Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Fish oil (魚油) and seal oil (海豹油)


Did you know, Greenland Eskimos have a low chance of having heart disease and cancer compared with other Western populations? This fact is quite interesting, when you think about all the high-fat contents of their daily diet, such as seal and whale.
Medical researches have shown beneficiary affects with cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases when your diet is complemented with sources of "n-3 PUFA", meaning seal oil, cod liver oil and whale oil.

Oils from fish and seal are quite similar in their fatty acid composition and their affects on health, although fish oils are more readily available for extraction. Seal oils also have similar EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) properties as fish oils. DPA was shown to have the effects of stimulating the repair of blood vessels and may have attribtued to reducing female coronary artery diseases.

One of the advantage of seal oil over fish oil is the resistance from oxidation. The n-3 PUFA fatty acid in fish and mammal oils are known to have a high rate of auto-oxidation, naturally producing chemically toxic substances that can cause cancer in humans.

The other advantage of seal oil is related to the structure of the fatty acid, in which fish oil and seal oil are esterified and consumed differently inside the body, resulting in higher n-3 PUFA levels in the erythrocyte membrane and neuronal tissue.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Aloe vera (蘆薈) in skincare and health remedy


Aloe vera has been used in natural healthcare for centuries due to its rich source of minerals and vitamins. One specie of aloe is the Aloe Barbadensis, or simply aloe vera has the most nutritional factors in promoting a healthy body. The leaves of the aloe vera are often extracted into juices in drinks and pharamaceutical uses for its healing effects.

This healing plant contains 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acides and over 200 active plant compounds including enzymes, triterpenes, glycoproteins and glyconutrients, polysaccharides, and phenolic glycosides that are largely important elements for a healthy body.

The affects of the aloe vera can help to better the digestion in the stomach, improve the body's immune system, and promote a healthier skin as it nourishes the skin cells and speed up the tissue regeneration.

Aloe vera can be applied externally to wounds as well for a faster recovery by generating collagens and balancing the skin's pH. If taken internally, it can enhance the body's immune system and stop the generation of inflammatory mediators.


Friday, September 26, 2008

Cordyceps Concentrated General & Nerve Tonic (冬蟲夏草濃縮健腦補腎丸)



  • Functions: It nourishes the liver and kidneys, tranquilizing the mind by nourishing the heart, tonify 'Qi' and strengthen the spleen.

  • Indications: Insufficiency of Yin-blood of heart, liver and kidney, or physical exhaustion, dizziness, headache, sleeplessness, absentmindedness as a result of deficiency of 'Qi' and 'Yin'.

  • Dosage: For adult, take 2 -3 capsules with warm water after meal, 2 - 3 times a day. For children reduce dosage properly or to be used only in accordance with the instructions of a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Chinese Medicine Pharmacist.

http://www.shoptcm.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14&language=en

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Cordyceps Sinensis (冬蟲夏草) for Asthma


Research conducted in Beijing has shown that most cases of cirrhosis of the liver occur in persons who are suffering from chronic hepatitis B. Depending on the degree of advancement of the hepatitis B and the pathological changes that have occurred in the liver, cirrhosis may gradually appear in many cases.
Cordyceps Sinensis and other Chinese traditional herbs can benefit those with liver cirrhosis and can even reverse the progression of early-stage cirrhosis.

Researcher Lin Ching-yuan of the Research Department of Veterans General Hospital in Taipei has announced that he has isolated an active component of Cordyceps Sinensis that can stop the progression of immunoglobulin nephritis. Immunoglobulin A nephritis in Asia, and currently lacks an effective means of treatment. 20% of those suffering from this condition die of kidney failure. Cordyceps Sinensis can stop this condition from worsening, and clinical trials have shown that it can also alleviate hematuria, albumimuria and edema.

Superior to the original Cordyceps Sinensis

Cordyceps Sinensis is a well known and important ingredient in Chinese Medicine and it is very widely used both in clinical medicine and as a household remedy. In the Compedium of Materia Medica, the great classic of Chinese medicine, Cordyceps is described in detail and is considered potent at strengthening lungs and kidneys, increasing energy and vitality, stopping hemorrhaging, decreasing phlegm, and as an overall tonic. After 20 years of study, the central pharmaceutical research unit of China has refined Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas, the most effective component of Cordyceps Sinensis, using the most advanced scientific methods to provide the market with a homogenous, highly effective quality Chinese medicine that meets the requirements of modern pharmaceutical practice. Scientists have managed to remove the toxins of As and Pb which are normally found in the Cordyceps Sinensis herb. Over the course of ten years, Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas has proved itself superior to the original Cordyceps Sinensis in tens of thousands of clinical tests carried out at several dozen central-grade schools in both Western and Chinese medical institutions.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Soothing Pearls (珍珠末)


Pearl powder has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to soothe inflamed tissues, promote union by detoxification, calm the liver, clear away liver-fire, tranquilize the mind, brighten the eyes, alleviate spasms and tremors.

Applied topically to ease inflammation and promote healing. Used for redness and irritation of the skin in conditions like nappy rash, moist eczema, and other wet skin conditions. Can be mixed with an emollient for dry or flay skin conditions. Also applied to minor open wounds to accelerate healing. Especially good for chronic non-healing ulcers and sores.

Used internally for shen disturbances and tremors or spasms from internal wind. Particularly good for easy fright, fearfulness, anxiety and palpitations and insomnia. For visual weakness, inflammation of the eyes or growths over the eye.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet with enough calcium helps teen and young adult, white and Asian women maintain good bone health and may reduce their high risk of osteoporosis later in life. Adequate calcium intake is important, but daily intakes above about 2,000 mg are not likely to provide any additional benefit. Administrating pear powder will benefit to the bone, skin, and nervous system.

According to ancient texts and records including the "Compendium of Material Medical," up through the current "Pharmacopoeia PRC edition" pearl has been used for medicinal purposes from China for over 2000 years. Pearl has a reputation of being a medicine for treating certain diseases as well as preserving a youthful appearance.In traditional Chinese medicine Pearl Powder is taken internally and applied topically. Used internally, in traditional Chinese medicine Pearl Powder uses as follows:

Calm the liver;
Relieve stress from the mind;
tranquilize the mind;
Treat insomnia;
Detoxify the system;
Promote healing of minor open wounds;
Clean and clear the skin;
Remove age and liver spots on the skin;
Help the skin smooth, soft, and lustrous looking maintain a younger appearance;
Adjust the body energy;
Regulate the metabolism;
Improve eyesight;
Adjust the nerve system.*

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Ganoderma Spore (靈芝孢子)


  • Functions: Improve the metabolism, the circulation and respiratory system, maintain normal digestive functions, regulate endocrine functions, delay the aging process and sustain a youthful appearance, lessen fatigue and improve quality of sleep.

  • Dosage: Maintain Good Health: Take 2 capsules two times a day.As a Treatment: Take 3 capsules two times a day. To be taken with warm water before meal or to be used only in accordance with the instructions of a registered Chinese Medical Practitioner or Pharmacist of Chinese Medicine.

http://www.shoptcm.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2&language=en

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Improve blood flow with Ginkgo (銀杏)


Looks like ginkgo biloba, the magical “memory pill”, can do more than just improving memory. A recent study indicates that not only can ginkgo help better pumping blood to the brain, it also improves blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease.

Scientists at China’s Hebei Medical University tested effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on vascular blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease.

According to the researchers, ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has well-documented cardioprotective effects on coronary flow and positive effects on vasodilation through endothelium-derived nitric oxide in experimental animals. The endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus resulting in vasodilation and increasing blood flow.

In this study, 80 patients with coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to either GBE or saline (control) groups.

Results showed that GBE significantly increased the left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow by up to about 10%. The treatment group also saw a jump in endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilation by as high as 69.75%.

Coronary arteries deliver blood to the heart muscle. Any coronary artery disorder or disease can have serious implications by reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, which may lead to a heart attack and possibly death. By improving artery blood flow, ginkgo biloba extract may serve an important role of preventing complications in patients with coronary artery disease.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Detoxify Your Body for Beauty (排毒美顏)


  • Functions: Clear away heat-evil, purge fire, cool the blood, help eliminate internal body toxins, relieve constipation caused by body waste accumulation, spleen energetic deficiency, hard and dry stool.

  • Indications: Hyperactivity of heat in lungs and stomach, swelling and pain in gingiva, larynx and pharynx, dizziness, constipation, loss of appetite, bad breath, abdominal fullness, fidgets, lack of physical strength, tiredness, pimples, acne, satiation and satiety.

  • Dosage: For the first month: 1 - 2 capsules three times a day. For the second month and onward: 1 - 2 capsules two times a day. Or to be used only in accordance with the instructions of a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Chinese Medicine Pharmacist.

http://www.shoptcm.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=9&language=en

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Numb arthritis pain with LingZhi (靈芝)


A famous TCM arthritis drug and expensive mushroom lingzhi »">lingzhi have analgesic effects for rheumatoid arthritis, but the long-claimed anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting functions are yet to be substantiated, a new study says.

Lingzhi has been proven in lab to have medicinal value. Lingzhi has been shown to have an effect on prostate cancer and breast cancer. It also seems to be able to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

The study was done at the Prince of Wales Hospital of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

The popular traditional Chinese medicine combo used in this study were Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi, 靈芝 in Chinese, or reishi in Japanese ) and San Miao San (三妙散, The Three Wonders Powder).

In the Hong Kong study, 32 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to the TCM group and 33 to placebo in addition to their current medications for 24 weeks. The TCM group received lingzhi (4g) and San Miao San (2.4g) daily.

The primary outcome was the number of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20% response and secondary outcomes included changes in the ACR components, plasma levels, and ex vivo-induced cytokines and chemokines and oxidative stress markers.

At the end, 89% of patients completed the 24-week study. The results show that 15%in the TCM group achieved ACR20, while only 9.1% in the placebo group got the same.

Pain score and patient’s global score improved significantly only in the TCM group. The percentage, absolute counts, and CD4+/CD8+/natural killer/B lymphocytes ratio were unchanged between groups. CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocyte counts and markers of inflammation including plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18), interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-inducible protein 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, monokine induced by IFNgamma, and RANTES were unchanged.

However, in an ex vivo experiment, the percentage change of IL-18 was significantly lower in the TCM group. 13 patients reported 22 episodes (14 in placebo group and 8 in TCM group) of mild adverse effects.

In conclusion, the study says lingzhi and San Miao San may have analgesic effects for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, and were generally safe and well tolerated. However, no significant antioxidant, antiinflammatory, or immunomodulating effects could be demonstrated.