October 2007 [Volume 6, Issue 10]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupuncture May Give Relief from Allergies
• Herb of the Month – Indigo (qing dai)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Acupuncture May Give Relief from Allergies

Suffering from allergies can be difficult, particularly as seasons and weather changes. A total of $3 billion is lost in the United States each year, due to missed work or school from the effects of allergies. Now, a group of researchers may offer some hope to people who suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes or runny noses. A study published in the September 2007 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia found that 80 patients who underwent actual acupuncture reported four times greater the relief than those who received a sham or fake acupuncture treatment.

After the initial eight weeks, subjects who received the actual treatment reported a mean reduction in symptoms of 17.2 points, as compared to 4.2 points for those who received the sham treatments. Furthermore, at the end of the 12-week follow-up period, those who received the real acupuncture still reported a greater reduction in symptoms.

The researchers concluded, "acupuncture may provide a safe and effective option" for the treatment of allergies.

For more information on the many benefits of acupuncture, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Herb of the Month – Indigo (qing dai)

Indigo is a type of pigment that comes from the leaves of various plants. The leaves of the plants are collected in autumn (after they fall to the ground), then soaked in water. Over time, a solution forms in the water. The solution is stirred with a type of milk until it turns from black to green to red. The solution is then dried in the sun and allowed to form a powder

In traditional Chinese medicine, indigo is considered salty and cold, and is associated with the Liver, Lung and Stomach meridians. It clears away heat, expels toxic substances, and protects the liver by purging it of fire. It is often used with other herbs, including rehmannia, tree peony, talc and licorice, as part of a larger formula.

The typical dosage of indigo is 1.5 to 3 grams, taken orally. Indigo should be taken with caution by people who have cold syndromes of the stomach. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with indigo. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking indigo or any other herbal product or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: I have been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. The doctor said I can take medication but I would prefer not to do that, and was wondering if acupuncture would help this problem?

Answer: Yes. It will not help everyone, and not all cases of irregular heartbeat need treatment. You would see an acupuncturist for a proper evaluation. Here is a link for a statement about it from a cardiologist: www.pbs.org/saf/1210/hotline/hlonghurst.htm. You would probably start with 12 to 15 treatments to find out if it can help you.

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.