Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Blog

Xu Chang Qing (Radix Cynanchi Paniculati) – paniculate swallowwort root

This herb dispels wind and relieves pain and has a strong effect to dispel wind and relieve itching.

Pharmacological Effects
1. Analgesic: Intraperitoneal injection of Xu Chang Qing at 10 g/kg in mice showed marked analgesic action that started 10 minutes after injection, and lasted for up to 60 minutes.
2. Sedative: Intraperitoneal injection of Xu Chang Qing at 5 to 10 g/kg in mice showed marked sedative effects by decreasing spontaneous movement and reaction to external stimuli, for up to 60 minutes.
3. Effect on temperature regulation: Intraperitoneal injection of a Xu Chang Qing preparation at 3 g/kg lowered body temperature by approximately 0.9° C for up to 30 minutes.

Structural Alignment Acupuncture with Regan Archibald

Have you ever heard of "structural alignment acupuncture"?

I didn't either until I met Regan Archibald. In 2004, Regan became the first person in the US to be certified in Seitai Shinpo, which focuses on structural techniques of acupuncture. Currently, Regan is one of only 23 individuals to have this certification.

What is it?

From my understanding, this method comes from Japanese Seitai Shinpo acupuncture. With the use of acupuncture needles on specific points on the back and a few distal (anchoring) points, it can correct a person's spine in 12-20 treatments!

This acupuncture method is extremely easy to use. First, you diagnose the patient's primary bias (which hip is higher - right or left) and the secondary bias (which scapula is lower - right or left). Then, you needle back shu points, focusing on the side with the bias.

And here's something your patients will love:

The needles are only inserted about 3-5 mm (you can go deeper once you and your patient are more comfortable) so there is virtually no pain. Most patients report high levels of relaxation without feeling the needle!!

To start learning structural alignment acupuncture, click here for Day 1 and click here for Day 2

Annual Gold Pass Member? Find the videos in your "My Active Courses" to begin your complimentary viewing.

~Donna Chow, L.Ac.

eLotus Gold Pass (Annual Pass)

Traditionally, when someone wants to learn from a great TCM Master in China or Taiwan, there is a lot of floor sweeping, toilet cleaning, and chores involved to prove sincerity and dedication. It typically takes, at minimum, 3-6 months for the Master to even consider taking a person on as a student. It is very intense!

But there's good news! Here at eLotus, we bring the "best of the best" TCM Masters to YOU!

How?!

The Annual eLotus Gold Pass is your golden ticket to 24/7 online CEU access to the best TCM masters from anywhere around the world. You will have full and unlimited access to live webinars, on-demand videos, mp3 downloads, and research articles for 1 full year from the time of purchase.

We focus on hiring speakers who are willing to share practical and clinical information so that practitioners like yourself can use these skills in your practice the very next day. We have done the floor sweeping for you! Our courses contain the pearls that actually work in the clinic setting and not just theoretically make sense on paper.

How do you get your hands on a Gold Pass?

There are two payment options:

• Full payment of $1295
• Installment plan of $125/month for 12 months. (That's like signing up for one live webinar a month with the perk of complete access to our online inventory!)

And even better news! You receive herbal credit for the full amount of your purchase! If you went with the first option ($1295 full payment), you will receive $1295 herbal credit and if you went with the second option ($125/month installment plan), you will receive $125 herbal credit each month.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects young menstruating women and is the leading cause of infertility in younger women. Currently, it is believed to have a strong genetic component and it affects metabolic, reproductive and detoxification systems. According U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, PCOS affects 1 in 10 women and as many as 5 million women!

Learn more about PCOS with Michelle Buchanan, a certified Acupuncturist who specializes in specializes in male and female fertility enhancement since 2002, as she shares what exactly is PCOS, how to diagnosis it, how it affects fertility, and treatment protocols from both Western Medicine and TCM.

Click here to catch it on the TCM Wisdom Tube!

~Donna Chow, L.Ac.

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!

TCM Pharmacology of Herpesvirus Infections by M.M. Van Benschoten, OMD

Herpesviruses are common infections in humans and animals. Herpes simplex (HSV I and II), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), Human Herpes Viruses HHV6, 7, and 8 all are characterized by an initial infection followed by latency and reactivation. Latent infection does not kill the host cell as viral DNA persists in a circular form with low levels of viral transcription.

Herpes Simplex Virus I and II generate blistering lesions of the mouth or genitals caused by axonal transport of viral particles along nerve cells. Viral shedding may occur even in the latent state. Herpes keratitis is an ocular infection that can damage vision. HSV I replication in the facial nerve is related to onset of Bell’s palsy, and HSV I causes 10% of all cases of viral encephalitis in the U.S. Herpes gladiatorum originates by skin to skin transmission during athletic competition. Recurrences may be triggered by stress, multiple infections, immunosuppressive drugs, or toxic environmental exposures. HSV II infections are sexually transmitted and associated with fertility disorders.

Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV or HHV-5, is usually asymptomatic and infects 50-80% of the human population. CMV may be a contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes according to several studies. In immunosuppressed patients due to chemotherapy, transplant drugs, or HIV, reactivation of CMV may result in esophagitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, or retinitis. New onset schizophrenia and fatigue in breast cancer patients can be correlated to CMV activity.