How To Live in Harmony With Winter

Shaping your life in the middle of winter is different than the same task would be in summer. We have just entered the year of the Tiger, being a smart cat means knowing when to pounce and when to be still. Winter is a time to be still, so the new beginnings might not be as active or flashy as a Spring or Summer beginning. In winter, the days are shorter with less natural light, and certainly less warmth (especially here in Chicago!).

The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of Winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on health, replenish energy and conserve strength. It is a time to let our bodies restore and rejuvenate. In winter it is important to nourish your kidney Qi (you can think of qi as your body's energy reserves). In Chinese Medicine benefits of nurturing your kidney qi include;enhanced ability to thrive in times of stress, faster healing, illness prevention and increased vitality. Sounds good doesn't it?

Perhaps your new beginning in Winter would encourage you to: go to bed earlier, rest, give yourself a chance to catch your breath, and eat warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts to warm your body. Black beans ,kidney beans, asparagus, and dark, leafy green vegetables are all great choices for recharging your kidney's.

One more idea, this TCM tea is perfect for winter.

This recipe is from Adele Reising Acupuncture
200 East 15th Street, Suite A
New York, NY 10003
#646 336 1280

Black Sesame and Goji Berry Tea
1 cup black sesames
2 Tbsp goji berries, rinsed
3 cups water
Brown sugar (raw, unprocessed)

Bring sesame seeds, goji berries and water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer partially covered for about 20 to 30 minutes until 1 cup of tea remains. If it does not cook down in 30 minutes, the flame is too low. Strain tea and sweeten to taste.

Black sesame seeds are very calming and good to drink in the morning if you have morning anxiety, or in the evening if you have trouble winding down. Black sesames nourish and calm the adrenals, as do the goji berries; overall the formula is very moistening. Brown sugar is full of minerals as are the sesame seeds, so this formula is rich in calcium and good for the bones. Brown sugar can be avoided for those sensitive to sugar, but the seeds are bitter. Maple syrup and honey are also suitable sweeteners as is agave; however, I prefer maple syrup or brown sugar for their high mineral content.

Ingredients can be purchased at the local Chinese grocery store or from an on-line service for Chinese herbs, such as Kamwo pharmacy."

Are you a Tiger? You are if you were born in: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, or 1998. If you weren't born in these years, you can learn from the Tiger - be a courageous, smart cat.

Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy

Reuters Health, The Wall Street Journal. and WebMD all reported that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for depression in pregnant women.

As many as 14% of pregnant women are thought to develop a significant depression at some point during their pregnancy say the researchers at Stanford University Medical Center. I know from my own practice that many women are fearful of taking conventional anti-depressant medication during pregnancy and are desperate for other solutions. My experience is confirmed by Rachel Manber, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford and her team. They found that 94 percent of pregnant women are hesitant to take antidepressants due to concerns about the effect of on fetal development. "Because there's this concern about medication among pregnant women and their physicians, it's important to find an alternative," said Dr. Manber.

They also suggest that Acupuncture should be considered a treatment option because the procedure works in reducing depressive symptoms better than other non-pharmacological techniques. During the study, researchers followed 150 women who met the criteria for major depression and weren't previously taking antidepressants. The women were randomly assigned to get either general acupuncture, acupuncture targeted for depression, or massage for eight weeks. Those who received acupuncture treatments had a significantly greater decrease in depressive symptoms, compared with the other women. 63% of women in the acupuncture-for-depression group responded to treatment, compared with 44% in the other groups.

Study co-author Deirdre Lyell, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine, says acupuncture might not work for everyone, but hopes that people "will respect the rigorous methodology used in this blinded, randomized, controlled trial and accept the result," and consider acupuncture an option for treating depression during pregnancy.

Overall, Manber's team notes that the response to acupuncture in this study was comparable to what has been seen in studies of psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy.

*The study is published in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Easy Suggestions To Improve Your Heart Health

February is the American Heart Association's Heart Health Awareness Month

By the end of February, everybody has lapsed in all their New Year’s Resolutions, but it is still too early to feel the inspiration of Spring. So here are several easy suggestions that you can implement for heart health.

*Drink green tea. It may reduce “bad” cholesterol and boosts “good” cholesterol.

*Drink pomegranate juice. It may reduce your risk for atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to arterial wall thickening and hardening.

*Boost your intake of nitric oxide. Exercise, deep breathing and sauna's are all simple ways to do this. Nitric Oxide causes your blood vessels to relax and to widen, thereby opening up your arteries. This allows better blood flow to your heart and your other important organs.

*Improve your sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to many unhealthy conditions including heart disease and high blood pressure

*Try some Chinese herbs. Most of the herbs I mention below can be found in capsules or tea form at your local health food store.

*Ginseng reduces cholesterol and has shown positive effects on blood vessel elasticity.

*Dang gui, or Chinese angelica root, is traditionally used to treat blockages and help increase blood flow.

*Ginkgo increases microcapillary circulation and expands blood vessels.

*Some of these herbs, like ginkgo, possess mild blood-thinning properties and may interact with blood-thinning drugs. Be sure to talk to your medical doctor before you take these herbs if you are already taking prescription medications. Also as with any Chinese Herbal supplements you should consult a qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

Endometriosis Treatment With Chinese Medicine

Endometriosis is a problem I treat frequently in my Chicago office. Some women are driven in because of the intense pain they experience every month. Others come in because endometriosis has effected their fertility. Happily, Chinese Medicine can be very helpful in treating both the pain and the fertility issues caused by this disorder. The following post from the Portland Acupuncture blog by Amy Chitwood Burslem, LAc. provides a good explanation of this common condition affecting many women and she explains how both acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help pain and fertility.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women. It is is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which causes pain during the menstrual cycle. This occurs becuase the endometrial tissue is supposed to shed every month, and if it isn’t in the uterus, the tissue essentially “stagnates,” and causes pain. Endometriosis is usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 40, but can begin as a young as the teenage years. Forty percent of women are symptom-free and don’t even realize they have it. The other sixty percent are well aware of the symptoms, which include mild to severe pain in the lower abdomen during the menstrual cycle, heavy bleeding, and even infertility.

Western medicine does not have a cure for endometriosis, but offers prescription drugs and laparoscopic surgery as an option to stop the pain. While it may stop the pain, this method doesn’t address the inflammation that is occurs throughout the body with each cycle.

Acupuncture points and Chinese herbal medicine help soothe the pain, reduce inflammation, and help reduce the heavy monthly bleeding. The diagnosis of endometriosis is Blood Stagnation (which is exactly what is sounds like), but there is often either excess Heat or Cold in the body. The practitioner will use acupoints to treat all of these symptoms.

Herbal formulas will be prescribed at specific times in the woman’s menstrual cycle. One formula can be taken just after the menstrual cycle begins, and another after ovulation (or mid-cycle).

Randine Lewis’s book, The Infertility Cure, is one of the best resources I have found for information about acupuncture, Western and Chinese herbs, and endometriosis. Read her book for more extenstive information on endometriosis.

To view Amy's orginal post click here

Researchers Say Chinese Herbs Relieve PMS Pain and Reduced It's Reoccurrence

Chinese Herbal Medicine May Help Reduce Menstrual Pain Says Cochrane Collaboration

by Cathy Margolin

A study involving nearly 3,500 women in several countries suggests Chinese herbs may be more effective in relieving menstrual cramps than drugs, acupuncture or heat compression.

Australia-based researchers said herbs not only relieved pain, but reduced the recurrence of the condition over three months, according to the Cochrane Library journal. Who writes The Cochrane Library Journal? An international not-for-profit and independent organization, dedicated to up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of health-care readily available worldwide.

Who is Cochrane Collaboration? Watch video

The Cochrane Collaboration produce and disseminates systematic reviews of health-care interventions and promote the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration was founded in 1993. They publish the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews quarterly as part of the Cochrane Library.

Women looking for a natural treatment for menstrual cramps can be confident that Chinese herbs have been reviewed in clinical trials and have been used safely for hundreds of years. The evidence came from 39 trials, involved 3475 women – 36 in China, and one each in Taiwan, Japan and the Netherlands. Participants were given herb formulas to regulate their 'qi' (energy) and blood, warmed their bodies and boosted their kidney and liver functions.

"Chinese herbal medicine gave significant improvements in pain relief when compared to pharmaceutical drugs. It also reduced overall symptoms. The research revealed that Chinese herbal medicine was also better at alleviating pain than acupuncture or heat compression."

“All available measures of effectiveness confirmed the overall superiority of Chinese herbal medicine to placebo, no treatment, NSAIDs, OCP, (oral contraception pills) acupuncture and heat compression, and, at the same time, there were no indications that Chinese herbs caused any adverse events,” says lead author Xiaoshu Zhu who works at the Center for Complementary Medicine Research at the University of Western Sydney, Australia.

Some of the Chinese herbs include Chinese angelica root (danggui), Szechuan lovage root (chuanxiong), red peony root (chishao), white peony root (baishao), Chinese motherwort (yimucao), fennel fruit (huixiang), nut-grass rhizome (xiangfu), liquorice root (gancao) and cinnamon bark (rougui). In one trial involving 36 women, 53 percent of those who took Chinese herbs reported less pain than usual compared with 26 percent in the placebo group. (No coincidence these herbs are all included in our PMS Relief Herb Pac)

See Full Study here http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD005288/frame.html

Cathy Margolin is a Licensed Acupuncturist and consumer health advocate with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health through the use of Chinese herbal formulas. She enjoys impacting the lives of readers around the world who haven’t yet experienced the phenomenal health benefits from the ancient wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine. She currently maintains an Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine practice, writes herbal formulas for her patients and works at PACHerbs.com.

Happy Chinese New Year !

Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year it is The Year of The Tiger.

Happy New Year !

Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome To The Year Of The Tiger!

Another timely article from acufinder.com

Happy Chinese New Year!
By: Dr. Maoshing Ni

Welcome to the year of the Tiger! Each year for close to 20 years I’ve given forecasts about the year based on the ancient Tao system of Five Elements Phase Energetic that predicts the global trends that affect each of us on a personal level. My experience has been that by taking note of the forecasts I am able to side step or minimize the negative tendencies be it health, relationships or finance and make the most of the positives.

In the Chinese astrology, the tiger is one of the most dynamic and powerful signs. Its nature is unpredictable, courageous and volatile. Therefore the year of the Tiger is usually associated with big changes and social turmoil. 2010 is likely to be a volatile one both globally and personally. However those who gain an understanding of it through this article and their own spiritual awareness shall have the flexibility to adapt to the changes and keep a steady hand on the keel through rough waters.

2010 is a year represented by the elements of metal and wood in the Chinese calendar. The elemental interaction is symbolized by an ax cutting down a tree. What this means is a potential for more conflicts on the world’s political stage. It is a more combustible year resulting in increased military engagements so then it comes as no surprise that the troop surge for Afghanistan will take place and that the threats from North Korea and Iran may continue to escalate. It is therefore critical for leaders of the world to exercise calmness when dealing with confrontations and seek peace and harmony as the ultimate objective in any interaction.

Dogged by worldwide recession countries will continue to wrestle each other over protectionist policies enacted in response to weakened domestic economies. In 2010 the economies around the world should stabilize and improve, with more optimism from the Tiger. The conflicting dynamics of the metal and wood elements shall spark more volatile times ahead for both the economy and the stock market. Industries favorable for an upturn include precious metals, finance, entertainment, energy, defense industry, high tech, engineering, machinery, cars and airlines. Sectors like banking, insurance and mining will see more stability and investments. Challenging industries that may lag include wood products, paper, newspaper and magazines, fashion, textile, furniture, property development and forestry as well as ocean shipping, transportation and communications.

Environmentally 2010 may be challenged with extremes like hot weather and droughts as well as flooding with more man-made damages or natural disasters to the environment. Possible environmental disasters may include nuclear accidents, earthquake and volcanic eruption. Evidence of global warming will become more obvious as leaders of industries and countries try to hammer out agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On the health front metal represents the lungs, colon, skin and the immune system therefore this means that you may be much more predisposed to developing conditions like sinus allergies, infections, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, colitis, irritable bowl syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, compromised immunity or autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. Wood element corresponds to liver, gall bladder and the nervous system, which may lead to increased stress and tension, depression, anxiety, gallstones, hepatitis and cirrhosis. I would advise you to work on preventing developing conditions of the immune, respiratory, digestive and the nervous systems by regular exercise, proper diet, effective stress management, and the use of herbal and nutritional supplements.

Consistent and regular exercise strengthens your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. I recommend learning and practicing mind-body exercises like tai chi or qigong that engages deep breathing to help make your lungs stronger with the added benefit of reducing stress and tension by lowering your stress hormones. Incorporating functional foods that possess healing properties into your diet can help you avoid illnesses. This is the foundation of Chinese medicine. I would suggest increasing your intake of the following foods: dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, peppermint, turmeric, basil, coriander, fennel, anise, cardamom, ginger, collard greens, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, parsley, dandelion greens, daikon radish, turnip, beets, artichoke, pear especially Asian pear, persimmon, papaya, pineapple, cherry, grape, blueberry, almond, pine nut, and flax seeds while avoiding dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, wheat, deep fried and fatty foods, processed and refined foods, excessive red meat, tomato, eggplants, peppers and potato.

Being proactive also includes using herbal and nutritional supplements appropriately to support your health and wellness. I have considered herbs and nutrients as part of my family’s diet and have used them effectively for prevention for many years. I plan on taking perpetual shield to boost my immune system, allergy tamer to deal with pollution and pollen, internal cleanse to assist my liver in detoxification and exquisite skin to keep my colon clean and therefore my skin clear. These formulas contain Chinese herbs such as astragalus, magnolia, chrysanthemum, Chinese peony and others to support the health of my organ functions. In addition, I will make sure to maintain my intake of fish oil, probiotics, digestive enzyme and our own whole food liquid multi-vitamin supplement to round out my nutritional program.

In summary, the Year of the Tiger will bring about more change, even turmoil in the world and in your life. However by using this as an opportunity to shape your life, like sculpting a beautiful and useful object out of raw wood or molding from metal you can ride the tiger triumphantly towards your goals. Cultivate patience, kindness and peace so that your interactions with others can promote harmony and love. Take walks and get out in nature to refresh your lungs and undertake cleansing and detoxification programs at the start and throughout the year to support your liver and peak body functions. Eat well and get plenty of sleep and cultivate health in the five areas of your life—body, mind, spirit, finance and relationships so that you can manifest balance, wellness and fulfillment in 2010.

About the Author:

Dr. Maoshing Ni (Dr. Mao, as he is known by his patients and students) is a 38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine and an authority in the field of Taoist anti-aging medicine. After receiving two doctorate degrees and completing his Ph.D. dissertation on nutrition, Dr. Mao did his postgraduate work at Shanghai Medical University’s affiliated hospitals and began his 20-year study of centenarians of China. Dr. Mao returned to Los Angeles in 1985 and has since focused on Taoist anti-aging therapeutics at his Tao of Wellness Center.

Chinese Herbs For Valentine's Day

Acufinder.com has recently posted 2 very timely articles that I will repost this week. If you are looking for something to spice up you Valentine's Day read this article by Dr. Laurie Steelsmith, ND, L.Ac.

Chinese Herbal Aphrodisiacs

For centuries the Chinese have associated vibrant health and longevity with both abundant kidney Qi and strong libido. In Chinese medicine your kidney Qi and Essence direct your sexual development and keep your libido healthy; improving the health of your kidneys often means increasing the health of your libido. Some of the most expensive and sought-after kidney-supportive Chinese herbal formulas have become known as aphrodisiacs; they enhance sex drive and performance because they build kidney yin, kidney yang, and kidney Essence.

Many also enhance immunity, energy, and stamina, giving them a profound impact on your overall healthand longevity. According to Anne Marie Colbin, author of Food and Healing, "An aphrodisiac is a substance that will expand and relax someone who is sexually too tight, or contract and strengthen someone who is too spacey and scattered." A number of Chinese herbal aphrodisiacs have both of these properties; they contain compounds that can stimulate as well as sedate your nervous system.

This may sound surprising, but because of their dual actions Chinese herbal aphrodisiacs are legendary. The Chinese have invested a few thousand years of research in perfecting herbal formulas for preserving sexual vitality. However, it is sometimes difficult for Westerners to understand that these formulas are meant to be used within the context of boosting every aspect of your health. In the age of Viagra, it cannot be emphasized enough that taking a single drug or herbal formula does not make you sexually potent. Great health and vitality are what give you sexual vigor.

The health of your libido is not measured by just how much and how often you want to engage in sexual activity; it is much more than that. A women’s libido requires having energy and vitality, but also feeling relaxed and loving. Men tend to take herbal aphrodisiacs to build kidney yang energy for short bursts of sexual satisfaction, but women need to take them over a long period of time to build both kidney yin and kidney yang energy. Building only your kidney yang energy will ultimately exhaust your kidney yin and kidney Essence. By strengthening your kidney yin, kidney yang, and kidney Essence, herbal aphrodisiacs can fortify your sexual vitality by gently strengthening the health of your entire body.

The following are some of the best Chinese herbs with aphrodisiac properties. You can find them in many Chinese herbal formulas traditionally given to enhance libido and sexual performance, and in those prescribed for women who are infertile or menopausal. (Chinese herbal formulas are mixtures of herbs that have specific effects when combined together.) Here, these herbs are recommended primarily for their ability to enhance your kidney Qi and kidney Essence. Taking increased amounts of these herbs is not always beneficial; too much may have the opposite effect. For instance, if you take an excessive amount of an herb that strengthens your kidney yang when you are lacking kidney yin can create an imbalance in your Qi and result in a lack of libido. For best results, consult with your practitioner of Chinese medicine.

• Chinese ginseng is a powerful herb for strengthening your Qi and helping your body adapt to stress. It is used as a sexual tonic because of its modulating effects on your nervous system. If you are lethargic it can give you sexual energy, and if you are tense it can help you relax. Chinese ginseng contains compounds that may have effects on your body resembling those of certain sex and adrenal hormones. It does not act as an immediate sexual stimulant, but when taken long-term it can enhance your sexual vitality. It is usually used in combination with other herbal aphrodisiacs to increase sexual potency, kidney yang, and kidney Essence. In postmenopausal women ginseng can prevent atrophy of the vulvar and vaginal tissues. As a single herb, the recommended dose of ginseng is 200 milligrams taken two to three times a day. Chinese ginseng should not be taken by women with a deficiency of kidney yin because it can be too warming.
• Rehmannia is superb for nourishing your kidney yin and kidney Essence. In Chinese medicine, this herb is said to be "food for your kidneys," very rejuvenating, and with the potential to increase your longevity. Rehmannia is usually used in combination with other herbs to build Blood, and strengthen yin and Qi. As a women's herb, it can enhance your sexuality and draw Qi and energy into your reproductive organs. You will benefit most from the prepared form of rehmannia that has been soaked in wine, steamed, and sun-dried (this form of rehmannia should not be used if you have diarrhea). Rehmannia is seldom prescribed as a single herb. One of the most popular Chinese herbal formulas containing rehmannia, along with other herbs for building kidney yin and kidney Essence, is Six Flavor Rehmannia Pills; the usual dose is eight pellets three times a day, depending on the type of product purchased.
• Epimedium is considered to be the most powerful vegetarian sexual tonic in Chinese medicine, although surprisingly little is known of it in the West. For women, it is best used in combination with herbs like rehmannia, which strengthen or tonify yin, because epimedium has strong kidney yang-building effects. It may possess male hormone-like actions and is believed to work by stimulating your nervous system, especially the nerves in your genitalia. This herb has also been found to decrease high blood pressure, but it will not affect blood pressure that is too low. In addition, epimedium has powerful immunity-boosting and immunity-regulating effects. In Chinese medicine, it is also used for promoting heath and longevity. Epimedium should not be used regularly by women who have an overactive sex drive, a high fever, or symptoms of kidney yin deficiency such as hot flashes, insomnia, or anxiety. It is best used in a Chinese herbal formula.
• Cordyceps is one of the shining stars among Chinese herbal aphrodisiacs. It builds your sexual energy over time by enhancing your kidney yang and replenishing your kidney yin. Because of its dual nature, expansive yet contractive, cordyceps is a perfect sexual tonic for women. It also has immunity-enhancing properties. In China, cordyceps is highly valued. Fortunately, it has become more readily available as a result of modern cultivation techniques. The recommended dose of cordyceps as a single herb is 500 milligrams two to three times a day. Refrain from using cordyceps if you have a fever.

About the Author
Chinese Herbal Aphrodisiacs is an excerpt from Dr. Laurie Steelsmith's book Natural Choices for Women’s Health; How the Secrets of Natural and Chinese Medicine can Create a Lifetime of Wellness, published by Random House in 2005. Dr. Steelsmith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist in Honolulu. You can reach her and learn more about her book at www.drsteelsmith.com

Water Is The Chinese Element Of Winter

As many of you already know, in TCM, different elements are connected to each season. Water is the element of winter. And, as we in Chicago know very well - winter is here! Winter is the season of stillness and rest (think hibernation), during which energy is condensed, conserved, and stored. Similarly, water is a highly concentrated element that contains great potential power awaiting release.

Some fast facts about the Chinese element of water.

* Water is yin in character, its energy is downward.
* Water is associated with the planet Mercury, the moon, the north, and cold, darkness, night and the color black.
* In Chinese Medicine, the element of Water governs the kidneys, ears and bones.
* The negative emotion associated with Water is fear.
* The positive emotion is calmness.
* Water energy is depleted by the 'heat' of stress and excess emotions.
* The way to conserve the potential energy of Water is to stay still and be calm.

In Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy. However, an over-abundance of the element can cause difficulty in choosing a direction and sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land.

To read about a healthy winter diet click here

To read more about Winter and the water element click here

Great Chinese Medicine Article on The Huffington Post

The very mainstream and widely read blog recently published "Calming The Shen: A Chinese Medicine Approach To A Good Night's Sleep" by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald. Here is an excerpt from the article.

"An approach that can also aid in the quest for a good night's sleep is that of Chinese Medicine. This ancient healing system has offered relief to the sleep challenged for thousands of years. While new to many, Chinese Medicine is mainstream in China, and it is used today for a wide range of conditions by an estimated one-fourth of the world's population.

The Chinese Medicine Approach to Sleep

Insomnia comes in various forms, such as trouble falling sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and having dream-disturbed sleep. When a Chinese Medicine practitioner is gathering information to put together a treatment plan, the pattern of the sleep disturbance as well as health and lifestyle issues will be taken into consideration.

A Chinese Medicine practitioner might use the term "calm the shen" when describing a treatment principle. "Shen" is best translated as the spirit of the person in a nonreligious sense. When evaluating Shen, the Chinese Medicine practitioner is looking for the emotional state and presence (or lack) of radiance, calm, and balance. Often with sleep disturbances, the patient will be experiencing patterns of stress, anxiety, or agitation. Chinese Medicine would call this "disturbed shen."

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points of the body to reduce pain, to promote relaxation, and to treat various health concerns. Insomnia and sleep disorders are common reasons why people visit an acupuncturist.

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) lists insomnia as a condition for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown. Continuous research is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for sleep issues. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a review of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture treatment for insomnia. After looking at 46 randomized trials, the conclusion was that acupuncture appears to be effective in the treatment of insomnia, and larger, rigorously designed trials are warranted.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

There are many traditional Chinese herbal formulas to help regulate the sleep pattern. A formula is chosen for each person based on their symptoms, constitution, and medical history. It is best to have a licensed medical practitioner select the proper formula. Some herbs that are used in these formulas include Suan Zao Ren (Sour Date Seed), Bai Zi Ren (Arborvitae Seed), Fu Shen (Poria Paradicis), and Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra Fruit)."

To read the entire article click here