Quelle (24 JULY 2015): http://www.healthcmi.com Researchers find acupuncture effective for alleviating chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for patients with colon cancer. Neurotoxicity from chemotherapy may damage nerve fibers and lead to symptoms including pain, burning sensations, tingling, muscle weakness, balance disorders, paresthesia, dysesthesia, cold or heat sensitivity in the hands and feet, and a “glove and stocking” distribution of symptoms. The paresthesia is often experienced as a bilateral pins and needles sensation. Severity ranges from mild to debilitating. The researchers summarize their findings into three main benefits of acupuncture for patients with CIPN: Acupuncture administered prior to chemotherapy prevents CIPN. Use...Weiterlesen

The clinical efficacy of  ‘5-Ling Granule’ (5-LGr), a proprietary herbal formula, is comparable to that of the drug tiapride (a selective dopamine D2-receptor antagonist) for reducing tics in children with Tourette’s syndrome. In a multi-centre trial, Chinese investigators randomised 603 patients with TS to treatment with placebo, tiapride or 5-LGr for eight weeks. While all patients experienced a reduction in tics over time, 5-LGr and tiapride produced significantly greater improvements compared with placebo. 74% of patients in the 5-LGr arm and 68.3% in the tiapride arm showed a clinical response to treatment. These response rates were significantly higher than placebo...Weiterlesen

Xin Yi San (XYS, magnolia flower powder) reduces nasal symptoms in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) due to its diverse immunomodulatory effects. One hundred and eight Taiwanese patients with AR received either XYS or a placebo for three months. The investigators found that XYS attenuated the nasal symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nasal congestion through reduction of nasal airflow resistance and increase in the cross-sectional area of nostrils. They also observed that XYS exerted diverse in vitro immunomodulatory effects, including suppression of serum IgE levels and increased production of the cytokines IL-10, sICAM-1 and IL-8. (Traditional Chinese medicine, Xin-yi-san,...Weiterlesen

Abstract Temporal arteritis is a form of vasculitis that involves the large and medium-diameter arteries and leads to progressive headache. Symptoms may be accompanied by vision disorder, subfebrile temperature, fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss, sweating and joint pains. While cortisone therapy reduces the symptoms, its effects in terms of improving quality of life are limited. We elected to benefit from the effects of acupuncture in order to reduce symptoms and increase quality of life in a case of temporal arteritis, a chronic disease. A 75-year-old woman presented with pain on both sides of the head. The pain occurred in the form of agonizing attacks 2-3 times...Weiterlesen

Quelle (23 FEBRUARY 2014): http://www.healthcmi.com Researchers at the Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School have discovered that a form of acupuncture called electroacupuncture controls inflammation and may help to save lives. The researchers proved that electroacupuncture fights infections including polymicrobial peritonitis. In addition, they found that electroacupuncture reduces severe systemic inflammation due to infections, sepsis. The researchers discovered that the anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture “are voltage dependent.” Non-acupuncture points (sham points) did not exert anti-inflammatory responses. Additionally, “electroacupuncture with a wooden toothpick” did not reduce inflammation. Only true acupuncture (verum acupuncture) was effective in regulating cytokine levels, producing anti-inflammatory...Weiterlesen

Magnolia (Xin Yi San, XYS, Flos Magnoliae), used as a single herb, is effective in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. In a randomised double-blind study, Chinese researchers treated 108 patients with either XYS or a placebo for three months XYS reduced nasal symptoms (sneezing and rhinorrhoea), and nasal congestion, through reduction of nasal airflow resistance. The scientists also found that XYS exerted diverse immunomodulatory effects, including suppression of serum IgE levels and increased production of IL-10 (a marker of Th2 cell activity), IL-8 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) and sICAM-1 (an inflammatory marker), compared with the placebo group. (Traditional Chinese medicine,...Weiterlesen

In a study on 16 healthy subjects it was found that Echinacea purpurea, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) were effective in boosting key blood lymphocytes, the basic building block of the immune system. Echinacea and Gan Cao stimulated proliferation of CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells and NK cells, all three herbs (administered either singly or in combination) were able to activate CD8 T cells (Huang Qi causing the most activation), Gan Cao stimulated NK activation, and all the subjects who received Echinacea tincture showed CD25 activation at 24 hours compared to 0 hours, which persisted...Weiterlesen

Older nursing home residents, 90% of whom had received the current ‘flu vaccine, who received an extract of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) in the form of the proprietary product Cold-FX, were 86% less likely to contract influenza than those who receive a placebo. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 52, January 2004, pp. 13-19). Quelle: www.jcm.co.ukWeiterlesen

A B S T R A C T Background: Clinical evidence suggests that acupuncture improves symptoms in persistent allergic rhinitis, but the physiologic basis of these improvements is not well understood. Objective: A randomized, sham-controlled trial of acupuncture for persistent allergic rhinitis in adults investigated possible modulation of mucosal immune responses. Methods: A total of 151 individuals were randomized into real and sham acupuncture groups (who received twice-weekly treatments for 8 weeks) and a no acupuncture group. Various cytokines, neurotrophins, proinflammatory neuropeptides, and immunoglobulins were measured in saliva or plasma from baseline to 4-week follow-up. Results: Statistically significant reduction in...Weiterlesen

Chinese researchers have found that ear acupressure (EAP) results in both short- and long-term improvements in symptoms and quality of life (QoL) for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Two hundred and forty-five participants were randomly assigned to either real or sham EAP groups. Participants received real or sham EAP treatment once a week for eight weeks, and then were followed-up for 12 weeks. Subjects in both groups were additionally instructed to self-administer EAP stimulation three times daily. At the end of the treatment period and follow-up, changes in global QoL score were significantly greater in the real EAP group...Weiterlesen