| Healthy living | |
| JUNE |
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Herpes Simplex Herpes simplex is a very common virus infection. Many people are infected without even knowing as the virus can sleep for years before breaking out. The infection is often triggered by sun, stress, a weak immune system, fever or other illnesses. Once it breaks out, the patients complaint about burning pain, followed by blisters on mouth or lips that are filled with fluid. In general, the healing process lasts for at least one week. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains the viral skin disease with dampness and heat in the body. Usually a weak spleen, lung or kidney organ system is responsible that moisture is not used efficiently and that unnecessary moisture cannot get discharged from the body. In this case, dampness accumulates in the body. Additionally, heat is generated in the body, e.g. in the spleen by inappropriate food, in the liver by stress, etc. When the spleen is affected, there is usually a deficiency of blood and Qi that promotes the occurrence of Herpes simplex. Medicinal herbs can help to prevent herpes simplex outbreaks and to improve the healing process after an outbreak. For other herpes disease such as herpes zoster (shingles), acupuncture is an efficient supplementary treatment. Below please find some herbs that are often prescribed to ease the symptoms of herpes and to promote healing. Please do not use these herbs without consulting a TCM practitioner! Chinese Gentian Root or Dragon Gallbladder Herb (Long Dan Cao 龙胆草)  The Chinese gentian is native to China where it grows in the highlands. It has leafy (up to 10 cm) stems and carries blue-colored blossoms in spring. The plant is a winter-resistant plant that can easily grow in stony grounds. But, it needs a lot of sun and light to prosper. The Chinese gentian roots are collected in autumn, dried and cut into pieces.
Chinese gentian root is a famous herb in China as it is often used together with Chai Hu (described in May). The combination of these herbs is named “Chinese bitters”. The general benefits of Chinese bitter are the anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbal properties. In TCM, it is said that the Chinese bitters are promoting the flow of Qi in the body. Gentian root itself has the ability to clear heat and to dry dampness from the liver, spleen and gallbladder. The root also dispels wind and decrease the Yang in the body. Its taste is bitter and it has a cooling effect on the body. Chinese Foxglove Root(Shengdihuang 生地黄)  Chinese foxglove is native to the Northern regions of China. The plant can grow 20 cm tall, mostly in moist soils. It has oval leaves and bell-shaped blossoms that can bloom repeatedly from spring to fall.
The root is collected in fall or early winter. For medical purpose, it is dried over the winter in the sun.
In TCM, Chinese foxglove is prescribed for many heat-related diseases due to its cooling properties. The root dispels heat from the heart, liver and kidneys and also cools down the blood. Its taste is sweet-bitter. Patients with a weakness in the stomach have to be careful with the intake of Chinese foxglove. Purslane or Horse’s teeth amaranth (Machixian 马齿苋)  In Europe, American and Asia, purslane has become a popular dish. It is a leafy vegetable that can be eaten in soups, as vegetable (stir-fried or cooked) or as salad.
The vegetable is very rich of Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Purslane belongs to the family of portulacaceae. It has a reddish stem and green paddle-shaped leaves. The plant can grow up to a height of 40 cm, preferable on loose and nutrient-rich soil. From May to September, purslane carries small yellow-colored flowers. The Horse’s teeth amaranth (translated literally) has a cooling effect on the large intestine, the heart and the liver. It also cools the blood. To treat diseases, it clears heat and removes dampness. If you have questions about these herbs and the treatment with herbal remedies in general, please feel free to contact us. We are very happy to help! |
