Article from Natural News / www.naturalnews.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Faced with a growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, hospitals in the United Kingdom are adopting traditional medicinal techniques to fight infection, such as maggots and honey.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other drug-resistant infections kill or hasten the death of 8,000 British patients per year, while MRSA now kills more people in the United States annually than AIDS.

At the Royal United Hospital in Bath, England, many wounds are now being disinfected with Manuka honey rather than pharmaceutical antibiotics.

“Honey has been used in healing for centuries, but now new products have overcome the problems associated with using conventional honey and bring it into a modern healthcare setting,” said the hospital’s Kate Purser.

Honey is one of the oldest forms of medicine known, and was employed both as food and antibiotic by the ancient Egyptians and, more recently, by German doctors during World War I. Its high sugar content means that the water in honey is almost chemically inert, making it unavailable for the growth of bacteria, fungi or viruses. A naturally occurring enzyme known as glucose oxidase also makes honey acidic enough to create a hostile environment for most bacteria.

The honey used by Royal United Hospital is not the same as the honey found on supermarket shelves, however. The honey is a variety known as Manuka honey, which is produced from the manuka plant, native to New Zealand. This honey is then irradiated to kill any trace bacterial spores.

According to Manuka honey products company Honeymark, the honey has proven effective at killing MRSA in scientific trials. While honey already contains a variety of chemicals that can be beneficial to the body — such as the antioxidant pinocembrin, which only occurs in honey — Honeymark claims that Manuka honey contains even more of these beneficial compounds, which are derived from the manuka flower.

“These medicinal compounds, in most cases, outperform many pharmaceuticals and traditional forms of medicine,” the company said in a press release.

Honeymark claims that Manuka honey can be use both topically and internally to treat conditions caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, including infected wounds, acne, eczema, stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal conditions, ringworm and upper respiratory infections. No side effects have been reported, and in contrast to pharmaceutical antibiotics, bacteria appear unable to develop resistance to Manuka honey.

Manuka has a further benefit over pharmaceuticals, according to Honeymark.

“Antibiotics are indiscriminate killers. When taken orally, antibiotics kill all bacteria, both good and bad,” the company said. “For reasons that are currently unknown, Manuka Honey does not effect good bacteria in the body and only destroys harmful, infectious bacteria. This is something that pharmaceuticals have not been able to accomplish.”

Dorothy Yeo of Bath said that honey dressings led to drastic improvement in her ulcer. “I felt I wasn’t getting anywhere and the pain made it hard to sleep,” she said. “But now I’m able to sleep without tablets, and new skin is forming over my ulcer. I’m very pleased and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

While honey can kill the bacteria that cause infection, sometimes other measures are required to remove the dead tissue left by infection or injury. At Royal United Hospital, one such technique is the application of sterilized greenbottle fly larvae, more commonly known as maggots.

“We may use maggots when conventional dressings have not been successful or if a wound needs a more rapid form of treatment,” Purser said. “There is something of the ‘yuck’ factor, but once the maggots are applied some people may feel a tickling sensation while most don’t feel a thing.”

Maggots consume rotting flesh while ignoring healthy tissue, thereby both cleaning out and disinfecting necrotic wounds.

“Someone explained the maggots were bred for this purpose only and I felt reassured,” said Jack Foster of Keynsham, England. “After one treatment, there has already been some improvement and my second starts tomorrow.”

Sources for this story include: www.dailymail.co.uk; www.bignews.biz.

Article from Natural News / www.naturalnews.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
Editor of NaturalNews.com

(NaturalNews) Of all the available treatments for infertility, acupuncture isn’t one that people usually think of first. But as you’ll see here, it’s actually one of the safest and most effectiveness treatments for infertility known to modern science.

Why does it work so well? Because infertility isn’t usually a physical problem. It’s often an issue related to circulation or energy channels that govern the vitality of your body’s organs (including reproductive organs). Rebalancing those bioelectric channels can create enormous healing changes in the function of your reproductive organs.

And the best part? Acupuncture is non-invasive, surprisingly. The needles themselves are virtually painless and barely enter the skin. That’s a huge contrast to the highly invasive (and embarrassing) probing, inserting, extracting, injecting and poking around typically undertaken by conventional infertility clinics.

If you (or someone you know) suffers from infertility, you owe it to yourself to read the quotes that follow so you can educate yourself about the seemingly miraculous ability of acupuncture to treat (and cure) infertility.

Acupuncture treats infertility

A study found that auricular acupuncture was capable of producing results comparable to those of drug therapy in the treatment of infertility. I. Gerhard and F. Postneek, [Possibilities of Therapy by Ear Acupuncture in Female Sterility], Geburtshilfe Frauenheilke 48, no. 3 (March 1988): 165-71. A study examined the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture on 30 cases of infertility in women ranging from 24 to 37 years of age. Results showed that after just one course of treatment 9 women conceived, with another 8 conceiving after 2 courses of treatment.
- The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Dr. Gary Null

In China, acupuncture has been used in the treatment of infertility for centuries. The first published account of this is seen in medical literature dating back to 11 A.D. The Chinese look at five principal organs - the liver, spleen, heart, lung, and kidney - and use acupuncture to release blockages from these systems so that energy or chi can move freely. This helps the body return to good health. Promoting fertility is one benefit that can be obtained. Acupuncture to kidney points releases psychological blocks that interfere with reproduction.
- Get Healthy Now with Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment and Healthy living by Gary Null

The women treated with acupuncture? Twenty-two pregnancies (and no side effects). Finally, a study at the Fertility Clinic Trianglen in Denmark concluded that “acupuncture … significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) compared to no acupuncture.” Best of all, acupuncture for infertility is truly a “whole person” treatment that looks at the woman as much more than just a dysfunctional reproductive system. “People come into my office and they’re completely unprepared for conception,” Lawrence told me.
- The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

In a preliminary trial, women who did not ovulate were treated with acupuncture 30 times over three months. Effectiveness was determined by a combination of measures indicating ovulation was returning to normal. Acupuncture treatment resulted in a marked improvement in 35% and slight improvement in 48% of trial participants. The beneficial results achieved with acupuncture may be due to alterations in the hormonal messages from the brain to the ovary. Auricular (ear) acupuncture has been studied in a preliminary trial and compared with standard hormone therapy for treatment of infertility.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.

Acupuncture has proven to be effective in treating many cases of infertility. Consult a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine who will make a diagnosis of the cause and advise on how best to treat it with acupuncture. Herbal formulas may also be recommended.
- 1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses by Marshall Editions

You might want to consider acupuncture. Acupuncture might not be the first thing you think of if you’re having a problem with infertility, but maybe it should be. Studies - and a great deal of clinical experience - suggest that it might help, even if you’re already undergoing standard therapies like in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination. Acupuncture is actually one of the oldest medical practices in the world.
- The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

The World Health Organization has published a list of over fifty diseases successfully treated with acupuncture. Included on the list are sinusitis, asthma, arthritis, the common cold, headaches (including migraine), constipation, diarrhea, sciatica, and lower back pain. Acupuncture has also been effective in the treatment of allergies, addictions, insomnia, stress, depression, infertility, and menstrual problems. Chinese herbs are the most common element of Chinese medicine as it is currently practiced in China.
- Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, and Sinusitis (rev., 3rd ed.) by Robert Ivker

Hirsch connects another psychological issue - low self-esteem - to endometriosis and infertility: “In treating self-esteem issues, I work on the heart and kidney points. The acupuncture points that seem extremely valuable for this are pericardium 5 and 6. If a practitioner is having a problem with understanding whether or not a psychological issue is involved in the infertility, and the patient does not know what the issue is, pericardium 5 can be needled. If something is holding the person back, that will bring an event or dream to memory, and the patient will understand why she is stuck.
- Get Healthy Now with Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment and Healthy living by Gary Null

Natural methods for infertility are most effective in anovulatory dysfunction. Acupuncture can increase pregnancy rates in women undergoing fertility treatment. The decision to pursue conventional fertility treatments depends on age, the duration and cause of the infertility, the results of ovarian-reserve testing, finances, other health issues, emotional well-being, and thoughts and emotions about adoption or surrogate options. Seek a fertility specialist if considering conventional fertility treatments.
- Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.

One small, preliminary study found that auricular acupuncture (acupuncture of the ear) was as effective as hormone therapy in treating infertility due to endometriosis.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.

There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful. Indeed, one of those areas of “further research” has been infertility. And the results have been hard to argue with.
- The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

A controlled study of men with reduced sperm function found that one measure of sperm function significantly improved in the men treated with acupuncture (two times per week for five weeks) compared to controls. Similar results have been reported in other studies. Nevertheless, double-blind trials are needed to determine conclusively whether acupuncture is a useful treatment for male infertility.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.

Hirsh sees many patients in conjunction with Western doctors for infertility problems and is able to design acupuncture treatments that complement and support the other medical procedures. He frequently gives acupuncture treatment to women who have just been artificially inseminated, and he works with patients taking Clomid (a fertility drug) to help regulate the woman’s fertility cycle. As Dr. Hirsh states, “Traditional Chinese medicine can increase the success rate of Western medicine and at the same time slow down the clock on a woman’s aging endocrine system.”
- Alternative Medicine the Definitive Guide, Second Edition by Larry Trivieri, Jr.

As of this writing, more than eight million American adults have had acupuncture treatment. As practiced by licensed practitioners who undergo extensive training and are often trained in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well, it is completely safe and quite effective for a number of conditions. One of those conditions is infertility. The Yin, the Yang, and Baby Makes Three Acupuncture, like TCM, is based on a concept of the body as a balance of forces - yin (the cold, the slow, and the passive) and yang (the hot, the excited, and the active).
- The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Chinese drugs in combination with clomiphene citrate and progesterone have proved more effective than treatment with either Chinese or Western drugs alone, and a Chinese technique combining moxibustion and acupuncture has had some success in treating infertility. Factors shown to contribute to difficulty conceiving are smoking, even moderately; exposure to nitrous oxide; and environmental hazards like pesticides, methyl mercury, and lead in tap water.
- Get Healthy Now with Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment and Healthy living by Gary Null

Forty patients were treated with neon laser acupuncture, retention enemas, and injection into the endometrial nodes with common sage root, which is a blood-vitalizing or blood-moving herb. In the forty patients treated, the size of lumps diminished and symptoms disappeared in seventeen. Thirteen women conceived. Among these, six had suffered from fallopian tube blockage and seven from ovulatory dysfunction. There was a total amelioration rate of 97.5 percent. Another important consideration in reversing endometriosis and infertility is good sexual hygiene.
- The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Dr. Gary Null

Acupuncture by a licensed professional with experience working with fertility issues appears to be safe and well tolerated. Ginseng species are an important consideration in infertility due to their ability to enhance overall health, vitality, stamina, and endurance. Siberian ginseng may be able to promote regulation of reproductive hormones, thereby regulating the timing of ovulation.
- Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.

Various complementary medicine systems provide treatment for infertility, including homeopathy, acupuncture, and chiropractic; inquire from their respective professional associations. Above all, keep hoping. Conception involves a fair amount of mystery and miracles are constantly taking place. I recently heard about a woman who conceived her second child normally after having to undergo in vitro fertilization treatment to conceive the first time because her cervical mucus made antibodies against her husband’s sperm.
- The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Dr. Gary Null

Weschler encourages women to spend more time outside during daylight hours, and to try traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture, which has proved very helpful both in reducing stress and in resolving the hormonal imbalances that can lead to infertility.
- Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (Green This!) by Deirdre Imus

Kidneys and bladder are related and have to be treated as one in acupuncture. Within the kidneys’, ‘essence’ is stored, and they govern all that is secluded and dormant and that is hoarded up. Their condition is disclosed in the bones and head hair.” CHINESE FOLK MEDICINE relates to the urine and the sexual secretions. The health of the Water element affects the energy flow during the sexual act, and the health of the function of reproduction. Sexual fluids help lubricate and protect the sperm and egg. Problems like impotence or infertility may arise from a Water imbalance.
- Staying Healthy With the Seasons by Elson M. Haas

Article from Natural News / www.naturalnews.com

Monday, November 09, 2009
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

(NaturalNews) Heavy metals are extremely toxic to human neurology. Mercury, lead and cadmium all contribute aggressively to the deterioration of neurological function. Fortunately, there’s a simple, natural way to detox your body and remove these toxic substances from your tissues.

The solution is cilantro. It’s that magical-tasting herb often used in Mexican food recipes. As it turns out, cilantro not only taste great, it also binds to heavy metals and helps remove them from your body.

Below, we’re collected some important research on this remarkable ability of the cilantro herb. Read them all to learn more, then whip up your own delicious recipes using raw cilantro in your own kitchen!

Food, after all, is really potent medicine. You can also purchase cilantro liquid extracts from places like Baseline Nutritionals (their product is called “Metal Magic”) or other vendors of quality superfood supplements.

Cilantro removes heavy metals

Supplements helpful in the detoxification process include: cilantro, Vitamin C, selenium, garlic and others. Eating a clean diet, free of pesticides and hormones, is a must for a detoxification program. I encourage my patients to eat whole foods, with adequate amounts of protein. Eliminating the “whites”– refined sugar, refined flour, and refined salt will help any health condition and help any detoxification program. The glycemic index of carbohydrates can be a helpful guide on which carbohydrates to eat and which to avoid.
- The Miracle of Natural Hormones by David Brownstein

Add cilantro to meals; it can help remove heavy metals. Add dark green leafy vegetables, which contain chlorophyll, a helpful detoxifier. Get curcuminoids from spices such as turmeric. Try herbal detoxification teas containing mixtures of burdock root, dandelion root, ginger root, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, cardamom seed, cinnamon bark, and other herbs.
- Ultraprevention : The 6-Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy for Life by Mark Hyman, M.D.

There are several natural chelation products that use only the cilantro and chlorella to extremely positive effect supporting the basic premises being put forth here. The addition of ALA brings in the leading work of Dr. Andrew Hall Cutler, who is one of the world’s leading experts on mercury detoxification. His extensive and successful use of ALA has won him a large devoted audience.
- Transdermal Magnesium Therapy by Mark Sircus

Metal Magic is made from two simple herbs: cilantro and chlorella. Alone, each of these has the ability to bind with heavy metals, and together they make a very powerful metal detoxification substance that can literally pull mercury, lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals right out of your body, thereby sparing your body the damage that would normally be caused by those heavy metals. This is potentially a life-saving product, and it can certainly save the health of a fetus, if you happen to be pregnant or you plan to have a pregnancy in the near future.
- Natural Health Solutions by Mike Adams

Eat more foods that contain Vitamin C, such as the supergrain Chia, or red-colored fruits and vegetables, for about ten days. Use cilantro leaves and green leafy vegetables in every main meal to help clear mercury and other metal deposits from the body. Drinking several cups of Pau d’Arco (Lapacho) tea per day, or taking four capsules of its extract three times daily for two weeks may greatly assist you in the detoxification of the blood, liver and kidneys.
- Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation: Unleash The Natural Healing Power That Lies Dormant Within You by Andreas Moritz

Since 1 couldn’t afford $9,000 for those treatments, I intensified my detoxification program by taking in more wheatgrass, the sea vegetable chlorella and cilantro, reputed to be a good heavy metal chelator. Fasting is also effective at reducing the body’s toxic burden. Third, make sure you get enough sleep. Studies show that people who don’t sleep enough have intensified appetites due to a lack of the hormone leptin. I have also found coconut oil or butter to be extremely helpful in burning fat. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids, or triglycerides (MCTs).
- The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet by Susan E. Schenck

As you can see from the following recipes, I adore cilantro! It is said to be a good heavy metal chelator to aid in detoxification. I put an entire bunch of it in almost anything that is not a dessert. Feel free to reduce the amount. You could also use parsley or your own favorite herb as a substitute. When I first started preparing raw dishes, I omitted many of the fresh herbs because I didn’t want to pay two dollars for some fresh organic herbs when the recipes called for so little of them.
- The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet by Susan E. Schenck

We helped him detoxify from this mercury poisoning with foods such as kale, watercress, and cilantro; herbs such as milk thistle; nutrients such as selenium and zinc; and chelating medications that helped him overcome his genetic difficulties getting rid of toxins. We lowered his cholesterol with diet, herbs, and exercise. We lowered his homocysteine with high doses of folate, B12, and B6 to overcome his weak MTHFR gene. And we added an extra, special form of folate called methyl folate, the active form that bypasses the ineffective gene.
- The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet by Susan E. Schenck

Initial studies indicate that fresh cilantro may be extremely effective in helping flush heavy metals out of the blood. Taking 400 mg of cilantro a day can pretty much clean heavy metals out of the body in just 2 weeks. Dr. David Williams has a great recipe for cilantro pesto in his June ‘98 Alternatives newsletter. Process one cup packed fresh cilantro and six tablespoons of olive oil in a blender until the cilantro is chopped. Add one clove garlic; a half cup almonds, cashews, or other nuts, and two tablespoons lemon juice. Blend to a lumpy paste. (Add a little hot water if necessary.)
- Whole-Body Dentistry: Discover The Missing Piece To Better Health by Robert C. Atkins MD

Cilantro stimulates the body’s release of mercury and other heavy metals from the brain and CNS into other tissue. Cilantro’s postulated mechanism of action is to act as a reducing agent changing the charge on the intracellular mercury to a neutral state allowing mercury to diffuse down its concentration gradient into connective tissue.
- Transdermal Magnesium Therapy by Mark Sircus

The amount of cilantro varied by individual because some subjects did not like either cooked or raw cilantro, but the researchers found that cilantro worked synergistically with antibiotic drugs and rapidly reduced symptoms and infection. They also found that cilantro accelerated the elimination of mercury, lead, and aluminum through the urine. They hypothesized that certain infectious organisms somehow use mercury or lead to protect themselves from antibiotics or that deposits of heavy metals somehow make antibiotics ineffective.
- Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff

Organic foods decrease the toxic burden that pesticides cause. Cilantro, parsley, dark leafy greens help to bind up toxins, such as heavy metals, for excretion. Goat milk, yogurt and cheese are more readily digested than cow dairy products. Rice and soya milk are alternatives to goat or cow milk. Cottage cheese and plain cow milk yogurt are acceptable. Oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa and brown rice are healthy grains that do not contain gluten. Sometimes oatmeal is cross-contaminated with wheat, which contains gluten. If you are a celiac, be careful with oats.
- Your Drug-Free Guide to Digestive Health by Heather Caruso

Oral chelators such as zeolite, cilantro, chlorella, the sulfur amino acids - methionine, cysteine and cystine - plus all sulfur containing foods, are preferred from a strictly natural health point of view. Exercise that produces perspiration, saunas, and steam baths in combination with the foods indicated above, are also helpful in eliminating heavy metals. Synthetic chemicals and their combinations pose a serious threat to health. It is reported that 80,000 chemicals are in use today, and that this number increases yearly.
- Conscious Health: A Complete Guide to Wellness Through Natural Means by Ron Garner

The essential oils of cilantro are considered to have antifungal and antibacterial properties (Omura et al. 1995; 1996). In studies at the Heart Disease Foundation (New York), Omura et al. (1995; 1996) found that antibiotics used to treat infection were not effective in the presence of heavy metals such as mercury and lead. These metals appeared to coexist with infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex, as well as with cytomegalovirus and other microorganisms, including viruses responsible for cancer.
- Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff

Article from Natural News / www.naturalnews.com

(NaturalNews) There is a lot of fear of Swine flu (H1N1) this season, but Traditional Chinese Medicine has effective techniques both to boost immunity and recover from flu, which are thousands of years old.

In Chinese Medicine, flu and colds are considered an invasion of the body of external pathogens, either cold or heat. Cold often turns to heat in the body, and we have signs of sore throat, fatigue, achiness, headache and cough. When our body`s Qi (Energy) - especially Wei Qi (Immune Energy) is strong, we are able to fight off these invasions. The energy pathways responsible for keeping the Qi strong are the Digestive energy and Lung Energy (which controls the Wei Qi.)

To keep our Qi strong and prevent the flu and common cold:

• Eat a Healthy Diet, full of fresh raw fruits and vegetables
• Cut out sugar, especially white and brown sugar, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. These lower our immunity
• Wash your hands frequently with regular soap and water
• Get outside in the fresh air. Take walks and expose yourself to sunshine (Vitamin D).
• Receive Acupuncture treatments to balance energy - Acupuncture strengthens the entire body, balances energy, and strengthens the Qi and Wei Qi.
• Herbal Medicine and Supplements can keep the immune system strong:
  • Astragalus is an excellent immune tonic
  • Medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Maitaki can bolster the immune system, especially when the immune system is compromised
  • Four Gentlemen Formula - a classic Chinese herb formula to keep the Qi strong
  • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a combination of ginseng and astragalus, used in specific cases to strengthen the body`s Qi
  • Gui Pi Tang is used when both qi and blood need a boost, with signs such as insomnia, irritability and anxiety

Once someone comes down with symptoms of the flu, the treatment focus switches from formulas that tonify the qi to formulas which expel the invading pathogen. There are western herbs and nutritional remedies such as Vitamin C and Echinacea, which are beneficial.

In Chinese medicine, classic herbal formulas are used, including:

• Yin Qiao - This formula contains cooling detoxifying herbs such as forsythia and honeysuckle.
  It is used when just getting sick, with symptoms which include sore throat, headache, and a yellow tongue coat.
• Gan Mao Ling - if you find yourself in the midst of a bad cold or flu

Another way to keep your immunity strong either to prevent or to recover from the flu is to make sure your digestion is strong, such as:

• Eat plenty of fresh Raw Foods, which are full of natural enzymes and vitamins and minerals, which keep your body nourished and functioning at its best
• Take digestive enzymes with food, to make digestion easier
• Bao He Wan is an excellent Chinese herbal formula to help with digestion, especially if there is a feeling of fullness, bloating, gas and slow digestion after eating
• Eating fermented or cultured foods like yogurt, kefir, miso, and live cultured vegetables
• Taking Probiotic supplements

Chinese medicine, as well as the flu, have been around for thousands of years. The healthier people are, the more resistant they are to colds and flu, and the faster they will recover if they find themselves sick. Strengthening the digestion and tonifying the body`s energy (qi) and immune energy (wei qi) are good ways to prevent becoming sick. If someone is sick, the focus switches to expelling the pathogenic influence and building the immunity again.

References:

Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/ABOUT/QA/thi…

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

Article from Natural News / www.naturalnews.com

(NaturalNews) With all of the marvelous inner-workings of the herbal TCM system (traditional Chinese medicine system) and its powerful and complex systematic energy formulas for healing practically anything, it is still the longevity factors of a few single tonic herbs that amaze me the most.

Of about 9,000 TCM herbs (officially used in TCM and fully understood in their energy factors) there are about 100 that can truly contribute to a long healthy life. (These are in the “Superior Tonic Herb” classification.) About 40 of these herbs are quite remarkable in there abilities to prolong life with very little signs of ageing.

If I were to narrow it down a bit further, at least on a personal level, I would say the most important herbs for longevity would come down to about fifteen with He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) being the most important. Followed by Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), Go Qi Zi (Lycium), Ci Wu Jai (Siberian Ginseng Root), Ren Shen (Panax Ginseng root), Peng Da Wan (Gota Kola), Wu Wei Zi (Schizandrae), San Zhu yu (Cornus Fruit), Tien Men Dong, Yin Yang Hou and others. However many people will have different balances of yin and yang in their bodies so there is not one set group of herbs that would truly be the absolute best for everybody.

There is simply not enough room here to go into all these but below are links with photos and an in-depth look at each of these herbs.

* He Shou Wu: A blood, kidney, and liver tonic - (http://plantcures.com/foti.html)

* Jiao Gu Lan: Tonifies Qi, and blood - (http://plantcures.com/jiaogulan.html)

* Go Qi Zi: A kidney and liver yin tonic - (http://plantcures.com/berries.html)

* Siberian Ginseng: A powerful Adaptogenic Root - (http://plantcures.com/sibgin.html)

* Ren Shen: Tonic to digestive Qi and all Qi - (http://plantcures.com/Ginseng.html)

* Ping Da Wan: Brain and CNS Tonic - (http://plantcures.com/gotukola.html)

* Wu Wei Zi: An Adaptogenic herb - (http://plantcures.com//wuweizi.html)

* Shan Zho Yu: Yin and Yang Tonic - (http://plantcures.com/herbsforbladd…)

* Tien Men Dong: Lungs, Jing, and Shen - (http://plantcures.com/asparagus.html)

* Yin Yang Huo: Yang/Jing Tonic - (http://plantcures.com/Epimedium.html)

Many of the conclusions that I have come to about these herbs as used for longevity are based on the findings and personal applications of Master Li Ching Yuen who lived to the incredible age of at least 197! (Some sources say the records show he lived to be 256 as you will read, however I personally think this is the Chinese government “pushing it” a bit but who knows!)

In 1933, newspapers all over the world reported Li Ching Yuen’s death. You can read the New York Times article exactly as it appeared by going to this link: - (http://plantcures.com/Lichingyun.html) .

Modern science has a very hard time admitting anyone ever lived past 122. This is due in part to lack of legal birth records but also, I believe, because they really do not want to admit that some very natural nutritional energy factors derived from nothing more than carefully planned eating and exercise could far surpass anything all of science has to offer when it comes to the longevity factor.

According to all the data I could find (I have been fascinated with this and have researched this over the last 20 years or so) It seems that Li Ching Yuen consumed mostly a diet of plants and fruit. There is evidence that he ate fish sometimes and wild meat only about twice a year.

The herbs that he consumed regularly were He Shou Wu, Ginseng, and Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberries). He ate the Wolfberries raw and cooked the He Shou Wu with the Ginseng.

There is evidence that he also consumed Ping Da Wan (Gotu Kola leaves) regularly both fresh as a salad and brewed as a tea. There is even some evidence that he may have also put these four herbs (along with Dang Gui and Gan Cao (Chinese Licorice Root) in strong liquor as a tincture and drank one swallow every day.

According to Chinese records, Li Ching Yuen was born in Chyi Jiang Hsie, Szechuan province in 1677. He spent most of his life in the mountain ranges gathering herbs and learning the knowledge of longevity methods.

In 1748, when he was 71 years old, he moved to Kai Hsien to join the Chinese army as a teacher of the martial arts and as a tactical advisor.

In 1927, Li Ching Yuen was invited by General Yang Sen to visit him in Wann Hsien, Szechuan. The general was fascinated by his youthfulness, strength and prowess in spite of his extremely advanced age. His famous portrait, seen in the New York Times article, was photographed there.

Returning home, he died a year later of natural causes. Many claim that he told friends, “I have done all I have to do in this world. I will now go home,” before he died and then sat back with a smile and simply died without one sign of stress.

After Li’s death, General Yang Sen investigated the truth about his claimed background and age. He wrote a report that was later published. In 1933, people interviewed from his home province remembered seeing him when they were children, and that he hadn’t aged much during their lifetime. Others reported that he had been friends with their grandfathers

One of his disciples, the Taiji Quan Master Da Liu told of Master Li’s story: At 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit in the mountains who taught him Baguazhang and a set of Qigong exercises with breathing instructions, movements training coordinated with specific sounds, and dietary recommendations. (This is where he was told of the importance of eating the Go Qi Zi berry.) Da Liu reports that his master said that his longevity “is mostly due to the fact that I performed the exercises every day — regularly, correctly, and with sincerity — for 120 years.”

While we can all greatly benefit from the herbal knowledge that Master Li has given us which can perhaps help most anyone to live a longer healthier life, I still believe the greatest wisdom that can be gained for our health’s sake from this remarkable man is something he often said about living a long happy life: “Sit like a tortoise, sleep like a dog, Walk up right and sprightly like a pigeon and most importantly, always keep a quiet heart”

Rest in peace Master Li and thanks for all you taught us.