cold

[Guest guest]

Panther piss and cayenne would be the only other I can think of... plus alot of juices.

Suzigraffitiec wrote:

Well, fun,fun,fun...I came down with a horrible cold...I'm upping my dosages of TT and Echinaeca (sp?) and Astragalus...anything else I can do? I'm leaving for a week of dog shows Tues, and gotta be better by then <sigh>Thanks,Cheryl Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at

their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " candy58581 " <candy58581

wrote:

>

> I have interest and would like to learn anything I can about

feeling

> cold all the time.

>

> Thyroid and all that are normal. I constantly feel coldness to the

> bone. I am never warm. Constantly have issues with others that the

> house is not warm enough and I put on more clothes and still and

cold.

>

> Interesting in learning if there is any herbal product one could

take

> to help feel warm.

>

> Anyone else heard of this. I usually get warm when it is 80-90

> degrees. We only see those temps for about 3 months out of the

year.

>

> I know one answer would be just move in the winter to a warmer

> climate. Have though of going south for the winter.

>

> Information please. Thank you candace

 

 

Sorry to hear about your health problem. You said that your thyroid

is normal. Well, I'm no doctor, not a TCM or any other kind, but I

have read that there is 2 basic types of thyroid problem. The more

serious is where the thyroid itself is weakened in some way (I know

that is not very informational). The other kind of problem is where

the weakness is in some other gland/organ, which then affects the

thyroid. So this is why your thyroid tests come out " normal " , ie,

the inherent problem is elsewhere.

 

I imagine that those with more knowledge, in both TCM and western

medicine, who regularly post here, could help you, or at least I hope

so. Sometimes in the winter, my feet feel real cold, but maybe that

is just because our house is cold!

>

[Guest guest]

Could be you're just not active enough- start working out! That may help~!

-

candy58581

Chinese Traditional Medicine

Monday, February 27, 2006 4:36 PM

[Chinese Traditional Medicine] cold

 

 

I have interest and would like to learn anything I can about feeling

cold all the time.

 

Thyroid and all that are normal. I constantly feel coldness to the

bone. I am never warm. Constantly have issues with others that the

house is not warm enough and I put on more clothes and still and cold.

 

Interesting in learning if there is any herbal product one could take

to help feel warm.

 

Anyone else heard of this. I usually get warm when it is 80-90

degrees. We only see those temps for about 3 months out of the year.

 

I know one answer would be just move in the winter to a warmer

climate. Have though of going south for the winter.

 

Information please. Thank you candace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

Un: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

List owner: Chinese Traditional Medicine-owner

 

Shortcut URL to this page:

/community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Candace,

 

Read about Kidney Yang deficiency. I have the exact same symptoms and

have had great success with a formula called Rehmannia 8.

 

Nancy S+13

[Guest guest]

In the abssence of low thyroid test (remember that the old TSH

reference range is no longer accepted by the Endocrinology

community - the new reference is anything above 2 is considered

Hypothyroidism - I have been advocating the revision of the TSH

referance range for many years because one has seen early stage

Hypothyroidism in anyone with a TSH above 2 - many physicians and

labs are still using the old reference)- cold has to be seen as a

circulation disease - especially on the surface. Herbs such as

astragulus have an almost miraculous effect in strengthening the

surface (Wei Qi). But one should take herbs according to the

professional diagnosis - in general astragulus can be taken by

anyone that does not have severe yin defeciency - if one has low

blood pressure (at least not high blood pressure)then astragulus can

probably be taken - astragulus is an herb that can be taken alone

but all here know I am strongly against self prescribing by anyone

not informed about herbs. Astragulus Extractum is available in most

Chinese herb shops and in the Internet.

 

One poster mentioned that exercise is helpful for this condition - i

agree - but for anyone suffering from severe Yin defeciency (most

hypometabolic people are)then exercise (aerobic type) is definitely

contraindicated. Chi Kung type exercises are very suited for

circulation disorders. Dry massage on the skin is helpful for

surface circulation - also warming stimulating oils can be helpful.

 

I must warn against the use of Rehmannia 8 formula (Zhi Bai Di Huang

Wan) for cold disorders unless it is specifically reccomended for

the case - since Rehmannia 8 is a classic formula for reucing heat

symptoms - it is reccomened for many heat disorders including

Hyperthyroidism - it could aggravate many cases of cold. It is true

that many people with circulation disorders have heat (false heat)

symptoms but with true cold symptoms coexisting then many herbs

would be harmful. A professional should be consulted.

 

I have posted several times here on cold disorders and general

defeciency disorders - I am not sure how these would be searched.

[Guest guest]

Vinod,

 

Regarding the Rehmannia 8, what I have is labelled Ba Wei Di Huang Wan.

Is that simply a different name for the same thing? I noticed you gave

a different pinyin name.

 

Also, I was somewhat surprised that you recommend against it. It

contains the warming herbs aconite and cinnamon. It seems

counterintuitive that it would not be helpful, especially since it has

helped me so much with similar symptoms (colder than others around me,

normal thyroid values). I'm very much a newbie though so I am

interested in learning. Thanks for your patience!

 

Nancy S+13

[Guest guest]

Please do a search for Kidney Yang Deficiency.

 

I could have written your post. Been there, experienced that. I have

been known to need a heavy quilt in June, and I've always lived in

southern states in the US!

 

Here are some of the other possible symptoms of Kidney Yang

Deficiency: Does not feel thirsty often and prefers hot liguids like

soup when one does drink. In extreme cases may be bothered even by

room temperature liguids (too cold). In extreme cases may even have

an adversion to drinking because it cools the person down more. At

times has to urinate frequently and produces large amounts of

colorless urine.

 

Bowel movements may be mushy and soft or there may be a special kind

of " constipation " called " colonic inertia " . There is a lack of

peristalsis to move the fecal matter through the large intestine.

 

The person may require a lot of sleep and feel sleepy a lot. When

the person lies down, there is a tendency to curl into a fetal

position. If the person also has breathing problems (a special

subcategory of Kidney Yang Deficiency called Kidneys Refusing to

Receive Qi (aka Grasp Qi), the breathing problems may be aggravated

by the fetal position. The person may have to make a conscious

effort to uncurl in bed.

 

Speech and movements will be slow. So will the pulse (unless the

person also is overweight or in some cases Blood Deficient). That's

an effect of Cold. Fatigue can be crushing. There are several

imbalances that can result in fatigue, but Kidney Yang Deficiency

results in the most severe fatigue of all. Keep in mind that Yang

activates, warms, and dries.

 

The tongue will be pale, and the coating white. The complexion will

be pale, probably with a shiny cast (unless there is significant

Blood Deficiency, and then it will be dull pale).

 

Kidney Yang Deficiency is treated with Kidney Yang tonic herbs and

Herbs to Warm the Interior. You may have one of the best Herbs to

Warm the Interior sitting in your spice rack and not even realize

it. Dried ginger.

 

Dried ginger is contraindicated in cases of Yin Deficiency With Heat

symptoms, in cases of Hot Blood, and during pregnancy. There is

some risk of it bringing on premature contractions. If it needs to

be administered during pregnancy, it needs to be done under the

guidance of a trained healthcare professional.

 

It's always best to consult a trained healer if one is nearby where

one lives. If not, try a very small amount of powdered ginger from

your spice rack stirred into a cup of hot water, and sip it. You'll

want to start out with a small amount like 1/16th to 1/8th of a

teaspoon. If dried ginger is something you will benefit from,

chances are you will know it within a few minutes. You'll feel a

nice warm feeling starting to spread through you. You may feel a

little more energized and perked up.

 

If there is no TCM healer in your area, this is something else you

will need to know. Whenever a person is Kidney Yang Deficient, the

person almost always also is Kidney Yin Deficient though to a much

lesser amount. In fact, if the Kidney Yang Deficiency is severe, it

may even mask the Kidney Yin Deficiency Symptoms. But it's still

there, and if it's not treated also, in time the Kidney Yin

Deficiency may become more severe than the Yang Deficiency.

 

Kidney Yang Deficiency is one of those things that take a long time

to treat. The longer it has gone on, the longer it will take to

treat. Treatment will have to be changed from time to time. The

person may start out needing far more Yang tonic herbs than Yin

tonic herbs, but as the Yang tonic herbs take effect more and more,

over the months the amount of Yang tonic herbs will need to be

deccreased. Somewhere in there, the amount of Yin tonic herbs may

need to be increased.

 

If the Yang Deficiency and Interior Cold have been going on for some

time, it may take weeks or even months of treatment with Yang tonic

herbs and Herbs to Warm the Interior to result in the skin feeling

warm to the touch.

 

One thing you'll want to be especially careful of if using dried

ginger is if the tongue has no coating. This is a sign of Stomach

Yin Deficiency, and taking ginger without also taking an herb to

increase Stomach Yin could research in problems. You'll also want to

pay attention to the tip of the tongue. If it is very red - even

though the rest of the tongue is pale, dried ginger could result in

too much Heat building up in the Lungs. You'll want to include

something in your treatment that counters this.

 

Your need for ginger will be less in the summer than in the winter.

In time, you may not need it at all in the summer.

 

Eggs are a good Yin tonic and Blood tonic food. So if there are no

problems with eggs, you may want to consider including some in your

diet.

 

 

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " candy58581 " <candy58581

wrote:

>

> I have interest and would like to learn anything I can about

feeling

> cold all the time.

>

> Thyroid and all that are normal. I constantly feel coldness to the

> bone. I am never warm. Constantly have issues with others that the

> house is not warm enough and I put on more clothes and still and

cold.

>

> Interesting in learning if there is any herbal product one could

take

> to help feel warm.

>

> Anyone else heard of this. I usually get warm when it is 80-90

> degrees. We only see those temps for about 3 months out of the

year.

>

> I know one answer would be just move in the winter to a warmer

> climate. Have though of going south for the winter.

>

> Information please. Thank you candace

>

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Silver "

<silver_islandwoman wrote:

 

Exercise may be contraindicated in some cases of Qi Deficiency and

especially Kidney Yang Deficiency.

 

If the energy isn't there because of Qi Deficiency, forcing oneself

to exercise can actually make one sicker by weakening the Spleen

further and further decreasing Qi. The Qi Deficiency and the weak

Spleen will need to be treated first in order to bring the person up

to being able to exercise.

 

Yang warms, activates, and dries. If the person doesn't have enough

Yang, no amount of exercise is going to warm the person up. In some

cases the person's body temperature may even go down as the result

of overdoing. Yang tonic herbs and herbs to warm the Interior will

need to be used to bring the person up to being able to excercise.

 

The best exercises for a person who is chronically ill to do often

are Qi Gong exercises. They are the only exercises I can do that

result in my energy increasing instead of decreasing. If the person

is very sick, even Qi Gong exercies (unless they are performed in

bed or sitting down) may be too much for the person at first.

 

A special breathing exercise called Hara breathing usually can be

used by all but the very sickest.

 

There are acupoints that can be massaged or pressed that will help

to increase energy. Like Stomach-36.

[Guest guest]

You are correct there are several medicines named 8 ingredient

Rehmannia.

 

this is the formula that i was refering to -

 

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/zhi_bai_faq.htm

 

And this is the formula you were referring to -

 

http://www.primeherbs.com/engstore/cr/cr_product_detail.asp?

sku=WMITS3002 & cat=1

 

Another formula that is a modification of the formula you reffered

to -

 

http://www.activeherb.com/yanvive/

 

Actually if I had known that you were reffering to this rehmannia

formula my caution would have been even stronger - because of the

Aconite (which is balanced in this formula somewhat by the

rehmannia)- I would never reccomend a Yang building substance to

someone without being sure they have the Yin to support it. This is

REAL medicine - not something that can be experimented with. Such

formulas must be prescribed by one who knows what they are doing.

Aconite is a powerful medicine and can easily over heat - especially

in Yin defecient people - it is mainly used to raise the Kidney

Yang. I am happy you have had success with this formula. Having said

that I would advise caution in the use of Aconite - a divine

medicine but certainly not for everyone. One must carefully analyze

the Kidneys and understand the status of both Yin and Yang - cold

can be related to both Yin and Yang problems - but aconite is not

needed by those who have either Yin defeciency or suffecient Yang.

Think about other heating substances like Astragulus - if they are

acceptable to the patient.

 

Aconiite is a wondeful example of the genius of the old Chinese

herbalists who learned how to use powerful substances in a safe and

effective manner. But these substances remain poisons and should be

used intelligently. It is not necessary to use this powerful a

substance in most cases of cold.

 

Here is an article about aconite -

 

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/aconite_faq.htm

[Guest guest]

Hi Candace,

I would like to tell you my story in a nutshell. On Valentine's Day

2003, I collapsed of a heart attack, stroke AND liver failure.

Later that year I was re-hospitalized with severe congestive heart

failure (215 lbs. of fluid!).

 

The point of this story, is after the stroke, and somewhat before

the stroke, I've had trouble warming up in the winter. Since the

stroke, I have diligently been practicing qigong. This winter is a

tottaly different story! I barely have to keep my heat on at all

during the night and now have the ability when I practice qigong to

make my hands warm!

 

I also have followed Chinese diet therapy and do use Chinese herbs.

 

I would also like to mention I'm a concert violinist, and qigong has

helped me re-learn how to play and gain my strength back. I am

pretty much totally healed except I'm left with atrial

fibrillation. I can not tell you how pleased I am that I am finally

warmer!

 

My reccomedation, is to keep experimenting with different things,

and eventually you will hit upon the right combination for your body

like I did mine.

 

Good luck!

Elizabeth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- In Chinese Traditional Medicine , " candy58581 " <candy58581

wrote:

>

> I have interest and would like to learn anything I can about

feeling

> cold all the time.

>

> Thyroid and all that are normal. I constantly feel coldness to the

> bone. I am never warm. Constantly have issues with others that the

> house is not warm enough and I put on more clothes and still and

cold.

>

> Interesting in learning if there is any herbal product one could

take

> to help feel warm.

>

> Anyone else heard of this. I usually get warm when it is 80-90

> degrees. We only see those temps for about 3 months out of the

year.

>

> I know one answer would be just move in the winter to a warmer

> climate. Have though of going south for the winter.

>

> Information please. Thank you candace

>

[Guest guest]

Vinod, thanks for the added info!

 

LOL, sometimes I just wish there was one standard name for each

formula. I had no idea that there was more than one formula with that

name. Luckily I've been buying it under the pinyin name and looking for

that.

 

I should probably add that the patient is me. I originally began

learning about TCM through a book called " The Infertility Cure " by

Randine Lewis and have been applying what I've learned in there and

other sources to treat my own infertility. I do have both a Kidney Yin

and Yang deficiency. Currently I am using a combination of Rehmannia 6

and 8 (liu wei di huang wan and ba wei di huang wan to avoid confusion)

that is more heavily weighted on the Rehmannia 6 side to deal with the

Kidney Yin deficiency yet give me the warmth that I am lacking. I do

agree that it is most certainly real medicine. It has done wonders with

my menstrual cycle--which Western medicine doesn't even begin to know

how to do--but I have no doubt it could harm if not applied properly.

This is why I continue to read, study and seek out an understanding of

what I am doing, so that I know I am properly applying the herbs.

 

Thank you again for taking time to answer my questions. I appreciate

the time that I know goes into that.

 

Vinod Kumar wrote:

 

>

> You are correct there are several medicines named 8 ingredient

> Rehmannia.

>

> this is the formula that i was refering to -

>

> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/zhi_bai_faq.htm

>

> And this is the formula you were referring to -

>

> http://www.primeherbs.com/engstore/cr/cr_product_detail.asp?

> sku=WMITS3002 & cat=1

>

> Another formula that is a modification of the formula you reffered

> to -

>

> http://www.activeherb.com/yanvive/

>

> Actually if I had known that you were reffering to this rehmannia

> formula my caution would have been even stronger - because of the

> Aconite (which is balanced in this formula somewhat by the

> rehmannia)- I would never reccomend a Yang building substance to

> someone without being sure they have the Yin to support it. This is

> REAL medicine - not something that can be experimented with. Such

> formulas must be prescribed by one who knows what they are doing.

> Aconite is a powerful medicine and can easily over heat - especially

> in Yin defecient people - it is mainly used to raise the Kidney

> Yang. I am happy you have had success with this formula. Having said

> that I would advise caution in the use of Aconite - a divine

> medicine but certainly not for everyone. One must carefully analyze

> the Kidneys and understand the status of both Yin and Yang - cold

> can be related to both Yin and Yang problems - but aconite is not

> needed by those who have either Yin defeciency or suffecient Yang.

> Think about other heating substances like Astragulus - if they are

> acceptable to the patient.

>

> Aconiite is a wondeful example of the genius of the old Chinese

> herbalists who learned how to use powerful substances in a safe and

> effective manner. But these substances remain poisons and should be

> used intelligently. It is not necessary to use this powerful a

> substance in most cases of cold.

>

> Here is an article about aconite -

>

> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/aconite_faq.htm

>

>

>

>

>

 

> Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

> Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

> Un: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

> List owner: Chinese Traditional Medicine-owner

>

> Shortcut URL to this page:

> /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

As a 3rd year Chinese Medical student (who is beginning to see

patients in clinic), I want to jump in here. I like Vinod's caution

against using Fu Zi for any length of time. Fu Zi is better thought of

as a rescue herb for acute Cold syndromes; as such it falls into the

Materia Medica category of 'Warm Interior' (it is true that this

category has also been called " Warming the Yang " ). However there is a

separate category of 'Tonify Yang' herbs. Most of the 'Warm Interior'

herbs are actually HOT and spicy in nature, while 'Tonify Yang' herbs

are mostly WARM and sweet. As such 'Tonify Yang' herbs are more gentle

(and can be taken longer). Wisdom cautions patience and gentleness for

the healing process (as we must have by definition already suffered an

injury).

 

Matt

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Elizabeth " <tazzyviolin

wrote:

>

> Hi Candace,

> I would like to tell you my story in a nutshell.

 

I would like to encourage the attitude that this poster has

expressed. The correct and only true way to cure chronic disease

states is with diet and non-stressful exercises like Tai Chi or Chi

Kung - with the addition of carefully selected herbs - if a

qualified practioner is not available then mild to neutral tonic

herbs can be cautiously introduced and the results observed. The

most skilled practioner will have trouble helping to correct

conditions when the patient is unable to participate by living a

healthy non-stressful life.

 

'Couch potatoes' are under tremendous stress because their organism

is becoming more and more stagnant as the days go by. Human body is

meant to move this is important to keeping the fluids in the body

moving. Depression and hypometabolism is frequently the result of

eating damp and phlegm causing foods which causes the stagnation of

the energy at the Center (Stomach/Spleen and Liver/Gallbladder) this

causes lethargy and as we become more lethagic and depressed we

become less functional - as we become less functional all of the

cells of the body begin to slow down (hypometabolism) - hormones

become imbalanced - brain chemistry becomes imbalanced and the

stagnation increases - the immune system is stressed trying to deal

with this sluggish metabolism - the organs lose their ability to

function simply because everything is stagnating - the waste

products build up and foul the blood and further stress the weakened

Kidney's, Liver, Lungs,and Spleen - this causes even further toxic

buildup in the blood - the blood becomes unable to nourish the

already stressed cells and or even carry oxygen properly to the

cells - the cells go under further stress - energy withdraws from

the surface so as to conserve energy at the core - temperature

subsides at the core as the hypometabolic condition continues and

creates infinite symptoms related to Hypometabolic functioning - the

reduced functioning at the surface makes us extremely vulnerable to

the environment and we become unable to control our temperature

regulating functions internally and externaly - the list of symptoms

become overwhelming - if the overheated toxic blood is severe enough

we will become dangerously acidic - this will harm every cell but

especially the cells of the nervous system - creating imbalance in

the ANS which further imbalances brain chemistry and hormonal

balance - this depleted chemistry combined with the general toxic

phlegm laden blood creates a host of mental symptoms leading to

neurotic and even psychotic behavior - affect becomes inapropiate

and relationships suffer.

 

As was said there can be an untold number of symptoms because every

cell, every organ, and every function is disrupted and deminished.

There have been countless therapies and medicines developed to deal

with these unending symptoms - but what is needed is to stop doing

the things that are causing this problem to begin with. Stop the

damp causing foods (Chinese Dietary therapy is a fully realized

understanding of physiological functioning and the role of food in

disease and recovery)and keep our circulation invigorated by moving!

We must stop stressing the Stomach/Spleen which is the original

cause of the toxic blood. I am not implying that this reversal of

the process is easy - I am simply saying that this is what must be

done if we want to recover our health. The story that Elizabeth

tells is similar to the one that everyone who recovers from

defeciency disease tells. It simply means I lived a disease forming

life and I stopped doing that and began to live a health forming

life and I began to recover. There is no other way.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nancy,

 

I would like to second the wonders of TCM's ability to modify the

menstrual cycle and the quality of the menstrual flow itself. It's a

very real, much more subtle medicine.

 

Nancy S+13 wrote:

 

>Vinod, thanks for the added info!

>

>LOL, sometimes I just wish there was one standard name for each

>formula. I had no idea that there was more than one formula with that

>name. Luckily I've been buying it under the pinyin name and looking for

>that.

>

>I should probably add that the patient is me. I originally began

>learning about TCM through a book called " The Infertility Cure " by

>Randine Lewis and have been applying what I've learned in there and

>other sources to treat my own infertility. I do have both a Kidney Yin

>and Yang deficiency. Currently I am using a combination of Rehmannia 6

>and 8 (liu wei di huang wan and ba wei di huang wan to avoid confusion)

>that is more heavily weighted on the Rehmannia 6 side to deal with the

>Kidney Yin deficiency yet give me the warmth that I am lacking. I do

>agree that it is most certainly real medicine. It has done wonders with

>my menstrual cycle--which Western medicine doesn't even begin to know

>how to do--but I have no doubt it could harm if not applied properly.

>This is why I continue to read, study and seek out an understanding of

>what I am doing, so that I know I am properly applying the herbs.

>

>Thank you again for taking time to answer my questions. I appreciate

>the time that I know goes into that.

>

>Vinod Kumar wrote:

>

>

>

>>You are correct there are several medicines named 8 ingredient

>>Rehmannia.

>>

>>this is the formula that i was refering to -

>>

>>http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/zhi_bai_faq.htm

>>

>>And this is the formula you were referring to -

>>

>>http://www.primeherbs.com/engstore/cr/cr_product_detail.asp?

>>sku=WMITS3002 & cat=1

>>

>>Another formula that is a modification of the formula you reffered

>>to -

>>

>>http://www.activeherb.com/yanvive/

>>

>>Actually if I had known that you were reffering to this rehmannia

>>formula my caution would have been even stronger - because of the

>>Aconite (which is balanced in this formula somewhat by the

>>rehmannia)- I would never reccomend a Yang building substance to

>>someone without being sure they have the Yin to support it. This is

>>REAL medicine - not something that can be experimented with. Such

>>formulas must be prescribed by one who knows what they are doing.

>>Aconite is a powerful medicine and can easily over heat - especially

>>in Yin defecient people - it is mainly used to raise the Kidney

>>Yang. I am happy you have had success with this formula. Having said

>>that I would advise caution in the use of Aconite - a divine

>>medicine but certainly not for everyone. One must carefully analyze

>>the Kidneys and understand the status of both Yin and Yang - cold

>>can be related to both Yin and Yang problems - but aconite is not

>>needed by those who have either Yin defeciency or suffecient Yang.

>>Think about other heating substances like Astragulus - if they are

>>acceptable to the patient.

>>

>>Aconiite is a wondeful example of the genius of the old Chinese

>>herbalists who learned how to use powerful substances in a safe and

>>effective manner. But these substances remain poisons and should be

>>used intelligently. It is not necessary to use this powerful a

>>substance in most cases of cold.

>>

>>Here is an article about aconite -

>>

>>http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/aconite_faq.htm

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

>> Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

>> Un: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

>> List owner: Chinese Traditional Medicine-owner

>>

>>Shortcut URL to this page:

>> /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

>>

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

One of my herbs was fu zi and while it was very effective, I eventually

began to have hot flashes. That was good because it meant I was getting

better, but it would have been scary if I had not been under a

practitioner's scare. Of course, they discontinued the fu zi right away.

 

Zenisis

 

skyheights wrote:

 

>Hi Everyone,

>

>As a 3rd year Chinese Medical student (who is beginning to see

>patients in clinic), I want to jump in here. I like Vinod's caution

>against using Fu Zi for any length of time. Fu Zi is better thought of

>as a rescue herb for acute Cold syndromes; as such it falls into the

>Materia Medica category of 'Warm Interior' (it is true that this

>category has also been called " Warming the Yang " ). However there is a

>separate category of 'Tonify Yang' herbs. Most of the 'Warm Interior'

>herbs are actually HOT and spicy in nature, while 'Tonify Yang' herbs

>are mostly WARM and sweet. As such 'Tonify Yang' herbs are more gentle

>(and can be taken longer). Wisdom cautions patience and gentleness for

>the healing process (as we must have by definition already suffered an

>injury).

>

>Matt

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

> Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

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>

>Shortcut URL to this page:

> /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

>

[Guest guest]

May I also add that western science is beginning to recognize the affect

of food itself on metabolism. Typically, we tended to think of person's

metabolism was akin to car performance. Some cars just got from 0-60

faster. But the " gas " we put in has an important impact as well, even

according to western science.

 

I am doing some work with my brother for diet change, he lost more than

100 pounds with behavior mod and diet change some years ago (yes, we

have a tendency towards internal dampness, blood stasis, and a number of

other things in our family--my mother calls herself cold-natured meaning

she doesn't like the cold). There's no substitute for social support.

But the increased energy and improved digestion I have experienced would

not be possible without TCM.

 

Actually, my brother has no knowledge whatsoever of TCM, but when I

explained to him about eating warm foods, it completely confirmed his

personal experience.

 

Zenisis

 

Vinod Kumar wrote:

 

>Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Elizabeth " <tazzyviolin

>wrote:

>

>

>>Hi Candace,

>>I would like to tell you my story in a nutshell.

>>

>>

>

>I would like to encourage the attitude that this poster has

>expressed. The correct and only true way to cure chronic disease

>states is with diet and non-stressful exercises like Tai Chi or Chi

>Kung - with the addition of carefully selected herbs - if a

>qualified practioner is not available then mild to neutral tonic

>herbs can be cautiously introduced and the results observed. The

>most skilled practioner will have trouble helping to correct

>conditions when the patient is unable to participate by living a

>healthy non-stressful life.

>

>'Couch potatoes' are under tremendous stress because their organism

>is becoming more and more stagnant as the days go by. Human body is

>meant to move this is important to keeping the fluids in the body

>moving. Depression and hypometabolism is frequently the result of

>eating damp and phlegm causing foods which causes the stagnation of

>the energy at the Center (Stomach/Spleen and Liver/Gallbladder) this

>causes lethargy and as we become more lethagic and depressed we

>become less functional - as we become less functional all of the

>cells of the body begin to slow down (hypometabolism) - hormones

>become imbalanced - brain chemistry becomes imbalanced and the

>stagnation increases - the immune system is stressed trying to deal

>with this sluggish metabolism - the organs lose their ability to

>function simply because everything is stagnating - the waste

>products build up and foul the blood and further stress the weakened

>Kidney's, Liver, Lungs,and Spleen - this causes even further toxic

>buildup in the blood - the blood becomes unable to nourish the

>already stressed cells and or even carry oxygen properly to the

>cells - the cells go under further stress - energy withdraws from

>the surface so as to conserve energy at the core - temperature

>subsides at the core as the hypometabolic condition continues and

>creates infinite symptoms related to Hypometabolic functioning - the

>reduced functioning at the surface makes us extremely vulnerable to

>the environment and we become unable to control our temperature

>regulating functions internally and externaly - the list of symptoms

>become overwhelming - if the overheated toxic blood is severe enough

>we will become dangerously acidic - this will harm every cell but

>especially the cells of the nervous system - creating imbalance in

>the ANS which further imbalances brain chemistry and hormonal

>balance - this depleted chemistry combined with the general toxic

>phlegm laden blood creates a host of mental symptoms leading to

>neurotic and even psychotic behavior - affect becomes inapropiate

>and relationships suffer.

>

>As was said there can be an untold number of symptoms because every

>cell, every organ, and every function is disrupted and deminished.

>There have been countless therapies and medicines developed to deal

>with these unending symptoms - but what is needed is to stop doing

>the things that are causing this problem to begin with. Stop the

>damp causing foods (Chinese Dietary therapy is a fully realized

>understanding of physiological functioning and the role of food in

>disease and recovery)and keep our circulation invigorated by moving!

>We must stop stressing the Stomach/Spleen which is the original

>cause of the toxic blood. I am not implying that this reversal of

>the process is easy - I am simply saying that this is what must be

>done if we want to recover our health. The story that Elizabeth

>tells is similar to the one that everyone who recovers from

>defeciency disease tells. It simply means I lived a disease forming

>life and I stopped doing that and began to live a health forming

>life and I began to recover. There is no other way.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

> Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

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>

>Shortcut URL to this page:

> /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

>

[Guest guest]

I do have both a Kidney Yin

> and Yang deficiency. Currently I am using a combination of

Rehmannia 6

> and 8 (liu wei di huang wan and ba wei di huang wan to avoid

confusion)

> that is more heavily weighted on the Rehmannia 6 side to deal with

the

> Kidney Yin deficiency yet give me the warmth that I am lacking.

 

This is a very intellegent approach to the issues described and is

the one that anyone who is striving to solve their own problems must

have to get results with a miniumum chance of side-effects. Just to

know that one has Yang defeciency is not enough information to start

taking medicine. One must understand the status of Yin because in

the long run the condition of the Yin is more important than the

Yang - in disease the Yin is being depleted so it's protection and

preservation is absolutely essential to recovery. Taking Yang

substances in the face of Yin defeciency is simply stressful and

will be taking you in the opposite direction from the one you want

to take. Yang can be taken even in very severe Yin defeciency cases

if the Yin is suffeciantly supported. This is what this person has

done she takes a very hot medicine and supports the Yin with plenty

of Rehmannia and other Yin supporting herbs.

 

One caveat - she has had success with this approach but in general I

think that one should stay with the catagory of 'Superior' herbs

when working on one's own. Medicinal herbs should be avoided unless

one has some understanding of the many implications of taking them.

Most medicinal herbs will have strong contraindications and to not

be aware of this is not intellegent if one chooses to take those

medicines. For some reason many people have the impression that

herbs are harmless - some are but many are deadly poisons and can

kill you at the worst and create disease process in one at the

least - when wrongly applied. Please use caution when

using 'Medicinal' herbs if you must take them - but why take such

chances since good results can be achieved in much safer ways.

 

I hope that no one interprets these comments to mean that I do not

believe that one should work on their own disease - this would be

wrong. One of the reasons I post here is to encourage the many who

have no other choices (for whatever reason) than to solve their own

health problems. My belief backed up by much experience is that it

is only those who learn as much as possible about their disease and

why one has it that get healed. There is no magic in medicine or in

doctors - the magic is in coming to understand what has gone wrong

and why - in this will be revealed the way out. Example if one has

say chronic Hepatitis C - become an authority in the Liver and all

of it's many functions and needs - in this process the understanding

of what is necessary to keep the Liver in maximum shape will become

obvious.

 

We must become as authoratative in health as we are in disease. True

health authorities are healthy. Become a health authority.

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " skyheights " <mattpolly

wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

Fu Zi is better thought of

> as a rescue herb for acute Cold syndromes; as such it falls into

the

> Materia Medica category of 'Warm Interior' (it is true that this

> category has also been called " Warming the Yang " ). However there

is a

> separate category of 'Tonify Yang' herbs. Most of the 'Warm

Interior'

> herbs are actually HOT and spicy in nature, while 'Tonify Yang'

herbs

> are mostly WARM and sweet. As such 'Tonify Yang' herbs are more

gentle

> (and can be taken longer). Wisdom cautions patience and gentleness

for

> the healing process (as we must have by definition already

suffered an

> injury).

>

> Matt

 

Just as I have appreciated Nancy's intelligence as a health seeker I

would like to encourage Matt as a student in the profession of TCM

practice. His attitude is exactly the one that one must encourage in

oneself if one would like to learn to use herbs as an aid in

recovery from disease. Herbs are not a simple issue. If it was easy

to recover from disease we would not have so much sickness. It is a

science and an art.

 

I would encourage Matt to post more here if he has time.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the suggestion. I think I have asked enough questions on this

forum. First you need to understand I just got out of the hospital about 2 weeks

ago. I am very ill and on top of that was in the hospital due to severe groin,

thigh muscle strain causing spasms. These days when they keep you in the

hospital for 9 days you know one is quite ill. Also they are searching for blood

loss as I am very anemic. Fatigue from the blood loss makes one very weak.. I

currently am on morphine, and ativan to help control the muscle spasms and pain.

Exercise at this time would not be beneficial. In time that certainly would

help. Maybe that makes it more clear. Also I am in PT 3 times a week. Told not

to do any exercise other than 3 different ones. Due to I could cause more

damage.

 

I know exercise warms one up. It does not take much to figure that out. That

was not the question I was asking.

 

I asked questions to learn, not to be told to exercise. Also the Chinese

Herbalist I saw sold me $500. worth of herbal products and I earlier in a post

asked if anyone knew what they were used for. He did not take much time to

explain it to me. I just thought someone here may be knowledgeable about the

products.

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

Candace J

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply.

 

Candace J

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hang in there, Candace.

 

The first step is getting some idea of what the TCM imbalances are.

This is important for a number of reasons. One of which is figuring

out why you had an adverse reaction to the herbs.

 

Sometimes TCM healers will ask a lot of questions. Even when you're

seeing them in person. Especially when you're on the Internet and they

can't do a pulse or tongue diagnosis. Of course when one is very sick,

the questions can tire one out easily. (Been there too.)

 

I hope you read post 7920. How many of these symptoms describe you?

[Guest guest]

What are 'Superior' herbs?

 

> One caveat - she has had success with this approach but in general I

> think that one should stay with the catagory of 'Superior' herbs

> when working on one's own. Medicinal herbs should be avoided unless

> one has some understanding of the many implications of taking them.

[Guest guest]

--- I was wondering if we are restricted here to purely

traditional/classical chinese medicine or if I am allowed to suggest

something outside of this. If so, here goes (and, if not, you will

not post this, and no harm done!)

 

This business of chronic cold may be caused by " heavy " metals. I say

this because it seems to be so hard to get rid of, judging by what I

read here. I think that metal toxicity, esp. MERCURY, is a uniquely

difficult substance to remove from the body, from what I hear, and

needs more than the TCM approach. Mercury, in particular, behaves

strangely in the body (and outside of it, too, if you have ever seen

it), tucking itself into tissues, esp. the brain, and wanting very

much to just nest there forever - and disrupt hormones. Mercury is

even strange in that it can't be diagnosed in your body in the usual

ways (blood & hair, for instance).

 

This is my take on advanced, chronic, difficult problems that respond

only partly to TCM approaches.

 

Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Vinod Kumar " <vinod3x3

wrote:

>

 

 

>

> We must become as authoratative in health as we are in disease. True

> health authorities are healthy. Become a health authority.

>

 

This is good advice, whether trying to help yourself, or another person

(as I am). Not always easy to do, mind you.

[Guest guest]

Vinod, what are " superior " herbs vs. " medicinal " herbs?

 

Nancy S+13