Not a subscriber?
Unsubscribe
Update e-mail address
May 2012 [Volume 11, Issue 5]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
- Robert Downey Jr. Credits TCM For Better Health
- Herb of the Month – Torreya Seed (fei zi)
- Ask an Acupuncturist
Robert Downey Jr. Credits TCM For Better Health
By Brenda Duran, Senior Associate Editor
In the last two decades, movie star Robert Downey Jr. has achieved good health and he credits it all to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Downey spoke about his gratitude for the ancient medicine while being honored for his advocacy with the Robert Graham Visionary Award in March.
The award was presented by Yo San University founders Daoshing Ni and Mao Shing Ni in a small ceremony at the Malibu home of philanthropist Lilly Tartikoff.
The emcee for the event was Brenda Strong, an actress who was on Desperate Housewives, and is currently in the new Dallas series.
Downey, who has starred in countless blockbuster hits including most recently Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man and The Avengers, has become and advocate for TCM which he says has had a profound impact in all areas of his life for many years.
Herb of the Month – Torreya Seed (fei zi)
What is torreya seed? What is it used for?
The torreya is a type of evergreen tree found not only in China and Japan, but also North America. The torreya has large, linear, bristling leaves and an aromatic wood, which often smells rather foul. The tree produces large, globular fruit, which encompasses a large seed.
The seeds of the torreya are used in medicinal remedies. They are gathered in the wintertime when the fruit of the plant is ripe, then dried in the sun.
According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, torreya seeds have sweet and neutral properties, and are associated with the Lung, Large Intestine and Small Intestine meridians. Its main functions are to kill intestinal parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms, and to treat indigestion and other digestive disorders. It can also relax the bowels and treat constipation. Torreya seeds are often used with other herbs, such as areca seed, quisqualis and basket fern.
How much torreya seed should I take?
The typical dosage of torreya seed is between 30 and 50 grams per day, drunk with water as a decoction. The seeds should be crushed prior to cooking. As an alternative, some practitioners recommend that the seeds be ground up into a type of bolus with honey and consumed orally. If being used in a decoction, raw torreya seeds should be used.
What forms of torreya seed are available?
Whole, dried torreya seed can be found at some herbal shops. Powdered torreya seed may be available at some specialty stores and nutrition stores, along with torreya pills and capsules.
What can happen if I take too much torreya seed? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
As of this writing, there are no known side-effects or drug interactions associated with torreya seeds. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking torreya seed or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Question about Acupuncture for Dermatitis: Hi I'm 23 years old n suffering from seborrheic dermatitis since three years and I want to know whether acupuncture can treat this.
Answer: Yes, acupuncture has been known to reduce the symptoms of the various forms of dermatitis. Chinese Herbal Medicines can also reduce symptoms.
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.