Heartworm herbs

Q:

I recently bought from another company some Empirical Heartworm support herbal product. I decided to look up some of the ingredients on your web site and did not find a thing. So tell me, did I waste my money on this stuff> If it isn't to much of a bother, I will list some of the ingredients for you.....

Bing Lang ( Semen Arecae)

Wu Mei (Fructus Mume)

Shi Jun ( Fructus Quisqualis)

Fu Ling (Poria) etc

Please if it isn't too much trouble tell me if this stuff is real.

Thank you. -Virginia S.

A: Some of these herbs are used for parasites in Chinese medicine but not specifically heartworm. I don't know if it will work. You should ask the other company what research they have that supports their claim.

Cloud Hands Seminar with Sifu Share K. Lew

Sifu Lew Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew
will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and June 6, 2010 in Redding, CA

The exercises that Master Lew teaches are part of the "internal system" of the martial arts, known as Nui Kung or energy cultivation. These exercises strengthen the circulation of the Chi (vital energy), which increases vitality, health, and sensory perception. All of these exercises have traditionally been kept secret. Daily practice of the exercises will give the student a tangible experience of Chi energy.
The Cloud Hands set is the beginning set of Nui Kung (internal energy cultivation) which builds a foundation for both better health and further Nui Kung. The Cloud Hands consist of five relatively non-strenuous movements along with quiet seated meditation. These Taoist exercises help the body maintain good health and increase vitality. The time required for practice will fit into anyone’s schedule.
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The Instructor
Share K. Lew, now in his nineties, is a Taoist priest with over 70 years experience in the traditional Taoist arts. Master Lew received part of his education at Wong Lung Kwan, a Taoist monastery on the Luo Fo mountains near Canton, China.
Master Lew studied at Wong Lung Kwan monastery for 13 years. During that time he trained in the full range of Taoist healing and martial arts. At the core of his training was the secret system of cultivation known as Qigong (Chi kung). Master Lew was the first person to openly teach authentic Taoist Qigong to non-Chinese, beginning in Los Angeles in 1970. Master Lew’s monastery style, the Tao Ahn Pai (Taoist Elixir Style), dates back over 1300 years to Lu Dung Bin, who was born during the Tang Dynasty, and became one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.


For information and reservations call John Price at (530) 524-6942 or email: 6mmrem@gmail.com

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Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and June 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 to 4:00 pm, with lunch break from 12-2:00 pm
Location: Tobacco and Brew on Hilltop Drive in Redding

Fee: $200

Reservations: Pre-registration is recommended. A deposit of $100 will reserve your space. Class size is limited to 35 people.
• Bring a small pillow to sit on

herpes virus

Q: I have the herpes virus. Based on my studies, I know you can not tell me that you have a cure for herpes, I know you can not use the word cure. However, I need t know what is your best product for my condition and has any of your customers told you that they feel better after taking your product for this type of virus. Also Do you have an herb called PRATAN. This herb comes from Thailand and suppose to be good for herpes. Can you assist me in making a connection to some body in that country.
A: The Long Dan Xie Gan Wan is the best formula for this problem. It is to be taken whenever you feel like you are having an outbreak. Don't take it all the time. This product is not a cure but helps control the outbreaks. You also need to have a good diet and reduce stress to prevent future outbreaks and above all don't have sexual intercourse when you are having an outbreak. Do not pass this on.
I am not familiar with the herb Pratan.

Tinnitus

Q: I was wondering which products you suggest for hearing loss and tinnitus.

A: Er Long Zuo Ci Wan, is according to Chinese medicine books, said to be helpful. It all depends on the cause of the tinnitus so I really don't know if it would help or not. You may have to try several weeks or longer.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Looking to make a pleasant tasting tea? Add 3-4 chrysanthemum flowers along with the juice from half a lemon and add a little bit of honey to make a surprisingly delicious tea! Chrysanthemi, Flos (Chinese: Ju hua)) is said to be good for the eyes and clears and calms the Liver.

You can buy Chrysanthemum at www.eastearthtrade.com

Translating Acupuncture Texts

The topic of Acupuncturist's translating Chinese medical texts came up in a discussion recently. Occasionally I'll run across articles where an American acupuncturist's states that he or she translated the original Chinese text for the article. For example, Bob Flaws, OMD, of Blue Poppy Press, is a prolific "translator" who, according to his biography, taught himself to read "medical Chinese". He has in the past offered courses on reading Medical Chinese. He has also published a book "Teach Yourself to Read Modern Medical Chinese: A Step-by-Step Workbook and Guide". The pitch for this books states: "Bob shares all the 'quick and dirty' methods he’s used to teach himself. You can begin translating modern medical Chinese within hours"
While I have never read the book, advertising the translation methods as "quick and dirty" or promising you can begin translating Chinese into English "within hours" makes it sound like a side-show carnival product.(1)
Don't be misled, Chinese is not an easy language to learn or translate. The US Government classifies Mandarin Chinese as a Category IV language - one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to learn.
My concern is that Acupuncturists that read some of these "translated" articles or books take for granted that the translator is actually qualified to do that kind of work.
Those who want to translate and publish Chinese medical texts into English need to have a formal education in Chinese Language and translation from an institute of higher learning.
I propose passing Level 11 of the HSK exam as a minimum standard for translators of Chinese medical texts.
The HSK(2) is a standard test of Proficiency in Chinese language. The amount of words a person should know at the basic test level ranges from 400-3,000 Chinese words. In the advanced level HSK (Level 11) they should have knowledge of 5,000-8,000 words. According to the HSK website a person passing HSK Level 11 is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (high) level and can be regarded as qualified as an intermediate-level translator.

I also believe that a translator in the field of acupuncture should have the translations reviewed for accuracy by a translation committee prior to publication.

The whole purpose of setting high standards is to elevate the profession of acupuncture and make sure that accurate information is disseminated to practitioners.

Notes:
(1) A reviewer on amazon.com said this about Bob Flaws book:
"...I would like to say though, I found the book not that helpful in two ways. 1) The terminology although has pinyin romanization, it lacks the intonation marks. While this book is for reading, tones added will make the book able to help those wanting to learn to speak or listen to Chinese. 2) The book is full of errors. The wrong characters are written and often the meaning is either too simple or in error...so many errors!

(2) For more information on Chinese Proficiency Tests see HSK

Texas Acupuncture Warning

Did you know that if you are a Chiropractor in Texas you can practice acupuncture with just 100 hours of training? As unbelievable as it may seem this is true.
To put this in perspective, to qualify for the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) which is accepted as the main certifying agency in most states you need almost 3,000 hours training from a formal education program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

So, do people in Texas seeking acupuncture treatment know this? They should. Chiropractors in Texas who portray themselves as trained acupuncturists are less than forthright. They have organizations they belong to but as far as I can tell they certify themselves.
Think about 100 hours of training. That's not much in any field, much less medicine. For comparison, in a typical Oriental Medical College that will produce a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), a first year student will take 165 hours a semester and they won't even begin to touch a needle much less claim to know acupuncture.

My advice: If you live in Texas and seek acupuncture go to an acupuncturist with the credentials of "L.Ac." (Licensed Acupuncturist) These people have extensive and proper training and will be much more capable of treating you as a professional - and they won't have studied acupuncture by correspondence course either.

For more reading see: AAOM challenges 300-Hour "Chiropractice Acupucnture" Program.