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The
Editor's Corner -- July 2, 2002 |
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A hearty welcome
to all long time, and new subscribers!
As is our 'occasional'
tradition, we drift slightly this month, not away from the study of
TCM, but to a new perspective, taken through the eyes of a writer -
one willing to express the nature of his own affliction.
Eric Shapiro has
penned a collection of short stories that delve into the varied experiences
of twelve individuals struggling to live within a world tainted by disorder.
Included in this month's edition of The TCM Journal is the very personal
experience of the writer himself. The glimpse is poignant, and relevant
in every sense, and should serve to provide our readers with a viewpoint
that is refreshing, challenging, and ultimately, enlightening.
If you're a new
subscriber, you may have missed previous, equally interesting, and informative
editions of The TCM Journal. As such, we have assembled an archives
area to allow review of past issues and articles, which is located here.
Check below for
the usual links to TCM related news articles that we have assembled
for your perusal, and don't forget to check on the right to see if your
name is mentioned as this month's lucky winner of a $50 shopping certificate!
Explore the Journal,
and discover what the ancient practice of TCM can do for you. As always,
we openly invite your feedback and special requests, and look forward
to developing the journal to meet your requirements.
Your needs continue
to be our sole inspiration.
Sincerely,
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Our
Featured Article |
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| No Picnic
in Sight |
| by
Eric Shapiro |
Upon being diagnosed
with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I saw the reality behind the greatest
myth of mental illness, the myth that The Victim Is Unaware of His or
Her Own Condition. A childhood flooded with media depictions of the
mentally ill had lead me to believe that the afflicted had somehow been
robbed of their objectivity, thrown into a dark hall-of-mirrors beyond
the realm of rational perspective.
Nonsense. My rational
mind remained intact, albeit uncomfortably so. From the lighter corner
of my mind, I watched darkness flow in. Obsessive images of violence
and amorality. Urges, or rather, "pseudo-urges" to do things I didn't
want to. Yin (the rational mind) duking it out with yang (the imbalanced,
irrational mind) on a daily basis. The word "Hell" was used often when
describing this state...
read
the entire article>>>
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| Featured
Traditional Formula |
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Clear
Stress - Ren Shen Yang Yin Tang |
| Principal
Actions: |
| Useful
in the management of stress related issues, including anxiety, anaemia,
insomnia, chronic fatigue, and post surgical debility. |
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Clear Stress,
or Ren Shen Yang Yin Tang,
is considered one of the great Chinese tonics, and has been in use since
the time of the SONG dynasty. The tonic is said to rebuild Qi slowly,
increasing the body's ability to utilize energy effectively, maintaining
an overall state of balance, and health.
Clear Stress is
comprised of a careful selection of fine herbs, including Ginseng, Astragalus,
Dang Gui, and Schisandra.
In western terms,
the formula is an 'adaptogen', meaning that its components naturally
adapt the vital functions of our systems to compensate for adverse conditions
such as stress, malnutrition, pollution, and the degenerative issues
associated with aging.
For additional
information on this formula, click here
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Chinese
Medicinal Herb of the Month |
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Pinyin:
Huang Qi
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| Latin:
Astragalus Membranaceus |
| Component
of: Clear
Stress , Clear
The Pain , Resist |
| Western
Medical View: |
| This
herb is indicated in the treatment of immune deficiency disorders, chronic
fatigue syndrome, anaemia and adrenal deficiency. Has diuretic actions.
Effective in the treatment of spontaneous and night sweating, prolapse
of the uterus, abscesses and chronic ulcers, chronic nephritis with edema.
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| Eastern
Medical View: |
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Tonifies Qi and
blood. Considered sweet, and warm. Said to enter the Spleen and Lung
channels.
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| General
Overview: |
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Huang Qi is officially
listed in the Chinese Pharmacopeia as the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus.
The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from rootlet and
root stock, and dried in the sun.
Astragalus root
is a very old and well known drug in traditional Chinese medicine, and
is used mainly as an overall tonic component, and for the specific treatment
of nephritis and diabetes.
It is also said
that this herb enhances cellular metabolism, creating more energy for
cellular activities. It provides rejuvenation to red blood cells, and
increases intestinal absorption of nutrients.
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| Pharmacological
Actions: |
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Huang Qi has been
indicated to assist in immunological function, with evidence suggesting
its ability to protect against even the common cold.
Some success has
been achieved in reducing serum GPT levels in patients with chronic
hepatitis, delivering a heightened level of comfort, and a sense of
well being.
Cellular metabolism
has been shown to be affected by Huang Qi, with a heightened number
of living cells in treated areas, cells that achieve an individual life
span almost double that of the untreated.
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"No one can
see their reflection in running water...
It is only
in still water that we can see."
Taoist Proverb
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The TCM Journal
is distributed by subscription only. Should you wish to remove your
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with unsubscribe typed into the body: TCMjournal@aworldofchinesemedicine.com
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Member News |
| Looking
for Contributors... |
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Do
you have something important to share with our readership? Don't be
shy! Send an email with all details here.
We will do our best to include it in the next edition of the TCM Journal...
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