Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy
I have no problem with this in general, provided it is carried out by a competent practicioner. It needs to be someone with an extremely good knowledge of conventional treatment of HCV, and its effects on the body. Carol Metcalfe has my total confidence and admiration, but I would hesitate to recommend anyone else. Some substances frequently used by aromatherapists will cause distorted blood test readings, and are not exactly liver-friendly, and only the absolute best aromatherapists with extensive knowledge of HCV are likely to be aware of this.
General appraisal - Safe and effective in the hands of a good practicioner.

ACUPUNCTURE: meridian and point

Acupuncturists diagnose human illness in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which perceives the human organism and it’s processes as flows of Qi or energy; somewhat like the currents, eddies and swirls in a stream or lake. The major currents are called channels or meridians or in Chinese: jing luo.

Twelve of the channels connect with organs in the trunk. Each of the twelve is named for the organ with which it connects. The organ channels and two other channels which follow the front (Ren channel) and rear (Du channel) midline of the body contain the acupuncture points. The names, locations and usages of the points vary with the specific school or nationality of acupuncture. Proper rate of flow and amount of Qi in the channels is the OM definition of health. The acupuncture points are needled to restore or maintain the flow.

Each of the acupuncture points has specific effects on the different currents and/or organs of the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are at least seven very commonly used groups of acu-points.

Transporting Points
There are five transporting points on each channel. They begin at the fingers and toes and stop at the elbows and knees. Beginning at the finger or toe tip, they’re named Well, Spring, Stream, River, Sea. At each point the flow of the Qi resembles that of the body of water it’s named for. At the Well point the flow is slender and thin. The Spring point flow is larger and has direction. At the Stream point the current has depth and more width. The River is wider and deeper yet. And the Sea points are the widest and deepest. The Sea point is also where the Qi goes deep into the body and connects with the organs.

Five Element Points
The Five Element points begin at the finger and toe tips. Each set of points begins with the names of Wood or Metal and continues up the arm or leg until all five elements are represented. The Five Element relationships are key to selection of the points in treatment.

Yuan-Source Points
There is one Yuan-Source point on each organ channel. This point will release Source Qi in the system when needled.

Xi-Acumulating-Cleft Points
The Xi-Cleft-Accumulating points are somewhat like wide shallow spots in a river where the Qi slows and collects. Needling Xi points therefore accesses more Qi and is more effective at clearing a channel than most points.

Mu-Front-Alarm Points
A Mu-Front-Alarm point is on the front of the body and located close to the organ with which it has a diagnostic relationship. Visual examination, obtaining certain reactions when pressing the point or spontaneous sensation at the point are all significant diagnostic information. This is why Mu is also translated as Alarm.

Shu-Back Points
The Shu-Back points are on the back on both branches of the Bladder channel. They are each named for an organ or body part and have the same diagnostic relationship with those parts as the Mu points have with the organs.

Window to the Sky Points
Window to the Sky points are all in the upper third of the body. In one diagnostic model this third of the body is likened to Heaven. If there is poor Qi flow between the upper third and lower thirds then a window must be opened to restore communication between Heaven and Earth. In another model these points are held to facilitate connection to one’s own spirit or to the spirit world thus reconnecting one to heaven.

Herbal Therapy

Chinese herbal medicine works through the physiological action of the herbs, and pays special attention to the powers unleashed through combinations of herbs. For example, a Chinese herbalist will choose an herb for a specific effect and complement it with another herb that will increase that beneficial effect. However, sometimes along with the positive effects an herb may possess qualities that are not suitable for an individual because of his or her unique constitution. Then the herbalist must know what other herbs to add to the mixture to eliminate that undesired action. An herb formula is built to suit the individual diagnoses of each person — there is never one pat prescription for everyone who has the same symptoms. A compound of three or four or more herbs may be designed to address the person’s particular needs.

In Chinese medicine, we do not usually treat specific symptoms with Chinese herbs; instead we treat the symptom complex known as the syndrome. Every individual is different, so even when we use a general herbal combination we can add herbs to individualize the formula.

Chinese herbalists know that there are specific rules for herb combining — some herbs have potentiated effects when combined with certain other herbs. Some herbs are traditionally contraindicated for use in the same formula with other herbs because of negative or toxic effects. Combining Chinese herbs is an art. Two or more herbs may be combined to form an herbal prescription. Some contain only one herb and often we find up to twelve or fifteen herbs in a formula, depending on the condition of the person and the actions of the herbs needed. Medicinal substances are combined in order to enhance the effectiveness of individual herbs within the formulas, to minimize unwanted effects, or to deal with complex situations, and to alter the actions of the substances.

There are many ways to ingest or use Chinese herbal formulas. Formulas may be taken in bulk tea that has been cooked, in liquid extract form in hot water, in powder extract form in pills or hot water, in pills, or even used topically in teas, plasters, liniments as well as many other forms.

In my clinic I use many traditional formulas that have been made into herb pills, often called patent formulas. Various Chinese herb companies produce pills as well as extracts and powders of traditional Chinese formulas. Some companies also produce modern Chinese herbal formulas as well as variations of Chinese traditional formulas for a more Western constitution.

Close supervision is necessary when any type of medication is ingested. This includes Chinese herbal formulas. A person receiving Chinese herbs should be under the care of a competent licensed practitioner who can differentiate any possible side effects of herbs from organic conditions. Receiving herbs from unlicensed or untrained personnel, such as in health food stores, is not good practice.

Side effects are possible with herbal formulas. The most common problem is that persons may have some digestive difficulties immediately upon beginning herbal intake that can last for a few days. This can include diarrhea and/or constipation. This is usually due to the sudden addition of increased fiber in the diet, particularly for those unused to much fiber. If this lasts more than a few days or is severe, several measures are taken to ameliorate the effects. Side effects can generally be controlled through varying the time of ingestion or through altering the dosage. Sometimes we need to change the formulas or give a digestive formula in conjunction.

Chinese Traditional Medicine: ANALYSIS OF SI JUN ZI TANG - FOUR GENTLEMEN TEA

ANALYSIS OF SI JUN ZI TANG - FOUR GENTLEMEN TEA

Below is an analysis of a an extremely common formula. Qi deficiency is the imbalance/pathology for which it is prescribed so the definition of Qi Deficiency is presented first.

Lung Spleen Qi Deficiency:
breathlessness, weak voice, spontaneous sweating, poor or no appetite, tiredness, loose stools, Pulse: empty, Tongue: somewhat faded in color, SOB, No appetite, cough, abdominal distension, watery sputum, tiredness,weak voice, lassitude, dislike of speaking, pale complexion,day sweating, weakness of the limbs, bright white complexion, loose stools, catches colds easily, tiredness,

Treatment Principles
Remember: Illness = Imbalance, Health = Balance
A. General Treatment Principle is always: Restore
Balance
B. Specifically: Remove excess, Supplement deficiency.
C. Is there an Excess? No.
C. What is Deficient in our situation? Zhen Qi
D. Therefore the specific Treatment Priinciple is supplement/tonify Qi.

SI JUN ZI TANG
ROLES AND PROPERTIES OF INGREDIENTS

NOTE: CX = contra-indications
I. King - Ton Qi Category
A. Name: Ren Shen - Ginseng
B. King Actions: Tonifies Source Qi, Tonifies Lung & Spleen Qi.
C. Also generates fluids, slightly Tonifies Heart Qi, calms Shen.
D. CX - Yin Deficiency w/ Heat, Liver Yang Rising, hypertension.

II. Minister - Ton Qi category
A. Name: Bai Zhu - White Attractylodes
B. Minister Actions: Tonifies Qi, Tonifies Spleen, Resolves Damp.
C. Also: stabilizes the exterior-stops sweating, calms fetus.
D. CX - Yin Deficiency w/ heat.

III. Assistant - Drain Damp Category
A. Name: Fu Ling - Poria
B. Assistant Actions: Drain damp, Tonifies Spleen.
C. Also: Resolves Phlegm, calms Heart and Shen.
D. CX - Cold due to Yang Deficiency.

IV. Guide - Ton Qi Category
A. Name: Gan Cao - Licorice Root
B. Guide & Assistant Actions: enters all 12 main channels,
harmonizes herb combinations (mitigates harsh effects), Tonifies Spleen.
C. Also: Tonifies Heart Qi, Clears Heat & Toxins, Tonifies Lung Qi and stops cough, relaxes tendons and relieves spasms and pain, moderates actions of other herbs.
D. CX - excess Damp, Nausea/Vomiting

Analysis - Actions and Balance

I. Treatment Principles of Si Jun Zi Tang
Tonify the Qi, Regulate Damp.

Tonify Qi
This occurs predominantly via the Lungs and Spleen - the two sources of Qi. Ren Shen and Bai Zhu tonify the Spleen & Lung. Ren Shen tonifies Source Qi. Gan Cao assists in tonifying the Spleen.

Regulate Damp
1) Damp accumulates when Spleen Qi is deficient.
2) Excess Damp can result from Ren Shen generating fluids.
3) The Minister and both assistants Resolve Damp and Tonify the Spleen.
4)Fu Ling drains damp compensating/balancing for K&M.

II. Temperature
The temperatures of the component herbs are sl. warm, warm, neutral, neutral. A Qi Deficient person is probably cool (Qi warms). The Temperatures of the component herbs therefore balance each other.

III. Tastes
slightly bitter, bitter, sweet.
A Qi Deficient person is likely to have Excess Damp. Also, Excess Damp results from Ren Shen generating fluids. The energetic actions associated with Bitter are drying and purging. The energetic action associated with Sweet is tonifying. Drying and purging will help to resolve Damp. Sweet and Spleen are both Earth correspondents. Sweet herbs will tonify the Earth Element. When the Spleen is tonified it will regulate Damp more effectively.

IV. Channels
Ren Shen enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, and Heart channels to tonify those organs. Bai Zhu enters the Spleen and Lung channels to Tonify those organs. Fu Ling enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Heart channels to tonify those organs. Gan Cao enters all twelve channels carrying the Qi of the King, Minster and Assistant herbs along with it.

There are two objectives of this section. The first is to introduce the lay person to Chinese Herbology. The second is to demonstrate the complexity of the formulas. After even a cursory study of the example above it should be apparent that a lay person should consult a professional before using Chinese medicinal herbs.