Truth and Lies about Menopause Herbs

Written by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc


Continued from page 1

Clinical experience and research studies have shown that herbs work better in groups (formulas) than alone. Just as certain drug combinations have positive or negative effects, certain combinations of herbs have special additive functions or may need to be avoided.

The first systematic herbal text was written in 200AD,repparttar Shang Han Lun (Cold Damage Classic). For at least 1800 years, chinese herbs have been prescribed primarily in formulas - groups of 4-12 herbs.

New research on chinese herbs should verify, refine, and build onrepparttar 114753 last 1800 years. The idea to research single herbs comes fromrepparttar 114754 pharmaceutical drug paradigm, notrepparttar 114755 tradition to which chinese herbs belong. It makes sense that since most American researchers are biomedical that they would use a biomedical approach... but it's still wrong.

4. American researchers tend to ignore or discount research done outsiderepparttar 114756 U.S. I wasn't able to find anything to back this up, so I'll just say that it seems as if American researchers don't acknowledge research from other countries. Or perhaps they simply are more skeptical of it? In any case, I notice that many ofrepparttar 114757 topics I investigate (alternative and complementary treatments) are studied in Europe, but not inrepparttar 114758 U.S. I admit I don't have allrepparttar 114759 info onrepparttar 114760 general level of quality of studies from different countries, or how much and why American researchers disregard such studies.

5. Researchers' own biases affect their conclusions. No study is perfect. Researchers can easily find a reasons to be skeptical about any study that opposes their own beliefs. This is backed up by a meta-study I found…repparttar 114761 psychology researchers found that those who reviewed studies were more likely to criticize its methodology if its conclusions disagreed with their bias, and more likely to approve of its methodology if its conclusions agreed with their bias.

There is no such thing as a perfect study. Good research tries to keep problems affectingrepparttar 114762 results and interpretation at a minimum, but imperfections are unavoidable. That means that if someone doesn't likerepparttar 114763 results of your study, they can find a reason to discreditrepparttar 114764 study.

This reminds me ofrepparttar 114765 joke: "97% of all statistics are false." This implies, of course, that it could itself be false. Statistics, like anything else, can be deceiving. Inaccuracies of commission or omission (conscious or unconscious) can "spin"repparttar 114766 truth towardrepparttar 114767 reader's bias.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (Herbs and Acupuncture) for Menopause The review of RCT's on herbs for menopause shows that many herbs still need to be investigated. However, RCT's are notrepparttar 114768 only reliable proof that medicines are effective and safe.

At least 1000 years of tradition indicate that chinese herbal medicine helps balance women in menopause. Acupuncture has been used for somewhere between 2,000-30,000 years.

Acupuncture and herbs for menopause help alleviate many symptoms; most commonly responsive are hot flashes, depression, and vaginal dryness. Salivary hormone tests in clinical settings often show changes in testosterone and progesterone.

Another interesting point aboutrepparttar 114769 November 2002 study is that neither black cohosh nor dang gui are used alone in chinese herbal remedies for menopause. Black Cohosh can cause headaches and dizziness, but might be safely used in an herbal formula for menopause. Dang gui is similar- it is a warming herb, so by itself it could even increaserepparttar 114770 heat in hot flashes!

The moral ofrepparttar 114771 story: See a chinese medical practitioner and use formulas, not single herbs.

Acupuncturist, herbalist, and medical professor Brian B. Carter founded the alternative health megasite The Pulse of Oriental Medicine (http://www.PulseMed.org/). He is the author of the book "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure" (November, 2004). Brian speaks on radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.


PYCNOGENOL - FRIEND OR FRAUD

Written by George J. McClelland


Continued from page 1

1.An inferior quality of OPCs was used. 2.They were not using Horphag Pycnogenol on a 1-1 basis. 3.The formulation did not include a delivery system 4.The product did not include as much Pycnogenol as claimed onrepparttar label. 5.Pycnogenol adheres to many ingredients used as tablet fillers and passes out ofrepparttar 114752 body. 6.Pycnogenol adheres to collagen which is used to make capsules.

Horphag Pycnogenol remains a powerful disease fighter when packaged and used correctly. When buying Pycnogenol, make surerepparttar 114753 Horphag name is onrepparttar 114754 package. Otherwise there is no telling which OPC is being used or how powerful it is. You will also want to check for a delivery system andrepparttar 114755 real quantity of Pycnogenol in each tablet. If you are using Pycnogenol and do not getrepparttar 114756 desired results, checkrepparttar 114757 above list of 6 reasons for failure.

Horphag Pycnogenol is expensive. In Americarepparttar 114758 raw Horphag Pycnogenol costs over $3,600 per kilo, which is a very small quantity. I checked pycnogenol on Google a few days ago and repparttar 114759 products listed were so cheap it became clearrepparttar 114760 chances of those products being Horphag Pycnogenol are almost non existent. Get your calculator and do some figuring before you buy.

My health was restored nine years ago by Horphag Pycnogenol containing a delivery system. It was used atrepparttar 114761 of 1 milligram per1 one pound of weight. I use it every day. There are too many people needlessly suffering with “old age” diseases and I don’t plan to join them.

Submitted by, George McClelland gjmc@lakewebs.net 918-473-3512 www.bookonhealth.com

My failed health was restored through the use of powerful nutritional products nine yeara ago. I became a part of a unique group of health conscious people and researched health and nutrition. My book, What Your Doctor Doesn't Know Might Kill You is located at www.bookonhealth.com. I live in Checotah, OK, USA and can be contacted at gjmc@lakewebs.net.


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use