Iranian authors reviewing the currently available literature suggest that an extract of Gingko biloba (GB, pinyin: Bai Guo Ye) has the potential to be effective against psoriasis. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, and it is now known that its leaves contain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides) as active ingredients. GBE has demonstrated the ability to prevent leucocyte adhesion, an important step in the pathological process of psoriasis, which leads to accumulation of these cells in tissues affected by psoriatic lesions. It can also inhibit the action of various...Weiterlesen

A small study carried out in Thailand suggests that facial acupuncture, with or without body acupuncture, may be effective in decreasing the size of melasma (hyperpigmented skin) patches. Forty-one women with melasma were randomly assigned to either facial acupuncture, or facial and body acupuncture. Each group received two acupuncture sessions per week for eight weeks. Participants who were assigned to facial acupuncture only were needled transversely from the rim toward the centre of their melasma lesions. Those in the facial/body acupuncture group were also needled at 11 body points; bilateral Hegu L.I.-4, Xuchai SP-10, Zusanli ST-36, Taichong LIV-3, Sanyinjiao SP-6...Weiterlesen

A Cochrane database systematic review of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for atopic eczema was not able to find conclusive evidence that CHM, taken orally or applied topically, could reduce the severity of eczema in children or adults. The Australian authors included 28 studies, most which were assessed to be at high risk of bias, involving a total of 2306 participants. Although some of the studies suggested a positive effect of CHM compared with placebo or conventional treatment, substantial inconsistency between studies was noted, and the authors therefore warn that any positive effect of CHM should be treated with caution. They...Weiterlesen

Results from a German pilot study show that acupuncture reduces itch intensity in patients with atopic eczema and that this correlates with reduced activation of basophils (histamine-secreting white blood cells). Ten patients with atopic eczema were randomised to acupuncture or no treatment. Mean itch intensity on a visual analog scale was rated significantly lower in the acupuncture group on day 15 (after 5 acupuncture treatments) and day 33 (after 10 acupuncture treatments). Compared with the control group, basophils from the acupuncture group showed significantly less in vitro activation following allergen stimulation, at all time points. (Effect of Acupuncture on Allergen-Induced...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture shows promise as a treatment modality for dermatological conditions, according to a systematic review by authors from the USA. Twenty-four studies met their inclusion criteria, of which 16 were randomised controlled trials. In 17 of 24 studies, acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in outcome measurements compared with placebo acupuncture, alternative treatment options and no intervention. Acupuncture was found to improve outcome measures in the treatment of dermatitis, chloasma, pruritus, urticaria, hyperhidrosis and facial elasticity. Acupuncture as a Treatment Modality in Dermatology: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Sep;21(9):520-9 Quelle: www.jcm.co.uk  Weiterlesen

Acupuncture treatment of acne vulgaris can reduce the number of inflammatory lesions and improve patients’ quality of life. Korean researchers randomised 36 subjects with moderate acne to receive acupuncture either at general acupuncture points only, or at both general acupuncture points and ah shi points twice weekly for six weeks. After 12 treatment sessions, the results showed a significant improvement from baseline in inflammatory acne lesion counts, quality of life scores and subjective symptom scores in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups. (Efficacy of ah shi point acupuncture on acne vulgaris. Acupunct Med. 2010 Sep;28(3):126-9). Quelle: www.jcm.co.ukWeiterlesen

An Israeli research team has found that acupuncture may be able to help clear persistent warts by creating an anti-inflammatory immune response. Eighteen patients with persistent human papilloma virus-caused warts received either verum acupuncture or placebo treatment. Verum acupuncture was performed at Sanyinjiao SP-6, Zhangmen LIV-13, Kongzui LU-6, Zusanli ST-36, Shousanli L.I.-10, Yaoyangguan DU-3 and Zhongwan REN-12. Placebo treatment was performed with non-insertive needling at seven points on the back. Both groups received four treatment sessions, given at one-week intervals. Clinical success was defined as total clearance of all wart lesions with no recurrence for three months. In the treatment...Weiterlesen

Quelle (05 JULY 2015): http://www.healthcmi.com University of California doctors find acupuncture improves patient outcomes for the treatment of skin disorders including dermatitis, urticaria, chloasma, pruritus, and hyperhidrosis. A total of 17 out of 24 studies demonstrated that “acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in outcome measurements compared with placebo acupuncture, alternative treatment options, and no intervention.” The doctors conclude that “the findings of this review reveal that acupuncture may improve outcome measures in the treatment of multiple dermatologic conditions, including dermatitis, chloasma, pruritus, urticaria, hyperhidrosis, and facial elasticity.” Based on the meta-analysis the doctors note, “The results of this review support acupuncture...Weiterlesen

An Italian RCT has found that acupuncture is as effective as standard drug treatment for acute pain in patients with herpes zoster (HZ). One hundred and two patients were randomised to receive either acupuncture (AC) or standard pharmacological treatment (ST) for four weeks. AC consisted of eight sessions of traditional Chinese acupuncture, administered twice weekly using points including Zhongwan REN-12, Guanyuan REN-4, Quchi L.I.-11, Hegu L.I.-4, Neiting ST-44, Xuehai SP-10, Xingjian LIV-2, Neiguan P-6. Both interventions were judged to be largely effective, with no significant differences observed between groups in terms of response rates or pain scores. Incidence of post-herpetic...Weiterlesen

Quelle (26 JULY 2015): http://www.healthcmi.com Researchers conclude that acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Huoxue Shengfa is safe and effective for alleviating alopecia areata. This condition is a type of hair loss typically characterized by round bald patches. In recent clinical experiments, 62 outpatient cases with alopecia areata were randomly and evenly distributed into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with Huoxue Shengfa decoction. The control group received treatment with acupuncture combined with Compound Glycyrrhizin tablets. The 31 outpatients from the treatment group consisted of 16 male and 15 female patients ranging...Weiterlesen