05.12.09
Posted in Infectious Diseases, Influenza & Cold, Qigong at 12:35 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
Taiji (T’ai Chi) Qigong practice has been found to improve immune function. Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign examined the effects of moderate traditional Taiji and Qigong (TQ) practice on the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults (Yang et al., 2008). These adults had practiced Qigong for five months.
Totally fifty older adults were involved in the study. The researchers measured anti-influenza hemagglutination (HA) inhibition titers. They observed
• A significant elevation in the magnitude and duration of the antibody response to influenza vaccine in Qigong practitioners, compared with controls.
• A significant between-group difference at 3 and 20 weeks after the vaccination.
• At 20 weeks, the Qigong group had significantly higher titers in comparison with the pre-vaccine time point, but the controls did not have such changes.
• A higher percentage of Qigong practitioners responded to the influenza A strains with a protective antibody response.
The study indicates that traditional Qigong practice may improve the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults. Further study is necessary to confirm and explore the mechanisms of such protective effects.
Reference:
Yang, Y., Verkuilen, J., et al. (2008) Effects of a traditional Taiji/Qigong curriculum on older adults’ immune response to influenza vaccine. Med Sport Sci 52, 64-76.
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05.03.09
Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Herbs, Infectious Diseases at 4:20 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
Scientific name:
Imperata cylindrica (L.) beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubb.
Family:
Gramineae
Parts used:
Rhizome
Actions:
Aqueous infusion: significant diuretic effects in animals
Decreases the permeability of blood vessels
Inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus dysenteriae
Shortens clotting time and bleeding time
TCM effects:
Clears away heat and promotes diuresis
Clears away heat from the lung and stomach
Cools the blood and stops bleeding
Uses:
Diabetes
Dyspnea
Dysuria
Edema
Epistaxis/nosebleeds
Febrile diseases
Fever
Hematemesis
Hematuria
Hemoptysis
Jaundice
Metrorrhagia
Thirst
Vomiting
Dosages:
Decoction 15-30 g
Fresh herb 30-60 g
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04.29.09
Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Herbal Recipes, Infectious Diseases, Influenza & Cold, Skin Disorders at 9:39 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
Classical Chinese Herbal Recipes for Healing Flu, Common Cold, and Infectious Diseases
(Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, Volume 2, Number 3, 2009)
ISSN: 1946-1909
PharmTao.com (Editor)
Herbal recipes in Chinese medicine that can be used for healing influenza, common cold, and other infectious diseases are collected here. These recipes have been used for hundreds of years, proved by billions of people, and confirmed by scientific studies. These natural herbal recipes can relieve stuffy noses, reduce fever, stop coughing, relieve headaches and body pain, calm the mind, and improve digestion. Scientific studies have found that they have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Ingredients of the recipes are explained with Chinese medicine theories. Modifications for personalized treatment and preparation methods are described. Many of the recipes are useful for healing infections of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, mumps, encephalitis, meningitis, parotitis, scarlet fever, and measles. Some are effective for the treatment of stomach flu, acute gastroenteritis, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, lower back pain, conjunctivitis, neuralgia, and muscle pain. Many of the recipes are also helpful for relieving skin diseases including hives, itching, and eczema.
These recipes are selected from classical Chinese medicine books including Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by the “Saint of Medicine†Zhongjing Zhang in the 2nd century, and Difficult Medical Problems written by a famous physician Yuansu Zhang in the 12th century. According to Chinese medicine theories, these recipes can relieve the exterior syndromes, and help remove exogenous pathogenic factors including wind, cold, or heat.
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