Not a subscriber?
Unsubscribe
Update e-mail address
April 2011 [Volume 10, Issue 4]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
- Venturing into the World of Pet Acupuncture
- Herb of the Month – Nutmeg (rou dou kou)
- Ask an Acupuncturist
Venturing into the World of Pet Acupuncture
By Gordon Cohen, Lac
The practice of acupuncture offers a variety of scenarios, which make it different from other types of medicine. One strikingly unique setting is in the veterinary clinic.
My first experience with animal acupuncture was typical. In acupuncture school, we were informed that acupuncture is effective for animals as well as humans. We received the information that as with humans, the tongue and pulses are inspected in diagnosis, and then we were shown needles for chickens and horses. These, when compared to the needles for humans, were respectively thinner and shorter in the case of the former and thicker and longer in the latter case.
With this foundation, I was confronted by a co-worker who asked me if I could do something to help her dog who was having bad back pain. The dog was a 7-year-old male Daschund. He was unable to urinate without squatting because of back pain. His gait was slightly affected but without tenderness in the legs. My friend was distraught and the dog's struggle was compelling so I agreed to try to help.
Herb of the Month – Nutmeg (rou dou kou)
What is nutmeg? What is it used for?
Nutmeg is a type of seed derived from the nutmeg tree. Native to Indonesia, nutmeg trees are cultivated worldwide. Nutmeg trees yield fruit after approximately 8 years. When the fruit of a nutmeg tree ripens, it splits in half, revealing a bright red, netlike structure wrapped around a dark, brittle shell. Inside the shell is the nutmeg seed. The seeds are removed from the fruit and dried in the sun for herbal remedies.
In traditional Chinese medicine, nutmeg is associated with the Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine meridians, and has pungent and warm properties. Its functions are to warm the spleen and stomach, promote the circulation of qi, and stop diarrhea.
The most common applications for nutmeg are diarrhea and gastroenteritis; according to traditional Chinese medicine principles, it helps stimulate the stomach and "bind" the intestines. Nutmeg also helps to reduce symptoms associated with digestive problems, such as nausea and vomiting, and can increase appetite. Externally, ointments created with nutmeg oil can treat rheumatic conditions and stimulate blood flow. Nutmeg is also used as a spice in cooking. In India, nutmeg is believed to act as an aphrodisiac and can increase sexual stamina.
How much nutmeg should I take?
The typical dose of nutmeg is between 3 and 10 grams, ground into powder and taken with a tea or decoction. Smaller doses (1.5-3 grams) are available in capsule or pill form.
What forms of nutmeg are available?
Nutmeg is available as a powder, pill, capsule or tablet. Nutmeg can also be found in some teas and decoctions; an oil made from nutmeg is a component in some soaps and cosmetics. Nutmeg is widely available, and can be purchased at most markets and grocery stores.
What can happen if I take too much nutmeg? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Nutmeg should not be taken in cases of dysentery, or in patients who have diarrhea caused by damp heat. There are no known side effects or drug interactions associated with nutmeg (as of this writing). As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking nutmeg or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Question about length of acupuncture treatments: I have a severe symptom of blockage in my body. I have a special acupuncturist who can work on my symptom. Do you see any serious temporary or permanent side effects if a patient overdoes the hours of acupuncture needles left in the body? Does it also depend on what the condition is if it's necessary to do so?
Answer: Yes, the length of time required for needle retention does vary. It depends on the patient and the condition being treated. Sometimes, needles are implanted in a point for extended stimulation. In these cases the needles can be left in place up to seven days.
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.
