Questions from a prospective student

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York. I

have been

fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open houses.

However, as

much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I have

had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I understand

it, I find it

incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in school.

Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

[Guest guest]

Michael,

 

It's been about 4 years since I last read Web That Has No Weaver, but I don't

remember finding it tedious. In fact, I think it is probably a pretty good

representation of the information you will be learning in your first year.

Maybe it's just Kaptchuk's writing style that turns you off? Most of your other

books will be more cut-and-dried textbooks.

 

When I entered acupuncture school, I really had no idea what I was getting

myself into. Be prepared to do a lot of memorization. You may be frustrated

for a while until the theory clicks. Learning TCM is really like learning to

think in another language (conceptually-- I don't mean actual Mandarin). But

you absolutely need to learn the theory well, as it is your foundation for

everything else.

 

You may find the practical courses like point location and needling practice

more interesting. Certainly, once you enter your clinical internship,

everything falls into place.

 

The first TCM book I ever bought was called Practical by

Penelope Ody. It is nice because it is very visual. And it has a surprising

amount of information for a book written for the layperson (of course, it is no

match for the amount of information that will be in your first-year textbooks).

 

Good Luck!

 

Emily

 

 

:

michaelphilipomalley: Fri, 9 May 2008 19:14:42 +0000TCM -

Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone,I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in

New York. I have been fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as

well as at open houses. However, as much as I am excited about the profession

and helping people, I have to admit that I have had a hard time reading The Web

That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the most recommended books I come

across when I have visited schools. While I understand it, I find it incredibly

tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the coursework in

school. Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm

may be depleted if I can't through one of the most important books for

acupuncture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________

With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you.

http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile\

_052008

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Michael,

 

Which aspect of the book seems " tedious " ? I " m just asking to understand

your situation better.

If you're a " NewYorker " who has a b.s. radar and feel like its " airy fairy " ,

then you'll probably be annoyed by TCM school,

where there may be many mystics in making, although TCM has tried to

sterilize most of the " pre-scientific " stuff.

 

If it's because there are all of these " illogical " connections,

that could be another reason to be annoyed.

Actually, Chinese medicine gets more logical the more you learn to unlearn

your previous conditioning.

 

If it's because there is so much info to memorize, believe me there is much

more.

 

If it's because the metaphors are not very concise, remember that you're

reading it in English

and this was " pre-Wiseman " terminology. Terms these days are a little more

straight-forward.

 

If it's because it's poetic in one paragraph and then semi-text book in

another,

remember that this book was written before all of the other TCM textbooks

were available.

That was a generation ago.

 

If you have the time, try reading Lonny Jarrett's " Nourishing Destiny " for a

little inspiration

http://www.spiritpathpress.com/

 

or on the other side of the spectrum:

" The Dao of " by Deke Kendall

http://www.amazon.com/Dao-Chinese-Medicine-Understanding-Ancient/dp/0195921046

 

Great that you're a bit sceptical. We need that in our profession.

Best of luck,

K.

 

 

 

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 6:18 PM, Emily Konstan <emilylists

wrote:

 

> Michael,

>

> It's been about 4 years since I last read Web That Has No Weaver, but I

> don't remember finding it tedious. In fact, I think it is probably a pretty

> good representation of the information you will be learning in your first

> year. Maybe it's just Kaptchuk's writing style that turns you off? Most of

> your other books will be more cut-and-dried textbooks.

>

> When I entered acupuncture school, I really had no idea what I was getting

> myself into. Be prepared to do a lot of memorization. You may be frustrated

> for a while until the theory clicks. Learning TCM is really like learning to

> think in another language (conceptually-- I don't mean actual Mandarin). But

> you absolutely need to learn the theory well, as it is your foundation for

> everything else.

>

> You may find the practical courses like point location and needling

> practice more interesting. Certainly, once you enter your clinical

> internship, everything falls into place.

>

> The first TCM book I ever bought was called Practical by

> Penelope Ody. It is nice because it is very visual. And it has a surprising

> amount of information for a book written for the layperson (of course, it is

> no match for the amount of information that will be in your first-year

> textbooks).

>

> Good Luck!

>

> Emily

>

> To:

Chinese Medicine<Chinese Medicine%40\

From>:

> michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley%40Date>:

> Fri, 9 May 2008 19:14:42 +0000Questions from a prospective

> student

>

>

> Hi everyone,I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific

> College in New York. I have been fascinated with TCM and did a lot of

> research online as well as at open houses. However, as much as I am excited

> about the profession and helping people, I have to admit that I have had a

> hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

> most recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I

> understand it, I find it incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have

> the problem with the coursework in school. Has anyone else felt this way?! I

> guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be depleted if I can't through one

> of the most important books for acupuncture!

>

> ________

> With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you.

>

>

http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile\

_052008

>

>

[Guest guest]

I remember being told to read that book and not getting more than half way

through. My thoughts at the time revolved around....gee I hope this isn't what

we are learning....I struggled through my first six months, memorizing

everything but it made no sense to me since we were not yet in the clinic. I

gave myself the next six months and said if it didn't get better I would quit.

After a few days in clinic it all made sense. Everything that we learned in

theory classes started to gel. I come from a western science background and a

very hands on type of learner, so until someone could show me a real world

example of what was taught in class it was just weird words. Strange words like

yin yang qi, ideas of organ relationships to times of the year and colors, how

crazy is this stuff. We forget how truely odd our medicine is to fresh eyes. So

hang in there, learn it and get in the clinic and really see what are medicine

is.

Be well,

Bob

www.acuherbals.com

 

michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley wrote:

Hi everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York. I

have been

fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open houses.

However, as

much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I have

had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I understand

it, I find it

incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in school.

Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Michael,

 

Indeed, much of the literature for TCM is dry. I think this is especially true

if you're trying to learn by reading these books, without being in class. I

believe they will come to life more, when you are in class and begin to

understand the theory more, and have opportunities to ask your teachers about

what you are reading.

 

Remember, you are in medical school, and the books are not written in such a way

as to entertain. Much of my own difficulty with the texts came early on too,

when all of the terminology was new - and even translated differently by our

various authors.

 

I used to tutor my brother and sister students while I was still a student

myself, starting in my second year, and it was apparent to me that terminology

and theory were the biggest hurdles to new students. New language was also a

hurdle for many. Still others struggled with anatomy, or with all the data to

memorize for herbs, or locating acupuncture points. From my teaching

experience, I can offer you these suggestions:

 

1) Do not worry. All of this new stuff will come together in time, and your

comprehension and understanding will improve and speed up. As new concepts

begin to make sense and dovetail with each other, your enthusiasm will increase.

 

2) Keep reviewing. You are on a steep learning curve, and everything will build

on material you're learned previously.

 

3) Discover how you learn best. Everyone has their own unique strengths and

weaknesses, and this shapes which learning styles are more easy, or natural, for

each of us. Some of us learn better by hearing, some by seeing, and some by

touching or smelling (sort of sounds like some of the 4 pillars, yes?). For

instance, I am very visual and auditory, but not tactile. I discovered I

learned best by hearing, so I would repeat information aloud so I could hear it.

It also helped me to remember herbs better if I could smell and see them, so I

always had my samples on hand when I was studying them.

 

4) If a concept is confusing or hard to wrap your mind around, ask for help with

it. Ask your teachers, ask interns in the clinic, seek a tutor. The earlier

you can resolve a point of confusion, the easier your later studies will be.

 

5) Find a clinic to assist or observe in, as early as possible. It will help

you enormously in your understanding of how all the questions and observations

shape a diagnosis, and how to put together a treatment plan. It will also help

boost your confidence in this medicine, and when you see miracles occur right

before your eyes, it will inspire you to be the best practitioner (and student)

you can be. During your school time, spend time in a number of different

clinics to increase your exposure to varying styles and specialties of practice.

And pay close attention to what styles and teachers you are drawn to, and see if

you can develop a mentoring relationship with those people.

 

Remember, Ted Kaptchuk is a researcher, and he has been instrumental in helping

to bridge the gap of understanding between TCM and medical doctors, so I imagine

this plays a part in his writing style. Take it with a grain of salt, relax,

and reassure yourself that you can learn this, even if it is a bit dry. Make

sure you take good care of yourself, and participate in other activities that

nourish you, so you won't suddenly feel as if your entire life is dry and

unfamiliar.

 

Good luck in your studies. Find a way to make them fun and interesting! If you

have further questions, feel free to contact me privately.

 

Blessings,

Andrea Beth

 

 

Traditional Oriental Medicine

753 N. Main Street, Suite C-1

Cottonwood, AZ 86326

(928) 274-1373

 

 

 

michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley wrote: Hi everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York. I

have been

fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open houses.

However, as

much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I have

had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I understand

it, I find it

incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in school.

Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

Subscribe to the free online journal for TCM at Times

http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com

 

Help build the world's largest online encyclopedia for Chinese medicine and

acupuncture, click, http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/wiki/CMTpedia

 

 

and adjust

accordingly.

 

 

 

Please consider the environment and only print this message if absolutely

necessary.

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much. This is a huge life change for me, as with anyone going

back to

school, and the idea of having a hard time reading this book made me question if

this was

the right path. True, I am not researcher like the author, but in application

and working

with people, I can see the benefits. Thank you for the words of encouragement!

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Bob Linde, AP, Herbalist "

<boblindeherbalist wrote:

>

> I remember being told to read that book and not getting more than half way

through.

My thoughts at the time revolved around....gee I hope this isn't what we are

learning....I

struggled through my first six months, memorizing everything but it made no

sense to me

since we were not yet in the clinic. I gave myself the next six months and said

if it didn't

get better I would quit. After a few days in clinic it all made sense.

Everything that we

learned in theory classes started to gel. I come from a western science

background and a

very hands on type of learner, so until someone could show me a real world

example of

what was taught in class it was just weird words. Strange words like yin yang

qi, ideas of

organ relationships to times of the year and colors, how crazy is this stuff. We

forget how

truely odd our medicine is to fresh eyes. So hang in there, learn it and get in

the clinic and

really see what are medicine is.

> Be well,

> Bob

> www.acuherbals.com

>

> michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York.

I have

been

> fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open

houses.

However, as

> much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I

have

> had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

> recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I

understand it, I

find it

> incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in

school.

> Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

> can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it

now.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Andrea,

 

Thank you for understanding. I didn't want to give the impression that I found

the

material " out there " . I understand the theory, but since I am not in school as

of this

moment, I haven't had the experience of having to talk about what I am reading.

I just

needed to hear from some of you that being in school and eventually in a clinic

will help

the reading material come full circle!

 

I appreciate your time responding to my post!

 

Best-

Mike

 

Chinese Medicine ,

< wrote:

>

> Hi Michael,

>

> Indeed, much of the literature for TCM is dry. I think this is especially

true if you're

trying to learn by reading these books, without being in class. I believe they

will come to

life more, when you are in class and begin to understand the theory more, and

have

opportunities to ask your teachers about what you are reading.

>

> Remember, you are in medical school, and the books are not written in such a

way as to

entertain. Much of my own difficulty with the texts came early on too, when all

of the

terminology was new - and even translated differently by our various authors.

>

> I used to tutor my brother and sister students while I was still a student

myself, starting

in my second year, and it was apparent to me that terminology and theory were

the

biggest hurdles to new students. New language was also a hurdle for many.

Still others

struggled with anatomy, or with all the data to memorize for herbs, or locating

acupuncture points. From my teaching experience, I can offer you these

suggestions:

>

> 1) Do not worry. All of this new stuff will come together in time, and your

comprehension and understanding will improve and speed up. As new concepts

begin to

make sense and dovetail with each other, your enthusiasm will increase.

>

> 2) Keep reviewing. You are on a steep learning curve, and everything will

build on

material you're learned previously.

>

> 3) Discover how you learn best. Everyone has their own unique strengths and

weaknesses, and this shapes which learning styles are more easy, or natural, for

each of

us. Some of us learn better by hearing, some by seeing, and some by touching or

smelling

(sort of sounds like some of the 4 pillars, yes?). For instance, I am very

visual and

auditory, but not tactile. I discovered I learned best by hearing, so I would

repeat

information aloud so I could hear it. It also helped me to remember herbs

better if I could

smell and see them, so I always had my samples on hand when I was studying them.

>

> 4) If a concept is confusing or hard to wrap your mind around, ask for help

with it. Ask

your teachers, ask interns in the clinic, seek a tutor. The earlier you can

resolve a point of

confusion, the easier your later studies will be.

>

> 5) Find a clinic to assist or observe in, as early as possible. It will help

you enormously

in your understanding of how all the questions and observations shape a

diagnosis, and

how to put together a treatment plan. It will also help boost your confidence

in this

medicine, and when you see miracles occur right before your eyes, it will

inspire you to be

the best practitioner (and student) you can be. During your school time, spend

time in a

number of different clinics to increase your exposure to varying styles and

specialties of

practice. And pay close attention to what styles and teachers you are drawn to,

and see if

you can develop a mentoring relationship with those people.

>

> Remember, Ted Kaptchuk is a researcher, and he has been instrumental in

helping to

bridge the gap of understanding between TCM and medical doctors, so I imagine

this

plays a part in his writing style. Take it with a grain of salt, relax, and

reassure yourself

that you can learn this, even if it is a bit dry. Make sure you take good care

of yourself,

and participate in other activities that nourish you, so you won't suddenly feel

as if your

entire life is dry and unfamiliar.

>

> Good luck in your studies. Find a way to make them fun and interesting! If

you have

further questions, feel free to contact me privately.

>

> Blessings,

> Andrea Beth

>

>

> Traditional Oriental Medicine

> 753 N. Main Street, Suite C-1

> Cottonwood, AZ 86326

> (928) 274-1373

>

>

>

> michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley wrote: Hi everyone,

>

> I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York.

I have

been

> fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open

houses.

However, as

> much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I

have

> had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

> recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I

understand it, I

find it

> incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in

school.

> Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

> can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

>

>

>

>

>

> ---

>

> Subscribe to the free online journal for TCM at Times

http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com

>

> Help build the world's largest online encyclopedia for Chinese medicine and

acupuncture, click, http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/wiki/CMTpedia

>

>

and adjust

accordingly.

>

> Messages are the property of the author. Any duplication outside the group

requires

prior permission from the author.

>

> Please consider the environment and only print this message if absolutely

necessary.

[Guest guest]

Although the Web that has no Weaver is often recommended to people who are

interested in CM as a good place to start, my experience is that the first four

chapters are the ones that are good for the beginner. The rest of the book

becomes too technical. Don't freak out. Start school and at the end of your

first year re-read the book on your break. It will make much more sense. PCOM,

as most schools, are designed to teach TCM to a population that has no

experience with the ideas and philosophies that make the foundation for the

medicine.

Good luck and take a deep breath. You will be fine. Welcome to the life

changing world of . You will never be the same.

 

Douglas Knapp

Doctoral Fellow, L.Ac.

Full Moon Acupuncture

1600 York Avenue

New York, NY 10028

212-734-1459

 

 

 

 

michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley

Chinese Medicine

Friday, May 9, 2008 3:14:42 PM

Questions from a prospective student

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York. I

have been

fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open houses.

However, as

much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I have

had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I understand

it, I find it

incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in school.

Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

 

 

[Guest guest]

I found the book tedious too and have to admit I never actually read

the entire book through. Being in school,immersed in the TCM culture is

very different from trying to read a book at home alone. Having said

that, expect your enthusiasm to be depleted during school! There's a

lot of rote memorization, which is very important but incredibly

boring. Once you get into clinic and start applying the information it

gets interesting again.

Good luck and keep asking questions

 

Geraldine Shute, LAc

[Guest guest]

Michael-

 

It was a change of life for me too; I began school at age 41. What I discovered

was that the training meant more to older students, than it did to our

twenty-something classmates. Good luck and best wishes. It is a worthwhile

journey.

 

Blessings,

 

 

michaelphilipomalley <michaelphilipomalley wrote: Thank you very

much. This is a huge life change for me, as with anyone going back to

school, and the idea of having a hard time reading this book made me question if

this was

the right path. True, I am not researcher like the author, but in application

and working

with people, I can see the benefits. Thank you for the words of encouragement!

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Bob Linde, AP, Herbalist "

wrote:

>

> I remember being told to read that book and not getting more than half way

through.

My thoughts at the time revolved around....gee I hope this isn't what we are

learning....I

struggled through my first six months, memorizing everything but it made no

sense to me

since we were not yet in the clinic. I gave myself the next six months and said

if it didn't

get better I would quit. After a few days in clinic it all made sense.

Everything that we

learned in theory classes started to gel. I come from a western science

background and a

very hands on type of learner, so until someone could show me a real world

example of

what was taught in class it was just weird words. Strange words like yin yang

qi, ideas of

organ relationships to times of the year and colors, how crazy is this stuff. We

forget how

truely odd our medicine is to fresh eyes. So hang in there, learn it and get in

the clinic and

really see what are medicine is.

> Be well,

> Bob

> www.acuherbals.com

>

> michaelphilipomalley wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New York.

I have

been

> fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open

houses.

However, as

> much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to admit

that I

have

> had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of the

most

> recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I

understand it, I

find it

> incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in

school.

> Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may be

depleted if I

> can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it

now.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I felt that way before I started school, I guess because I wanted to read so

many other things before I started, but once in school 'the web' is an

amazing book but 'too brief' you will see when you hit your first courses.

 

I am on Long Island. I'm also making a big life change, I am a 'western

doctor' taking a whole change in approach. I LOVE school. I found the first

100 pages The Foundations of : A Comprehensive Text for

Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Second Edition (Hardcover)

by

<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8 & search

-type=ss & index=books & field-author=Giovanni%20Maciocia> Giovanni Maciocia to

be the hardest but once I really got those everything else was easier.

There is a lot of memorization and concepts. They aren't 'out there' just

different. Brilliant really.

 

Are you doing the Herbology portion too?

 

I don't know much about your school. I know more about the California one

than the nyc one. I know being older I am more serious than some of the

younger kids but I also have a lot more complications like work and kids

etc.

 

 

 

Good luck. If you have any questions you can email me. Too bad you aren't at

my school. They are awesome.

 

Nancy

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

michaelphilipomalley

Friday, May 09, 2008 3:15 PM

Chinese Medicine

Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the MSTOM program at Pacific College in New

York. I have been

fascinated with TCM and did a lot of research online as well as at open

houses. However, as

much as I am excited about the profession and helping people, I have to

admit that I have

had a hard time reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, one of

the most

recommended books I come across when I have visited schools. While I

understand it, I find it

incredibly tedious and am worried that I will have the problem with the

coursework in school.

Has anyone else felt this way?! I guess I am worried that my enthusiasm may

be depleted if I

can't through one of the most important books for acupuncture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I remember my first semester in TCM school, and I totally relate to

your confusion. I also had trouble with the " web " book, and frankly,

it may have been remarkable for being one of the first books to talk

about tcm theory, but i don't think it's a good book for a student to

read alone without discussion. I like giovanni's book MUCH better.

He tries to create charts, pictures, and uses imagery and examples in

his text to illustrate some of the more difficult concepts. Just

remember that TCM is about patterns and is very associative, not

reductionist as is western medicine. It really helped me to form

pictures, visualizations, and associations when studying TCM. With

herbs, take out the herb sample, smell it and make charts with the

taste flavors channels etc to help you remember them. The chinese

herb name helped me remeber the herb a lot! after you do this, a

pattern will emerge out of all the chaos ; - )! for instance, hong

hua means " red flower " a visual description that will help with

memorizations. look beyond the recommeded text resources... there are

some great books that have TCM herbal medical lore and legends

related to herbs and acupuncture. Also, if you don't understand a

concept the first time around, just hang in there... over time it

will become more clear. Also, just remember that there are also a

lot of exceptions, and patterns that appear similar, and that

sometimes there is no specific reason for it as there is in western

medicine, you just have to be familiar with the pattern and remember

it. Good Luck with your studies in TCM!

[Guest guest]

I agree Giovanni is an amazing text.

 

What are these herbal books you speak of? And if you don't know Chinese it

makes learning the herbs much harder!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

shamanist1

Monday, May 12, 2008 12:35 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

I remember my first semester in TCM school, and I totally relate to

your confusion. I also had trouble with the " web " book, and frankly,

it may have been remarkable for being one of the first books to talk

about tcm theory, but i don't think it's a good book for a student to

read alone without discussion. I like giovanni's book MUCH better.

He tries to create charts, pictures, and uses imagery and examples in

his text to illustrate some of the more difficult concepts. Just

remember that TCM is about patterns and is very associative, not

reductionist as is western medicine. It really helped me to form

pictures, visualizations, and associations when studying TCM. With

herbs, take out the herb sample, smell it and make charts with the

taste flavors channels etc to help you remember them. The chinese

herb name helped me remeber the herb a lot! after you do this, a

pattern will emerge out of all the chaos ; - )! for instance, hong

hua means " red flower " a visual description that will help with

memorizations. look beyond the recommeded text resources... there are

some great books that have TCM herbal medical lore and legends

related to herbs and acupuncture. Also, if you don't understand a

concept the first time around, just hang in there... over time it

will become more clear. Also, just remember that there are also a

lot of exceptions, and patterns that appear similar, and that

sometimes there is no specific reason for it as there is in western

medicine, you just have to be familiar with the pattern and remember

it. Good Luck with your studies in TCM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Nancy,

The Chinese medical field is vast, and the original post about

" The Web That Has No Weaver " makes one simple error. There isn't and

shouldn't be one book that sums up the subject of Chinese medicine.

It takes a wide variety of texts and study time to begin any

conversance on the subject at all. A big problem among students is

attaching too much to one book and thinking that all the answers are

in it. An education in Chinese medicine is a beginning to hopefully a

life-long journey, where one learns more and more about the phenomenon

we call human life and health. This requires a devotion to the

subject and exposure to a wide variety of texts, teachers and the

philosophy that is embedded in the subject.

 

 

 

On May 11, 2008, at 4:52 PM, Nancy Tice wrote:

 

> I felt that way before I started school, I guess because I wanted to

> read so

> many other things before I started, but once in school 'the web' is an

> amazing book but 'too brief' you will see when you hit your first

> courses.

>

> I am on Long Island. I'm also making a big life change, I am a

> 'western

> doctor' taking a whole change in approach. I LOVE school. I found

> the first

> 100 pages The Foundations of : A Comprehensive Text

> for

> Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Second Edition (Hardcover)

> by

 

 

Chair, Department of Herbal Medicine

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

San Diego, Ca. 92122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I wasn't the original poster relying only on 'the web' though I refer to it

as a book and like it I read many books.

 

 

 

I was asking someone who mentioned using the Chinese names of herbs as an

easy way to remember them. That's great if you understand Chinese J

 

I was still curious about what the other books other than the Materica

Medica and the obvious 'flash cad' type books of formulas they were

referring to.

 

 

 

Being a physician I am aware that studying is a lifelong never ending

pursuit. A book that speaks well to me may not speak well to you. Sometimes

I need to read things in 2 or 3 sources before I feel I can 'own it'.

 

That said The Foundations of : by Giovanni Maciocia is an

amazing first text. I love the charts, the summary boxes. It helped that I

had an amazing professor but there is a reason the book is so widely used.

 

 

 

I don't think anyone would argue that the 'Web' is a wonderful read with

wonderful explanations but obviously not in-depth enough to give someone a

solid foundation in 'fundamentals'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Z'ev

Rosenberg

Monday, May 12, 2008 1:54 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Nancy,

The Chinese medical field is vast, and the original post about

" The Web That Has No Weaver " makes one simple error. There isn't and

shouldn't be one book that sums up the subject of Chinese medicine.

It takes a wide variety of texts and study time to begin any

conversance on the subject at all. A big problem among students is

attaching too much to one book and thinking that all the answers are

in it. An education in Chinese medicine is a beginning to hopefully a

life-long journey, where one learns more and more about the phenomenon

we call human life and health. This requires a devotion to the

subject and exposure to a wide variety of texts, teachers and the

philosophy that is embedded in the subject.

 

 

 

On May 11, 2008, at 4:52 PM, Nancy Tice wrote:

 

> I felt that way before I started school, I guess because I wanted to

> read so

> many other things before I started, but once in school 'the web' is an

> amazing book but 'too brief' you will see when you hit your first

> courses.

>

> I am on Long Island. I'm also making a big life change, I am a

> 'western

> doctor' taking a whole change in approach. I LOVE school. I found

> the first

> 100 pages The Foundations of : A Comprehensive Text

> for

> Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Second Edition (Hardcover)

> by

 

 

Chair, Department of Herbal Medicine

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

San Diego, Ca. 92122

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

You've said two things that caught my attention in your last two posts. Despite

leaving medical school at the University of Texas in my 3rd year to pursue other

graduate work, I had a very enlightening time with my cohort of prospective MDs.

I was an older student (late 30s) who functioned as a tutor to some of my cohort

and made myself " own " a lot of information along the way.

 

You spoke first of " loving " medical school in Chinese medicine and also " owning "

information, perspectives and insights. I really admire your expressions of

this. Owning and introjecting a paradigm and it's parts into your own mind and

personality speaks deeply to the nature of teaching and practicing a science.

 

My parents were professional scientists, so I came to see this from many

perspectives. Our home was a multi-phase laboratory and inventor's workshop.

In my adulthood I came to see my own body as a part of this extended laboratory.

I sense that you see this in yourself as well. We can be scholars and own

knowledge. We can also be practitioners of various practices and professions

and own that in the realm of our personal habits. Examples would be our

lifestyle habits as well as the habits of our professions.

 

I think any prospective student does well to " see through the eyes " of their

professors as well as through the eyes of their accomplished professional cohort

out at the end of their training. I've used the sight of my teachers, parents

and professional elders throughout my life to steer my life in the direction in

which I hoped to go. Arriving beyond those thresholds of training is always

more rewarding than expected.

 

Thanks so much for your uplifting posts.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

RE: Questions from a prospective student

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

 

I wasn't the original poster relying only on 'the web' though I refer to it

as a book and like it I read many books.

 

I was asking someone who mentioned using the Chinese names of herbs as an

easy way to remember them. That's great if you understand Chinese J

 

I was still curious about what the other books other than the Materica

Medica and the obvious 'flash cad' type books of formulas they were

referring to.

 

Being a physician I am aware that studying is a lifelong never ending

pursuit. A book that speaks well to me may not speak well to you. Sometimes

I need to read things in 2 or 3 sources before I feel I can 'own it'.

 

That said The Foundations of : by Giovanni Maciocia is an

amazing first text. I love the charts, the summary boxes. It helped that I

had an amazing professor but there is a reason the book is so widely used.

 

I don't think anyone would argue that the 'Web' is a wonderful read with

wonderful explanations but obviously not in-depth enough to give someone a

solid foundation in 'fundamentals'.

 

 

[Guest guest]

You're welcome and thank you for getting what I was trying to say. I've made

so many changes since starting school. I ask a lot of questions in class

but I make sure to state that when I do I am not challenging but trying to

understand, because I see myself as the empty sponge and the professor as

the giant ocean of knowledge.

 

I have gone to a TCM practioner myself , etc.

 

That was pretty brave of you to leave medical school in the third year. One

more year and you would have had the degree. You wouldn't have had to do the

residency. What graduate work did you pursue?

 

My father retired at 82!!!!! He was always reading journals. My grandfather

was a family practioner during the depression. You know the kind of doctor

who took care of patients in exchange for a chicken, or whatever a patient

could offer. Those weren't just 'tales'. My father as a boy would often let

the patients in. sometimes they would bring him a book or something as well.

Amazing how everyone managed to get taken care of. The depression and the

way my grandfather practiced medicine had a huge impact on my father.

 

He joined the Army so that he could go to medical school to (they paid for

school if you got in-but one failed exam and you were overseas!)

 

He encouraged us to be doctors, for the privilege of caring for others, for

the life long learning and because as he put it 'you won't get rich but

you'll always eat' which obviously came from his years growing up in the

depression. He's 86 now and in great health with his memory intact. He has

good essence!!

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Emmanuel

Segmen

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 1:23 AM

Chinese Medicine

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

You've said two things that caught my attention in your last two posts.

Despite leaving medical school at the University of Texas in my 3rd year to

pursue other graduate work, I had a very enlightening time with my cohort of

prospective MDs. I was an older student (late 30s) who functioned as a tutor

to some of my cohort and made myself " own " a lot of information along the

way.

 

You spoke first of " loving " medical school in Chinese medicine and also

" owning " information, perspectives and insights. I really admire your

expressions of this. Owning and introjecting a paradigm and it's parts into

your own mind and personality speaks deeply to the nature of teaching and

practicing a science.

 

My parents were professional scientists, so I came to see this from many

perspectives. Our home was a multi-phase laboratory and inventor's workshop.

In my adulthood I came to see my own body as a part of this extended

laboratory. I sense that you see this in yourself as well. We can be

scholars and own knowledge. We can also be practitioners of various

practices and professions and own that in the realm of our personal habits.

Examples would be our lifestyle habits as well as the habits of our

professions.

 

I think any prospective student does well to " see through the eyes " of their

professors as well as through the eyes of their accomplished professional

cohort out at the end of their training. I've used the sight of my teachers,

parents and professional elders throughout my life to steer my life in the

direction in which I hoped to go. Arriving beyond those thresholds of

training is always more rewarding than expected.

 

Thanks so much for your uplifting posts.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

RE: Questions from a prospective student

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

 

I wasn't the original poster relying only on 'the web' though I refer to it

as a book and like it I read many books.

 

I was asking someone who mentioned using the Chinese names of herbs as an

easy way to remember them. That's great if you understand Chinese J

 

I was still curious about what the other books other than the Materica

Medica and the obvious 'flash cad' type books of formulas they were

referring to.

 

Being a physician I am aware that studying is a lifelong never ending

pursuit. A book that speaks well to me may not speak well to you. Sometimes

I need to read things in 2 or 3 sources before I feel I can 'own it'.

 

That said The Foundations of : by Giovanni Maciocia is an

amazing first text. I love the charts, the summary boxes. It helped that I

had an amazing professor but there is a reason the book is so widely used.

 

I don't think anyone would argue that the 'Web' is a wonderful read with

wonderful explanations but obviously not in-depth enough to give someone a

solid foundation in 'fundamentals'.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Wonderful to hear of your family and your influences. Good essence indeed with

regard to your dad. My dad passed at 92 and my mom at 87. They were early

deaths for both lineages. Before my mom came to America she had been her

grandmother's wildcrafter of meadow and forest herbs. Her grandmother was the

village doctor and midwife though her training was more like what you are

getting now. Their home was near a village now called Panagyurishte, Bulgaria.

In those days it was Macedonia.

 

Thank you for your compliments regarding my courage. I was trying to become my

great grandmother, but I kept getting better scores and results than any of my

cohort on the way to my personal goals. That led to people encouraging me to

take " just one more step " in the American paradigm of being a doctor instead of

along the pathway my soul was pulling me. I did manage to rescue myself from

the American fates of what we now call medicine and did manage in my own way to

become my great grandmother. I sense that you understand me and that on many

levels you are treading along a parallel pathway in your own joyful manner.

Congratulations.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

-------------------------

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

That was pretty brave of you to leave medical school in the third year. One

more year and you would have had the degree. You wouldn't have had to do the

residency. What graduate work did you pursue?

 

My father retired at 82!!!!! He was always reading journals. My grandfather

was a family practioner during the depression. You know the kind of doctor

who took care of patients in exchange for a chicken, or whatever a patient

could offer. Those weren't just 'tales'. My father as a boy would often let

the patients in. sometimes they would bring him a book or something as well.

Amazing how everyone managed to get taken care of. The depression and the

way my grandfather practiced medicine had a huge impact on my father.

 

He joined the Army so that he could go to medical school to (they paid for

school if you got in-but one failed exam and you were overseas!)

 

He encouraged us to be doctors, for the privilege of caring for others, for

the life long learning and because as he put it 'you won't get rich but

you'll always eat' which obviously came from his years growing up in the

depression. He's 86 now and in great health with his memory intact. He has

good essence!!

 

 

[Guest guest]

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

 

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!

 

 

 

 

Project Title:

 

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on food allergy

 

 

 

 

PI Information:

 

Name

 

 

 

Title

 

 

LI, XIU-MIN

 

<xiu-min.li

 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

 

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Peanut allergy (PNA) is one

of the major causes of fatal and near fatal food induced-anaphylactic

reactions and at this time there is no definitive therapy. The need to

develop treatments for PNA and other food allergies is urgent and

challenging. Traditional , one of the oldest medical

practices in the world, has benefited patients for thousands of years in

China and herbal medicines have been suggested as potential herbal

interventions for treating allergic disorders. Previous studies showed that

Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-I blocked systemic anaphylactic symptoms

and histamine release, reduced mast cell degranulation, PN-specific serum

IgE and Th2 cytokine secretion, and had no toxic effects on liver or kidney

functions in a murine model of PNA, all of which could be of benefit to

peanut allergic patients. Thus, the overall goals of this project are to

further investigate Chinese herbal medicine for treating food allergy and to

explore the mechanisms of its effects by pursuing three specific aims.

Studies in Aim # 1 will minimize the number of herbs in FAHF-1 (11 herbs) in

order to generate a simplified formula (sFHAF) to increase ease of

standardization and safety profiles of the herbal product. One newly

developed sFAHF (FAHF-2) containing 9 herbs shows therapeutic efficacy

equivalent to that of FAHF-1 in the mouse model of PNA. Further reduction in

the number of herbs in FAHF-2 will be carried out based upon preliminary

data on the effects of the individual herbs in FAHF-2 to determine if sFAHF

containing 1 to 3 herbs will have therapeutic effects comparable to FAHF-2.

If a simplified formula is equivalent, more rigorous standardization methods

will be performed to effectively monitor the quality of herbal product, as

well as safety assessment. Aim#2 will determine the effects of sFHAF tested

in Aim#1 on murine T cells including Th1, Th2 and Th3 cells and on human T

cells and basophils from peanut allergic patients. In Aim #3, Phase I and II

clinical studies will be initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of

the sFHAF in human PNA. These clinical studies will be double blind,

randomized, placebo controlled and multiple dose trials in peanut allergic

patients. Accomplishing these aims will be of fundamental importance in

validating the possible clinical usefulness of Chinese herbal medicine in

PNA, and understanding the mechanisms of actions. These studies may lead to

a novel approach for treating PNA, and other IgE mediated food allergies.

 

Public Health Relevance:

This Public Health Relevance is not available.

 

Thesaurus Terms:

alternative medicine, antiallergic agent, folk medicine, food

hypersensitivity, human therapy evaluation, medicinal plant, nonhuman

therapy evaluation, plant extract

clinical trial phase I, clinical trial phase II, dosage forms, drug adverse

effect, drug screening /evaluation, peanut

clinical research, human subject, laboratory mouse, patient oriented

research, placebo

 

 

Institution:

 

MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF NYU

 

 

OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

 

 

NEW YORK, NY 100296574

 

 

Fiscal Year:

 

2006

 

 

Department:

 

PEDIATRICS

 

 

Project Start:

 

01-JAN-2004

 

 

Project End:

 

31-DEC-2007

 

 

ICD:

 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

 

 

IRG:

 

IMS

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Emmanuel

Segmen

Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:09 PM

Chinese Medicine

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Wonderful to hear of your family and your influences. Good essence indeed

with regard to your dad. My dad passed at 92 and my mom at 87. They were

early deaths for both lineages. Before my mom came to America she had been

her grandmother's wildcrafter of meadow and forest herbs. Her grandmother

was the village doctor and midwife though her training was more like what

you are getting now. Their home was near a village now called Panagyurishte,

Bulgaria. In those days it was Macedonia.

 

Thank you for your compliments regarding my courage. I was trying to become

my great grandmother, but I kept getting better scores and results than any

of my cohort on the way to my personal goals. That led to people encouraging

me to take " just one more step " in the American paradigm of being a doctor

instead of along the pathway my soul was pulling me. I did manage to rescue

myself from the American fates of what we now call medicine and did manage

in my own way to become my great grandmother. I sense that you understand me

and that on many levels you are treading along a parallel pathway in your

own joyful manner. Congratulations.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

-------------------------

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

That was pretty brave of you to leave medical school in the third year. One

more year and you would have had the degree. You wouldn't have had to do the

residency. What graduate work did you pursue?

 

My father retired at 82!!!!! He was always reading journals. My grandfather

was a family practioner during the depression. You know the kind of doctor

who took care of patients in exchange for a chicken, or whatever a patient

could offer. Those weren't just 'tales'. My father as a boy would often let

the patients in. sometimes they would bring him a book or something as well.

Amazing how everyone managed to get taken care of. The depression and the

way my grandfather practiced medicine had a huge impact on my father.

 

He joined the Army so that he could go to medical school to (they paid for

school if you got in-but one failed exam and you were overseas!)

 

He encouraged us to be doctors, for the privilege of caring for others, for

the life long learning and because as he put it 'you won't get rich but

you'll always eat' which obviously came from his years growing up in the

depression. He's 86 now and in great health with his memory intact. He has

good essence!!

 

 

[Guest guest]

The world is changing - my brother, a western medical doctor (allergist), sent

me a copy of the research being performed with this specific chinese herbal

formula for the peanut allergies a while back.

 

Joyce

 

-

Nancy Tice

Chinese Medicine

Friday, May 16, 2008 7:22 PM

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!

 

Project Title:

 

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on food allergy

 

PI Information:

 

Name

 

Title

 

 

LI, XIU-MIN

 

<xiu-min.li

 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

 

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Peanut allergy (PNA) is one

of the major causes of fatal and near fatal food induced-anaphylactic

reactions and at this time there is no definitive therapy. The need to

develop treatments for PNA and other food allergies is urgent and

challenging. Traditional , one of the oldest medical

practices in the world, has benefited patients for thousands of years in

China and herbal medicines have been suggested as potential herbal

interventions for treating allergic disorders. Previous studies showed that

Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-I blocked systemic anaphylactic symptoms

and histamine release, reduced mast cell degranulation, PN-specific serum

IgE and Th2 cytokine secretion, and had no toxic effects on liver or kidney

functions in a murine model of PNA, all of which could be of benefit to

peanut allergic patients. Thus, the overall goals of this project are to

further investigate Chinese herbal medicine for treating food allergy and to

explore the mechanisms of its effects by pursuing three specific aims.

Studies in Aim # 1 will minimize the number of herbs in FAHF-1 (11 herbs) in

order to generate a simplified formula (sFHAF) to increase ease of

standardization and safety profiles of the herbal product. One newly

developed sFAHF (FAHF-2) containing 9 herbs shows therapeutic efficacy

equivalent to that of FAHF-1 in the mouse model of PNA. Further reduction in

the number of herbs in FAHF-2 will be carried out based upon preliminary

data on the effects of the individual herbs in FAHF-2 to determine if sFAHF

containing 1 to 3 herbs will have therapeutic effects comparable to FAHF-2.

If a simplified formula is equivalent, more rigorous standardization methods

will be performed to effectively monitor the quality of herbal product, as

well as safety assessment. Aim#2 will determine the effects of sFHAF tested

in Aim#1 on murine T cells including Th1, Th2 and Th3 cells and on human T

cells and basophils from peanut allergic patients. In Aim #3, Phase I and II

clinical studies will be initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of

the sFHAF in human PNA. These clinical studies will be double blind,

randomized, placebo controlled and multiple dose trials in peanut allergic

patients. Accomplishing these aims will be of fundamental importance in

validating the possible clinical usefulness of Chinese herbal medicine in

PNA, and understanding the mechanisms of actions. These studies may lead to

a novel approach for treating PNA, and other IgE mediated food allergies.

 

Public Health Relevance:

This Public Health Relevance is not available.

 

Thesaurus Terms:

alternative medicine, antiallergic agent, folk medicine, food

hypersensitivity, human therapy evaluation, medicinal plant, nonhuman

therapy evaluation, plant extract

clinical trial phase I, clinical trial phase II, dosage forms, drug adverse

effect, drug screening /evaluation, peanut

clinical research, human subject, laboratory mouse, patient oriented

research, placebo

 

Institution:

 

MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF NYU

 

 

OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

 

 

NEW YORK, NY 100296574

 

Fiscal Year:

 

2006

 

Department:

 

PEDIATRICS

 

Project Start:

 

01-JAN-2004

 

Project End:

 

31-DEC-2007

 

ICD:

 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

 

IRG:

 

IMS

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Emmanuel

Segmen

Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:09 PM

Chinese Medicine

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Wonderful to hear of your family and your influences. Good essence indeed

with regard to your dad. My dad passed at 92 and my mom at 87. They were

early deaths for both lineages. Before my mom came to America she had been

her grandmother's wildcrafter of meadow and forest herbs. Her grandmother

was the village doctor and midwife though her training was more like what

you are getting now. Their home was near a village now called Panagyurishte,

Bulgaria. In those days it was Macedonia.

 

Thank you for your compliments regarding my courage. I was trying to become

my great grandmother, but I kept getting better scores and results than any

of my cohort on the way to my personal goals. That led to people encouraging

me to take " just one more step " in the American paradigm of being a doctor

instead of along the pathway my soul was pulling me. I did manage to rescue

myself from the American fates of what we now call medicine and did manage

in my own way to become my great grandmother. I sense that you understand me

and that on many levels you are treading along a parallel pathway in your

own joyful manner. Congratulations.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

-------------------------

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

That was pretty brave of you to leave medical school in the third year. One

more year and you would have had the degree. You wouldn't have had to do the

residency. What graduate work did you pursue?

 

My father retired at 82!!!!! He was always reading journals. My grandfather

was a family practioner during the depression. You know the kind of doctor

who took care of patients in exchange for a chicken, or whatever a patient

could offer. Those weren't just 'tales'. My father as a boy would often let

the patients in. sometimes they would bring him a book or something as well.

Amazing how everyone managed to get taken care of. The depression and the

way my grandfather practiced medicine had a huge impact on my father.

 

He joined the Army so that he could go to medical school to (they paid for

school if you got in-but one failed exam and you were overseas!)

 

He encouraged us to be doctors, for the privilege of caring for others, for

the life long learning and because as he put it 'you won't get rich but

you'll always eat' which obviously came from his years growing up in the

depression. He's 86 now and in great health with his memory intact. He has

good essence!!

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Yes, I feel you could have been one of my medical school classmates back in the

1980s. We initiated many cooperative study methods under the guidance of our

big sisters and brothers (next class ahead of us.) We had a " scribe service " of

187 of the 223 classmates. I volunteered as the head of the runners. We had

people ( " recorders " ) at every lecture who audio recorded it and handed it off to

the " scribes " . The scribes would transcribe the lecture into written form,

print it out and hand it off to a " runner " . The runner would bring it to the

production center for copying and pick up the previous day's lectures and return

to the mailroom. I'd coordinate the runners at the student mailboxes to stuff

printed lectures there.

 

My particular class also had an additional group of engineers that I joined up

with. We changed every lecture into a series of questions (left column)

followed by answers (right column). It was like translating the lecture into a

Jeopardy game. The lecture-in-jeopardy-question-format was posted in the

library every day in two spiral-bound folders so people could come in and copy

them. In the same folders, people were encouraged to add their personal flow

charts or other diagrams and figures to help fellow students " see the big

picture " . I still to this day have many of those diagrams and figures. Imagine

how many diagrams and figures could be created by 223 highly talented people per

lecture!

 

You're the greatest, Nancy. Hold your classmate's hand, and she'll be your

friend for life as well as a caring practitioner. The other thing I mention to

my own students are the benefits of " active learning " . Teaching is the most

active form of learning, so the one who is presenting is the one who is learning

the best. That's another reason why successful medical students tend to run in

small cooperative groups. They each take turns looking the other classmates in

the eyes and explaining the medical concepts and nomenclature while the

classmates patiently listen and encourage.

 

I hope your skills at providing tutoring and cooperative learning flourish as a

common practice in your TCM school. I agree that competition is self-defeating

madness. Mutual respect and regard is the basis of community and makes it

possible to acquire knowledge and skills.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

P.S. I'm pleased to report that U.C. San Francisco medical students are not so

overwhelmed with scientism to not be curious about TCM. Many UC medical

students every year are intrigued by the TCM teachings at San Francisco's

American College of TCM, and they participate in the coop program between ACTCM

and UCSF. Maybe your TCM school can create a cooperative program with the local

WM school. Those who would see you as studying " voodoo " are such sad

characters. Maybe you could help them with their next bad cold or menstrual

discomfort. So easy to address with acupuncture and a formula. You don't win

friends from Western science with double-blind studies. You win them by

addressing their personal discomforts and/or assisting them in taking their next

step in Life.

---------------

RE: Questions from a prospective student

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

 

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

 

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!

 

 

[Guest guest]

Emmanuel,

 

I have a cousin who is thinking about quitting med school,

because she is disenchanted by their philosophies and methodologies.

 

Would you be so kind to share your experience and why you stopped going on

that route as well?

 

Thanks,

K.

 

 

 

On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 2:59 PM, Emmanuel Segmen <mrsegmen

wrote:

 

> Hi Dr. Nancy,

>

> Yes, I feel you could have been one of my medical school classmates back in

> the 1980s. We initiated many cooperative study methods under the guidance of

> our big sisters and brothers (next class ahead of us.) We had a " scribe

> service " of 187 of the 223 classmates. I volunteered as the head of the

> runners. We had people ( " recorders " ) at every lecture who audio recorded it

> and handed it off to the " scribes " . The scribes would transcribe the lecture

> into written form, print it out and hand it off to a " runner " . The runner

> would bring it to the production center for copying and pick up the previous

> day's lectures and return to the mailroom. I'd coordinate the runners at the

> student mailboxes to stuff printed lectures there.

>

> My particular class also had an additional group of engineers that I joined

> up with. We changed every lecture into a series of questions (left column)

> followed by answers (right column). It was like translating the lecture into

> a Jeopardy game. The lecture-in-jeopardy-question-format was posted in the

> library every day in two spiral-bound folders so people could come in and

> copy them. In the same folders, people were encouraged to add their personal

> flow charts or other diagrams and figures to help fellow students " see the

> big picture " . I still to this day have many of those diagrams and figures.

> Imagine how many diagrams and figures could be created by 223 highly

> talented people per lecture!

>

> You're the greatest, Nancy. Hold your classmate's hand, and she'll be your

> friend for life as well as a caring practitioner. The other thing I mention

> to my own students are the benefits of " active learning " . Teaching is the

> most active form of learning, so the one who is presenting is the one who is

> learning the best. That's another reason why successful medical students

> tend to run in small cooperative groups. They each take turns looking the

> other classmates in the eyes and explaining the medical concepts and

> nomenclature while the classmates patiently listen and encourage.

>

> I hope your skills at providing tutoring and cooperative learning flourish

> as a common practice in your TCM school. I agree that competition is

> self-defeating madness. Mutual respect and regard is the basis of community

> and makes it possible to acquire knowledge and skills.

>

> Respectfully and gratefully,

> Emmanuel Segmen

>

> P.S. I'm pleased to report that U.C. San Francisco medical students are not

> so overwhelmed with scientism to not be curious about TCM. Many UC medical

> students every year are intrigued by the TCM teachings at San Francisco's

> American College of TCM, and they participate in the coop program between

> ACTCM and UCSF. Maybe your TCM school can create a cooperative program with

> the local WM school. Those who would see you as studying " voodoo " are such

> sad characters. Maybe you could help them with their next bad cold or

> menstrual discomfort. So easy to address with acupuncture and a formula. You

> don't win friends from Western science with double-blind studies. You win

> them by addressing their personal discomforts and/or assisting them in

> taking their next step in Life.

> ---------------

> RE: Questions from a prospective student

> Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

>

> Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

> though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

> younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

> first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

> the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

> trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which

> I

> did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

> Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

> silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

> for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

> I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

>

> It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

> think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

> right thing.

>

> A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

> allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My

> friend

> is beyond thrilled.

>

> The world is changing slowly!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Joyce, that is great! I wish my son's allergist were so open!

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Joyce

Friday, May 16, 2008 5:31 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

The world is changing - my brother, a western medical doctor (allergist),

sent me a copy of the research being performed with this specific chinese

herbal formula for the peanut allergies a while back.

 

Joyce

 

-

Nancy Tice

Chinese Medicine

<Chinese Medicine%40>

Friday, May 16, 2008 7:22 PM

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!

 

Project Title:

 

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on food allergy

 

PI Information:

 

Name

 

Title

 

LI, XIU-MIN

 

<xiu-min.li <xiu-min.li%40mssm.edu> >

 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

 

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Peanut allergy (PNA) is one

of the major causes of fatal and near fatal food induced-anaphylactic

reactions and at this time there is no definitive therapy. The need to

develop treatments for PNA and other food allergies is urgent and

challenging. Traditional , one of the oldest medical

practices in the world, has benefited patients for thousands of years in

China and herbal medicines have been suggested as potential herbal

interventions for treating allergic disorders. Previous studies showed that

Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-I blocked systemic anaphylactic symptoms

and histamine release, reduced mast cell degranulation, PN-specific serum

IgE and Th2 cytokine secretion, and had no toxic effects on liver or kidney

functions in a murine model of PNA, all of which could be of benefit to

peanut allergic patients. Thus, the overall goals of this project are to

further investigate Chinese herbal medicine for treating food allergy and to

explore the mechanisms of its effects by pursuing three specific aims.

Studies in Aim # 1 will minimize the number of herbs in FAHF-1 (11 herbs) in

order to generate a simplified formula (sFHAF) to increase ease of

standardization and safety profiles of the herbal product. One newly

developed sFAHF (FAHF-2) containing 9 herbs shows therapeutic efficacy

equivalent to that of FAHF-1 in the mouse model of PNA. Further reduction in

the number of herbs in FAHF-2 will be carried out based upon preliminary

data on the effects of the individual herbs in FAHF-2 to determine if sFAHF

containing 1 to 3 herbs will have therapeutic effects comparable to FAHF-2.

If a simplified formula is equivalent, more rigorous standardization methods

will be performed to effectively monitor the quality of herbal product, as

well as safety assessment. Aim#2 will determine the effects of sFHAF tested

in Aim#1 on murine T cells including Th1, Th2 and Th3 cells and on human T

cells and basophils from peanut allergic patients. In Aim #3, Phase I and II

clinical studies will be initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of

the sFHAF in human PNA. These clinical studies will be double blind,

randomized, placebo controlled and multiple dose trials in peanut allergic

patients. Accomplishing these aims will be of fundamental importance in

validating the possible clinical usefulness of Chinese herbal medicine in

PNA, and understanding the mechanisms of actions. These studies may lead to

a novel approach for treating PNA, and other IgE mediated food allergies.

 

Public Health Relevance:

This Public Health Relevance is not available.

 

Thesaurus Terms:

alternative medicine, antiallergic agent, folk medicine, food

hypersensitivity, human therapy evaluation, medicinal plant, nonhuman

therapy evaluation, plant extract

clinical trial phase I, clinical trial phase II, dosage forms, drug adverse

effect, drug screening /evaluation, peanut

clinical research, human subject, laboratory mouse, patient oriented

research, placebo

 

Institution:

 

MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF NYU

 

OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

 

NEW YORK, NY 100296574

 

Fiscal Year:

 

2006

 

Department:

 

PEDIATRICS

 

Project Start:

 

01-JAN-2004

 

Project End:

 

31-DEC-2007

 

ICD:

 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

 

IRG:

 

IMS

 

Chinese Medicine

<Chinese Medicine%40>

[Chinese Medicine

<Chinese Medicine%40> ] On Behalf Of

Emmanuel

Segmen

Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:09 PM

Chinese Medicine

<Chinese Medicine%40>

RE: Questions from a prospective student

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Wonderful to hear of your family and your influences. Good essence indeed

with regard to your dad. My dad passed at 92 and my mom at 87. They were

early deaths for both lineages. Before my mom came to America she had been

her grandmother's wildcrafter of meadow and forest herbs. Her grandmother

was the village doctor and midwife though her training was more like what

you are getting now. Their home was near a village now called Panagyurishte,

Bulgaria. In those days it was Macedonia.

 

Thank you for your compliments regarding my courage. I was trying to become

my great grandmother, but I kept getting better scores and results than any

of my cohort on the way to my personal goals. That led to people encouraging

me to take " just one more step " in the American paradigm of being a doctor

instead of along the pathway my soul was pulling me. I did manage to rescue

myself from the American fates of what we now call medicine and did manage

in my own way to become my great grandmother. I sense that you understand me

and that on many levels you are treading along a parallel pathway in your

own joyful manner. Congratulations.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

-------------------------

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

That was pretty brave of you to leave medical school in the third year. One

more year and you would have had the degree. You wouldn't have had to do the

residency. What graduate work did you pursue?

 

My father retired at 82!!!!! He was always reading journals. My grandfather

was a family practioner during the depression. You know the kind of doctor

who took care of patients in exchange for a chicken, or whatever a patient

could offer. Those weren't just 'tales'. My father as a boy would often let

the patients in. sometimes they would bring him a book or something as well.

Amazing how everyone managed to get taken care of. The depression and the

way my grandfather practiced medicine had a huge impact on my father.

 

He joined the Army so that he could go to medical school to (they paid for

school if you got in-but one failed exam and you were overseas!)

 

He encouraged us to be doctors, for the privilege of caring for others, for

the life long learning and because as he put it 'you won't get rich but

you'll always eat' which obviously came from his years growing up in the

depression. He's 86 now and in great health with his memory intact. He has

good essence!!

 

 

[Guest guest]

Most of the voodoo comments come from lay people actually. One of the

schools in the city rotates through a western hospital. More and more

hospitals are having 'integrative departments'. Still when they wrote about

Dr. Li in 2006 and her brilliant herbal formula for Asthma they had to quote

a doctor about how complementary medicine was 'unlikely to be harmful, but

just as unlikely to be helpful!!!!!' if you google Dr. Li's full name you'll

see the usa today article come up with the quote.

 

 

 

Teaching is a great way to learn. So is talking outloud which is why my dog

is learning a lot of TCM LOL.

 

 

 

We also had a note taking service in med school but we weren't as creative

with the questions!

 

 

 

What part of the world are you located in again?

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Emmanuel

Segmen

Friday, May 16, 2008 5:59 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Yes, I feel you could have been one of my medical school classmates back in

the 1980s. We initiated many cooperative study methods under the guidance of

our big sisters and brothers (next class ahead of us.) We had a " scribe

service " of 187 of the 223 classmates. I volunteered as the head of the

runners. We had people ( " recorders " ) at every lecture who audio recorded it

and handed it off to the " scribes " . The scribes would transcribe the lecture

into written form, print it out and hand it off to a " runner " . The runner

would bring it to the production center for copying and pick up the previous

day's lectures and return to the mailroom. I'd coordinate the runners at the

student mailboxes to stuff printed lectures there.

 

My particular class also had an additional group of engineers that I joined

up with. We changed every lecture into a series of questions (left column)

followed by answers (right column). It was like translating the lecture into

a Jeopardy game. The lecture-in-jeopardy-question-format was posted in the

library every day in two spiral-bound folders so people could come in and

copy them. In the same folders, people were encouraged to add their personal

flow charts or other diagrams and figures to help fellow students " see the

big picture " . I still to this day have many of those diagrams and figures.

Imagine how many diagrams and figures could be created by 223 highly

talented people per lecture!

 

You're the greatest, Nancy. Hold your classmate's hand, and she'll be your

friend for life as well as a caring practitioner. The other thing I mention

to my own students are the benefits of " active learning " . Teaching is the

most active form of learning, so the one who is presenting is the one who is

learning the best. That's another reason why successful medical students

tend to run in small cooperative groups. They each take turns looking the

other classmates in the eyes and explaining the medical concepts and

nomenclature while the classmates patiently listen and encourage.

 

I hope your skills at providing tutoring and cooperative learning flourish

as a common practice in your TCM school. I agree that competition is

self-defeating madness. Mutual respect and regard is the basis of community

and makes it possible to acquire knowledge and skills.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

P.S. I'm pleased to report that U.C. San Francisco medical students are not

so overwhelmed with scientism to not be curious about TCM. Many UC medical

students every year are intrigued by the TCM teachings at San Francisco's

American College of TCM, and they participate in the coop program between

ACTCM and UCSF. Maybe your TCM school can create a cooperative program with

the local WM school. Those who would see you as studying " voodoo " are such

sad characters. Maybe you could help them with their next bad cold or

menstrual discomfort. So easy to address with acupuncture and a formula. You

don't win friends from Western science with double-blind studies. You win

them by addressing their personal discomforts and/or assisting them in

taking their next step in Life.

---------------

RE: Questions from a prospective student

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

 

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!

 

 

[Guest guest]

We're probably close in age. I started school in 86

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Emmanuel

Segmen

Friday, May 16, 2008 5:59 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: Questions from a prospective student

 

 

 

Hi Dr. Nancy,

 

Yes, I feel you could have been one of my medical school classmates back in

the 1980s. We initiated many cooperative study methods under the guidance of

our big sisters and brothers (next class ahead of us.) We had a " scribe

service " of 187 of the 223 classmates. I volunteered as the head of the

runners. We had people ( " recorders " ) at every lecture who audio recorded it

and handed it off to the " scribes " . The scribes would transcribe the lecture

into written form, print it out and hand it off to a " runner " . The runner

would bring it to the production center for copying and pick up the previous

day's lectures and return to the mailroom. I'd coordinate the runners at the

student mailboxes to stuff printed lectures there.

 

My particular class also had an additional group of engineers that I joined

up with. We changed every lecture into a series of questions (left column)

followed by answers (right column). It was like translating the lecture into

a Jeopardy game. The lecture-in-jeopardy-question-format was posted in the

library every day in two spiral-bound folders so people could come in and

copy them. In the same folders, people were encouraged to add their personal

flow charts or other diagrams and figures to help fellow students " see the

big picture " . I still to this day have many of those diagrams and figures.

Imagine how many diagrams and figures could be created by 223 highly

talented people per lecture!

 

You're the greatest, Nancy. Hold your classmate's hand, and she'll be your

friend for life as well as a caring practitioner. The other thing I mention

to my own students are the benefits of " active learning " . Teaching is the

most active form of learning, so the one who is presenting is the one who is

learning the best. That's another reason why successful medical students

tend to run in small cooperative groups. They each take turns looking the

other classmates in the eyes and explaining the medical concepts and

nomenclature while the classmates patiently listen and encourage.

 

I hope your skills at providing tutoring and cooperative learning flourish

as a common practice in your TCM school. I agree that competition is

self-defeating madness. Mutual respect and regard is the basis of community

and makes it possible to acquire knowledge and skills.

 

Respectfully and gratefully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

P.S. I'm pleased to report that U.C. San Francisco medical students are not

so overwhelmed with scientism to not be curious about TCM. Many UC medical

students every year are intrigued by the TCM teachings at San Francisco's

American College of TCM, and they participate in the coop program between

ACTCM and UCSF. Maybe your TCM school can create a cooperative program with

the local WM school. Those who would see you as studying " voodoo " are such

sad characters. Maybe you could help them with their next bad cold or

menstrual discomfort. So easy to address with acupuncture and a formula. You

don't win friends from Western science with double-blind studies. You win

them by addressing their personal discomforts and/or assisting them in

taking their next step in Life.

---------------

RE: Questions from a prospective student

Dr. Nancy Tice wrote:

 

Yes we are treading parallel pathways and I do understand you, and even

though I am pulled in many directions I too am doing better often than my

younger classmates that have more time. I am now in one class with some

first trimester students and I am taking great pleasure in helping them in

the courses I've already taken. The people I am in classes with this

trimester are so wonderful. Last trimester I had a competitive group which I

did not understand at all. Who wants their colleagues to not be competent?

Why wouldn't you want to help your classmates be the best they can be? So

silly! One is very nervous because she is making a major career shift but

for all the right reasons. I will hold her hand until she 'gets' it because

I think she will be a wonderful clinician one day.

 

It always takes courage to follow your path. I know many of my friends

think I am 'nuts' or learning 'voodo' but I know in my heart I am doing the

right thing.

 

A friend's child just got accepted into a study at mount Sinai for peanut

allergies. It's for a Chinese Herbal Formula invented by a Dr. Li. My friend

is beyond thrilled.

 

The world is changing slowly!!