary study, acupuncture was shown to be of value as a therapeutic intervention for insomnia in anxious subjects and may therefore represent an alternative to pharmaceutical therapy for some categories of patients." They recommended that a more rigorous study, including a control group, be conducted to verify their results. Reference Spence DW, Kayumov L, Chen A, et al. Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report. J Neuropsychiaty Clin Neurosci Winter 2004;16:19-28. Herb of the Month: Black Cohosh Black cohosh is a tall, flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada, with a black stem and small white flowers. Black cohosh gets its name in part from an Algonquin word meaning "rough" in reference to the plant's root structure. The plant's roots and rhizome are used medicinally. Black cohosh contains several ingredients, including glycosides (such as acetin, deoxyactein and cimicifugoside) and isoflavones (such as formononetin). Other items found in black cohosh include aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty acids, starches, and sugars. Native Americans used black cohosh for a wide range of conditions, from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites. Studies conducted in Europe suggest that black cohosh may combat the effects of hot flashes associated with menopause, along with other symptoms such as night sweats; insomnia; nervousness; and irritability. Black cohosh can be taken in several forms. Powdered black cohosh root is widely available at most health food stores. It can also be found in teas, extracts (both solid and liquid) and tinctures. The recommended dose is 40mg of liquid black cohosh extract per day, with a ratio of 1mg of deoxyactein per 20mg of extract. The German Commission E has recommended that patients should not take black cohosh longer than six months at a time. Some patients taking high doses of black cohosh have reported mild side effects, including abdominal pain; diarrhea; dizziness; headaches; nausea; tremors; and a slowed heart rate. In addition, pregnant women should not take black cohosh, especially during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, because an overdose of the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature birth. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care professional before taking black cohosh or any other 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: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998. Gruenwald J. Standardized black cohosh (cimicifuga) extract clinical monograph. Quart Rev Nat Med Summer 1998;117-25. Liske E, Wüstenberg P. Therapy of climacteric complaints with cimicifuga racemosa: a herbal medicine with clinically proven evidence [abstract #98.0020]. Poster presentation. Ninth Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society, Toronto, Canada, September 16-19,1998. 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: I have been receiving acupuncture for severe TMJ and since receiving the treatment, have felt extremely lethargic and tired. Is this a side effect of acupuncture? What are the most common side effects? Answer: Often patients feel relaxed after treatment, so I recommend a short period of rest. Some patients will feel more energized. It seems to be an effect of balance, so that if a person is excited, they will relax, or if they are lethargic, they feel more energized. Question #2: I am a typical pear-shaped person, and I have been walking and exercising a lot to lose weight. I have lost a lot of weight on my upper body, but I can't seem to shift the weight from my thighs and butt. I was wondering if acupuncture can be used to mobilize fat tissue so that it is evenly distributed over the entire body; in my case, to my upper body. Answer: Although acupuncture can facilitate your weight loss, as far as targeting specific areas for fat loss, it is unrealistic. Our culture overemphasizes an "anorexic" fashion/appearance. A practitioner will recognize your natural predilection and encourage you to accept and enhance your unique beauty. 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.