TCM formula slows kidney failure
Fu Ling (Poria Cocos)
CM NEWS - A traditional herbal formula has been proved in lab that it may slow the progression of chronic kidney failure.
The formular tested is called keishibukuryogan in Japanese traditional medicine or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (桂枝茯苓丸) in TCM.
In TCM, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan has the functions of “activating blood flow” and “removing blood stasis”. It is commonly used by women with irregular menstruation or menstrual cramps.
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan was also proved effective to exert anti-inflammatory effects in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.
The formula of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is as follows:
- Fu Ling (茯苓, Poria Cocos) 6g
- Gui Zhi (桂枝, Cinnamomum Ramulus) 6g
- Mu Dan Pi (牡丹皮, Paeonia Cortex) 6g
- Tao Ren (桃仁, Persica Semen) 6g
- Chi Shao (赤芍, Paeonia Rubra Radix) 6g
What is Fu Ling? Poria Cocos is a fungus in the Polyporaceae family. It is a wood-decay fungus but has a terrestrial growth habit. It is notable in the development of a large, long-lasting underground sclerotium that resembles a small coconut. This sclerotium (called “Tuckahoe”, or Indian Bread) was used by native Americans as a source of food in times of scarcity.
Fu Ling is collected between July and September. The poria with reddish inner side of the superficial layer is called red poria and the poria with white inner side of the superficial layer is called white poria. The poria produced in Yunnan Province is famous and therefore the drug is also called Yunnan poria Yunling). After collection, it is dried in shade, sliced, and used unprepared.
Property: Sweet and tasteless in flavour, neutral in property, acting on the heart, spleen and kidney channels.
Effects: Inducing diuresis, excreting dampness, invigorating the spleen, replenishing the middle-jiao, and tranquilizing the mind.
A group of Japanese researchers examined the effects of keishibukuryogan on the early stage of progressive renal failure in rats subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy.
Keishibukuryogan was given orally at a dose of 1% (w/w) and 3% (w/w) in chow. Administration of keishibukuryogan was started at 1 week after 5/6 nephrectomy and was continued for 4 weeks.
At the end of the experiment, Azan staining did not reveal any severe histological changes in the kidneys of the nephrectomized rats. On the other hand, significant increases in mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 and fibronectin related to tissue fibrosis were observed in nephrectomized rats, and they were significantly suppressed by 3% keishibukuryogan treatment.
Against gene expressions related to macrophage infiltration, 3% keishibukuryogan treatment significantly suppressed osteopontin mRNA levels, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA levels showed a tendency to decrease, but without statistical significance.
It was also observed that 3% keishibukuryogan attenuated serum urea nitrogen and urinary protein excretion levels. From these results, it was suggested that keishibukuryogan exerts beneficial effects that result in slowing the progression of chronic renal failure.
[eCAM, doi:10.1093/ecam/nep089]
Yoga may correct hunchback
CM NEWS - Developing curving spine as you age? Try yoga. A recent study shows that yoga might be the first step to remedy this common condition in seniors.
The study was done by researchers of University of California at Los Angeles and published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. At the onset, the researchers wanted to assess whether a specifically designed yoga intervention can reduce hyperkyphosis or kyphosis.
What is kyphosis? According to the Mayo Clinic, kyphosis is a forward rounding of your upper back. Some rounding is normal, but the term “kyphosis” usually refers to an exaggerated rounding, more than 40 to 45 degrees. This deformity is also called round back or hunchback.
With kyphosis, your spine may look normal or you may develop a hump. Kyphosis can occur as a result of developmental problems; degenerative diseases, such as arthritis of the spine; osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae; or trauma to the spine. It can affect children, adolescents and adults.
Mild cases of kyphosis may cause few problems. But severe cases can affect your lungs, nerves and other tissues and organs, causing pain and other problems. Treatment for kyphosis depends on the cause of the curvature and its effects.
Kyphosis symptoms may include:
- Slouching posture or hunchback
- Mild back pain
- Spinal stiffness or tenderness
- Fatigue
In mild cases, kyphosis may produce no noticeable signs or symptoms.
The study involved a 6-month, two-group, randomized, controlled, single-masked trial in a community research unit.
168 women and men aged 60 and older with a kyphosis angle of 40° or greater participated in the trial. Major exclusions were serious medical comorbidity, use of assistive device, inability to hear or see adequately for participation, and inability to pass a physical safety screen.
The active treatment group attended hour-long yoga classes 3 days per week for 24 weeks. The control group attended a monthly luncheon and seminar and received mailings.
The results show that compared with control participants, participants randomized to yoga experienced a 4.4% improvement in flexicurve kyphosis angle and a 5% improvement in kyphosis index. However, yoga did not result in statistically significant improvement in Debrunner kyphometer angle, measured physical performance, or self-assessed health-related quality of life.
It’s concluded that the decrease in flexicurve kyphosis angle in the yoga treatment group shows that hyperkyphosis is remediable, a critical first step in the pathway to treating or preventing this condition.
The researchers note that larger, more-definitive studies of yoga or other interventions for hyperkyphosis should be considered. Targeting individuals with more-malleable spines and using longitudinally precise measures of kyphosis could strengthen the treatment effect.
[Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 21 Jul 2009]
Tai chi soothes pain in arthritis sufferers
CM NEWS - The results of a new analysis have provided good evidence to suggest that Tai Chi is beneficial for arthritis. Specifically, it was shown to decrease pain with trends towards improving overall physical health, level of tension and satisfaction with health status.
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Musculoskeletal pain, such as that experienced by people with arthritis, places a severe burden on the patient and community and is recognized as an international health priority. Exercise therapy including such as strengthening, stretching and aerobic programs, have been shown to be effective for arthritic pain. Tai Chi, is a form of exercise that is regularly practiced in China to improve overall health and well-being. It is usually preformed in a group but is also practiced individually at one’s leisure, which differs from traditional exercise therapy approaches used in the clinic.
Recently, a new study examined the effectiveness of Tai Chi in decreasing pain and disability and improving physical function and quality of life in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study is published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research. Led by Amanda Hall of The George Institute in Sydney, Australia, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. They analyzed seven eligible randomized controlled trials that used Tai Chi as the main intervention for patients with musculoskeletal pain. The results demonstrate that Tai Chi improves pain and disability in patients suffering arthritis.
The authors state, “The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis.”
“It is of importance to note that the results reported in this systematic review are indicative of the effect of Tai Chi versus minimal intervention (usual health care or health education) or wait list control,” the authors note. Establishing the specific effects of Tai Chi would require a placebo-controlled trial, which has not yet been undertaken.
[Arthritis Care & Research June 2009]
Ginseng is nature’s anti-inflammatory
CM NEWS - The famous immunological effects of ginseng have been confirmed and defined by a recent study. Ginseng is believed to have beneficial effects against human diseases, and its active components, ginsenosides, may play critical roles in its diverse physiological actions.
Ginger eases nausea from cancer treatment
Ginger inhibits overian cancer cell growth
Reuters - Ginger, long used as a remedy for upset tummies, can help ease the nausea caused by cancer drugs, researchers reported.
They found the lowest doses of ginger worked best. Read more
Common herb has flavonoids that fight flu virus
April 28, 2009
Filed under Recent, cold & flu, flu, respiratory
CM NEWS - A commonly used Chinese herb for cold and fever contains ingredients that can fight influenza viruses, a study in China suggests. Read more
Herbal soup fights flu A, perhaps useful to guard off swine flu too?
April 26, 2009
Filed under Recent, cold & flu, flu, immunity, respiratory
CM NEWS - Swine flu outbreak has scared the world recently, with death toll reaching 100 and counting. While scientists are racing to understand the flu and in full effort to formulate a new vaccine against it, the only things ordinary folks like us can do is to keep ourselves healthy and strong to guard off infection. In traditional Asian medicine, a decoction called Ma Huang Tang (麻黃湯) in Chinese or Mao-to in Japanese. Read more
