Memory Herbs: Why Gingko Doesn't Always WorkWritten by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc
Q: When reading, I can't seem to focus or retain information as I once did. I was wondering if you had any suggestions, herbal remedies, or insight to offer. I appreciate your assistance. A: Memory function is a complex issue that an overly simplistic herbal approach cannot solve. Why Gingko Doesn’t Always Work For Memory Popular magazines said that gingko was herbal memory cure, but people's experience and science have not borne this out. I'm not surprised. In Chinese medicine, we recognize that one symptom can be have multiple causes. We have to look for root, and look at surrounding symptoms and signs to find appropriate cure. Your memory loss/concentration could be due to something that gingko can address, or to something else. If you give it to a bunch of people without first differentiating cause of their problem, you won't know who will get better and who won't. Although gingko is a Chinese herb, we generally don't use it for memory or concentration problems. It does "move blood," though, so problems due to "blood stagnation" might improve with it. The Root Causes of Memory and Concentration So what are causes of memory loss and concentration problems? The disease of Impaired Memory (Jian Wang) is subdivided into:* Heart/Spleen vacuity: Caused by overthinking, overwork, insufficient nutrition. Symptoms of palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stool. Kidney jing vacuity: Caused by overwork, disease, ageing, too much sex. Symptoms of loose teeth, loss of or early greying of hair, low back and knee weakness and soreness, weak bones. Non-interaction of Heart and Kidneys: Caused by constitutional (genetic) weakness, disease, too much sex, or extreme emotional disturbances. Symptoms of dizziness, ear tinging, palpitations, low back and knee soreness and weakness, feel hot in afternoon and evening, sweat while sleeping, insomnia. Phlegm: Caused by excess emotions, anger, frustration, digestive deficiency. Symptoms of sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, reduced appetite, phlegm in throat. Blood stasis: Caused by stagnation, stress, emotions, trauma. (This is most likely of five that might respond to gingko) Symptoms of sudden and enduring impaired memory, abdominal fullness and pain, easy defecation of dark stool. Concentration is very similar, and above patterns more or less fit. For more information along lines of attention deficit disorder, see this vast bunch of info.
| | Sinusitis and Hoarseness Natural Health Q&AWritten by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc
Q: I had my spleen removed because of Hodgkins Disease. What should I use for stuffy sinus and constant hoarseness? - PatrickA: In my opinion, you shouldn't "use" anything, but go see a Chinese medicine (CM) practitioner (acupuncturist/herbalist) for appropriate herbs for your condition, which I cannot diagnose over internet. I wonder if you are hoarse because of over counter decongestants? - B Q: I went to Doctor because I was hoarse. With sinus drainage and him thinking that it could be stomach acid, I did try things like Nexium and Nasonex spray, without any luck. In reading some of your website I thought that I read something about a sinus and spleen connection. I think it was something about wet or dry spleen that herbs could help. If you don't have a spleen, it seems that you would be prone to constant sinus problems, which I think I have. It seems like I always have some mucous at back of my throat. Any ideas? I would appreciate any info you can offer. I will try to locate a Chinese medicine practitioner. Thanks, - Patrick The Spleen in Western and Chinese Medicine Well, first please note that Spleen of CM is different than anatomical spleen of western medicine. The western spleen organ is mostly involved with blood, whereas Chinese medicine Spleen organ-system is about digestion, assimilation, getting energy to four limbs. In western terms, Spleen qi is probably something like enzymes (though not limited to that), which work with stomach acid (part of Stomach qi or yang) to digest food. Causes of Sinus Congestion There is a connection with sinuses: In CM, Spleen deficiency leads to dampness and phlegm (this is probably "wet spleen" you were trying to remember), which can show up in sinus congestion. The Spleen is said to "raise clear yang and descend turbid yin." But there are other causes and factors in sinus congestion: inflammation (heat), stress, qi stagnation, and Liver/Gallbladder damp-heat.
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