March 2009 [Volume 8, Issue 3]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

In this issue of To Your Health:

• Pediatric Hospital Sees Value of Acupuncture
• Herb of the Month – Wild Asparagus (tian men dong)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Pediatric Hospital Sees Value of Acupuncture

As an acupuncture patient, you are part of a growing trend toward integration into Western medical services. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine has found a home in locations as varied as hospitals, drug-treatment programs and even the armed services. Now, a major pediatric hospital has joined the swelling ranks of those who have seen the benefit of acupuncture treatment.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which was ranked among the top 10 pediatric hospitals last year by U.S. News & World Report, is providing acupuncture services to patients in the Pain Management Clinic. The services are offered for free, one day a week in the hospitals outpatient clinic.

According to Jeffrey I. Gold, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic at Childrens Hospital, the patients, most of whom are between the ages of 13 and 19, all say that they feel more comfortable and relaxed after receiving the treatments and have been coming back on a regular basis. Gold, who heads up the acupuncture clinic explained that, at least when it comes to treating pediatric pain, "we are not getting to the core of the problem with regular medicine." He likened using acupuncture treatments for these patients to re-setting the nervous system, rather than just treating symptoms, as is done with Western medicine. "It's all about health and wellness."

There is definitely a real future for integrating acupuncture into Western medicine – the best is yet to come!

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

Herb of the Month – Wild Asparagus (tian men dong)

Although it is sometimes referred to as Chinese asparagus, wild asparagus originated in the Mediterranean. It is now a popular herb in both Chinese and Korean medicine, and grows in the mountainous regions of both countries. The root is used medicinally.

In traditional Chinese medicine, wild asparagus has a sweet, bitter taste and cold properties, and works with the Lung, Kidney and Heart meridians. It is one of the most valued shen tonics in all of herbal medicine. It opens the heart (increasing well-being and peace of mind); moistens and purifies the lungs (which removes toxins from the respiratory tract and aids in breathing); and promotes the production of kidney yin (which may improve sexual potency). Some practitioners use asparagus as part of a facial mask to moisturize the skin and nourish yin.

Processed wild asparagus root is extremely safe. The American Herbal Products Association has given it a class one rating, meaning it can be consumed safely when used at the appropriate levels. In rare cases, however, it may cause allergic skin reactions. As of this writing, there are no known drug reactions with asparagus root. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking asparagus root or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: My son had eczema since he was born. He is almost 13 years old now. He was on topical steroids until age 9. Someone recommended Aveeno products, and it somewhat seemed to work. But his skin has gotten worse within the last year. He has itching, face is darkened, dry skin, and exercise-induced asthma. Will acupuncture help?

Answer: TCM has more therapies than acupuncture. Acupuncture can help reduce the symptoms of asthma and eczema and sometimes other therapies can also be used. Treatment is not appropriate for every patient and he needs an examination for an evaluation.

Do you have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit the "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.