Google's War On Chinese Herbs: Epimedium Banned

Google's Policy-Makers seem to have declared war on Chinese Herbs and the supplement/health food industry. East Earth Trade Winds had its Google Adword account suspended in early April, 2013 for advertising violations. What violations? One was having the word "Pe Min Kan Wan" listed on the website (See earlier posting). The other violation? Having the word "Epimedium" on the website, I'm told, is also a violation of their policies. "Epimedium" is short for the botanical name Herba Epimedium Sagittatum (Chinese: Yin Yang Huo 淫羊藿) and is a commonly used herb in Chinese herbal medicine. Epimedium tonifies the Kidneys, fortifies the yin and yang, and is good for pain in the joints and because it is a Yang Tonifying herb it also can be used in formulas for reproductive problems.

This seems preposterous to me. How can you ban the name of a plant that is not only commonly sold in Chinese medicine but legal to import and use?

I pointed out to the Support Rep that the word "Epimedium" was not on the Google Hit List of banned terms.

The response was (bold and underlining mine):

"Unfortunately those list (sic) are not comprehensive. You will have to take my word that you are not allowed to advertise for herbs such as Epimedium, and because the policy for healthcare terms changes so often there is not another list that I am able to send. However, please check the list and make the necessary changes and let me know when that has been completed, so I may continue to chat with our policy team.

Best,
T. R. "

Sounds like "Catch-22" T.R.

Another word I believe I could substitute for "Banning" is "Censoring" as in the Google Censors have determined that the Chinese products "Epimedium" and "Pe Min Kan Wan" are not fit for Chinese Herb Stores or Health Food Stores to advertise or sell. They will suspend your advertising account if you are found to advertise these products unless of course you're a major Google Adword Player like Amazon (search for "epimedium" in Google and an ad for Epimedium Extracts at Amazon.com will come up).

Censoring is an interesting term. If you remember it wasn't that long ago that Google pulled out of China because they didn't want their search results censored... but in the USA they seem to have no qualms about censoring and controlling what US businessmen and women may advertise and sell.

Google's done a lot of really cool stuff with the internet but as in my last posting I would like to encourage you to Boycott Google and use Yahoo, Bing, or any other search engine instead.

Stay tuned. I'm sure there's more to surprises to come.

Google Bans Pe Min Kan Wan 鼻寧丸

Hard to believe but true. Google has banned Pe Min Kan Wan. Any advertiser that uses Google AdWords and lists this product may have their site banned from Google AdWords advertising. That happened to East Earth Trade Winds. Their Google Adwords account has been suspended since April 1, 2013 because of listing Pe Min Kan Wan as a product on their website. Capricious and Arbitrary? Seems that way. We wanted to talk to the Google Policy-Makers but were told we couldn't do that. Now East Earth Trade Winds has had to list the product as Bi Min Kan Wan in order to be able to list the product on their website (Pe Min Kan Wan is also written in Pinyin as "Bi Min Gan Wan"). Why is Pe Min Kan Wan banned though? It's a is a popular herbal remedy for hay fever and cold symptoms and is also good for sinus problems, sneezing, and cough. Google Policy-Makers don't see it that way though. Not that they've ever taken the time to study Chinese Herbal Medicine. It seems like the Policy-Makers at Google decided that the Pe Min Kan Wan formula is somehow related to the abuse of the Chinese herb ephedra (Chinese: Ma Huang) which is banned in the USA. Apparently the Google Policy-Makers don't research things too well before banning them because there's no ephedra in Pe Min Kan Wan.  
Pe Min Kan Wan contains: Magnolia flower, Xanthium fruit, Isatis root, Pogostemon herb, Chrysanthemum morifolium flower, Saposhnikovia  root, Centepida minima herb, Mentha herb, and Perilla leaf. There's not a speck of ephedra in this product.
We don't agree with Google's policy. We think it is not only a poorly researched decision but also an infringement on our freedom of speech and providing educational information on Chinese Herbal Medicine to the public. As a result we ask you to boycott Google and use Yahoo or Bing or any other search engine instead.
What words will they ban next? Watch for our next posting and find out.

Radix Astragalus (Huang Qi 黄芪)

Radix Astragalus  黄芪

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Astragalus, Radix (Chinese: Huang qi; English: milk-vetch root) was called "the senior of all herbs" in the Essentials of the Materia Medica (1694AD). Tonifies the Spleen, Stomach, qi and blood and benefits the immune system (1,2). Research has shown it to lower blood pressure (3) and increase endurance. This herb is considered one of the world's greatest immune tonics and in fact is the principal substance listed in the materia medica for stabilizing and strengthening the protective Qi (immune system). Combines well with Ginseng, Glycyrrhizae, Angelica Sinensis, Cinnamomi, or Paeoniae.

Notes: When Astragalus and Ginseng are combined, they complement each other. Astragalus contributes a quick, ascending quality, which stregthens the exterior and Ginseng prolongs the action, supporting the deeper areas of the body, and also nourishing and protecting the yin. This combination provides the foundation for many formulas, including Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan and Shi Quan Da Bu Wan. You can also combine Astragalus with Codonopsis for the same effects as Codonopsis is commonly used as a Ginseng substitute.

Use 9-30 grams.

References:

(1) Yun Nan Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Yunnan Journal of Chinese Medicine), 1980; 2:28

(2) Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology, 1988 Mar. 25(3):125-9

(3) Intravenous injection of Huang Qi decreases blood pressure in anesthetized rabbits, dogs and cats. Guo Wai Yi Xue Can Kao Za Zhi (Foreign Journal of Medicine) 1977; 4:231

Available from East Earth Trade Winds

Radix Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui 当归片)

Angelica Sinensis, Radix (Chinese: dang gui 当归片 or sometimes spelled tang kuei) tonifies, invigorates, and harmonizes the blood. Traditionally an important herb for women and used for irregular and delayed menstrual cycles, menopause, PMS, menstrual cramps, has a mild sedative effect, and is good for pain. It also improves circulation by increasing blood flow. Use by itself or combine with Ginseng, antler, Ligustici Wallichii, Rehmanniae, Paeoniae, Chrysanthemum, or Lycii. Dang gui comes two ways, palm-sliced or heads. The palm-sliced is considered a premium grade of Dang gui; however, the heads are more commonly used and are of excellent quality. Use 3-15 grams per four cups water.

Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park Celebrates Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year was brought in at the Weaverville Joss House. Built in 1852 by Chinese miner's during the gold rush it is the oldest continuously used Taoist Temple in California. Every year there is a Chinese New Year celebration much to the delight of the local community and spectators who come for this event.
Here are some pictures from the event:

Dragon in front of the Joss House Temple. Randy Bashaw, whose Kempo Karate students perform in the event, is pictured in the background

 The Dragon chases the pearl.

 A large crowd showed up for the event.

Sore Throat, Laryngitis

Many people get sore throats and laryngitis as this person relates:

Q: "Hi, I'm looking for a Chinese remedy to help cure my laryngitis. I would call but obviously don't have a voice. I've had this for over 3 weeks and need something more than green tea, if there is something you can recommend. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated."

A: Three weeks is a long time. Have you seen a doctor?
Here are some products that may help:

http://www.eastearthtrade.com/sterculiaesemen-4ozbulk.aspx
 
http://www.eastearthtrade.com/lungclearherbalhoneydrops.aspx

http://www.eastearthtrade.com/naturalherbloquatflavoredsyrupa.aspx

http://www.eastearthtrade.com/zhongganling.aspx

East Earth Travelogues: A Visit to Ip Man's Grave

Ip Man (sometimes spelled "Yip Man," Mandarin: Ye Wen) has gone down in history as one of the most skillful proponents of Wing Chun Kung Fu. He produced a number of highly skilled Wing Chun practitioners, including Wong Shun Leung, William Cheung, Duncan Leung, and Moy Yat. His most famous student, though, was Bruce Lee.

When I was in Hong Kong in August 2012, I went to pay my respects at his grave.

Ip Man's grave is located on a hillside behind the Fung Ying Seen Koon temple in Fanling, Hong Kong. At the time, I was staying in Kowloon, and Fanling was quite a distance away. Fortunately, Hong Kong has an excellent subway system that is easy to use. I left my hotel early one morning and walked 15 minutes to the subway station. It was quite hot and humid, and I was a bit sweaty by the time I reached the station. Fortunately, it was much cooler in the subway. From my starting point, I had to make two transfers on the subway to get to the train to Fanling. The ride was moderately crowded, and at some point, the subway train came above ground, allowing a view of the outlying area.

When we arrived at the Fanling station, I got off the train and walked on the overpass to the Fung Ying Seen Koon temple, which is nearby. Ip Man is buried in a graveyard behind the temple. There’s a path leading to the graveyard, and along the way, there are a couple of markers pointing you toward his grave. On this particular day, the paths were covered in branches and leaves left by a typhoon that had passed through Hong Kong two days before. The debris on the path made it feel like I was hiking in the jungle, and the high humidity and mosquitoes added to that effect.

Other than the few signs pointing in the right direction, there’s nothing to indicate when you’ve arrived at the grave. Ip Man's gravesite was noticeably larger compared to the others, and it was swept clean. All the other graves were covered in leaves. I got the impression that someone goes there regularly to take care of it.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Fung Ying Seen Koon temple

The starting point

 The path blocked by bamboo and littered with leaves.

A sign pointing the way.

More leaves on the path.

Ip Man's grave

 A closeup of Ip Man's grave

Ip Man's picture on his grave.