News

28-Dec-2023: BBC News: Ellie Goulding: Nature saved me after post-natal depression The healing power of a natural environment has roots in Feng Shui which literally means "Wind & Water" and describes a way of creating a healthy environment based on a harmonious balance between location, architecture and the surrounding landscape. Evidence is now mounting to support this "biophilia (lit. affinity with nature) hypothesis," and it is finally finding its way into medical practice and mainstream media. 28-Dec-2023: BBC News: Falls at Stourbridge care home halve after Tai Chi classes Impressive results from introducing Tai Chi into a care home. I wonder what benefits they would see if an acupuncturist visited weekly or their health was supported by herbs too. 27-Dec-2023: Guardian: Gut microbes may play role in social anxiety disorder, say researchers The link between the gut and the brain has been postulated as an explanation for how herbs may help psychological disorders beyond simple psychoactive effects. This especially true of Chinese medicine where many formulas aimed at psychological disorders contain prebiotics or laxatives. 8-Dec-2023: The Sun: Libido-boosting sea ‘turd’ could hold the secret to fighting cancer, study suggests Referring to the Sea Cucumber, called Hai Zao in Chinese which literally translates as "Ginseng of the Sea." The original study looks at Stichopus cf. horrens, one specific species that had not yet been completely characterised. 25-Oct-2023: BBC News: Big banks linked to products with pangolin and leopard parts One of the nest ways to stop these trades in to hit them financially. These companies should be treated like other illegal groups and investment in them banned and fined too. UK Chinese medicine practitioners do not use these ingredients and are trained to find substitutes when they appear in an ancient formula. 17-Nov-2023: Guardian: From developing our brains to keeping us healthy: the positive effects of art In our reductive age, we can accept air, water, food, sleep and even abstract things like social connection and purpose as important to our health, but somehow the fun nature of creativity always leaves it in the "optional extra" category. It is good to see art being recognised as important to our health and even fundamental to what it means to be human. 17-Nov-2023: Independent: Will an adaptogen a day keep the doctor away this winter? This article does not seem to fully understand adaptogens. They often mimic stressors, triggering adaptation responses, rather than just alleviating symptoms of stress. For example, many fungi trigger an immune response, causing the immune system to be on alert when a real threat comes. 14-Nov-2023: Sun: Urgent recall of popular toddler fruit pouches over lead poisoning fears - the 7 signs to watch for A frightening reminder of how unscrupulous merchants of herbs and spices, including those supposed to be medicinal (and cinnamon has a long history of medicinal use), adulterate their products by adding heavy metals to increase their weight, and therefore value. This outbreak was reported by the FDA who continue to monitor the issue and post updates. 14-Nov-2023: Guardian: Naomi Klein on wellness culture: 'We really are alive on the knife’s edge' Some interesting perspectives on how wellness culture became entangled with far right conspiracy theories during the pandemic. 29-Oct-2023: Guardian: Functional fungi: can medicinal mushrooms really improve people’s health? This report includes several mushrooms used in Chinese medicine, including Reishi and Cordyceps. 25-Oct-2023: BBC News: Tai chi may slow Parkinson's symptoms for years, study finds Based on a study of over 300 participants over 3.5 years. 25-Oct-2023: : Cancer patient who took herbal remedy died after 'rare reaction' It seems rather disproportional to run a news story on a single 'rare reaction' when you consider how many people die each week from adverse drug reactions, estimated to be between the 4^th and 6^th most common cause of death worldwide (Le Louët & Pitts, 2023). 30-Sep-2023: Guardian: At war with my own skin: my life with eczema - and how I found the key to keeping it away Includes a quote from Chinese medicine dermatologist Mazin Al-Khafaji on treating eczema beyond the acute flare ups. It follows by discussing stress management without any mention of how Chinese medicine can help with this, especially when a recent overview of systematic reviews found it was most likely helpful and safe. 23-Sep-2023: Guardian: Movement is medicine: why light exercise is the key to good health You don't need heavy weights or intense gym sessions to get the benefits of exercise. Yoga, Tai Chi or even just getting out for a walk can cut the risks of health complications from many causes if done regularly. 18-Sep-2023: New York Times: Unlicensed Acupuncturist Is Charged After a Patient's Lungs Collapse Pneumothorax is a rare complication from acupuncture which can easily avoided using the correct technique, taught to all properly trained acupuncturists. This article highlights the need for proper regulation to ensure that all acupuncturists know this basic skill. 13-Sep-2023: New York Times: What Can Turmeric Actually Do for Your Health? Another article off the back of the recent study into dyspepsia that is a little more critical but also looks at other conditions and suggests it may help with osteoarthritis, which is its main use in Chinese medicine. 12-Sep-2023: Guardian: 'My ultimate goal? Don’t die': Bryan Johnson on his controversial plan to live for ever A modern take on the quest for longevity and even immortality which has been at the heart of Chinese medicine for millenia. He does not mention any influence from Chinese philosophy but its interesting how many things that make the core of his routine were available to ancients such as diet, exercise and regulated sleep patterns, and I wonder how many of the supplements he takes are from natural sources. 12-Sep-2023: Guardian: Turmeric could be as effective as medicine for indigestion, says study More impressive claims for turmeric and this may bypass the issues of bioavailability since its working directly on the stomach. 6-Sep-2023: Guardian: Traditional medicine provides health care to many around the globe - the WHO is trying to make it safer and more standardized Article that covers WHO's approach to traditional medicine, its importance to people worldwide and the need for it to be made safer through standardisation. However, standardisation can also destroy local practices which is where the living tradition has come from, as Chinese medicine has already experienced during the Maoist revival of "TCM". 30-Aug-2023: Sky News: Adverts for acupuncture and craniosacral therapy banned over long COVID treatment claims The evidence for any treatments is not robust enough for making claims yet. The NHS page only offers support but no treatment. 23-Aug-2023: Guardian: The key to depression, obesity, alcoholism – and more? Why the vagus nerve is so exciting to scientists The article mentions yoga, breathing exercises and meditation as aiming to stimulate the vagus nerve but not acupuncture which has points on the neck along the path of the the vagus nerve. 10-Aug-2023: WHO Newsroom: Traditional medicine has a long history of contributing to conventional medicine and continues to hold promise WHO article on the contributions of traditional medical systems to modern healthcare, and how it continues to inspire new treatments today. 10-Aug-2023: Independent: Chemical found in popular sweet suppresses 'silent killer' pancreatic cancer Isoliquiritigenin, a phenolic compound in liquorice, which is the focus of my PhD is found to inhibit pancreatic cancer cells. 8-Aug-2023: Telegraph: Feeling depressed? Just a handful of nuts could help Mechanisms are uncertain but may be anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of the vitamins and polyphenols, or the amino acids whose deficiency are linked to depression, but Chinese medicine recommended cashew nuts for irritability in the Compendium of Materia Medica of 1765. 4-Aug-2023: Independent: Indiana woman dies from drinking too much water Proving Paracelsus' (1538) saying: "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison," although I was surprised it was as little as 2L. 31-Jul-2023: Guardian: The truth about nightshades: four online myths about potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines There has always been a lot of misconceptions about this family, which I believe is due to there being a "deadly nightshade" but most others in this family are nutritious and even used medicinally. 24-Jul-2023: Washington Post: Does acupuncture work for chronic pain? Here’s what the science says. A reasonably well informed piece of journalism about acupuncture for a change. 24-Jul-2023: Evening Standard: Psilocybin may be a potential treatment for anorexia, research suggests Phase one trials suggest the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms might help rewire the brain. 90% self-reported improvement and 40% were able to be classified as in remission. There are currently no effective treatments for anorexia so this could be big news but needs larger studies to reinforce the result and confirm safety first. 23-Jul-2023: Express: Janette Manara gives pregnancy health update as she says 'acupuncture saved the day' Acupuncture can be an excellent option for back pain during pregnancy when many other options are best avoided. 13-Jul-2023: ITV: Herbal remedies, cupping and Tai Chi: Inside China's £420bn traditional medicine market Typical illiterate reporting on Chinese medicine that somehow manages to focus entirely on the controversial aspects like the use of endangered animals, and manages to claim that Chinese medicine is completely without evidence base despite the mountains of evidence for many herbs (there are too many for them all the be thoroughly researched), acupuncture and Tai Ch'i, which are all becoming rapidly accepted in the west because of their efficacy and evidence base. 7-Jul-2023: Daily Mail: Torture vacation? Samuel L Jackson is seen with acupuncture needles in his shoulder and 16 CUPS stuck to his back while yachting with Magic Johnson Another celebrity who enjoys acupuncture. That's a lot of needles for one shoulder though! 27-Jun-2023: Daily Mail: Ashley Graham shares that she's doing acupuncture every day as an experiment: 'I am obsessed!' Celebrity endorsement of acupuncture and related practices by Ashley Graham. 5-Jun-2023: Daily Mail: Ashley Graham claims a traditional Chinese medicine practice yields better results than Botox: 'You don't need filler, you just need Gua Sha' Ashley Graham promotes Gua Sha instead of botox for her beauty regime. 5-Jun-2023: Guardian: Apple cider vinegar: the ultimate panacea - or wildly overhyped? Vinegar has been used in traditional medical traditions all over the world, including ancient Greek and Chinese. 31-May-2023: Daily Mail: Warning over 'nature's own Ozempic': Remarkable TikTok transformations of people losing 18lbs spark rush for new weight loss 'remedy' - but experts are alarmed over 'dangerous' trend Referring to berberine, an alkaloid found in herbal medicines of many traditions, including Chinese, which has sparked a trend after some preliminary research suggests it may help. However, it is unsurprising that there are concerns for safety with people taking potent herbal extracts without the full consultation and evaluation of a trained herbalist. 29-May-2023: Guardian: Tea, apples and berries could stave off age-related memory loss, study suggests Flavanols are found in many herbs and health foods and a recent study found that regular consumption reduces age-related memory loss. 27-May-2023: Guardian: Squirrel haggis and Japanese knotweed reach UK menus as invasive species trend grows As mentioned already, Japanese knotweed is used in Chinese medicine for its high resveratrol content, but various unusual meats are also listed among Chinese materia medica including squirrel. 26-May-2023: Religion for Breakfast: "Qi" Explained: Ancient, Mystic Superpower? Not a news story but a youtube channel that does a good job of summarising the history and evolution of the concept of Qi from its origins in Daoist philosophy, to ancient alchemy to modern Chinese medicine and wellness practices in less than 20 minutes. It is part of a series that includes episodes on Yin/Yang, non-action (Wuwei) and an introductory video on Daoism. 18-May-2023: BBC News: Psilocybin: Calls to ease restrictions on magic mushroom drug Chinese medicine has recognised "laughing mushrooms" (笑菌, Xiao Jun) since at least the 3rd century. Often the laughing was considered a toxic side effect but their use has been suggested in spiritual practices too, some of which would be classified as mental health crises by modern science. 17-May-2023: Telegraph & Times: Want to lose weight? Try ear acupuncture Ear acupuncture ‘can help tackle obesity’ Presented at the European Congress for Obesity. A summary of the results that is not behind a pay wall can be found here. While it may help regulate some of the appetite signalling hormones, it should be stressed that those are one part of a complex problem and acupuncture alone will not see weight disappear without appropriate changes in lifestyle, but it might make those changes less challenging to make. 16-May-2023: Hello!: 6 surprising things I learned in my first traditional Chinese medicine session This article describes a very high end (£250/session) Chinese medicine spa with a lot of New Age extras but makes some interesting points about how the best treatment is prescribed rather than being chosen, the diagnostic methods and that points can be stimulated by means other than needles (although heat, cupping, massage or stimulating herbs and oils are more traditional alternatives than tuning forks). 16-May-2023: Guardian: The war on Japanese knotweed Seen as a pest and a threat to biodiversity in Europe, it is nnown as Hu Zhang in China and Itadori in Japanese and used medicinally. This article mentions its uses in teas, preserves, pickles and crumbles and its high levels of resveratrol, the compound touted for provided the health benefits of red wine, which may be responsible for its effects, and perhaps it hardiness. 10-May-2023: BBC News: 'Shocking' lack of evidence on antidepressants for chronic pain Does not mention Chinese medicine directly but combined with other recent evidence showing how ineffective most painkillers are, and the importance of social and psychological factors as potential avenues for treatment, it suggests a return to modes of treatment that Chinese medicine has always emphasised. 2-May-2023: Chronicle: Top Newcastle professor says Chinese herb helps heart attack patients recover The study found that patients taking Astragalus (Huang Qi) supplements had improved outcomes in recovery after heart attack. 25-Apr-2023: Inquisitr: David Beckham Reveals Acupuncture Is the 'One Thing' That Repairs His Muscles After Working Out 19-Apr-2023: Daily Mail: Health experts issue warning to pregnant women over traditional Chinese medicine Many problems have been identified with this study including an unrepresentative sample of TCM group (1.7% of the total sample from regions with unusually high birth defect rates for other reasons taking TCM for conditions known to cause potential birth defects and with no accounting for the source and thus quality of the medicines taken). The RCHM released this full press statement on the issue. This research does highlight the need for herbal medicine to be prescribed by specialists who are part of a professional body and follow the writings on toxicity of herbal medicines because, contrary to popular belief, natural is not always safe and suppliers (especially on the internet) may follow different regulations, or none at all, regarding the inclusion of heavy metals, banned substances and adulterated material. 12-Apr-2023: Yahoo! Life: Can Acupuncture Boost Your Sex Drive? Here's What An Expert Has To Say Among the many ancient uses for acupuncture and Chinese medicine is the enhancement of virility. This article discusses some of the practices and evidence. 10-Apr-2023: Chemical & Engineering News: What’s in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and do its prescriptions work? Not a regular media paper but it is an excellent introduction to the science of Chinese herbal medicine, the recent advances that are being made into its mechanisms and issues it faces without being overly technical. The only qualm I have is the translation of Yin and Yang into modern physiological concepts like immunity and metabolism which are too simple to encompass the full range of meanings in such complex terms from thousands of years ago. 10-Apr-2023: BBC: Cardiff scientists look at honey as drug alternative Honey has been used as a medicine since the earliest written records in both eastern and western traditions. 26-Mar-2023: Guardian: All UK honey tested in EU fraud investigation fails authenticity test 100% suspicion rate is quite impressive! I think that means honey has overtaken Gingko as the most adulterated food/supplement on the market. 26-Mar-2023: Mirror: Medication or supplements you should NEVER mix - from St John's wort and antidepressants to iron and green tea A nice reminder that some herbs and supplements don't mix well with each other or medications. 20-Mar-2023: Guardian: Psychedelic brew ayahuasca's profound impact revealed in brain scans A report on shamanic herb Ayahuasca's effects on the brain. 19-Mar-2023: Guardian: Chew slowly, keep moving and eat 30 plants a week: 12 rules for gut health Second installment in the How to Have a Healthy Gut series, including advice from Chinese dietary wisdom such as eating polyphenol rich herbs, prebiotics, and fermented probiotics, being mindful when we eat and engaging in other healthy habits such as sleep, exercise and fasting which all affect our gut health. 18-Mar-2023: Guardian: What are the real signs of a healthy gut? A user's guide A long read but discusses most ways that the gut contributes to our health, including a little about flavonols found in herbs and probiotics which are thought to be behind how many Chinese herbs work. 15-Mar-2023: New York Times: Is It Safe to Get Your Neck Manipulated by a Chiropractor? A fairly balanced discussion of both sides, assessing risk estimates of stroke from arterial dissection and suggesting alternatives, including acupuncture and massage. 11-Mar-2023: For some long Covid patients, acupuncture and other Eastern remedies bring relief that Western medicines have not Follows several US long covid sufferers who tried acupuncture and found some relief as well as preliminary findings from an ongoing trial being conducted in the UK. 22-Feb-2023: BBC Travel: The ancient drink that powers Indonesia It is often thought that tinctures are used in the western herbal tradition and water based decoctions in east Asia but as this article shows, Indonesia has a tradition of Jamu herbal tinctures that date back 1,300 years to the Mataram Kingdom in the 8th to 10th centuries and is still alive and evolving to suit modern audiences today. 10-Feb-2023: Independent: Teen's twisted ankle leaves him with 'suicide disease' The treatment being sought in America for this boy's complex regional pain syndrome claims to be based upon acupuncture, using electrical currents. As far as I can tell, it is FDA approved, which only means that the potential benefits outweigh the risks, but I found no data suggesting it was any better than any other form of electro-stimulation so the approval may simply be that has demonstrated very low risk and a slight possibility of helping based on other studies of electro-acupuncture (but high cost in $ it seems). 9-Feb-2023: Independent: Tech millionaire's reasonable explanation for why he spends $2m a year to be 18 again The quest for longevity has been at the heart of Chinese medicine for a long time and it is interesting that despite the millions in modern technology that the super wealthy can throw at it today, the core is still the same as in ancient times: diet, exercise and sleep. 6-Feb-2023: : Daily Mail: Chinese medicine expert reveals post recovery tips after getting sick in winter Some of these sound a little strange and dated to our modern ears but in essence they encourage us to avoid exhaustion or extremes, look after our mental as well as physical health and spend some time in nature, which has well established benefits to health. 3-Feb-3023: Daily Mail: Chinese medicine expert reveals zombie fungus performance enhancing supplement This is true: Chinese medicine has long recognised the powerful healing properties in fungi, including cordyceps upon which the zombies in The Last of Us was based. 27-Jan-2023: Evening Standard: Your little black book of London's best acupuncturists With prices ranging from £80 - 300 per hour, they are perhaps London's most expensive acupuncturists. 26-Jan-2023: Guardian: Six lifestyle choices to slow memory decline named in 10-year study These lifestyle choices align fairly well with Chinese medicine where a balanced diet and exercise for the body and mind as well as a good social network are all considered essential for health. The last two are not drinking or smoking for which tobacco was not available for the classical texts to comment on but moderation of all drugs is advised. 25-Jan-2023: Independent: Woman raises alarm after having a stroke after routine chiropractor visit There is a tiny risk of stroke whenever a forceful neck manipulation is performed which becomes a significant number of preventable strokes when you consider how many neck manipulations chiropractors perform each year, especially when neck stiffness and pain can be treated equally effectively with acupuncture or massage. 24-Jan-2023: Independent: A 5-minute light walk every 30 minutes could save you from an early death, study says Balance between activity and rest is a basic tenet of Chinese medicine; any excess of sitting, standing, lying, walking or staring at things (like screens) is known as the five taxations and is being evidenced by modern research such as this study. 24-Jan-2023: Independent: Juice of common vegetable may increase muscle power during exercise, study suggests The mystery vegetable is beetroot, whose nitrate component is rapidly taken up by skeletal muscle and converted to nitric oxide that boosts exercise performance, according to a recent study. 23-Jan-2023: New York Times: Why Do Weather Changes Make My Pain Worse? The debate continues over whether the temperature or atmospheric pressure affects old injuries. This is an ancient observation made in both Chinese medicine and by Hippocrates in the west. 18-Jan-2023: Mirror: Why a hacking cough is sweeping the UK - and how to sooth symptoms Mentions the common treatments like honey and lemon, but also Pelargonium, geranium. 17-Jan-2023: Daily Mail: The all-NATURAL 'alternative' to celebrity weight loss drug Ozempic: Chinese medicine expert reveals how 'miracle' herb can help you shed pounds and burn fat with 'NO negative side effects' Hawthorn fruit (Crataegus) is traditionally used to assist digestion of meats and fatty foods with modern research supporting this function by showing it assists with cholesterol. I would be cautious about 'miracle' supplement claims though, especially if buying from the internet. These often (up to 63%) contain unlisted banned or prescription only drugs. If buying an extracted form it is best to consult a professional herbalist that can order it from an approved supplier. 17-Jan-2023: Guardian: Meditation could have positive impact on gut and overall health A study of Tibetan monks found different gut microbiota and other markers of disease compared to other local residents. 10-Jan-2023: Independent: Ice baths, acupuncture, and colonics - the lengths Brits are going to for a healthy immune system Alternative methods to support the immune system are rising since covid. 9-Jan-2023: Daily Mail: The 'magic' spot on your face that can instantly make you feel awake - and all you have to do is hold it for 20 seconds: 'It's like a reset switch' A very strong point. 4-Jan-2023: Guardian: 'Eight hours' sleep! And you must eat breakfast!' The truth behind 10 of the biggest health beliefs Starting the year with a myth busting article on common health beliefs.