According to a recent article at the Natural Health Dossier Web site, new studies seem to be confirming what natural healers have claimed for centuries: that a medicinal mushroom native to Asian climes (Korea, Japan, and China), growing wild on mulberry trees, may indeed hold possibilities as a “miracle cure” for cancers of both the breast and prostate.

The mushroom with these impressive properties is Phellinus lineus, otherwise known as the Sanghuang Mushroom.

It has been used in Asia for centuries as a treatment for inflammation and stomach problems, but its potential as a cancer treatment has also been noted. In Korea, it was lab-tested against cancer as part of a national project. A large number of patents have also been issued on Sanghuang products.

The article cites the work of Dr. Chang-Yan Chen, a research investigator at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, specializing in cancer and hematology. His particular focus is on the bodily signals that cause cells to grow and die. He published the results of his study on how the miracle mushroom affects prostate cancer in early 2010, in the scientific journal PLoS One.

According to the NHD article, Dr. Chen and his colleagues had already established that the mushroom helped stop prostate cancer cell-growth in vitro, so they moved on to experiments with mice. The mice were injected with human prostate cancer cells, then treated with the mushroom every two days for 12 days. Although the treatment did not prevent tumors from forming, it did slow their growth. Then, at the end of the 12 days, the mice got another mushroom-dose; this time, the tumors began to shrink. This has been attributed to the activation of the caspase-3 protein, which promotes “apoptosis” (the mechanism that causes cancer cells to destroy themselves).

Meanwhile, in other studies involving breast-cancer, the mushroom has been shown to suppress both the formation and growth of aggressive cancer cells. One of these studies was conducted as a collaboration among scientists at the Cancer Research Laboratory at the Methodist Research Institute, the Department of Medicine at Indiana University, and the Indiana University Simon Center School of Medicine. Their results published appeared in the British Journal of Cancer. 

However, according to that experiment and others, this mushroom reportedly does much more than catalyzing apoptosis; it also inhibits the naturally invasive behavior of cancer cells, as well as the process of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that can “feed” cancer cell growth).

Another conventional medical source citing the virtues of this magic mushroom is Dr. Ray Sahelian, a licensed M.D. His testimony goes even a bit further; according to his Web site, “Phellinus linteus—called song gen in Chinese medicine, sang-hwang in Korean and meshimakobu in Japanese—is a mushroom whose extracts have anti-tumor properties on skin, lung, breast and prostate cancer cells.” He further affirms that, “Phellinus linteus extracts also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” indicating their beneficial effects even on those not suffering from either of these cancerous afflictions.

Sanghuang mushrooms can be obtained as a supplement, but they are most often found as a tea. The good news is, most Asian grocery stores have both the mushrooms themselves and the tea extracted from them. (As always, you should consult with your doctor or other healing practitioner before adding this to your daily regimen.)

As it seems is so often the case, this may be yet another example of a “miracle medicinal cure” coming right off the shelves of your local market–if you know what to look for.

By Steve Trinward

1. Basics of Acupressure

Acupressure usually makes use of applying energy to the acupressure points that are present in the body using the hand, thumbs and finger. The pressure that is applied will help the patient to move into deep relaxation which in turn will help to stimulate the mind and body.

2. Channelize Energy Appropriately

This therapy is based on the principle that the functioning of the organs in your system depends on the flow of the energy through the pathway. By regulating this flow of energy by channelizing them properly, we will be able to make the organs function appropriately and efficiently.

3. Combination of Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture also operates in a similar basis by making use of the flow energy throughout the body. The difference here is needles which are used to control the flow of the energy. They are inserted on the acupuncture points. Although scientists have not yet found the existence of this energy pathway, still they don’t oppose this as this has been one of the finest methods of treating ailments such as chronic pain. Some therapists also use a combination of acupuncture and acupressure techniques in order to cure certain disorders. By this combination, the patients’ systematic functioning of the organ can be harmonized.

4. Reflexology Maps

Acupressure is one of the easiest things that you can learn. There is however certain things that you need to remember before you are operating. It is through practice that one will be able to master this kind of art. You will have to remember the reflexology maps or you need to have them put up on your wall. This map will help you to identify the actual location of the acupuncture points in your body. The next step is knowing how to apply pressure on these pressure points. If you intend to cure headaches, then you will have to apply pressure on the appropriate points. You can also apply pressure using a n object such as stone.

5. Not All Patients are Alike

You also need to be flexible. The point which is successful for one person may not be working for the other person. This is because not everyone is alike. The best thing that you can do is to test different areas and find which position they are feeling comfortable and accordingly modify the pressure application.

Fighting Toxins

Because it stimulates the blood circulation and unblocks the lymphatic circulatory system, acupressure helps removing the toxic residues.

Acupressure functions on the principle that the small areas, like feet, are the small-scale representation of the whole body. Therefore, stimulating these areas help the body to regain balance and to heal diseases. The most important fact about the acupressure is that it acts to prevent diseases by cleaning the toxins from the body.

Many harmful substances can enter the body with the air we breathe, the food we eat or the water we drink. In addition, our body creates toxins through metabolic processes that convert food into energy. These toxins can lead to metabolism dysfunction; therefore, they need to be eliminated from the body to allow normal functioning of the cells and organs.

How Does Acupressure Work?

Acupressure puts pressure on a reflex point. This can be done by massaging using the fingernails, a wooden or glass rod and special pens with a rounded end. However, the best  results are obtained using the fingertips or fingernails. The known acupressure methods are of two types: dispersal and toning.

The dispersion technique is recommended when the specialist believes that an excess of energy causes body unbalance. The massage is done with the fingertips in an oblique position. The movements are lightly, gentle and slow. After a proper massage, your skin will become red.

The second maneuver, the toning, is practical if the therapist believes that health problems are caused by energy deficiency in the body organs. This maneuver performed with the fingertips or nails, both in vertical position. The massage is short. When executed properly, the skin turns white and increases in sensitivity. To make this technique easier, the massaged part will be powdered. For a complete treatment, three sessions a day are recommended. Each session lasts 10 minutes. Acupressure massage treatments should include at least 15 sessions and they should include breaks at each 2 weeks.

Acupressure Patches

The foot represents the most important area in the acupressure because it is the channel to all the body parts, with over 60 acupressure points. There are patches with stimulant substances that can be used at home. You can attach them on your feet and they will act on the acupressure points. The patches can be bought from the local drug stores or alternative medicine shops. They are affective in the body detoxification.

Originally from Asia, the green tea is already known worldwide for its diuretic properties, and increased antioxidant and vitamin content . It is already used successfully in many diets, and many anti-aging face creams have it among their ingredients. Some experts claim that green tea reduces the risk of cancer, especially that of stomach and colon cancer.

The Properties Of Green Tea

Green tea is prepared differently from other teas, whose leaves are left to ferment. After collection, green tea leaves are immediately dried, thus obtaining a lower content of tein. Therefore, because of its low content of tein, green tea is much lighter than the black tea.

Another consequence of drying the collected tea leaves is that green tea has a high content of vitamins. It contains a lot of vitamin A, B, E, C and minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium.

Beneficial Actions Of Green Tea

• it reverses the effects of aging – Green tea is known for effectively combating the effects of aging. For this reason, it is one of the main ingredients in the composition of the latest face cream against wrinkles and body lotions. Green tea to protect skin from harmful environmental factors, excess sunlight and while fighting against free radicals;
• it has diuretic and detoxifying effect – Another healthy effect of green tea is diuretic and detoxifying. Therefore, green tea is used successfully in the diets. When drinking green tea regularly, it helps you  maintain low levels of triglycerides and cholesterol;
• it reduces the risk of tooth decay – another substance contained in green tea is fluorine, which helps maintain healthy teeth. If you drink a cup of green tea daily, caries risk is halved;
• it regulates digestion – Another well-known effect of green tea is the laxative effect. Green tea is recommended by doctors in chronic constipation;
• energizing effect – although it has a much lower content of tein than the black tea, green tea has energizing effect and is used in treating chronic fatigue. It’s more effective than coffee and it looks like it also increases your focus capacity.

Tea – An Ancient Chinese Art

Maintaining their bodies healthy has always been an extremely important aspect for the Chinese, who are one of the oldest civilizations in human kind history. Their medical model is based on the fundamental knowledge of the energy trails in the human body. Even if this knowledge is so old, it resembles to the latest discoveries of the occidental contemporary medical science.

In China, tea is considered one of the main factors that help you have a long and healthy life. The tea that is prepared properly (neither too strong, nor too light) combined with daily physical exercises can keep your body healthy all your life, because it refreshes your body and your spirit and increases your energy. In China’s mountain areas, there are people who live over 100 years, Chinese say. They drink there the best tea, prepared with fresh spring water.

Acne is a term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and even deeper formations (cysts or nodules) that covers part of the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even upper arms.

The most common form of acne is known as acne vulgaris. It is an excess of fat secretion from glands combined with dead skin cells blocking hair follicles. The secretion of fat is deposited behind the blocked pores leading to a favorable environment for the development of uncontrolled Propionibacterium bacteria specific to the skin. In response, the skin becomes inflamed causing visible injuries. Acne affects most teenagers. More than four in five people between 12 and 24 develop acne at least once. Although this disorder is associated with adolescence, it can affect people of all ages.

An alternative method in treating acne is acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing method and improvement of suffering which belongs to alternative medicine. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method which consists in the insertion of needles into various points of the body. These are places where the qi energy channels that run across the entire human body come from outside, intercepting the skin.

The qi energy, which is the vital energy of a body, the one that keeps it alive, is constantly moving through the 14 channels called meridians. They are arranged symmetrically along the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, blocking occurs when one of these energy meridians of Qi energy imbalance occurs which leads to various diseases.

Acne is a skin disease that affects the face, back, chest, arms or other body parts. So, logically, there are specific treatments for acne using the acupuncture technique.

What can we expect from an acupuncture treatment meant to cure acne?

First of all it’s good to know that acupuncture has no unpleasant side effects and can actually help cure various forms of acne.

The specialist in acupuncture may apply different methods – the technique can use one or combine several techniques. The most common techniques applied in case of acne are hormone balancing acupuncture and ear acupuncture. The latter may prove to be more helpful to women as it provides them more benefits: it heals oscillating mental states  and menstrual pain.

To be considered

The effectiveness of an acupuncture treatment depends largely on the experience and qualifications of the acupuncture specialist. It’s better to go to a person who has a degree in the field and has a lot of experience with this technique. It’s helpful to talk with some of the patients in advance so you can have a clean image of his professionalism.

You will be probably asked to change your life style and nutrition as well. However, patience is an important ingredient of the recipe as there are needed 3 to 4 applications of the technique before its first results are shown.
Acupuncture is a good option for those who are not ready to resort to laser surgery or aren’t willing to take large quantities of drugs, especially antibiotics. It can be combined well with other natural methods of acne treatment.

Spring Diet

The foods specific for spring are those that those that provide our body hot energy: chicken or turkey meat and sour foods. They positively influence your physical energy. To combat internal agitation, stress or anger there are recommended foods that have the property to calm the body and restore the internal balance: sauerkraut, cheese, fruit tea, beer, and grilled corn. Yang type II are recommended chicken, spices, vinegar and sour fruits. Yin personality type are indicated tomatoes, peppers, lemons, kiwi fruit and yogurt.

Color recommendations

To restore your body tonus, dress in tones of green, walk in parks or areas with more vegetation and consume a lot more fruits and vegetables.

Summer Diet

The hot seasons signifies youth and mind maturity. The bitter taste, fire element, and small intestine are the corresponding elements of summer.

Diet

The specific foods are bitter summer tomatoes, and red beet, chicory, red wine, strawberries, etc.. The energetic action of fire foods counteracts the cold energy, regulating your body’s energy balance. Bitter substances in certain foods help weight loss as they lead to the removal of liquids and have a beneficial influence on the physical state. But bitter food in excess is not advisable because it can lead to dehydration and thus to premature wrinkles. For example, coffee or black tea may cause serious disturbances if consumed in excessive quantities.

The Yin Type II is recommended the consumption of rye, sheep’s milk, almonds, marjoram, bitter drinks and red meat. For the yang consumption of vegetables like tomatoes, chicory, artichokes, grapes and all kinds of beer is recommended.

Color recommendations

Eat more vegetables and fruits for a good body tonus. Wear an article of clothing in shades of red.

End of summer

This season signifies maturity and its corresponding element is the earth. The taste is sweet and internal organs affected are the stomach, pancreas and spleen.

Diet

Yellow sweet foods are specific to this period: cantaloupe, chestnuts, pumpkin, etc.. They give neutral body energy which is necessary to the vital functions. The sweet taste helps relax and revive the body, eliminating stress. So sweets shouldn’t miss from the daily menu, but it’s best that you replace the industrial sugar with fructose from fresh foods. Yin type should eat rice, potatoes, cauliflower, on birds, raisins, beef, dried fruit and dill. Yang type II is indicated consumption of eggplant, mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, seeds, bananas, mangoes, apples and pears.

Color recommendation: Yellow

Autumn

It means physical and mental balance and fall’s corresponding element is metal. At the body level the lungs and large intestine are influenced. Particular to this season is the spicy taste.

Diet

Spicy and white foods are indicated: radishes, leeks, onions, etc.. They offer hot energy to the body, counteracting the excess of cold energy. Spicy foods are ideal for combating the state of physical or mental exhaustion, revive and stimulate blood circulation intellect. But excessive consumption of spicy foods can lead to twitter and inner turmoil. Yin type will have to eat white meat, chives, cheese, garlic, cumin and parsley and yang type – rice, black and white radishes.

Color recommendations: White

Winter

In the Chinese vision cold weather means wisdom and stability, with the corresponding element – water. The specific taste is salty and the affected organs are kidneys and bladder.

Diet

Appropriate foods are salty, black ones and those from water, which provide the body with the necessary of cold energy: eggplant, seaweed, fish etc.. They also help eliminate toxins from the body and lead to its purification.

Yin Type II is recommended consumption of fish. For the yang type, proper diet consists of a diet based on algae, oysters, caviar, etc.

Color recommendations: Black

Different Feng Shui Cure Objects, Colors, and Sounds

Every object can either benefit you and your family, or be detrimental to you and your family. Feng Shui objects can include statues, diffusers, mirrors, plants, wind chimes, art, furniture, and more. The objects that are chosen typically serve to increase the flow of energy in such a way that it impacts certain areas of your life.

Feng Shui Cure Objects Especially for Health

Mirrors are very important in this practice, because they are believed to increase the flow of positive energy in a very easy manner. This positive energy can improve the way that you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically. Mystic Knots are also commonly used, because they are believed to offer protection, as well as other benefits, and this would include protection from illnesses and accidents.

Some items can serve two purposes in your home. For example, a Feng Shui fountain can increase health and abundance. More specific health conditions can be addressed with the use of candles and diffusers that emit the fragrance of essential oils throughout a room or a home, and many fragrances will also have a positive impact on more than one area of your life.

Finding the Feng Shui Objects that will Serve You Best

There are many online resources for finding specific objects that you can place in your home. However, you will have no way of knowing in advance if those objects truly serve the purpose that they state without a professional to help you. Ideally, you should consult with a Feng Shui specialist to discover what exactly is needed in your home or space, and how it should be placed as well.

Additionally, for some objects, you will also need instruction on using the objects for the most benefit in this practice. Color is also extremely important, and again, your Feng Shui consultant can help you to easily determine exactly what is needed, where it is needed, how it should be placed, and how it should be used to improve and protect your overall health, as well as the health of the other people who reside in your home.

When we think of meditation, we typically imagine a person postured in a sitting position with intense focus. No movement is apparent. In fact, movement may appear to be a disturbance of the meditative process. Walking meditation uses motion and contact with surroundings as a vehicle for trance.

Barefoot Meditative Walking

Those who want to learn how to practice walking meditation may be a little surprised to find that one approach involves going barefoot. This may be a source of stress for some people. Worrying about stepping on a sharp object or an insect can interrupt the meditative flow.

Apprehensions aside, many proponents of meditative walking recommend the barefoot approach. This is because the sensations in feet create a deep connection between the person walking and the earth. The sensory experience engages the mind and body in conjunction with the soil.

Preparing for Barefoot Walking

Preparing for barefoot walking meditation begins with setting a route to follow. Simply examining the paths that you would like to take on a regular basis is an excellent way to become familiar with the process. Practice is very important with this exercise.

Walking barefoot can make some people feel unbalanced but creating effective balance is part of the process. If walking outside is a little overwhelming, begin practicing indoors. It is important to be mindful in the practice and to visualize as you take each step.

Barefoot hiking requires some preparations and it may not be for everyone. However, a well-selected route can offer an excellent opportunity for you to feel one with nature in the meditative process.

Breathing

Breathing is an important aspect of walking and meditating. When walking outdoors, try to engage in the activity in early morning hours or late in the evening when the air is crisp and clean. Mindful walking with breathing exercises, like barefoot walking, does take practice.

The first step is to become aware of your breathing. Most breaths we take go unnoticed but each is essential in nurturing the body. Walking gives an opportunity to use each step to build an awareness of each breath you take as you move along. Some suggest that it is best to carry a slight smile on your face to improve mood as you walk, breathe and meditate.

Creating a rhythm that combines breaths, steps and words is a great approach in the meditative process. Select a favorite mantra that has deep meaning for you in the pattern. After getting the rhythm in sync, begin visualizing as you move.

Focus during walking meditation should be on breathing, visualization, mantra and movement. As these elements are practiced, awareness of your surroundings heightened. It is as if the walker is aware of nothing and everything all at once.

Getting to the root of the issue begins with a look at the history of the hydrangea as a medicinal plant. Though not commonly used in current western medicine, the shrub is a commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as one of its most popular treatments. The Cherokee Indians in North America traditionally used the hydrangea for medicinal purposes.

The plant continues to be a common supply for Chinese medicine, but it may be making a significant appearance as a medication across the globe. The roots of the plant appear to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some have used the herb to treat malaria. Scientists believe that the roots of the plant hold substances that can combat conditions that affect the body’s immune system.

Immune System Problems

Some health problems arise when the immune system attacks the body as it would a threatening entity. Serious conditions stem from immunity dysfunction including but not restricted to:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Arthritis
• Certain types of diabetes
• Psoriasis

Current Treatments

The article notes that current treatments for these conditions are troublesome. They tend to be costly and are difficult to take. Many patients have to inject the medicines used to treat the conditions. The article also points out that the drugs treat the symptoms, and not the underlying causes of the conditions.

Some medications suppress the body’s immune functions in order to keep the conditions under control. The problem with these medications is they are very strong and can have terribly problematic side effects. People who take these medicines are at a heightened risk of getting an infection as well.

The Hydrangea Alternative

The substances from the root of the hydrangea plant are a welcomed alternative to current treatments for immune-related medical conditions. There are many benefits to adopting this recipe in a treatment plan for these types of disorders.

Researchers have found that they can make a medication, halofuginone (derived from the roots of the plant) that serves to keep the body from producing harmful white blood cells that are commonly associated with immune system diseases. It can do this without interfering with health immune system functioning.

Current Uses of Halofuginone

The medicine has recently been given FDA Orphan Drug Status for treating a condition called scleroderma. Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition that affects the connective tissues in the body, causing an increase in the production of collagen type 1. The excess collagen leads to disfigurement, and it can be deadly.

The current uses of halofuginone are relatively limited considering the many promising uses for the medicine. More research may be necessary to determine how well the medication derived from the roots of they hydrangea plant, but for now the future looks quite promising.

Headaches

Headaches are manifestations of health problems somewhere in the body. The problem does not always relate to the specific place in which the pain actually occurs. According to Headaches Due to a Deficiency of Kidney Yang a headache may indicate that there is a kidney yang deficiency. This is especially important to consider if the pain is in the back of the head.

Temperature

The kidney yang is responsible for controlling metabolic heat. The body’s temperature may be affected with a blocked yang in the kidneys. You may notice cold feet and hands, even in warmer temperatures. The body is unable to regulate its metabolic temperature properly when there is an imbalance in this system. Sweating for no apparent reason may be linked to a yang kidney deficiency as well.

Incontinence

Incontinence is an embarrassing problem that can occur when there is a kidney imbalance. In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are gateways that regulate emissions from the bowels and urethra. Emissions may include urine, sperm, or fecal matter. Loss of libido may be associated with a deficiency.

Bone Problems

It may be surprising to some that a correlation between the bones and the kidneys exist. Problems that may arise from a kidney imbalance include weak knees, back pain, and osteoporosis.

Other Symptoms

Other symptoms of kidney yang deficiency include but are not limited to:

• Hair loss
• Premature graying
• Dizziness
• Impotence
• Premature ejaculation
• Irritable bowel syndrome

The tongue is a particularly important part of the body in relation to the kidney yang. The tongue may appear very moist and it may mimic the shape of the teeth after resting against them. It may also appear very light in color and swelling may occur.

Treatment

Treatment for the imbalance begins with following the Diet Guidelines for Kidney Yang Deficiency to help build the body’s strength. It isn’t necessary to restrict your diet to the specific foods outlined, but it is helpful to make these foods the basis of your eating plan.

It is necessary to avoid certain types of foods when you are treating the condition. Foods that can be troublesome contain dairy and some include raw vegetables. Normally, a salad is a healthy choice but not when you have a yang deficiency in the kidneys.

Supplements

Herbal supplements may improve the conditions as well. Some herbal ingredients commonly used in the treatment of kidney yang deficiency include but are not restricted to:

• Rehmannia
• Deer Antler
• Morinda Roo
• Vine Morinda
• Cinnamon bark
• Seaweed
• Fennel Seed
• Marshmallow root

It is always a good idea to discuss the condition with a health professional before adopting any supplements, including natural herbs.