To Your Health
August, 2007 (Vol. 01, Issue 08) |
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An Mien Pian: This formula gently encourages a good night's rest and calms the spirit. It can be very beneficial for someone who is run down, overworked or under stress, or who has difficulty winding down and sleeping, with such symptoms as insomnia, excessive dreaming, difficulty sleeping following a heavy meal, nervous exhaustion and anxiety. It also includes herbs to quiet digestion for those who wake up or aren't able to sleep deeply due to slight indigestion. It may be taken with a Curing Pill capsule to increase this action.
Acute Digestive Difficulties and Stomach Flu
According to Chinese medicine, most acute digestive difficulties, such as indigestion, involve some element of "food stagnation" (literally, food stuck and unable to be processed) due to "irregular eating habits." Irregular eating habits range from problems mentioned in ancient Chinese medical texts, such as eating at irregular times, eating late at night, eating food that is too old, or simply eating too much; to modern problems such as eating while stressed or on-the-go, eating while working, eating poor food combinations, eating fast foods, or even having reactions to food allergies. In an age in which people experience any or even all of these "irregularities" on a daily basis, Chinese medicine has several formulas that can provide quick relief for acute discomfort. Food recommendations include staying away from raw, cold, greasy, heavy and spicy food, because they are difficult to digest and will aggravate digestive problems. As with the cold and flu formulas, these formulas should be taken at the higher end of the recommended dosage in the initial stages, and as they take effect, dosage may be decreased.
Curing Pills: This is one of the most popular and effective formulas for any acute digestive difficulty, including stomach upset of any kind, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramping and headache due to simple indigestion, food poisoning, stomach flu, motion sickness, morning sickness, or overindulgence in food or alcohol. It may be taken with meals to help correct minor problems due to irregular eating habits. Because of the downward movement of this formula, caution is advised when administering it during late stages of pregnancy or in cases of threatened miscarriage, although it is very useful and appropriate for morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy.
In addition to these formulas, which can be purchased through various manufacturers under slightly different names, there are also safe Chinese herbal substitutes for many other over-the-counter drugs. Examples include herbal cough syrups, herbs for pain relief, and energy and immune-strengthening formulas. Although there is no substitute for a licensed practitioner's ability to successfully diagnose and treat most health conditions, many minor, everyday problems can be treated fairly easily by over-the-counter Chinese herbal formulas. The above-mentioned formulas are a few of the many herbal remedies available at local health food stores.
There is a great range of Chinese herbal products available in the marketplace today. To ensure a quality product, make sure that it comes from a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified factory, and that the herbs are not simply powdered and pressed into tablets or capsules, but are cooked together and extracted as a tea. If possible, look for products with no fillers, additives or preservatives. However, with any Chinese herbal formula, just as with any over-the-counter medication, it is advisable to see a licensed health practitioner if you have a serious, complicated or long-term condition, if your condition worsens, or if you are taking prescription medications. Don't try to treat yourself. Talk to your doctor about the many health benefits of Chinese herbal formulas.
Laura Stropes, MS, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in Chinese medicine gynecology, practicing in Berkeley, Calif.
