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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve5s6F-qVog.Hippocrates and Qi Bo
Qibo 岐伯: (Qíbó), was an mythological Chinese doctor, one of the two special advisors to Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor). Legend has it that Qi Bo received his special knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine from celestial being (Guangchengzi, Chisongzi: 赤松子: chìsōngzǐ), Zhongnanzi (中南子: zhōngnánzǐ) in Kongtong Mountains. Qi Bo is a famous Taoist figure and is considered the “father of traditional Chinese herbal medicine” much in the same way that Hippocrates is considered “the father of modern medicine”.
Sinologist Paul Unschuld maintains based on phonetic resemblances that the elusive Qi Bo might actually have been Hippocrates. The name Qi Bo in then mono and dysylabic Chinese would have been pronounced ‘hee po’ (thanks to Arya Neilsen for highlighting this).
The Yellow Emperor instructed Qi Bo to sample medicinal herbs. This book comprises the dialogues regarding medicinal discussions between Huang Di and Qi Bo and become know as the Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di Nei Jing), and remains probably the single most important work on Chinese Medicine.
The Yellow Emperor once asked the Supreme Master Qi Bo, “I understood that in the days of old, people could all live beyond the age of one hundred and still move with ease, but nowadays grow old at the mere age of fifty. Is this due to a change of time and environment? Or did we just gradually lose the knowledge of life-nurturing?” (岐伯對曰：上古之人，其知道者，法於陰陽，和於術數，食飲有節，起居有常，不妄作勞，故能形與神俱，而盡終其天年，度百歲乃去。(Huangdi neijing 3).
Master Qi replied: “Those ancients who knew well of the Tao followed the principles of yin-yang and abode its practices. They led a regular life of moderate diet with neither impetuous overwork nor any excessive sex. From thence their culmination of both fitness and liveliness, and their full exploitation of the allotted lifespan of one hundred years.”
Chinese Herbs Show Promise for Diabetes Prevention
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A number of traditional Chinese herbs may help control blood sugar levels in people at high risk of diabetes, a new research review suggests.
The review, which examined 16 clinical trials of 15 different herbal formulations, found that the herbs generally helped lower blood sugar levels in people with "pre-diabetes" -- those with impaired blood-sugar control that can progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes.
When the researchers pooled data from eight of the studies, they found that adding an herbal remedy to lifestyle changes doubled the likelihood of participants' blood sugar levels returning to normal.
What's more, people using the remedies were two-thirds less likely to progress to diabetes during the studies, which ran for an average of nine months.
The findings appear in the Cochrane Library, which is published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.
Emerging from Winter
Stefan Chmelik
MSc MRCHM MBAcC DipCHM LicOHM DipAc DipCHM (Dermatology) ClinAc (Nanjing) CST I/II
Physician of Traditional Chinese Medicine
March 20, the Vernal Equinox, is the first day of spring in 2010 in the Northern Hemisphere, falling a few weeks after Chinese New Year, the year of the White Tiger.
In the Chinese concept of the Five Elements, Spring relates to the Wood element, which in turn is connected to the organs of the Liver and Gall Bladder. The Twelve Yin and Yang organs of the body are poetically described as being like the Imperial Court, with the Emperor is the Heart and the other organs his Ministers. The Liver is the General in charge of the Emperor’s armies!
This sets the scene for the Liver as the organ who’s energy is dynamic, creative, forward driving, goal orientated and concerned with clear planning and execution of those plans. At least that’s how it should be, but with many people emerging from Winter full of sugar and alcohol, vitamin D deficient, sluggish from lack of appropriate exercise and congested by Cold-Dampness and Phlegm, their General is likely to be charge of a rabble rather than a well orchestrated force!
So this is why most detoxification, or Spring cleaning, is concerned with sorting the liver out. And there are a fantastic range of herbs to do this in Chinese Medicine as in many other cultures. China has the world’s largest Materia Medica, with over 10,000 herbs listed in the official Pharmacopoeia of the PRC, and with massive climatic and biodiversity. Chinese herbal drugs are also prescribed as dried plants which have been specially prepared in a number of complex ways through a process called Pao Zhi, which means that can be utilised in any season.
The main things that go wrong with any organ are of course the opposite of its main functions, which do not happen when that organ or function is either hypoactive or hyperactive. So, if with the Liver this means:
Controls the smooth movement of Qi
Spring-Wood energy is rapid, dynamic and forceful, think of a sprouting seed or a root pushing through hard earth. If this energy is obstructed, depression, anger, irritability and frustration will result, also PMT in women.
Yu Jin (turmeric) is specific for releasing depression and pent up anger from the Liver. It is has regulating properties on bile production and the Gall Bladder. Pu Gong Ying (dandelion, both root and ariel parts) cool and detox an overwrought or congested Liver. Bai Ji Li (tribulus) clears ‘Wind’ from the Liver, which can manifest as itching and allergy, but this plant also enhances mood.
Stores the Blood
This relates to regulating menstruation and also blood volume available to the muscles during physical exercise. Blood returns to the Liver at night, when it is cleansed and renewed by the Liver.
Dang Gui (angelica) and Bai Shao (peony root) are a legendary combination of herbs, two of the most important Blood Tonics in TCM. These herbs can be used for almost any female health issue, from infertility to period pain to the menopause.
Controls the sinews
Both the strength and the elasticity of the tendons and sinews are related to the Liver, and this can be seen as an aspect of controlling smooth movement.
Hui Niu Xi (acyranthes) and Du Zhong (eucommia) strengthen connective tissue and are used to great benefit for back and leg injury and pain.
Opens into the eyes
The clarity of vision, both literally and metaphorically, are dependant on the health of the Liver.
Gou Qi Zi (goji berry) brightens the eyes and benefits vision, and is also used extensively for female reproductive health.
What you will experience in Provocative Therapy
>> Provocative Therapy (Dr Brian Kaplan) click here >>
Hot news from Stefan Chmelik
Feeling fat, fuddled or fatigued?
Choosing just one of the ideas below can make a big difference: (scroll down for details on each)
Call for appointments: 07956 448085
Clean up your act:
Toxic emotions
and mental habits are every bit as bad for you as poor lifestyle habits - resolve now to deal with the emotions, traumatic experiences, fears and resentments that have been holding you back, once and for all. Choose between:
>> Mindful breathing, eating & exercise click here >>
>> Somatic Experiencing click here >>
>> Provocative Therapy (Dr Brian Kaplan) click here >>
Breakfast Congeeor rice porridge, is the traditional Chinese breakfast. As a digestive and lymphatic cleanse, it should be made with half and half wholegrain rice and barley.
1 part grain (an espresso cup per person) 4-8 parts water (experiment with how thick/thin you like it) 3-5 slices fresh ginger
Cook on very low heat for several hours or overnight. The ideal way to do this is to use an electric slow cooker (cheap and easily available), putting it on the night before and getting up to a ready made breakfast! Try it savory - garnish with a soft poached egg, nuts, seaweed flakes, tamari, etc. Or sweet using nuts, dried fruit and a little honey or date syrup, grated cinnamon, etc.
Better water
Drinking water from plastic bottles has both a significant health and environmental impact: chemicals in the plastic disrupt hormones and may increase risk of certain cancers as well as making up a good proportion of domestic waste.
Switch to an old tech soda siphon with filtered water, and get fizzy water without the plastic. Easily available on line or in hardware shops.
Stories from 2009:
Images & Humour in Therapy
IMAGES and HUMOUR in THERAPY
IMAGES When asked to create a simple image on paper, people often discover much more about themselves than they do in conversation. Partly, this is because the unfamiliarity of the medium (paper and paint) bypasses our inhibitions, allowing the unconscious to express various aspects of itself on paper.
In the first part of this workshop, you will learn useful art therapy exercises which you will be able to use immediately. You will be introduced to some basic theory of Art Psychotherapy, but the workshop will be primarily experiential ? so please leave the designer clothes at home!
Not only will you learn about using image-making in therapy, but you will be taking home some of your very own paintings.
HUMOUR If somehow we can be provoked to 'get' our own personal inner joke, the joke of how we are sabotaging our own chances of gaining fulfilment in life, we simply find it hard to continue being the butt of that joke. There are moments in psychotherapy that cry out for the use of humour but we need to know how to recognise them and learn to use humour creatively and safely for the benefit of our clients.
In the second part of this workshop, Dr. Brian Kaplan, a medical doctor specialising in Provocative Therapy - the cutting edge in the use of humour and reverse psychology in psychotherapy - will show how these modalities can be used safely and to surprising effect in clinical practice. This part of the workshop will also be mainly experiential and Dr. Kaplan will demonstrate the process live.
An energising, educative & entertaining day is guaranteed.
Date Sunday 15 November 2009 Time 10.00-5.00pm Venue CCPE, London W2 6NE Cost £135 with 'Early Bird' discount £120 if paid by 30 October. 50% deposit required.
Booking This workshop will be limited to 20 participants. To apply for a place, please fill out the booking form overleaf. CPD certificates provided.
Hephzibah Kaplan RATh is an Art Therapist and Psychotherapy Supervisor and has been running independent art therapy workshops at CCPE for 10 years. Dr. Brian Kaplan MBBCh, FFHom is a Medical Doctor and Provocative Therapist. He is President of The British Institute of Provocative Therapy.
For dates of forthcoming Monday evening Art for the Heart workshops See www.art4theheart.com (Next term begins Monday 14 September) Enquiries hephzibah@blueyonder.co.uk or call Hephzibah 07946-603715
Today's Story 15.9.09
Free Psychotherapy
Dr Kaplan is offering free psychotherapy consultation to someone who would be filmed as part of a TV tester. The actual footage would not be used on TV ad would be confidential.
The technique being demonstrated is a dynamic form of short-term therapy aimed at helping people out of negative patterns and behaviors using reverse psychology and humour.
Today's Story 24.8.09
An effective anti-viral remedy
In response to patients concerns, I have put together a formula with what I believe will be the strongest possible anti-viral action, made from traditional herbs and containing mostly:
- Chuan xin lian (andrographis root)
- Ban lan gen (woad root)
- Pu gong yin (dandelion root)
I personally feel that the risk of swine flu has been exaggerated, but have been convinced it is better to be safe than sorry. Lets certainly hope so, as the government is talking about 'mass graves' in the Autumn. This anti-viral remedy is available to patients of mine or through my medical colleagues with a diagnosis. email info@newmedicinegroup.com for details.
see also Dr Downing's approach Dr Damien Downing
Memorial Sloane-Ketering Cancer Centre on:
- Chuan Xin Lian http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69120.cfm
- Ban Lan Gen http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69268.cfm
- Pu Gong Ying http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69200.cfm
References
- Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, revised edition. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, p. 95.
- Bone K. the story of andrographis paniculata, a new "immune system" herb. Nutrition & Healing September 1998;3,4,8,9.
- Caceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, et al. use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of standardized andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. A randomized double blind-placebo study. Phytomedicine 1999;6:217-23.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R (eds.) American Herbal Products Association?s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997, p. 9.
- Melchior J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized andrographis paniculata herba ness extract fixed combination (kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine 2000;7:341-350.