CHINESE HERBS CAN HALT

PROGRESSION OF DIABETES

Breaking News

Researchers have recently reported that Chinese herbal medicine can prevent thedevelopment of diabetes in patients with a prediabetes diagnosis.

Prediabetes refers to individuals with impaired glucose intolerance, and presents a significant risk for progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Participants in the study were randomly allocated to two groups. One group took Tianqi capsules containing 10 Chinese herbal medicines for 12 months, while the other group took a placebo for the same time period. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed every 3 months to assess whether the patients had progressed to diabetes or had normal glucose tolerance restored. At the end of the study, a significantly higher number of participants taking Tianqi showed normal glucose tolerance levels than those taking the placebo. The researchers concluded that Tianqi reduced the risk of diabetes by nearly a third compared with the placebo.

Furthermore, none of the participants reported any severe adverse affects from taking Tianqi.

Although the researchers state that their results need to be confirmed in larger clinical trials, they believe that Tianqi has great potential to be a safe and effective means of preventing T2DM.

‘With diabetes evolving into a serious public health burden worldwide, it is crucial to take steps to stem the flood of cases,’ said one of the study’s authors, Chun-Su Yuan, MD, PhD, of the University of

Chicago. ‘Patients often struggle to make the necessary lifestyle changes to control blood sugar levels, and current medications have limitations and can have adverse gastrointestinal side effects. Traditional Chinese herbs may offer a new option for managing blood sugar levels, either alone or in combination with other treatments.’

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs protect against colds and flu (printed from natural news)

 Cold and flu season is upon us. Traditional Chinese Medicine has effective time-tested techniques which boost immunity and protect us from colds or the flu. Points can be needled and herbal formulas can be given to balance the body's energy, strengthen the body and even speed recovery if one does come down with symptoms.

In Chinese medicine colds and flu are considered to be an external pathogen invading the body. When our body`s energy, or qi, is strong we are able to fight off these pathogens. If our qi is weak we come down with symptoms of cold and flu: headache, chills, fever, body aches, cough, and sore throat.

To keep our qi strong and prevent colds and flu it is important to

• Eat a healthy diet full of fresh raw fruits and vegetables.
• Cut out white and brown sugar, and corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup - all of which lower our immunity.
• Wash hands frequently with regular soap and water.
• Get outside in fresh air exposing your face to sunshine. It may be wise to supplement with vitamin D3 this time of year.
• Receive acupuncture treatments which strengthen the qi and balance energy.
• Choose herbal medicine, supplements and nourishing food to keep immunity strong.

It is important to make sure all meridians are balanced to keep the energy flowing smoothly and our immunity strong. Immunity relates especially to the earth and metal elements which show up in the pulse as the spleen and lung meridians.

In terms of herbal medicine

• Astragalus is an excellent immune tonic.
  
• Medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Maitake can boost the immune system especially if compromised.
  
• Four Gentlemen Formula is a classic Chinese herb formula to keep the qi strong.
  
• Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a combination of ginseng, astragalus, and other herbs used to strengthen qi.

If someone comes down with symptoms of the flu the treatment switches to formulas which expel the pathogen:

• Yin Qiao contains cooling detoxifying herbs such as forsythia and honeysuckle. It is used with symptoms of sore throat, headache, and a yellow tongue coat.
• Gan Mao Ling is used when in the midst of a bad cold or flu especially with head and body aches.
  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been around for thousands of years successfully treating many disorders including colds and flu.
  
  References
  
  Xinnong, Cheng, Chief Editor. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Foreign Language Press, Beijing. 1990.
  Bensky, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Eastland Press, Inc. Seattle, WA. 1986.
  Bensky, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicines: Formulas and Strategies. Eastland Press, Inc. Seattle, WA. 1990