Red yeast rice (Hong Qu) may be an effective alternative treatment for people with high cholesterol who cannot tolerate statins. Sixty two patients with dyslipidemia, who had discontinued statin therapy due to muscle pain, were assigned to receive red yeast rice (1800mg) or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. All patients were also enrolled in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle change program. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol...Weiterlesen

A Chinese study has used ultrasound scanning to show that acupuncture at Jianjing GB-21 can regulate the volume of the gall bladder in cholecystitis patients and improve their symptoms. Sixty patients with chronic cholecystitis were randomised to receive needling at either Jianjing GB-21 or a non-acupoint. A colour Doppler ultrasound scanner was used to detect the volume of the gall bladder before needle insertion, 15...Weiterlesen

A study from China suggests that a combination of moxibustion and acupuncture can relieve inflammation and repair the damaged intestinal epithelial barrier in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Sixty patients diagnosed with mild to moderate CD were allocated to two groups. One group received the drug mesalazine (1g tablets four times daily for 12 weeks), while the other group received moxibustion combined with acupuncture (M&A)....Weiterlesen

A Chinese herbal formula had been found to be effective for functional constipation by a study carried out in Hong Kong. The formula Ma Zi Ren Wan (MZRW – composed of Huo Ma Ren [Fructus Cannabis], Da Huang [Radix et Rhizoma Rhei], Bai Shao [Radix Paeoniae Alba], Xing Ren [Semen Armeniacae Amarum], Zhi Shi [Fructus Aurantii Immaturus] and Hou Pu [Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis]) was first...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a major global health problem. Needling at CV-12 has reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of needling at CV-12 (Zhongwan) on blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods Forty T2DM patients were recruited and randomized into either the acupuncture group or placebo control group. The participants in the acupuncture group were needled at CV-12 (4...Weiterlesen

A study from China suggests that Jianpi Qingchang Decoction (JQD) can be used to relieve symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). A total of 120 patients with active UC, diagnosed with the TCM pattern of Spleen deficiency and damp-heat, were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with JQD (Huang Qi [Radix Astragali], Huang Lian [Rhizoma Coptidis], Dang Shen...Weiterlesen

An experimental study had found that acupuncture at the ‘Four Gates’ (Siguan) can normalise accelerated gastrointestinal (GI) motility. In a Korean experiment, 21 healthy male subjects were randomly allocated to either a real acupuncture group (needled at bilateral Hegu L.I.-4 and Taichong LIV-3) or a sham acupuncture group (needled at non-acupoints two to three centimetres lateral from Hegu L.I.-4 and Taichong LIV-3). In order to...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Background Subclinical hypothyroidism, a thyroid disorder without obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency, occurs in 3%–8% of the global population. Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal], a traditional medicine in Ayurveda, is often prescribed for thyroid dysfunctions. Objective This pilot study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective, randomized, double-blind, single-center...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of acupuncture, sham acupuncture and drugs in the treatment of chronic constipation. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of acupuncture and drugs for chronic constipation were comprehensively retrieved from electronic databases (such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and CBM) up to December 2017. Additional references...Weiterlesen

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines can slow the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes according to a study from China. “…” The herbal formula known as ‘Tianqi capsule’, which contains 10 Chinese herbs (Huang Qi [Astragali Radix], Huang Lian [Coptidis Rhizoma], Tian Hua Fen [Trichosanthis Radix], Nu Zhen Zi [Ligustri Lucidi Fructus], Tie Pi Shi Hu [Dendrobii Caulis], Ren Shen [Ginseng Radix], Di Gu Pi [Lycii Cortex],...Weiterlesen