Herbal formula effectively treats PCOS – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
A Chinese study has found that a Chinese herbal formula compares favourably with drug therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The formula was composed of Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii brevicornus), Huang Jing (Rhizoma Polygonati Sibirici), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae sinensis), Tao Ren (Semen Persicae), Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori tatarinowii), Gui Jia (Carapax et Plastrum testudinis), Bu Gu Zhi (Fructus Psoraleae), Hu Zhang Gen (Radix Polygoni cuspidati) and Ma Bian Cao (Herba Verbenae officinalis). A total of 47 PCOS outpatients were randomly divided into three groups. Patients in group A were given herbal medicine, patients in group B were given metformin, and patients in group C were given Dianette (ethinyl estradiol plus cyproterone acetate, an oral contraceptive with anti-androgen activity). All were treated for three months. At the end of the treatment period, compared with pre-treatment data, group A patients showed decreased levels of serum testosterone (T) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and a reduction in free androgen index (FAI), fasting insulin (FINS) and ovarian volume. Their serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) levels also increased, while their fasting blood glucose (FPG) levels showed no significant change. Comparing the three groups, the effects of herbal medicine on hyperandrogenism were not as significant as Dianette, but more effective than metformin, and herbal medicine did not affect hyperinsulinaemia as much as metformin, but more than Dianette. The authors conclude that TCG can treat PCOS by regulating ovarian function and reducing blood insulin levels, without inhibiting the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. (Efficacy of Chinese patent medicine Tian Gui Capsule in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Zhong Xi Yi fie He Xue Bao. 2011 Sep;9(9):965-72).
Herbs ease hot flushes – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
A traditional Chinese herbal formula thought to have weak oestrogen-like activity may help ease menopausal hot flushes, a small clinical trial suggests. The formula, Jiawei Qing’e Fang (JQF), contained Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommia), Bu Gu Zhi (Fructus Psoraleae corylifolia) and Dan Shen (Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza). Clinicians in China randomly assigned 72 peri-menopausal women who were experiencing 14 or more hot flushes per week to receive either JQF or placebo every day for eight weeks. The results showed a significantly greater improvement in hot flush score in the JQF group compared with the placebo group. There were also between-group differences in vasomotor and physical symptom scores. Blood triglyceride (TG) levels in the JQF group showed a significant reduction in women with a high baseline TG. (A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation (Jiawei Qing’e Fang) for hot flashes and quality of life in perimenopausal women. Menopause. 2011 Nov 14. [Epub ahead of print]).
Meridian massage improves infant health and growth – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
Meridian massage may help increase infants’ physical growth and improve their health, according to a Korean study. A total of 169 healthy infant-mother pairs were assigned either to a meridian massage group (MM) or a gentle touch massage group (GM), based on the mother’s preference. Massages were conducted by the infants’ mothers for 15 minutes per session, once a day for six weeks. Significant differences were observed in weight and height in favour of the MM group at the end of the six-week period. In addition, infants in the MM group showed a significantly fewer number of clinic visits over six weeks, compared to those in the control group. (Effects of Meridian Massage on physical growth and infants’ health as perceived by mothers. Pediatr Int. 2011 Sep 14. doi: 10.1111 /j.1442-200X.2011.034 77.x. [Epub ahead of print]).
Acupuncture helps relieve breast pain – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
American researchers have found preliminary evidence that acupuncture may be able to help relieve non-cyclic breast pain. Thirty-seven women experiencing breast pain received treatment consisting of four acupuncture sessions over two weeks, with three months follow-up. Patients reported that pain (described as throbbing and heavy) decreased significantly after acupuncture. Following treatment, pain scores decreased by an average of 3.5 points (on a 10-point scale) for the worst pain experienced, by 2.7 points for average pain experienced and by 2.3 points for interference from pain. The percentage of patients reporting a clinically meaningful decrease of two points from baseline to the end of treatment was 67% for the worst pain experienced, 65% for average pain experienced, and 56% for pain interference. (Acupuncture for treatment of noncyclic breast pain: a pilot study. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(6):1117-29).
Acupuncture better than drugs for migraine – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
Acupuncture compares favourably with the drug topiramate for reducing migraine frequency, according to Taiwanese investigators. Sixty-six chronic migraine patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups. The acupuncture group received 24 acupuncture sessions over 12 weeks, while the topiramate group received a four-week titrated dose of topiramate (25-100 mg / day) followed by an eight-week maintenance period at a dose of 100 mg / day. A significantly larger decrease in the mean monthly number of moderate to severe headache days (20.2 days to 9.8 days) was observed in a pilot randomized controlled Altern Complement Med. 2011 10):923-30).
Electro-acupuncture as effective as drugs for labour induction – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
A Brazilian group has shown that electro-acupuncture (EA) can be used to promote labour as efficiently as the prostaglandin analogue misoprostol, but with fewer obstetric complications. Sixty-seven pregnant women in labour were randomised to receive either EA or misoprostol. Women who received EA experienced significantly fewer obstetric complications, along with a significantly higher frequency of vaginal deliveries. Although they tended to have a longer duration of labour, there was also a tendency to higher patient satisfaction among patients of the EA group. (Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labour induction: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011 Jun;283(6):1233-8).
Moxibustion shortens labour and reduces pain – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
Moxibustion at Sanyinjiao SP-6 may be able to markedly shorten the active phase of the first stage of labour and decrease pain due to uterine contractions, according to Taiwanese researchers. Sixty primipara women in labour were equally assigned, according to their choice, to three groups: bilateral moxibustion at Sanyinjiao SP-6 for 30 minutes, moxibustion at non-acupoints for 30 minutes and no moxibustion. The researchers found that the duration of the active phase of the first stage in the moxibustion group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups. Visual analogue pain scores after moxibustion were also significantly lower in the this group compared with the no moxibustion group. (Effect of acupoint Sanyinjiao (SP6) moxibustion on the first stage of labor and uterine contractive pain in primiparae. Chin J Integr Med. 2011 Jun;17(6):464-6).
Acupuncture reduces cost of back pain – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
Patients with low-back pain (LBP) are less likely to visit physicians for their problem after receiving acupuncture treatment, which leads to reduced healthcare pending on LBP. In a case control study carried out in Canada, 201 cases in which LBP was treated with acupuncture were compared with 804 controls. Each acupuncture group case was matched with four comparison cases from the general population with LBP, based on gender and age. The number of physician visits for the one-year period post-acupuncture decreased 49% for the acupuncture group, compared with the one-year period pre-acupuncture. In the comparison group, there was a decrease of 2% in physician visits for the same time periods. The cost of LBP-related physician services showed corresponding decreases, declining by 37% for the acupuncture group and 1% for the comparison group. (Reduced health resource use after acupuncture for low-back pain. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Nov;17(11):1015-9).
Acupuncture contributes substantially to UK healthcare – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
A major national survey of acupuncture practitioners in the UK has provided an up-to-date overview of the profession, concluding that acupuncture provides a substantial contribution to the country’s healthcare. A team of UK authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 800 acupuncture practitioners randomly chosen from the four major national professional associations. Data collected included demographic details, association membership, statutorily regulated status, practice setting, style of acupuncture practiced, diagnostic methods used and needle response sought. Practitioners additionally recorded details of their 10 most recent patients, including demographic details, primary reason for consulting and lifestyle advice provided. Of the 330 practitioners who responded, 29% were doctors, 29% physiotherapists, 15% nurses and 27% independent acupuncturists. Of these, 62% were women with median age of 48 years. The majority (68%) practiced in independent settings, while 42% practiced within the National Health Service (NHS). Patients most commonly consulted for low back, neck, shoulder and knee pain, as well as headaches and migraine. Treatment for infertility by independent acupuncturists was found to have increased fivefold over recent years. Based on the survey results, the authors estimate that almost four million acupuncture treatments were provided in the UK in 2009, of which approximately one-third were provided within the NHS. They conclude that the primary complaints for which patients consult acupuncturists reflect the growing evidence base for these conditions, and suggest that the survey data provides a basis for future decision-making regarding policy and practice. (Acupuncture in practice: mapping the providers, the patients and the settings in a national cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open. 2012 Jan 11;2(1):e000456. Print 2012).
Eat your (cruciferous) greens to live longer – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2011
A large study carried out in China has found that people who eat the most vegetables have lower mortality rates, especially from heart disease, with the strongest protective benefits linked to intake of cruciferous vegetables (inducing broccoli, kale, cauliflower and cabbage). The analysis included 134,796 Chinese adults who participated in two cohort studies. Overall, fruit and vegetable intake was inversely associated with risk of total mortality in both women and men, and a dose-response pattern was particularly evident for cruciferous vegetable intake. People whose daily diets included the most vegetables were 15% less likely to have died during the 5-year study period and the risk of dying was 22% lower in women who ate the most cruciferous vegetables compared with those who ate the least. Most of the decreased risk was due to a drop in cardiovascular disease. (Cruciferous vegetable consumption is associated with a reduced risk of total and cardiovascular disease mortality. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;94(1):240-6).