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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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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04.27.09
Posted in Acupressure, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Diseases & Health Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Influenza & Cold, Moxibustion at 8:58 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
How to Prevent and Heal Flu and Common Cold Using Acupressure and Acupuncture
(Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, Volume 2, Number 2, 2009)
ISSN: 1946-1909
PharmTao.com (Editor)
Flu and common cold are preventable even without drugs or herbs. Natural methods from traditional Chinese medicine including acupressure and acupuncture can be used for the prevention and treatment of influenza and common cold. These prevention methods, including folk remedies, have been proven quite effective in history and are still used today.
For healing colds and flu, non-drug methods and time-tested acupuncture point prescriptions are collected here. These natural healing methods include acupressure, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, and auricular (ear) acupuncture. Locations of these acupuncture points are provided to facilitate clinical practice. Differential diagnosis types of colds and flu are described for personalized treatment. Therapeutic principles and needle manipulation methods are recommended for each type.
In addition, acupuncture point prescriptions from some ancient traditional Chinese medicine classics are collected, such as The AB Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (“Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing†in Chinese). These classics provide the guidance of selecting the most effective acupuncture points from hundreds of years of experience.
Flu and common cold may occur throughout the year, but are mostly seen in winter and spring. Common cold and flu may have symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, cough, fever, sneezing, headache, chilliness, sore throat, general aching of the body, and melancholy. Non-drug natural methods such as acupressure and acupuncture methods can be used to prevent and relieve these symptoms, and promote the healing of the root of the diseases.
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