Prescription medications are fast becoming part of the American woman’s daily routine. We are taking meds that even our moods, replace hormones, increase fertility, ease body pain, lower blood pressure, help us sleep and treat a variety of other ailments. We don’t often slow down to consider natural alternatives, which are often free from side effects and benefit our bodies in a more complete way. Herbal therapy creates a balanced health system that empowers women to kick the routine of symptom treatment and begin the process of whole body healing.

According to a study published in Women’s Health journal, women take more medications than men. They also respond differently to medications and are more likely than men to suffer medication-related problems. The most common health issues for women include endometriosis, cervical dysplasia, breast health, PMS and menopause. Side effects of these, such as depression, insomnia and physical pain are often treated with prescription medications that merely mask symptoms.

The Chinese king Tang Xuan Zong of the Zang dynasty asked a monk who was more than 130 years old, "How could you live so long? Did you take any medicine for that?" The monk answered, "Drank tea daily, no thing else." Thus goes the legend.

China is the largest producer of Green tea, while Japan and Korea also contribute considerably. Green tea comes from the same plant as black tea, Camellia sinensis. What makes it different though is the manner in which the plant is processed. It is the least processed of the commercial teas. The leaves are picked and then immediately 'fired' -- a tea processing term, which means the leaves are either steamed or heated. The leaves are then dried. This process also helps retain the antioxidants that retard the aging process in human beings.

The potential to develop an ear infection is prevalent at any age. The damp dark environment of the ear canal is ideal for the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and fungus, three of the major consorts of auricular, middle, and inner ear irritation. The ear is a highly sensitive membrane that scratches easily. Abrasions to the ear, along with fresh water and a warm climate, are all a contagion needs to survive. Once an infection has taken hold it is highly difficult to wipe it out completely, hence the term chronic. While adults can develop an infection given the right constituents, children and infants are especially susceptible to them.

An underdeveloped immune system is often said to play precursor to ear infection in children. Their bodies are new to the world. They have yet to learn how to ward off and defend against the billions and billions of little bugs that are in the air, food, water, and environment. Sometimes, usually in infants, the infection can be related to biomechanical function. The Eustachian tubes that connect the ear canal to the sinuses are horizontal when we are born. In some cases, if those tubes do not drop naturally to a vertical position mucus and other fluids will be unable to drain properly. This can be treated through cranial adjustments.

By: Andrew Pacholyk, L.Ac.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have a healing methodology called the 5 Phases (Elements). Summer is ruled by the Fire element and is expressed in nature as well as in the body. Growth, joy and spiritual awareness between the heart and mind are the focus during this season. Summer-heat belongs to the element of fire and is predominant during the summer season.

Huperzia is a club moss indigenous to China. It is a non-flowering ground cover that has changed very little since prehistoric times. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the entire moss was used in making a decoction for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. It can also be implemented as an anti-spasmodic and diuretic. Modern medical scientists are interested in Huperzia's ability to slow down the progression of the degenerative brain disorders associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Huperzine A is the alkaloid of interest found in Huperzia. In animal testing Huperzine A was found to prevent the degradation of acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine (Ach) is a substance used by neurons in the nervous system for communication with other neurons as well as muscle cells. Ach is a primary neurotransmitter released from the Vegas nerve. Its duties include but are not limited to: creating synaptic connections through electro-chemical conduction, transmission of motor nerve signals between muscle cell receptors and muscle neurons, and maintaining proper memory function in the hippocampus portion of the brain. Ach is also an important chemical in the body's system of checks and balances, most namely it inhibits Acetylcholinesterase (AchE), an enzyme that breaks down or cleans up excess Ach in the synaptic region of cells. The two work together to create balance in the nervous systems, peripheral and central.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is fast emerging as one of the most potent treatment for diabetes. A new research report published by Bradford B. Lowell from Harvard Medical School, Michael Wheeler from University of Toronto, and Chen-Yu Zhang from Nanjing University, show that Gardenia fruit extract can effectively help treat type II diabetes. The fruit extract contains a chemical that can aid in overturning pancreatic malfunction.

Diabetes is caused by abnormalities in pancreatic cells, especially the insulin producing beta cells. Type II diabetes often results from the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin. This shortage of insulin is attributed to the presence of a substance known as uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). Presently, different diabetes therapies are focused only on controlling the disease. However, with this new extract, Diabetes may one day become a fully reversible disease.

by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon

The herbal tradition of China is valued scientifically, as well as being a fascinating and popular tradition. Scientists working in China and Japan during the past four decades have demonstrated that the herb materials contain active components that can explain many of their claimed actions. Modern drugs have been developed from the herbs, such as treatments for asthma and hay fever from Chinese ephedra, hepatitis remedies from schizandra fruits and licorice roots, and a number of anticancer agents from trees and shrubs. Several popular formulations produced in China, called "patent medicines," are relied upon daily by millions of Chinese (in China and abroad), such as the Bupleurum Sedative Pills and Women's Precious Pills that invigorate the energy, nourish the blood, calm tension, and regulate menstruation, and Yin Chiao Jie Du Pian, which is a reliable treatment for the early stages of common cold, sore throat, and influenza.

According to the latest research, black tea is beneficial for overall oral health. Black tea, the most common among the three types of teas -black, green, and red - help to prevent bad breath and facilitates the well being of your teeth and gums.

Relax and kill bacteria with black tea

As you relax with your cup of tea, the brew is actually getting rid of oral bacteria in your mouth. Polyphenols, one of the key components of black tea, have been found to inhibit growth of oral bacteria. New research presented by Christine Wu and Min Zhu of the University of Illinois states that catechins and theaflavins-polyphenols present in tea leaves-inhibit the growth of the oral bacteria. The bacteria killing action takes place over a 48 hour incubation period.

By Laura L. Ecklund

Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties within Chinese medicine and dates from the early first millennium. Since that time, there has been continuous development in the diagnosis and treatment of children's diseases. Past generations of Chinese doctors have discovered various characteristics that are common in all children. The various modalities (herbal medicine, acupuncture, Chinese massage and dietary therapy) of Traditional Chinese Medicine (known as TCM) have been providing children with solutions to their health problems for more than 2,000 years. This form of Asian medicine is the oldest and second largest medical system in the world today and is used by one quarter of the entire world's population. Unlike Western medicine, this time-tested professional medicine treats and assesses each person as an individual (not based entirely on a disease or symptom). Traditional Chinese Medicine is a noninvasive healing modality that facilitates the body's natural ability to heal itself by restoring harmony and balance to the entire individual. According to TCM, children are not just considered miniature adults. They are believed to be immature both physically and functionally; most common pediatric complaints are due to this immaturity. Chinese medicine states that because children's bodies are immature and therefore inherently weak, they are susceptible to diseases that affect the lungs such as colds, coughs, allergies and asthma and the spleen (or digestive complaints) such as colic, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach aches.

Next to water, Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Since ancient times it has been considered a precious commodity and major influence on trade routes and expeditions. Among all the teas available, Black Tea has ling been the most popular because of its distince aroma and long lasting flavor. In recent years Green Tea has been under the microscope of scientist looking to discover just exactly why it has for centuries been with long life, health, and well-being in the Orient. It has been suggested it is the powerful polyphenol antioxidant compounds and flavonionds in Green Tea that give it its miraculous reputation. Now scientist, such as those at the American Heart Association, are looking to Black Tea to see if is also possesses life giving and extending properties.

Black Tea is derived from the leaves of the some perennial evergrenn shrub known in Latin as Camellia Sinensis that green Tea leaves come from. The difference in Black and Green leaves is the manner in which they are processed. Green leaves are not oxidized or fermented which allows them to retain natural enzymes but also decreases their shelf life. Black Tea on the other hand goes through a process of dying, rolling, fermenting, and firing which gives it its distinguishing color and distince flavor. While it has a shelf life of nearly seven times that of Green Tea the potent enzymes become activated and change into different molecules which may have different effects on the human body. Black Tea has remained the more popular beverage throughout the centuries because it has a stronger flavor then that of Green Tea.