Fwd: [discusschineseherbs] Herbs & Things January 2001

[Guest guest]

I wanted to forward this over for readers who are unfamiliar with the

discusschineseherbs list.

 

I'll be going into the TCM syndrome she describes in more detail, but wanted

to give readers a chance to identify it first. I, unfortunately, am very

familiar with it and the symptoms.

 

Victoria

 

>Colleen DeLaney <herbdocs

>discusschineseherbs

>learnchineseherbs , discusschineseherbs

>[discusschineseherbs] Herbs & Things January 2001

>Sat, 13 Jan 2001 19:05:31 -0800

>

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>HERBS & THINGS

>the ezine of Chinese and other herbs

>for Students of Learn Chinese Herbs

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>JANUARY 2001

>

>IN THIS ISSUE:

>---->Why So S.A.D.?

>---->Try This Quiz

>---->The Energetics of Saint John's Wort

>---->Ask The Acupuncturist*: How Are Chinese Herbs

> Different From Those From Other Countries'?

>

>* We welcome your questions and comments!

>

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>WHY SO S.A.D.?

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>

>Since John and I are heading off for my annual " winter

>cure " (vacation in Mexico) I thought I'd use this newsletter

>to talk about a wintertime issue common to many.

>

>Winter is hard on me. We live in the foothills of the

>California Sierras and it can be grey and foggy and rainy

>and damp for months on end. I get tired, depressed,

>withdrawn, and don't want to get out much and see people.

>Western Medicine calls this S.A.D., or Seasonal Affective

>Disorder, and they say it is caused by a lack of sunlight.

>

>Why are some people affected by lack of sunlight while

>others don't notice a thing when we're all equally

>light-deprived?

>

>It must be that S.A.D. has more to do with each individual's

>internal make-up than it has to do with light deprivation. And

>it turns out that understanding each individual's pattern is

>just how Chinese medicine approaches this and other

>problems.

>

>But how can Chinese medicine treat S.A.D. when no matter

>how much reading you do of the ancient texts, no mention of

>S.A.D. ever appears?

>

>For that matter, how is it that Chinese medicine successfully

>treats things like AIDS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue

>syndrome, and other " modern " ailments? How is it that

>Chinese medicine can adapt itself to new diseases when its

>traditional theories don't even recognize or talk about things

>like viruses or serotonin?

>

>Think about it:: People have been on the planet for a long

>time, and Chinese medical practitioners have been

>observing them for over 4,000 years, and yet no new

>SYMPTOMS have been discovered in a very long time.

>New viruses are discovered, new bacteria show up, new

>diseases are identified by Western medicine, but the human

>body has a limited number of symptoms through which it

>can express disharmonies.

>

>CHINESE MEDICINE DOES NOT ACTUALLY

>TREAT DISEASES!

>

>Chinese medicine actually does NOT treat S.A.D., or AIDS,

>or fibromyalgia, or CFIDS. It DOES treat energetic

>imbalances that form recognizable patterns, and no matter

>what the disease, it will show up as a recognizable pattern

>or set of patterns. Every person has his or her own patterns

>of disharmony, based on their own history, body type, diet,

>emotions, and many other factors.

>

>When learning to diagnose with Chinese medicine, you are

>mostly learning to recognize patterns.

>

>How S.A.D. manifests in me is different from how it shows up

>in other people-- and therein lies the beauty and uniqueness

>of Chinese medicine. Different people with S.A.D. might

>show different patterns of symptoms, and therefore have

>different diagnoses in Chinese medicine-- and so each

>would receive different herbal treatments.

>

>As I've learned to balance my constitutional tendencies, my

>S.A.D. gets easier to deal with every year. When I was in

>my 20's, I didn't even recognize what was happening. All I

>knew was that I became so overwhelmingly depressed with

>my life sometimes between December and February that I

>would make sweeping, wholesale changes in an effort to

>feel better-- I'd quit school, or break off relationships, or just

>go to bed and not come out for weeks at a time except to go

>to work or school and generally feel exhausted by my life.

>

>Then, once I began studying Chinese medicine, I

>recognized the pattern, and could begin bringing myself into

>better balance with winter, my hardest time of year.

>

>QUESTION: Do you have a time of year that's consistently

>hardest for you, physically or emotionally? What does that

>reveal about you?

>

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>TRY THIS QUIZ

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>

>For those of you who have taken the Learn Chinese Herbs

>course, let's see if you can identify the following pattern:

>(Answers at the end of this newsletter):

>

>Come winter, this woman feels tired, depressed, and

>withdrawn. She doesn't want to go out in public. She

>craves warm drinks, hot baths, and spends a great deal

>more time sleeping. Normally active, she loses interest in

>working out and complains of foggy thinking and overall

>heaviness. Her tongue is pale and puffy, her pulse is deep

>and submerged. When you ask, she tells you that she has to

>get up two or three times a night to urinate and that her

>digestion has been sluggish and bloated.

>

>What is your diagnosis? What herbs would help most?

>(see answers at bottom)

>

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>Besides the herbs listed below, I've found three other things

>to be a huge help with S.A.D.

>

>1) EXERCISE: Easier said than done, because the hardest

>thing to do when you're tired and depressed is exercise. But

>45 minutes of hard work-out at least five days a week really

>gets your energy moving, lifts your spirits, and alters your

>internal chemistry. Best of all, walking, dancing, running or

>lifting weights not only get the Qi moving but also costs

>nothing!

>

>2) CHANGING BRAIN CHEMISTRY: Here is a terrific little

>formula given to me by a mental health administrator who

>really understands the ins and outs of deranged brain

>chemistry. It consists of three separate ingredients that can

>be found at your health food store.

>

>500 mg L-Tyrosine

>350 mg DMAE

>300 mg Saint John's Wort

>

>Take all three together first thing in the morning. If needed,

>repeat at midafternoon. Do not take more than twice daily.

>You should feel more clear-headed within 2-3 days.

>

>This combination will cost you about $25, more expensive

>than Chinese herbs but well worth the cost to pull yourself

>out of a midwinter tailspin.

>

>3) LIGHT THERAPY

>

>OK, so my version of this-- taking an annual winter trip to a

>place like Mexico--- is a little more expensive, but taking a

>week or two to lie on a warm sunny beach is MY favorite

>light therapy! I understand that broad spectrum lights work

>well, too!

>

>Recent research has shown that aiming broad spectrum

>lights at the backs of the knees while you're sitting (aimed at

>the acupuncture point UB 40) works as well as full-spectrum

>lights to the eyes, and is an easier solution for office or

>computer workers.

>

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>THE ENERGETICS OF SAINT JOHN'S WORT

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>Saint John's Wort has been studied extensively under

>double-blind conditions in Germany, and proven as effective

>an anti-depressant as Prozac but without its side-effects.

>(The only side effect reported for long-term use of St. John's

>Wort is photosensitivity, so it's recommended to avoid

>sunlight or wear sunscreen). Like Prozac or any other

>anti-depressant, it must be taken consistently for 4-6 weeks

>to get the full serotonin effect.

>

>But as we know, herbs have more than one function, and St.

>John's Wort is no exception.

>

>According to Peter Holmes' work, The Energetics of

>Western Herbs, St. John's Wort is a cool, bitter, sweet and

>astringent herb that is mild with minimal chronic toxicity,

>making it safe for long-term use.

>

>It's main function is to circulate the Qi and relieve

>stagnation, particularly in chronic deficiency. It relieves

>low-level tension, restlessness, spasms, and depression--

>clearly signs of Liver Qi stagnation. Similar to skullcap or

>Huang Qin, it can lift the spirits. Since Qi stagnation

>generally results in heat conditions, its cooling energy is

>quite balancing.

>

>Other functions of St John's Wort according to Holmes:

>

>---->Stimulates the Lungs, Expels Phlegm, and Relieves

>Wheezing (for chronic bronchitis with thin white phlegm).

>

>---->Harmonizes and Promotes Urination (Remember: The

>Lungs are the upper source of water) and Promotes

>Urination (Kidney Qi stagnation)

>

>----> Astringent, Dries Mucous Damp, Stops Bleeding (can

>stop chronic diarrhea due to intestines damp & cold, and

>stop bleeding between menses)

>

>----->Promotes Tissue Repair, Restrains Infection and

>Relieves Pain (for traumatic injuries, nerve injuries, spinal

>pain, sciatica, sore muscles).

>

>(* This last I find particularly interesting, as I sometimes

>treat patients with intractable pain that have been given

>anti-depressants by their M.D.'s. The mechanism by which

>anti-depressants rellieve pain is thought to involve seratonin

>but is largely unknown. Sometimes these patients feel quite

>insulted at being given an anti-depressant, thinking their

>doctor is insinuating that their pain is " all in their head. " )

>

>---->Resolves Fever and Reduces Inflammation

>

>St. John's Wort is, in short, a wonderfully gentle remedy with

>many more uses than just a Prozac substitute. It also has a

>fascinating history that lack of space prevents me from

>delving into, but I do recommend Peter Holmes' fine work!

>

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>ASK THE ACUPUNCTURIST

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>

>Q: What is the difference in Chinese herbs and those of

>other countries?

> --- Will J.

>

>To some degree, a great number of herbs that are

>traditionally used by the Chinese DO also grow elsewhere,

>including in this country. This includes herbs such as

>ginseng, garlic, licorice root, ginger, honeysuckle flowers,

>peony root, magnolia bark, dandelion root, jasmine, etc etc.

>It's a long list.

>

>THE HERBS THEMSELVES ARE DIFFERENT

>

>But while many of the herbs referred to in our course are

>native to China, they are not to be confused with any

>similar-sounding, -looking, or -tasting Western herbs. Using

>another plant, even from the same family, will not produce

>the same results and may even be positively dangerous.

>

>The herbs themselves ARE different, because similar herbs

>grown under different conditions, with different soils &

>climate will have different properties. American ginseng has

>very different properties from Chinese or Korean ginseng,

>and the Chinese pay premium dollar to import American

>ginseng because of its unique properties.

>

>THE PREPARATION IS DIFFERENT

>

>Another difference in Chinese herbs is in their preparation.

>The way that various herbs are steamed, roasted in honey,

>dried, or otherwise prepared can change their properties

>dramatically. The Chinese have a myriad of ways of

>preapring and preserving their herbs.

>

>BUT MOST OF ALL, THE PHILOSOPHY IS DIFFERENT

>

>Another main difference is not so much the herbs

>themselves, but the philosophy behind them. Chinese

>herbalism assigns energetic qualities to each herb (based

>on thousands of years of trial and error). Herbs are

>classified as hot, warm, cool, cold, or neutral. A hot or yang

>condition is balanced by a cooling or yin herb.

>

>Herbs are also classified by their flavors-- acrid, sweet,

>bitter, salty, astringent, or neutral. Each " taste " has a

>different effect on the body. (Sweet herbs, for example, tend

>to be tonifying).

>

>Herbs are also classified by their categories-- for example,

>the category of tonifying herbs is unique to Chinese

>medicine-- these are herbs that are used to boost strength

>and immunity and prevent illness. There's very specific

>times that one can and cannot use tonifying herbs.

>

>PEOPLE HAVE ENERGETIC PROPERTIES, TOO

>

>People have energetic qualities as well. The process of

>choosing the right herb for the right person is assessing if

>the person is hot or cold, excess or deficient, interior or

>exterior, yin or yang. Once you understand that person's

>pattern then you can match a balancing herb or formula for

>them. A cold, deficient person who is frequently ill might be

>given a warm sweet tonifying formula.

>

>THIS is what we mean when we say that you can match the

>right herb (or formula) to the right person. We're not treating

>symptoms-- we're treating PEOPLE!

>

>It gets much more complex than that, which is why we offer

>our course to help you understand how it all fits together. If

>you'd like more information on the course itself, send me

>your street address and I'll send you more detailed

>information. I haven't gotten that material on the website

>yet. (I'm kind of technologically slow but I'm learning!)

>

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>WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHINESE HERBS?

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>Chinese herbology is based on understanding the body type

>and energetics of the person being treated, and matching

>that person's body type EXACTLY with herbs that are

>energetically balancing for that individual.

>

>In our course, Learn Chinese Herbs, we explain the

>Chinese system of asking key questions and examining a

>person's face, tongue, and pulse to understand that

>person's unique pattern of disharmony. Just as each person

>has an energetic pattern, each herb and herb formula has

>an energetic pattern designed to balance disharmony and

>restore healthy functioning.

>

>Contact us with your mailing address if you would like more

>information or if you would like to enroll in Learn Chinese

>Herbs. Credit Card and divided payments are available.

>

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>

>Colleen DeLaney is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Medical

>Herbologist in private practice with her husband, John

>Struthers, L.Ac.

>

>Detailed instruction on Chinese herbal diagnosis and

>treatment is available through their course, Learn Chinese

>Herbs. For information on ordering the course, contact us at

>herbdocs

>or

>Check out our web site at

>http://www.herbdocs.com

>Back Issues also Available!

>

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>ANSWERS TO QUIZ

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>Approach this puzzle in a step-by step fashion as you've

>learned.

>

>HOT OR COLD?

>The symptoms are worse in cold weather and relieved by

>warm drinks and hot baths. Combined with the pale tongue,

>this adds up to Cold.

>

>EXCESS OR DEFICIENT?

>Fatigue, excess sleeping, deep and submerged pulse-- all

>adds up to Deficient Cold rather than Excess Cold.

>

>INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL?

>Symptoms are all Interior-- no signs of Exterior.

>

>YIN OR YANG?

>Cold, Deficient and Interior all add up to a Yin condition.

>Deficient cold can also be referred to as Yang deficiency

>(insufficient Yang energy to warm the body).

>

>WHICH ORGAN IS MOSTLY AFFECTED?

>Symptoms are worse in winter, which is the time of year

>when imbalances of the Kidney energy may become more

>apparent. Add to that the foggy thinking (the brain is seen

>as the Sea of Marrow, controlled by the Kidney energy) and

>the frequent nocturnal urination, and once again the signs

>point to Kidney deficiency.

>

>Even the TYPE of depression points to Kidney imbalance--

>first, because it occurs in winter, and second, because it is

>characterized by withdrawal from the outside world,

>indicating the person lacks sufficient Will (a Kidney

>attribute) to face the world and its difficulties. (In contrast, a

>depression caused by grief and loss would be more Lung

>related, a depression characterized by frustration and anger

>would be more Liver related, and so on).

>

>The poor digestion can be seen as Spleen weakness where

>the Spleen's digestive fire is not adequately stoked by the

>Kidney Ming Men fire.

>

>There are also lesser signs of Qi deficiency-- heaviness,

>fatigue, deep submerged pulse, poor digestion, etc. Add

>this together with the Cold symptoms and our pattern adds

>up to Deficiency of Kidney Qi and Yang.

>

>NOW THAT YOU'VE NAMED THE PATTERN, YOU'LL

>KNOW HOW TO BALANCE IT

>

>Now that you know the pattern of disharmony,you choose a

>category of herbs that will balance it.

>

>The solution? Herbs that tonify the Kidney Qi and Yang.

>

>Korean red Ginseng would be helpful, as would other

>warming herbs and warming foods. A couple of appropriate

>(and inexpensive!) Chinese patent medicines to build the

>Kidney Yang and help with wintertime depression would be

>GeJieDaBuWan or BaWeiDiHuangWan, also known as

>Eight Flavor Tea or Rehmannia Eight tea.

>

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>We're off on our winter vacation, and I'll look forward to

>speaking with you again when we return!

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>

>

>

>To Post a message, send it to: discusschineseherbs (AT) eGroups (DOT) com

>

>To Un, send a blank message to:

>discusschineseherbs- (AT) eGroups (DOT) com

>

 

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