July 2008 [Volume 7, Issue 7]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupuncture May Put Hot Flashes on Ice
• Herb of the Month – Pumpkin Seed (nan gua zi)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Acupuncture May Put Hot Flashes on Ice

There's no doubt hot flashes are a serious problem for menopausal women. Some studies estimate hot flashes can occur in up to 85 percent of menopausal women, with symptoms lasting as long as five years after menopause begins. A recent study published in the online version of the journal Menopause may have found a solution in the form of acupuncture treatment.

A group of researchers selected 56 menopausal women, ages 44 to 55, with at least four hot flashes a day to receive one of three treatments: usual care, fake acupuncture or real acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments were scheduled twice weekly for eight consecutive weeks.

There was a significant decrease in mean frequency of hot flashes between weeks 1 and 8 among all the patients. However, the acupuncture groups showed a significantly greater decrease than the usual care group. These results may suggest that acupuncture significantly reduce hot flash frequency.

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

Herb of the Month – Pumpkin Seed (nan gua zi)

The pumpkin is native to America but is now cultivated worldwide in warm and temperate regions. Although the most common use for pumpkin seeds is as a snack food, the seeds are also used in medicinal preparations.

The seeds contain a variety of amino acids, phytosterols and minerals, and an oil, comprised of several acids and carotenoids. In traditional Chinese medicine, pumpkin seeds have sweet and neutral properties and are associated with the Large Intestine and Stomach meridians. They are often used to alleviate pain and expel parasites. In Europe, pumpkin seeds have been recognized as effective for treating conditions such as irritable bladder and stages 1 and 2 of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is also used to treat enuresis (bedwetting) in children.

The recommended daily dosage for pumpkin seed, unless otherwise prescribed, is 10 grams of whole or coarsely ground seed for internal uses. It is recommended that the testa, the seed's outer covering, be removed before consumption. Pumpkin seeds are widely available in a variety of forms – whole (raw, dried or roasted), powder, capsule, pill and tablet.

As of this writing, there are no known side effects or contraindications for taking pumpkin seed, and no known interactions with other drugs. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking pumpkin seeds or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: I have had a problem with a herniated disc (C6, C5) since April. I can't sit straight for long, I have a numb thumb and index finger, and I can't sleep properly. I just want to know that acupuncture will work. Is this is curable? Are there different kinds of acupuncture? How do I proceed? What exercises are advisable?

Answer: The symptoms produced by a herniated disc can be treated and relieved by acupuncture. You need to see an acupuncturist for an evaluation to know if treatment is appropriate for your symptoms. Then you would have 10 to 15 treatments initially to find out how you respond. The acupuncturist may give you certain exercises to do or may incorporate some physical therapy.

Do you have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit the "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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