April 2007 [Volume 6, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Traditional Chinese Herb May Help Fight Kidney Disease
• Herb of the Month – Camphor (zhang nao)
• Ask an Acupuncturist: This Month's Q & A

Traditional Chinese Herb May Help Fight Kidney Disease

Li gong teng, a traditional Chinese herb, is derived from the vine Tripteryglum wilfordii, more commonly known as "Thunder God Vine." A tea made from the herb has been used for thousands of years in China to treat inflammation, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Recent research, results of which are documented in the March 5, 2007 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, purports that li gong teng can stop polycystic kidney disease by stopping cell growth and the progression of cyst formation. Currently, there is no medical cure for the condition. Although the research is preliminary, the researchers, based at Yale University and Columbia University, concluded that the herb extract may be a "promising therapeutic candidate" for treating polycystic kidney disease and suggest that more research be conducted.

Herbal remedies are one of many treatment options acupuncturists and doctors of Oriental medicine utilize to provide drug-free care. To learn more about the basics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Herb of the Month – Camphor (zhang nao)

Camphor is a type of evergreen tree native to East Asia. Although the entire tree has medicinal properties, the leaves are of special importance. They are harvested three or four times a year, during which an oil is extracted and distilled to form small, colorless crystals. It is this crystal extract that is used in herbal remedies.

Traditionally, camphor has been used as a type of insect repellant. Camphor oil is also applied to the skin to treat bruises, sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, and some inflammatory conditions. Camphor fumes may treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory disorders. In addition, camphor has several industrial uses, and is often incorporated into soaps, deodorants and disinfectants.

Because camphor is usually inhaled or applied externally, the amount to be taken depends on the condition being treated. Camphor can ground into a powder and either applied directly to the skin or mixed with liquid as a wash. Camphor should not be consumed internally. It also should not be used during pregnancy, applied to the facial regions of children and infants, or to skin that is burned or injured. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking camphor or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist: This Month's Q & A

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and receive responses from a licensed acupuncturist. Here is one of this month's questions and answers:

Question: I had prostate surgery 18 months ago and am still having incontinence problems. Can acupuncture treatments help?

Answer: Acupuncture treatment is available for the symptom of incontinence. Surgery, though, can sometimes create a condition that even acupuncture cannot help. You would want to have a complete examination to evaluate whether treatment would be appropriate. In general, though, a course of 10 to 13 acupuncture treatments is required for this symptom. (Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs are also effective for prostate conditions such as an enlarged prostate.)

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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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