I found this old facebook conversation:
Am feeling both tired and lazy today, so I’ll just quote the convo and wait for comments.
House, MD would have made a great Chinese doctor.
<blockquote>Philip Tan-Gatue:
Anyone seen the episode “Whatever it takes”? House actually prescribed cordyceps sinesis to a patient.
Sometimes I wonder just how long is a study’s “shelf life.”
Acupuncture ‘does not aid fertility treatment’ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7405852/Acupuncture-does-not-aid-fertility-treatment.html) – March 2010. ”New” research says so.
Seems to contradict:
Acupuncture helps women have babies (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3042006/Acupuncture-helps-women-have-babies.html) – September 2008. “New” research (at the time) says so.
Okay the first article refers to a meta-analysis of previous studies, the bottom one included. This means they didn’t actually do new research but reviewed old ones.
Here’s where I believe that acupuncture is truly practitioner dependent. I’m usually good with neurologic problems but others are admittedly better than I when it comes to infertility. Dr. Regina Liu, a friend of mine who is licensed in China and the US in acupuncture has carved a niche for herself when it comes to infertility. Her office is lined with pictures of the “proofs” of her successes.
All I can say is that given what I know about statistical manipulation – you can twist the numbers to say almost anything you want – I value clinical experience more than anything else when it comes to treatment evaluation. Good practitioners learn from experience what works and what doesn’t. I can safely say, in good conscience, NOT that acupuncture is beneficial in treating infertility, but that there are doctors like Dr. Liu (and myself too – I’ve gotten quite a few patients pregnant… wait that didn’t sound right…!) who are quite skilled in USING acupuncture and herbs in treating infertility. Acupuncture is a procedure, not a pill, and is practitioner dependent.
Schistosomiasis is caused by a species of liver fluke that basically plants a flag in the blood vessels in your liver and claims it as it’s own territory. It can damage internal organs, increase the chances for bladder cancer, and cause retardation of growth and development in children. A brief look at wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistosomiasis) can give a better overview.
Imagine this little bugger in your liver or bladder. Call Ellen Ripley!
A particular problem related to this is the effect that the screwed up circulation in the Portal venous system in the liver leads to hypertension in that portal system and thus, lung problems.
A look at Portal Hypertension: (from www.medicinenet.com) Symptoms include gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites or fluid in the abdomen, mental problems due to liver failure and lung problems, since the blood from the liver goes to the lungs. This entry deals more with the lung problems.
The actual journal article abstract can be quoted thus :
Portal hypertension is a vascular lesion that initially arises in liver, but structural and functional changes of blood vessels in extrahepatic portal system, systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation also accompany, which now collectively called portal hypertensive vascular lesions. In clinical practice, much attention has been paid to the prevention and treatment of complications such as ascites, esophagogastric variceal bleeding; however the management of pulmonary complications is ignored which affects the prognosis of patients. Hence, drugs used for prevention and treatment of pulmonary complications seem to be very important.
We now find an article (http://www.physorg.com/news186923469.html) entitled “Treatment of portal hypertensive pulmonary lesions induced by schistosomiasis” Okay, looks interesting, let’s have a go at it!
Calculus Bovis compound preparation can effectively prevent pulmonary complications of portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis. The successful development of Calculus Bovis and the preliminary study on portal hypertensive pulmonary lesions caused by schistosomiasis suggest that it is of great significance and prospects for further basic and clinical research, development and clinical application of new drugs and preparations to treat portal hypertensive pulmonary lesions induced by schistosomiasis.
I just find it interesting that the chinese name of calculus bovis is not used. It is Niu Huang, a common ingredient for controlling inflammation. Famously known as part of the formulas Niu Huang Jie Du Pian (Cow Gallstone Clear Toxicity Pill), An Gong Niu Huang Wan (Calm the Palace Cattle Gallstone Pill) and Niu Huang Qingxin Wan (Cattle Gallstone Clear the Heart Pill), it is famous for rapidly draining fire and clearing inflammation.
To evaluate efficacy of Calculus Bovis compound preparation (ICCBco) in the treatment of lung lesions in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis as the experimental animal model, a research group in China performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to observe pathological changes and pathological effect mechanism of expression of fibronectin and laminin in the lung tissue of portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis.
In vitro cultivated ICCBco is composed of Calculus Bovis, Chinese Paris Rhizome, polygonum cuspidatum, appendiculate cremastra pseudobulb, frankincense, and myrrh, and has the functions of clearing away heat and toxic materials, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, eliminating blood stasis and promoting tissue regeneration, according to the principle of traditional Chinese medicine. However, the topic has not been unequivocally addressed.
I can’t help it. Frankincense and myrrh? I’ve blogged about this before (http://qi-spot.com/2009/12/30/the-wise-mans-gift/) talking about myrrh and it’s benefits for the heart. Let me elaborate now about blood stasis though, since this is not an easily understood concept for laymen. Wikipedia, quoting Dan Bensky, sort of got it right thus:
Described in TCM theory as a slowing or pooling of the blood due to disruption of Heart Qi, it is often understood in biomedical terms in terms of hematological disorders such as hemorrhage, congestion, thrombosis, and localischemia (microclots) and tissue changes.
So let’s look at the research from the World Journal of Gastroenterology (http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/16/749.asp)
Effects of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound on pulmonary lesions in rabbits with schistosomiasisNiu Huang or Calculus Bovis - won't kill the bug, but will make you breathe easier
Tao Li, Zhen Yang, Hong-Jiao Cai, Li-Wei Song, Ke-Yu Lu, Zheng Zhou, Zai-De Wu
ISSN 1007-9327 CN 14-1219/R World J Gastroenterol 2010 February 14; 16(6): 749-754
AIM: To explore the interventional effects and mechanism of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound preparation (ICCBco) on pulmonary lesions in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis.
METHODS: The experimental group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by ICCBco. The control group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by praziquantel. The morphological changes of the pulmonary tissues were observed under light and electron microscopy. The expression of fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) in the lung tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: Under light microscope, the alveolar exudation in the lung tissue was more frequently observed in the control group, while the alveolar space was fairly dry in the lung tissue of ICCBco group. Under electron microscope, more alveolar exudation in the lung tissue, and more macrophages, alveolar angiotelectasis and the blurred three-tier structure of alveolar-capillary barrier could be seen in the control group. In ICCBco group, fibers within the alveolar interspace slightly increased in some lung regions, and the structure of type Ⅰ epithelium, basement membrane and endodermis was complete, and no obvious exudation from the alveolar space, and novascular congestion could be observed. There was a positive or strong positive expression of FN and LN in the lung tissue of the control group, while there was a negative or weak positive expression of FN and LN in ICCBco group.
CONCLUSION: ICCBco can effectively prevent pulmonary complications in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis by means of improving lung microcirculation and lowering the content of extracellular matrix.
In English… well look at the above caption.
Peer review says that it is “interesting research” but “not well planned” – I wish the reviewer were more specific… It’s a good initial study though for others to use as a stepping stone.
More information: Li T, Yang Z, Cai HJ, Song LW, Lu KY, Zhou Z, Wu ZD. Effects of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound on pulmonary lesions in rabbits with schistosomiasis. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16(6): 749-754. http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/16/749.asp
Goji berries ‘help fight skin cancer’ (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Goji-berries-help-fight-skin-cancer/articleshow/5524176.cms)
Nice to read, right?
At first glance, maybe, but a thorough examination of the article shows why it is such careless headlines such as these that fool the public into buying herbs and using them “off-label”. Thus, the skeptics and naysayers are justified (apparently).
Let’s look at the article and see just how the wolfberry (aka Goji) does this. Does it actually help contain the spread of melanoma? Does it help kill squamous cell carcinoma cells?
In traditional Chinese medicine, the superfruit berry lycium barbarum, also known as wolfberry, has long been recognized for various therapeutic properties based on its antioxidant and immune-boosting effects, reports The Daily Express .
Okay, good start. We’ll expound on wolfberry later.
And now, scientists at University of Sydney have found that liquid containing just five per cent goji berry juice can reduce the inflammatory oedema (fluid retention) of the sunburn reaction in hairless mice.
I can see how this will be useful in burns, scalds or any acute tissue repair. Let’s get on to cancer!
To reach the conclusion, scientists compared the effects of Himalayan Goji Juice, containing 89 per cent of the juice and eight per cent other fruit juices added for flavour – grape, pear, apple and pear puree – with those of JustJuice apple and pear from Woolworths.
The study has been published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s journal Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences.
Okay, so there’s a “control” that doesn’t taste like water. Where’s the data on CANCER?
Dr Vivienne Reeve, of the University of Sydney, said, “Goji berry juice might prove useful in preventing skin cancer development in susceptible humans.”
That’s it? HOW? From preventing edema to preventing skin cancer… HOW?
Where’s the REST of the article? If you’re going to make claims and headlines like that, better have more data!
The article ends with
But Dr Alison Ross, of Cancer Research UK, said, “This study in mice does not provide evidence that drinking goji berry juice can offer any protection against the skin-damaging effects of excessive sun exposure in people.”
Darned right it doesn’t! And I’m not being sarcastic! Where’s the evidence in this study that drinking goji berry juice prevents cancer?!?!? At least, where’s the LINK to the research in the article? What’s the study name so I can research it myself? ARGH!
And what is so special about wolfberry anyway? From tcm.health-info.org: (http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology.Materia.Medica/gouqizi-properties.htm)
Properties: Sweet, neutral
Enters Liver, Lung and Kidney Meridians
Nourishes Liver and Kidney, Benefits Essence, enriches Yin
Also Used For:
Orally, Gou Qi Zi / lycium is used for diabetes, hypertension, fever, malaria, and cancer. It’s also used for improving circulation, erectile dysfunction, dizziness, and tinnitus. It is used as an eye tonic for blurred vision, macular degeneration, and other ophthalmic disorders. Lycium is also used orally to strengthen muscles and bone, and as a blood, liver, and kidney tonic. It is used orally to reduce fever, sweating, irritability, thirst, nosebleeds, hemoptysis, cough, and wheezing.
In foods, the berries are eaten raw and used in cooking.
Okay I can see how it works but does it justify calling it king of herbs or whatnot? That’s what most of them herb pusher quacks say. Oh, and I’m sure you’ve heard about people talking about how goji berry was found in the himalayas and all that. I couldn’t help but snicker at that. You see, the truth is that wolfberry isn’t that exotic. From acupuncture today (http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/lycium_fruit.php) :
Also known as the Chinese wolfberry, lycium comes from a medium-sized bush that is native to east Asia and Europe. In China, the best lycium grows and is cultivated in the Ningzia (sic), Gansu and Qinghai provinces.
A little far from Tibet, eh? Well okay, Qinghai is beside tibet…
Last time, I talked about how western “herb experts” took Ma Huang (ephedra) and turned it from a sweat inducer and body warming herb into the ultimate weight loss stimulant. What happened as a consequence of this off-label use? We all know. And we ended up with Ma Huang taking a bad rap. Now “they” are doing it with other herbs. At least they chose a relatively safer herb like wolfberry (which is, by the way, used everywhere in China for cooking also). But there is no justice in overhyping it. It just makes real chinese medicine look bad.
I’m not doubting that these herbs can help cancer patients, but let’s keep the information down to earth and useful, not giving them false hope. Wolfberry nourishes yin – I can see how it can help mediate chemotherapy side effects, but to come out with headlines like this is just irresponsible, in my not-so-humble opinion.
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