Active Health

Tuina Massage for Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Babies love touch and they are especially responsive toTuina paediatric massage. I was scanning the bookshelves recently and cameacross an excellent book that depicts a series of ancient techniques and gentletreatment for babies who suffer from Colic and digestive disorders.

This little gem contains paediatric Tuina techniques fromthe world famous Jiang-Su Provincial Hospital Nanjing and combines them with aromatherapytechniques in an easy to understand and use massage sequence, so don’t be putoff by the title (The Little Baby Massage Book) and its simple cover. Accordingto research various Tuina techniques combined with aromatherapy has been shownto increase the production of ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic) Hormones and manymore, aiding the relief of colic, digestive disorders and other baby healthconditions.

This book is easy to read, its education and beautifullyillustrated, photographed and diagrammed for people from all ages and walks oflife to learn Tuina paediatric (baby) massage.

Aromatherapy

There is an entire chapter dedicated to the study ofaromatherapy essential oils and botanicals. You will learn how to mix your ownaromatherapy massage oils, "Aromatreats" with home safety tips whilelearning other uses for your essential oils. Meditations for new mothers aresome of the other valuable and informative tips that you will find in this richenjoyable text combined with great knowledge. Through touch and an openmind...we can learn to bring Ancient Healing into a Modern World. Enjoy readingwith "The Little Baby Massage Book". Want to buy this book in the Europe or USA.

Argument for Complementary Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:15:00 +0000

COMPLEMENTARY medicine treatments are used by two in threeAustralians each year and have been taught in universities here for twodecades. The recent call by Friends of Science in Medicine to ban theuniversity teaching of ''complementary medicine'' presents a sad view ofscience and a shameless push to censor learning.

There are two fundamental points proposed by this group.First, that healthcare practices should be based as much as possible on soundscientific evidence. This is easy to agree with. Rigorous testing of allmodalities of healthcare and the promotion of evidence-based clinical practiceis essential. But ''evidence-based medicine'' is a relatively new approach.Most medical and allied healthcare practices have not been rigorously tested.

Second, this group argues that abolishing the teaching ofcomplementary medicine will somehow strengthen its evidence-based clinicalpractice. This is nonsense. A strong link between research and education helpscommunicate the fruits of research rapidly and effectively to clinicians. Toimpose greater barriers to this is counter-productive to quality care.

This year, Chinese medicine practitioners will be registeredin Australia. To exile these practitioners and others will damage patient care,close off communication with other healthcare providers and diminish theability to improve practice over time. There are few cardiologists who do notrecognise the value of fish oil supplements in heart disease, and fewgeriatricians who are not aware of the importance of calcium and Vitamin D3 forbone health. Chinese herbal medicine is administered routinely in hospitals formany chronic diseases. Why would we shut our minds to these possibilities?There is no better place than our universities to rigorously discern what worksfrom what does not. This has led to recognising herbs such as Artemisia as aproven anti-malarial and St John's wort for depression. With increasing ratesof disease, an ageing population and ballooning healthcare costs, now is notthe time to shy away.

This disregard for patients' choice will only discouragethem from disclosing complementary medicine use to their doctors. While perhapsbased on some real concerns, this campaign reflects a narrow view of what isbeing offered and is uninformed by the great effort that has gone intoemphasising science in the delivery of these courses. Sensibly, the AustralianMedical Association has withdrawn support for this lobby group.

Professor Alan Bensoussan is director of the centre forcomplementary medicine research, University of Western Sydney.

Chinese Cupping Therapy

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:19:00 +0000

You may often have wondered what those perfectly circular “bruises” are found on the back of celebrities wearing their newly design backless gowns at some public performance. The “bruises” are actually the result, yes conscious result, of an ancient Chinese therapy called Cupping Therapy. You may find earlier that our famous celebrity enjoyed this often misunderstood medical therapy. Cupping Therapy has been practised for thousands of years as part of Chinese medicine and is usually combined with Tuina Chinese medical acupressure massage. According to the theory that underpins traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that illness or disharmony, such as stress and pain can be caused by stagnation of blockage of Qi (vital energy), Blood and lymph fluids. Back pain that is caused by bad posture means that your Qi (vital energy) and Blood can't flow properly through that area and begin to stagnate, as in bruise. Cupping Therapy is applied to stimulate movement of Qi (vital energy) and Blood and to facilitate healing by promoting the smooth flowing of your essential fluids. It is used to treat all kinds of muscle pain, stress, and to help clear congestion after a cold or flu. The Cupping therapy involves creating a vacuum in several cups and applying them to the skin. This causes a suction sensation which stimulates energy and fluid flow and eliminates toxins. The practitioner can also “run” the cups over a portion of large muscle which is a very relaxing sensation. You are usually left with some painless marks “bruises” but they disappear within a week. Regular results are an immediate relief of pain and stress. The treatment is especially powerful when combined with Tuina Chinese medical acupressure massage. Be careful when you buy your Cupping set that the re-seller is a reputable source. Buy Cupping Set in Europe Recommended Store

The Psychobiology of Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

At its worst, acute pain can be unimaginably intense and stressful, and chronic pain can wreck havoc on a person's quality of life. Because pain is such a universal problem Traditional Chinese medical practitioners devote a considerable amount of time treating it. Read more from original article..

Green Tea and Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:08:00 +0000

The latest research have revealed that green tea contains a compoundthat shows great promise for the development of drugs to treat two types of tumoursand a deadly congenital disease. The discovery is the result of research led byPrincipal Investigator, Dr. Thomas Smith at The Donald Danforth Plant ScienceCenter and his colleagues at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Theirfindings are published in the recent article,"Green Tea PolyphenolsControl Dysregulated Glutamate Dehydrogenase In Transgenic Mice By HijackingThe ADP Activation Site” in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Read original article here

Study - Acupuncture helps ease hot flashes

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:20:00 +0000

Resent research studied 14 men who were suffering hot flashes a side effect of anti cancer treatments and studied the positive effects of acupuncture on these sometimes sever symptoms. Read original article here

Cosmetic Acupuncture

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:48:00 +0000

The wisdom of Chinese medicine optimises the bodies resources to achieve that facial rejuvenation, used by stars and celebrities around the world, now facial rejuvenation acupuncture is more available to us all. Chinese medical acupuncture doesn’t just stop there, it works from the inside out, and not only treats the lines of your face, it treats internal disharmony that causes those fine lines.

The Picture in the Article. When you read the accompanying article, please be aware that the picture is not a realistic picture of anyone receiving facial rejuvenation acupuncture. No professionally trained acupuncturist would not use so many heavy needles. If they did the result would be a heavy weight on the face and even more lines and wrinkles. it is nothing like that. Read original article here

Acupuncture benefits Glaucoma

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Glaucoma which can cause blindness will benefit from acupuncture according to new research.

The study conducted by the department of Traditional Asian Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, demonstrated that acupuncture improves intraocular pressure (IOP) and retrobulbar circulation behind the globe of the eye. Acupuncture points that were studied were UB-02, Tai Yang (M-HN9), ST-02, ST-36, SP-06, K-03, Liv-03, GB-20, UB-18, and UB-23 with all acu-points were needled bilaterally. The study used colour doppler imaging to confirm the improvement in circulation behind the eye. The improvements in IOP and eye circulation suggest that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Western medical treatments for Glaucoma, focuses on controlling intraocular pressure and retrobulbar hemodynamics. The study concluded that acupuncture is effective in controlling these factors. Using the colour doppler imaging, the researchers revealed that acupuncture lowers intraocular pressure and vessel resistance in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Acupuncture needles were retained for 15 minutes on the anterior and posterior sides of the patients during each session. UB-02, Taiyang, ST-02, St-36, SP-06, K-03, and Liv-03 were applied to the patients when in the supine position and retained for 15 minutes. For the prone position, GB-20, UB-18, and UB-23 were retained for 15 minutes. No needle manipulation techniques were applied.

Shin Takayama, lead researcher commented that this is the first study using acupuncture to measure improvements of eye hemodynamics and that acupuncture was found to decrease vessel resistance in the eyes, specifically the ophthalmic artery (OA) and short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA). The OA and SPCA originate from the carotid artery. The study concludes that a combination of medications combined with acupuncture improves glaucoma patient outcomes over patients who only receive medications.

Online reference:
healthcmi.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Silence is Consent

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:39:00 +0000

I'm asking all my patients, students, colleagues, friends and family to visit this web address, watch the video and Please sign the PETITION, if you want to be able to choose a natural herbal remedy. The video says it all!

To www.SaveNaturalHealth.eu for an excellent explanatory video and sign their petition to the European Council.

James

Tuina Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:19:00 +0000

James O’Sullivan’s workshop at the Irish Massage Therapists Association AGM was full to capacity with 60 massage therapists eager to learn more about Tuina, the Chinese medical acupressure, also known as needle-less acupuncture. James is a pragmatic speaker and quickly cuts to the essential core of the subject in a simple and easy to understand way. He arranged the workshop into an information session on where Tuina came from, how it developed and how it works. The group also quickly learned the location of particular Qi points, used to ease stress, relax the mind and body, calm thinking and eliminate tension. In the next session James demonstrated a 15 minute sequence of Tuina utilising these Qi points. He then had the entire group practicing this simple yet powerful routine that James developed for his own patients, who suffer less stress now as a result.

James demonstrates Tuina techniques at IMTA AGM

The short one hour workshop flew past and went over time with lots of questions from the enthusiastic group. Tuina is the medical physiotherapy of China developed over 3,000 years ago. It is an integral part of the healthcare system in hospitals throughout China today. It works with the energy system in the body known as the meridian system.

Like Acupuncture, Tuina works with the Qi energy of the patient to bring a balanced state of health. But unlike, acupuncture, needles are not used. The work is done entirely with the practitioner's hands to help increase the beneficial flow of Qi through the patient's meridian system.

The practitioner of Tuina learns to diagnose the patient, using a holistic approach techniques and methods. The practitioner will need to either stimulation or subdued a particular meridian in order to bring the patient to a state of balanced health.

Tuina Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:59:00 +0000

There is a lot that can be said about the many modalities of massage, but my personal favourite is Tuina Chinese medical acupressure.

Tuina (pronounced twee nah) falls under the category of Qi Gong acupressure which is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture, herbal therapy, dietary therapy and medical Qi Gong). Tuina literally means "Push Grasp". This method of massage was developed by Chinese healers over the course of several centuries. Often referred to as "sports massage" but it is so much more than that. In China, Tuina is practiced in the largest hospitals integrated with Western medicine to treat both external conditions from broken bones, frozen shoulders, tennis elbows to Internal conditions like Headaches, PMS, Dizziness, Insomnia.

I have used Tuina to help ease the pain of Migraine, Sciatica, as well as other chronic pain conditions. My patients report they have never had such powerful, moving massage before and prefer Tuina to Swedish or Deep Tissue massage. I personally prefer it because it allows me to affect a more penetrating release for my patients without the pain usually attributed to therapeutic massage.

Tuina can be used to treat ailments in children as well. The meridians in a child's body are not fully developed, so a much milder treatment than for an adult and Tuina is a very suitable substitute for acupuncture because of this. In my own clinic I have treated children as well as adults. While practicing in Guo Yi Tang Hospital, in Beijing, I had an 8 month old child patient who had a haemorrhage in the brain. Her doctors told the parents that they should let the child go as she may not survive the trauma and the prognosis was not good. As a last resort, the parents brought their child to the hospital and I was assigned to treat her. When I met the parents and child, I was disheartened by her condition. She had no spirit in her eyes, she was totally still and silent except for the activity of the respirator and other apparatuses attached to her. At that moment my confidence in Tuina was severely tested and I have to admit I said a few prayers as well. I remembered an acupressure protocol from my very first teacher in Taiwan "Hung Shui Chen" and I used it every day. By the end of one week the spirit had returned to the little girl's eyes.

One day during the treatment, the baby let out a little scream. I looked to the mother who had tears in her eyes. She hadn't heard her baby cry in weeks. From that point on, the baby continued to have a strong recovery and I believe is fully recovered today. Tuina proved itself that day and thankfully has proved itself many times since it. I can say with my hand on my heart, I have complete confidence in Tuina today as an effective treatment for many conditions.

Tuina Chinese medical acupressure is relatively new here in Europe. However, as it is more widely practiced, there will be more information and education available.
James O'Sullivan

Study Tuina

Thunder God Vine study

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have for centuries used a medicinal plant called “Thunder God Vine”, or lei gong teng, as a treatment for a varieity of health problems including rheumatoid arthritis. There is now a “new” scientific study from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, recently published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, showing evidence that the herb has potential anti-tumour and other healing properties. Thunder god vine (lei gong teng) contains compounds that help control the "machinery" of genes on the cellular level.

Read original article here

Monkeys and Racing Minds

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Happiness is a smiling monkey

This week I went to the wildlife park on my own without children, grandchildren or significant other. I usually go to visit the monkeys first as I’m a “Monkey” in the Chinese astrology chart, according to my birth date. I sat in front of them and watch their antics. I don’t like to eat food or drink water in front of animals as it encourages them to beg, the monkeys especially! I watched the busyness of these seemingly fun loving creatures. They are just one bundle of activity. I watch the monkeys screech and seemingly fly around, swinging from branches, poles and the cage mesh. Some times my mind feels like that, a mess of undisciplined thoughts with no stop sign. If I sit there long enough I notice that eventually they sit down in a corner or on a branch. They may even find themselves a grooming partner. I could fall asleep at times like this.

I wander over to the giraffes and watch these graceful animals glide as they walk. One of them sat down and grazed on some hay. I had never seen a giraffe sit down before, they become so awkward getting into the seated position and her baby sat next to its mother. I sat down to observe this awkward beauty. My mind felt relaxed and I stayed ages just enjoying their relaxed mood.

Just hanging out!

As I left the tranquillity of the zoo, I looked at my watch and as if a switch was turned on, I began “my real life” again. “I better move as the traffic is about to start building up and if I make it to the ring road in 10 minutes I could save myself an hour in traffic. If all goes to plan I could be home for 6ish, prepare and eat something and finish off that lecture for next Friday by 8pm, I think there’s a good movie on at 9pm! Ah I’ll get a Chinese take away instead and that way I’ll be able to sit down and relax early, now where did I park my car”?

Sound familiar? Every living creature on this planet of ours is connected in some way. We are all connected to the different moods in our immediate environment. If we connect with happy, calm and tranquil people, places and things, we will find it easier to attain their qualities ourselves. This goes in some way towards our better health, movement, freedom and wellbeing.

WOW What a day

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Thank you everybody, visitors and practitioners. It was a brill day as my grandchildren would say.

Karen Egan treating with auricular acupuncture at the Galway Museum.

Eunice taking pulse

Elsa Lee demonstrating and explaining the Acu-Graph

James demostrating the effective self-massage for headache, stress and lifes tensions

Photos by Ronan Bluett

Apples is apples

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Food according to Chinese culture is firstly a medicine and then as something delicious you eat every day. Chinese family sit down to eat their favourite meal or soup with the knowledge of the medicinal qualities of that food. For example in China apples are good for you, but according to Chinese nutritional therapy, when you have a tummy bloating and ache in hot weather, then sweet apples are on the menu. If you suffer from stress with a little irritability, then you are encouraged to eat sour apples.

When the family meal is prepared in China, it is planned with the principal that balance needs to be achieved in order to gain maximum benefits from the meal. Each ingredient is chosen for its medicinal quality but also for its synergistic effect on the accompanying ingredients. This meal is cooked by a method that will nourish and maintain health, or help treat an illness.

According to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, diet, food has its own classification and qualities as well as properties, depending on their effect on the body. For example, Yin foods have a property that is cool or cold, a yang food are warm or hot, and food can also be neutral. Food can also be categorised according to the seasons and each season corresponds to a particular flavour and that food can have a certain relationship to a specific part of the body.

Western diet tends to break every food down into smaller and smaller parts, nutrients for example such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. An apple according to Western medical nutritional science has 13 vitamins, 12 minerals and 386 other phyto-nutrients.

Even though both traditions have a different understanding of the benefits of an apple, both agree that apples are good for you. When combined Western and Chinese knowledge can provide a substantial therapy and advise that is probably the dominant complementary medicine to prevent and treat disease.

Ginseng for clear thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. It is traditionally used to provide a broad assortment of physical and mental benefits, including cognitive development and protection against age-related decline and dementia.

New research says ginseng appears to have some beneficial effects on cognition, behaviour, and quality of life, although the lead researcher JinSong Geng, M.D., says at present he cannot go so far as to recommend taking the herb because he sees a lack of high-quality evidence. Read original article here

Tai Qi benefits Arthritis patients

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:31:00 +0000

In the study it was found that Stiffness, fatigue, balance and well-being improved after two months.

Patients suffering from arthritis may gain physical and emotional relief from the ancient Chinese art of Tai Qi, according to a new study, the largest of its kind.

Patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia felt better and moved more easily after taking twice-weekly classes in Tai Chi, a system of meditative exercise, researchers found.

"It reduced pain, stiffness and fatigue, and improved their balance," said study lead author Leigh F. Callahan, an associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

Smaller studies have also linked Tai Qi to similar benefits for people with arthritis, but colleagues had questioned the applicability of the findings to a larger population. Read original article here

Ginseng's benefit for Immunity

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Research has demonstrated that the herb ginseng has immunological effects. Researchers have now shown that the herb, much used in traditional Chinese and other Asian medicine, has anti-inflammatory effects.

The Science Daily article, Ginseng: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory discusses a recent study at the University of Hong Kong that explain how this natural element serves to promote good health. The anti-inflammatory agents in ginseng are of particular concern in the research.

Allan Lau led a team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong who identified seven ginseng constituents, ginsenosides, which showed immune-suppressive effects. He said, "The anti-inflammatory role of ginseng may be due to the combined effects of these ginsenosides, targeting different levels of immunological activity, and so contributing to the diverse actions of ginseng in humans".

The scientists treated human immune cells with different extracts of ginseng. They found that of the nine ginsenosides they identified, seven could selectively inhibit expression of the inflammatory gene CXCL-10. Lau concludes, "Further studies will be needed to examine the potential beneficial effects of ginsenosides in the management of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases in humans".

Uniquely, the researchers were able to holistically test the ginseng extract's immune effects by using sophisticated purification technologies to identify individual constituents and define their bioactivity using genomics and bioactivity assays. After that, they reconstituted them back into a whole extract with definable individual ginsenosides for re-confirmation of effects. This potentially opens up a vigorous methodology to study medicinal herbs with state-of-the-art technologies.

Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Thank you to The Science Daily for this article.

Irish Acupuncturists

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:21:00 +0000

The IMB (Irish Medicines Board) has issued an advisory notice to Acupuncturists and other medical practitioners regarding “Single-Use--Single-Patient-Use-Medical-Devices”. This advisory notice is intended to provide clarification on the definition of the terms “single use” and “single patient use”, in line with the updated medical devices directive.

A single use device (SUD) is a medical device that is intended to be used on an individual patient during a single procedure and then discarded. Medical devices that are for single use must be clearly labelled.br/>

Read original article here

Green Tea Protects DNA (Jing)

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:33:00 +0000

When you reach for your morning brew, you should consider green tea because new research shows it can help keep your cells healthy and young. Healthy subjects were asked to drink green tea every day for a month, in combined methodology / human supplementation trial and an in vitro study. They experienced a 20% reduction in DNA damage, according finding's published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Research was conducted on 18 healthy subjects who were randomly assigned to drink two cups of green tea daily for four weeks. When their body fluids were analyzed, there was a 20% reduction in DNA damage, even though oxidative stress biomarkers remained the same. It appears that green tea’s compounds acted against free radicals.

This research adds to the ever-growing body of science that shows the potential benefits of green tea: reducing the risk of certain cancers, increasing weight loss, and protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.

Source:
Hanal KC et al. British Journal of Nutrition. 2010 Sep 1:1-8. [Epub ahead of print]

That crazy little thing called life

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 11:20:00 +0000

ALL OF us want to be happy. And very often we hold the naive belief that if we just live our lives a certain way, if we press the right button on a Monday morning, we will sail through the rest of the week on a crest of wellbeing and success.

The truth is, life doesn’t work this way. Life has a curious way of breaking our hearts. It is full of violent eruptions of things that seem to come at us from nowhere. An old wound is suddenly reopened; an illness throws everything out of whack; a colleague betrays us; we lose someone we love – moments when suddenly the path we have been on disappears from beneath our feet.
by Tony Bates of Headstrong

Read original article here

Just a teahouse away from Health

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:02:00 +0000

Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BCE, allegedly took the first sip of tea after a few leaves landed in his small cauldron of boiling water. Intrigued by the aroma, the curious emperor bravely sampled the brew. Thus a new beverage was born, one surpassed only by water as the most popular beverage in the world.
Nearly 6,000 years later Camellia sinensis came to me as a boy. Snugly packed in little bags inside the Lipton box, I pegged tea as the choice of my aunts. What surfaced decades later was the old world of tea. There were the black teas, but even more enticing were the oolongs and greens.

The curing of the leaves differentiates the three teas. Black tea undergoes hours of oxidation accelerated by heat and humidity. Oolong is partially fermented and much of this tea comes from Taiwan. Green tea is steamed and/or oxidized only very shortly or not at all. Though all the teas have profound health benefits, green is the most beneficial.

Latitude, longitude, and elevation of where the plant was grown are key to a fine tea, as is the harvest time and stage of growth. The numbers of varieties surpasses that of wine. Also, unlike wine, tea - especially green - has a short life span and must be consumed quickly or it loses color, aroma and flavor.

It is no secret that one reason for tea’s popularity is its ability to conquer fatigue. As a stimulant, the caffeine in tea improves concentration and alertness, accelerating nerve impulses to the brain. Of course caffeine tolerance varies greatly among individuals. Particularly concerning is research indicating a possible interference of fetal development with caffeine consumption. As such, limiting caffeine in pregnancy is paramount.

Caffeine content for tea per 5 oz. is 25-110 mg for black, 12-55 mg for oolong, and 8-36 mg for green. Higher temperatures of the water yields more caffeine, as does ground tea, which is in tea bags. Whole leaves contain less, are fresher and have superior flavor. Drip coffee is estimated at 60-180 mg, decaf coffee at 2-13mg, while a 12-oz. cola has 46 mg.

Quality oolong or green tea can be infused several times with flavor peaking sometime beyond the first infusion. In fact the first infusion is said to be the Prince’s Brew while the second is considered the King’s Brew. In China I drank tea lasting up to 10 infusions.

When first brewing green or oolong, a sense of experimentation is important. Handling the tea with care is the first crucial step. This includes using bottled or filtered water - but not distilled. My tea is steeped in a 16-oz. Chinese Yixing clay teapot. For this I use 2-4 teaspoons of tea depending on type and quality. Water temperature is also important. Gauging the temperature by the bubble size is a skill that further develops a tea connoisseur.

Turbulent boiling water is only for the teas known as pu-erh. Bubbles the size of pearls (195-200°F) are suitable for blacks and oolongs while greens should receive water boiled only to the size of small fish eyes (160-170°F). An inexpensive thermometer can be used to insert into the kettle. You will soon base the temperature on your kettle’s sound.

Most greens should steep for just 30-60 seconds then poured into a holding flask to be served as needed. Oolongs are often steeped for 2-5 minutes, then strained into a flask. If the tea is bitter, it steeped too long; no flavor, too short. Subsequent infusions will need to steep longer. You can reduce some of the caffeine by doing a very quick steeping. Just pour the hot water over the leaves and strain immediately. Your ability to play with these factors will reward you with the perfect cup.

Patience clearly has its benefits with tea preparation.

Simple Treatment for Alzheimer’s

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:07:00 +0000

Recent study reveals that B vitamins can reduce the rate of brain decline in people with mild memory problems, potentially delaying the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The research challenges existing thinking in Alzheimer’s research and suggests that vitamin supplements may provide a cheap treatment that has eluded the research efforts of pharmaceutical companies. The Oxford University study looked at MRI brain scans of 168 people over 70 years old with mild cognitive impairment, before and after a two year course of high dose B vitamins.

The results were very positive as people taking the vitamins lost 30 per cent less brain tissue than those who took a placebo. In the highest risk group, they lost 50 per cent less.

Human brains normally shrink by 0.5 per cent every year in old age, but higher rates of shrinking are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The three different B vitamins act by reducing levels of a protein called homocysteine in the brain.

David Smith, one of the authors said “It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease in many people who suffer from mild memory problems”. “This is the first [study] that has shown a glimmer of hope or success,” he added.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, which co-funded the study, said: “The strong findings must inspire an expanded trial to follow people expected to develop Alzheimer’s, and we hope for further success.”

Helga Refsum, co-author of the study, describing the reaction of some of the Alzheimer’s research community to this novel approach, said: “It’s too simple and they don’t like it.”

Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:13:00 +0000

New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine is offering hope to sufferers of fibromyalgia with their findings that practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi could be an effective treatment.

Fibromyalgia is a very common presentation in clinic. It is a condition that causes pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also affects the sleep patterns of the sufferer. It can be a source or fatigue, and depression with the usual treatment painkillers, antidepressants and muscle relaxants often have little effect.

Tai Chi provides physical exercise which improves the condition. Sufferers of fibromyalgia have a hard time with the rigorous exercise of gyms, whereas Tai Chi exercise provides a gentle form of exercise coupled with a type of meditation. Tai Chi not only improves physical fitness, but also helps the practitioner with increased confidence and psychological well-being.

Read original article here

Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Jamu Shur) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:33:00 +0000

Forget the past, Forget mistakes. Forget failures. Don't forget to forgive yourself as well as others, Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it well, preferably with a smile.

Some wise, but anonymous person once said “With one foot in the past and one leg in the future, you can only p*** on the present".