Natural Skin Lightening

Natural skin lightening products can be found easily in market nowadays. For women who are looking for a way to lighten their skin tone, they can choose skin whitening cream, skin lightening soap, skin lightening gel, skin lightening pills, and skin lightening lotion and so on. However, as for the oldest and enduring recipes for natural skin whitening, I am afraid that the answer has to be found from Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

In ancient and modern China, healthy white tender skin is always one of the constant standards for beauty. So, no wonder Chinese medicine has accumulated so many various secret recipes that use Chinese herbs and mineral to lighten complexion. Among them, the 3 big natural skin lighteners have to be mentioned here. They are Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome) and Bai Fu Ling (White Poria). And they are also known as the Three White Decoction (San Bai Tang).

When it comes to widespread skin whitening formulas, it needs to trace back to the Three White Decoction, which was recorded in the medical book of “Introduction to Medicine” (Yi Xue Ru Men) in Ming Dynasty (16th century).

“Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, Bai Fu Ling 5 grams each, licorice root 2.5 grams, boiled with water and drinks it when it is still warm.”

This formula was used to treat deficient upset of typhoid fever. And later it was found that it could also tonify Qi, promote blood regeneration, lighten skin, and moisten skin so that it was spread widely among people. The compatibility of the Three White Decoction is quite precise and appropriate for rough skin, withered yellow-brown skin, melasma, and darker pigmentation due to deficiency-cold of Qi and blood.

TCM believes that skin tone is closely related to the condition of zang-fu viscera. If there is something wrong happened to the internal organs, the resulted imbalanced Qi and blood would lead to skin roughness and freckle. Therefore, this prescription starts from regulating the function of internal organs and balancing Qi and blood again. Once the internal organs function right and smoothly again, it achieves black skin lightening and get rid of dark age spots in the end.

Bai Shao, Bai Zhu and Bai Fu Ling are traditional herbs that are used to moisten and whiten skin. Along with licorice root, they can be served as anti aging herbs as well. According to Chinese medicine theory, their property and functions are as follows.

Bai Shao is sweet and sour. Its property belongs to slightly cold. It can be used to treat withered yellow-brown complexion, freckles, and discolorations.

Bai Zhu is warm. It tastes sweet and bitter. And it can remove body dampness and has anti-aging effects. From Chinese medicine perspective, the color of lingering water in body presents dark and dull. So getting rid of dampness can recover the perple’s original complexion.

Bai Fu Ling is sweet and tasteless. It is neutral in nature. Its functions are similar to Bai Zhu. In terms of skin care, it can also remove age spots and liver spotting and lighten the skin.

Licorice root is mild-natured. It tastes sweet. The licorice benefits include moistening skin and deodorization. It usually is used to get rid of bad breath and chapped skin due to deficiency of spleen and stomach.

Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed the natural skin whitening effects by the above-mentioned four Chinese herbs.

White Peony Root can scavenge free radicals and has antioxidant effect;White Atractylodes Rhizome and White Poria work to enhance immune function and dilate blood vessels;Licorice root can regulate immune system. External use of licorice root can block the sun’s UV rays, brighten skin tone, remove hyper pigmentation, and prevent skin roughness and so on. Hence, a lot of skin whitening products contain licorice extract.

As the old Chinese saying goes, “A white complexion is powerful enough to hide seven faults.” That is true that in China if a girl has the white complexion she would be viewed as more attractive and prettier. Skin whitening is always a trend and it never changes. If you would like to give it a try to natural skin lightening products that are made of Chinese herbs and natural minerals, Three White Decoction can be a good choice.

Adequate Vitamin D may stop cancer at outset

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May 23, 2009 ?
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UC San Diego study – In studying the preventive effects of vitamin D, researchers at the Moores Cancer Centre at the University of California, San Diego, have proposed a new model of cancer development that hinges on a loss of cancer cells’ ability to stick together. The model, dubbed DINOMIT, differs substantially from the current model of cancer development, which suggests genetic mutations as the earliest driving forces behind cancer.

“The first event in cancer is loss of communication among cells due to, among other things, low vitamin D and calcium levels,” said epidemiologist Cedric Garland, DrPH, professor of family and preventive medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, who led the work. “In this new model, we propose that this loss may play a key role in cancer by disrupting the communication between cells that is essential to healthy cell turnover, allowing more aggressive cancer cells to take over.”

Reporting online May 22, 2009 in the Annals of Epidemiology, Garland suggests that such cellular disruption could account for the earliest stages of many cancers. He said that previous theories linking vitamin D to certain cancers have been tested and confirmed in more than 200 epidemiological studies, and understanding of its physiological basis stems from more than 2,500 laboratory studies.

“Competition and natural selection among disjoined cells within a tissue compartment, such as might occur in the breast’s terminal ductal lobular unit, for example, are the engine of cancer,” Garland said. “The DINOMIT model provides new avenues for preventing and improving the success of cancer treatment.”

Garland went on to explain that each letter in DINOMIT stands for a different phase of cancer development. “D” stands for disjunction, or loss of intercellular communication; “I,” for initiation, where genetic mutations begin to play a role; “N” for natural selection of the fastest-reproducing cancer cells; “O” for overgrowth of cells; “M” for metastasis, when cancer cells migrate to other tissues, where cancer can kill; “I” refers to involution, and “T” for transition, both dormant states that may occur in cancer and potentially be driven by replacing vitamin D.

While there is not yet definitive scientific proof, Garland suggests that much of the evolutionary process in cancer could be arrested at the outset by maintaining vitamin D adequacy. “Vitamin D may halt the first stage of the cancer process by re-establishing intercellular junctions in malignancies having an intact vitamin D receptor,” he said.

According to Garland, other scientists have found that the cells adhere to one another in tissue with adequate vitamin D, acting as mature epithelial cells. Without enough vitamin D, they may lose this stickiness along with their identity as differentiated cells, and revert to a stem cell-like state.

Garland said that diet and supplements can restore appropriate vitamin D levels, and perhaps help in preventing cancer development. “Vitamin D levels can be increased by modest supplementation with vitamin D3 in the range of 2000 IU/day,” he noted.

The researchers noted that many studies show an apparent beneficial effect of vitamin D and calcium on cancer risk and survival of patients with breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. However, there are some studies that have not found such benefit, especially when taking smoking, alcohol and viruses into account. While more research needs to be done, Garland recommends that individuals should have their vitamin D level tested during an annual check up.

Garland and his colleagues have published epidemiological studies about the potential preventive effects of vitamin D for some two decades. Last year, his team showed an association between deficiency in sunlight exposure, low vitamin D and breast cancer. In previous work, they showed associations between increased levels of vitamin D3 or markers of vitamin D and a lower risk for breast, colon, ovarian and kidney cancers.

Flax Out – Chinese Herbs In For Hot Flashes

Flax Out Chinese Herbs In For Menopause Treatment | Pac Herbs HomeAbout UsFind a Store Selling our ProductsOur Herbal Pharmacetical FactoryRetail Stores Training VideosVirtually Tour Our Chinese Herb Factory in 3 minutesContactAsk the HerbalistDownloads – Patient Intake FormPrivacy PolicyShipping Information & Return/Refund PolicyTestimonialsFAQPMS Relief Herb Pac – The Studies Behind the HerbsProductsBlogPractitionersPressPress ReleasesImages ArchivesJune 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010January 2010December 2009November 2009October 2009September 2009August 2009July 2009June 2009April 2009
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Search Flax Out – Chinese Herbs In For Hot FlashesBy Cathy Margolinon June 5, 2011

We understand women are looking for natural products for as menopause treatment options.? Unfortunately,? flax seeds do not significantly lessen hot flashes according a study done at the Mayo Clinic and reported today in the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.

Researchers enrolled 178 women who had at least 28 hot flashes per week.? About half were breast cancer survivors. ?

The women were given snack bars with or without flax seed to eat once a day. After six weeks, only a third of each group reported 50 percent fewer hot flashes, and all reported more bloating, diarrhea and nausea."This we suspect was due to the fiber content in the bars," According to Dr. Sandhya Pruthi of the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis.

If flax seeds don't help hot flashes what does help? Chinese herbs have been used for over two thousand years successfully throughout Asia and help women naturally go through the change in life without severe hot flashes and night sweats. ?

Chinese herbs such as Rehamniae, Discorea, Horny Goat Weed, Moutan and others have a long history of helping women balance their energy and bring their bodies back to homeostasis.? Herbal medical products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms have been studied and used continuously throughout Asia. Most American's are familiar with a few Chinese herbs such as Ginseng, Dang Gui and Ginger.? Yet, hundreds of herbs have been? time tested and are safe and effective. These Chinese herbs may be new to the Western woman for menopause treatment, but Asian women have known the power in natural herbs by being raised in a culture which accepts and treasures their history, culture and learned knowledge that has been pasted down through generations. ?

For more information on Chinese herbs for menopause hot flashes click here.

You may also be interested in this blog post: A Natural Alternative to Hormones and Hot Flashes.

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AIDS conference opens in Rome (AP)

ROME – The head of the United Nations AIDS program called Sunday for an increase in access to drugs that help treat or prevent the spread of the disease, saying it is "morally wrong" to keep millions of people off lifesaving medication.

Michael Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, said the gap in access to HIV treatment should be closed both within and between countries.

Sidibe called for better delivery on the ground, a reduction in the number of years it now takes to turn scientific discoveries into actual progress for the poor, and increased cooperation among states, pharmaceutical companies and international organizations.

"We must use innovation to overcome social division and inequity," he said at the opening of an international AIDS conference in Rome.

In Africa, the hardest hit continent, 6.6 million people are now on AIDS medication, but 9 million people eligible for treatment are on waiting lists, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, many state assistance programs that help people access AIDS medications also have waiting lists.

"Most of those people don't know what'll happen to them. Do we tell them that they should die?" Sidibe said. "Having 9 million people wait day and night with their families is morally wrong. It is socially unacceptable."

The conference opened a few days after the announcement of a significant scientific breakthrough in stopping the spread of the virus: Two studies conducted in Africa showed that an antiretroviral drug made by United States firm Gilead Sciences already known to help prevent the spread of the virus in gay men also works for heterosexual men and women, researchers said. One of the studies showed the drug lowered the risk of infection for those believed to be regularly taking the pills by roughly 78 percent, the researcher reported.

In both studies, participants were also offered counseling and free condoms, which may help explain the relatively low overall infection rate.

According to figures provided at the conference, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses since the beginning of the pandemic 30 years ago, and an estimated 33.3 million people are currently living with HIV. Every day, 7,000 people across the world are infected, and more than 4,900 die from AIDS-related illness.

Even as conference speakers hailed the encouraging scientific advances, questions remained unanswered: How to make sure people remain on treatment, how to achieve universal coverage and how to reduce the risk of people abandoning condoms? Sidibe said these questions needed urgent answers.

And, he added, any discovery must be translated more quickly into policies accessible to those who need treatments, particularly in poor nations. Sidibe also said any trade agreement that would limit access to medication, especially generic ones, should be opposed.

That concern was shared by Elly Katabira, the president of the International AIDS Society and conference chair, who said: "I hope our voice will be heard in asking that access to all drugs, including generic drugs, will not be diminished by new laws or regulations anywhere in the world."

Gilead Sciences Inc., based in California, is a major producer of AIDS drugs. Two of its pills — Truvada and Viread — were used in the recent studies conducted in Botswana, Kenya and Uganda. The company has recently agreed to allow a range of its AIDS drugs to be made by generic manufacturers, potentially increasing their availability in poor countries.

The conference organized by IAS gathers some 5,000 researchers, scientists, clinicians and public health experts. It runs through Wednesday.

Magic of the “qi” in chinese medicine

Posted in Uncategorized - Written by on March 17, 2011

Chinese medicine has made significant contributions in the field of medicine and cure. There are many remedies that originated in China and have proved to be of great help in healing people across the world. According to the people of China, there is a universal life force or energy called “chi” or “qi” that pervades the entire human body. The “chi” flows via unseen energy channels known as meridians. As long as the flow of chi is smooth and unobstructed, the individual remains fit and healthy. But the moment there are irregularities in the circulation of chi, health of the person receives a setback. So in order to remain healthy, consistency in the current of chi should be maintained.

To have a sustainable flow of chi, Chinese medical philosophers devised several ways. Some of the best and eminent techniques are listed in this article.

Chinese traditional herbal remedies are great for hypertension and other cardiac problems. In case of deficiency of the heart a mixture of hawthorn, ginseng, Indian bread and Logan Aril is given.

Arthritis and Inflammation also find a good treatment in Chinese herbs. Medicines like Glabrous Greenbrier Rhizome and Snow Pear are found to be tremendously effective in this area.

Chinese doctors have always emphasized the importance of exercise. They also worked out a special method or style of exercising. This method was named as ‘qigong’. Qigong is deemed to bi-function as a fitness developing and enhancing scheme and also as a springboard for superior martial arts. A set of qigong exercises has acted as perfect medicine in many cases.

The Chinese herbs have something to offer in case of common cold, flu, fever and influenza etc. Isatis Root, Dyers Woad Leaf, Common Selfheal Fruit Spike is beat in averting cold or flu. It stimulates the production of infection resistant white blood cells in the body.

This however is not all. Chinese herbs and other remedies like exercises have a record-breaking significance in human life. They have largely contributed to the maintenance of a perfect health.

Injection Drug Users Most in Need of Treatment, Study Says (HealthDay)

FRIDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Injection drug users have the greatest need for substance abuse treatment, regardless of what types of drugs they use, according to a new study.

Since injection drug users suffer higher rates of abuse, dependence and other physical and psychological problems, researchers argued their findings could help treatment programs specialize their care to target these high-risk individuals.

"Our findings indicate that injection drug use is associated with substantially more substance abuse-related problems than non-injection drug use, including a higher prevalence of dependence, unemployment, and co-occurring mental and physical disorders," said the study's lead author Scott Novak, senior behavioral health epidemiologist at RTI International in an RTI news release.

"These problems appear to characterize a treatment-resistant population in need of specialized treatments," he concluded.

The study was published in the July issue of the Journal of Addictive Diseases.

To investigate injection drug use, the researchers compiled data from the National Survey on Drug use and Health, an annual U.S. survey of about 70,000 children and adults.

Among the study's findings, researchers revealed those living in rural areas were more likely to inject drugs than those residing in either urban or suburban areas. Injection drug users were also more likely than those using drugs in other ways to be aged 35 and older, unemployed, and to not have a high school diploma.

"This study confirms a longstanding belief that injection drug users are a unique population with their own treatment needs, regardless of what drug they inject," concluded Novak. "By learning more about how routes of administration are related to user characteristics, we could improve our ability to tailor substance abuse treatment and prevention strategies to individual users."

The study's authors also noted that injection drug users are more commonly arrested or jailed than other types of drug abusers. As a result, individualized treatment for injection drug users should extend to those who are incarcerated.

More information

The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides more information on substance abuse treatment.

Treat Hormonal Imbalances With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Every young teenage girl can't wait til they get their period, so they have experienced the right of passage into adulthood. Unfortunately, they are unaware of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Luckily, there is a cure to the cramps, fatigue and mood swings that does not involve amphetamines.? Asian cultures have been using Traditional Chinese Medicine? (TCM) to treat the hormonal imbalances that accompany menstrual cycle related symptoms for centuries. Chinese medicine calls this an imbalance of Qi in the reproductive and other related organs. Acupuncture and herbs can re-establish the flow of Qi and bring a balance to the?body allowing the body to function optimally without hormone regulators such as a birth control pills.? Often the underlying problem with PMS is the hormonal imbalance.?Estrogen levels are commonly to high in relation to progesterone levels.?What’s causing this imbalance??The most common cause is our diets.?Hormones are sensitive and overeating and obesity often lead to conversion of androgens to estrogen by aromatase. ?High fat diets, refined sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods and artificial sweeteners, dairy products and even commercially raised livestock are all a source of estrogen exposure.?Limiting our exposure of so called "artificial or xeno-estrogens" is not difficult, when eating a balanced healthy diet and ?hormone free meat. ? Not surprising, exercise helps keep the balance, whereas alcohol and constipation both disrupt the balance.Regulating hormone levels ?is a key component to combating PMS and?Chinese herbs ?can help maintain a hormone balance through several methods. (See PMS Relief Herbs Pac) Many Chinese herbs?have hormone enhancing properties.?? One such herb is Dang Gui.? Several new studies?have examined dang gui with a combination of herbs also called herbal formulas.? We know herb formulas or combination of herbs are very effective and since dang gui is? known as the?“women's ginseng” it's an indispensable herb for PMS symptoms. ?Although contradicting literature has been published on the phytoestrogen content in dang gui, it does have a plethora of?well established and proven actions. In TCM it is a blood tonic and has warming and dispersing actions.? Numerous studies prove dang gui and other Chinese herbs nourish our blood. Monthly blood loss take a toll on women over time,? a healthy diet, including herbs are the fuel necessary to replenishing the blood that is lost each month. Many Chinese herbs contain high amounts of essential fatty acids? which also help maintain our natural hormonal balance.? Some do this by improving liver functions. The liver is viewed as part of the reproductive system in Chinese medicine. ? It’s imperative to help the liver regulate the production of prostaglandins hormones and strengthen the?livers ability to synthesize?proteins and fat. This facilitates the bodies ability to regulate itself. Bupleurum and Rehmannia are two traditional Chinese herbs ?which have clinically tested and proven liver tonifying properties.? Strengthening liver functions is another way Chinese herbs helps an over-active uterus and therefore reduce PMS symptoms. Advil, Tylenol and other NSAIDS only cover up your pain and can cause more harm to your liver function.?Chinese herbs work at the root of the disharmony. A recent study of 549 women in Australia documented results on the severity of PMS and the effectiveness of Chinese herbs to reduce the severity.[1] By restoring the imbalance in the reproductive system, herbal medicine can prevent?monthly menstrual cramps, depression, PMS, and abdominal pain.?
Maintaining a healthy hormone balance (part of homeostasis) is essential throughout life and will undoubtedly also help PMS symptoms. Be in control of your body and how it functions.?Give yourself healthy foods and plant based medicine like Chinese herbs and you’ll naturally balance your body’s energy and restore your body’s natural hormone balance.For more information on this subject call us and talk to our Licensed Acupuncturist/herbalist. Go to Contact Page.Notes:?“When the balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are off, it causes?an inability of conversion from linoleic acid to GLA resulting in increasing the risk of over production of PGE2 and premenstrual pain and cramps.”[2]2.?? ?Dijsselbloem N, Vanden Berghe W, De Naeyer A, Haegeman G. Soy isoflavonephyto-pharmaceuticals in interleukin-6 affections. Multi-purpose nutraceuticals atthe crossroad of hormone replacement, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory therapy.Biochem Pharmacol. 2004;68(6):1171-1185. estrogen disruptors induce precocious puberty? Minerva Pediatr. 2006;58(3)3. Lee JM, Appugliese D, Kaciroti N, Corwyn RF, Bradley RH, Lumeng JC. Weight statusin young girls and the onset of puberty. Pediatrics. 2007;119(3):e624-e630.4.Steingraber S. Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment. Boston, Mass: Addison Wesley Publishing Co; 1997.5. Wiksten-Almstromer M, Hirschberg AL, Hagenfeldt K. Menstrual disorders and associated factors among adolescent girls visiting a youth clinic. Acta Obstet GynecolScand. 2007;86(1):65-72.?6. Halbreich U, Borenstein J, Pearlstein T, Kahn LS. The prevalence, impairment,impact, and burden of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD).Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003;28 Suppl 3:1-23.

7.?Medical Herbology & Pharmacology by John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen?Art of??? Medicine Press, 2004

This post is proud to be part of? thekathleenshow.com Prevention not Prescription Tuesday's blog roll.

Category: Chinese Medicine, Herbs for PMS & Menstrual Cramps | Tags: Alternative Medicine, Chinese Herb, Chinese Herbs, Chinese Medicine, Menstrual cramps, natural pms relief, natural remedies, PMS, pms fatigue relief, PMS herbs, prevent menstrual cramps Comment ?