April 2008 [Volume 7, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupuncture Improves Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Herb of the Month – Omphalia (lei wan)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Acupuncture Improves Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a swelling of the joint linings that causes pain and eventual deformity. Unlike osteoarthritis (actual degeneration of bone joint cartilage), there has not been much attention given to treating RA with acupuncture.

A study published in the May 2008 issue of Clinical Rheumatology, has found that acupuncture may indeed be effective in symptom and pain management for patients suffering from RA. Twenty-five patients were given 14 acupuncture sessions over the course of six weeks. At the end of six weeks, 48 percent of patients showed improvement on a particular RA measurement scale. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between those who were also taking medication compared with those who were not. This appears to indicate that acupuncture alone may achieve almost the same results as medication, but without the potential for harmful interactions or side effects.

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

Herb of the Month – Omphalia (lei wan)

Omphalia is a type of mushroom which has been given the interesting nickname of “thunder ball” because of its appearance. It is blackish-brown or grayish-brown in appearance, with marble-like striations and a yellow-white interior.

Omphalia has a grainy, slightly bitter taste and cold properties, and is associated with the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used mainly to treat intestinal parasites and disorders such as ascariasis and taeniasis (tapeworm infections), and to fight malnutrition in children.

The recommended dosage of omphalia is 20 to 60 grams of dried herb, or five to seven grams of a pill or powder taken two to three times per day. It should not be boiled or baked at a high temperature. In addition to dried omphalia, pills and powders are available at most herbal shops and Asian markets.

Omphalia should be consumed only under strict supervision of a licensed health care provider, and should not be taken by women who are pregnant or lactating. There are no known drug interactions with omphalia. As always, make sure to speak with a qualified health care practitioner before taking omphalia or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: I have had swelling in my left leg for past 11 years. Doctors say that there is no cure for this disease. I can reduce the pain intensity by placing my leg higher than my heart and using stockings. Can acupuncture help?

Answer: Acupuncture can treat this condition. Many times acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help with problems that Western medicine cannot. That being said, this can be a difficult symptom to treat for any system of medicine. You need an evaluation by an acupuncturist to know if acupuncture treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.

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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