Although chemotherapy is constantly changing, most people are unaware of how it fits into the larger picture. One pare of this is to look at the statistics of effectiveness. Dr. Ralph Moss does exactly this with his book, Questioning Chemotherapy, and what he reveals is quite startling. While chemotherapy is effective in certain cancers, such as Hodgekin's lymphoma and childhood leukemia, is is far less successful for other forms of cancer.

However, virtually all the alternative therapies, while far less toxic, do not have behind them anywhere near sufficient scientific proof, and, to make things worse, the information available on how they work and their clinical results are as confusing and contradictory as can be imagined. The new cancer patient is thus left with difficult choices.

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Since the turn of the 20th century, CVD has been the number one cause of death every year except 1918. The yearly cost associated with these cases is estimated to be in excess of 250 billion dollars, and billions of dollars more have been spent upon research. Yet few know that workable solutions and preventive measures for many heart and circulation problems are available by intelligent use of a bit of herbal and functional medicine knowledge. Our purpose here will be to understand how to maintain a strong heart, healthy blood and good circulation, and how to avoid inflammation.

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Dr. Jeff West, DC, one of the chiropractors I have worked with in the past, often gets dramatic results by simply restoring movement to the wrist bones with specialized adjustments. Many of his very grateful patients have been able to avoid surgery this way. The operation is not only very expensive, but involves cutting the ligament to relieve the pressure, which further destabilizes the joint and can lead to more serious dysfunction later on.

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Various free radicals participate in cataract formation. The reduced form of the molecule called glutathione is a key cellular antioxidant which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and eliminate poisons both in test tube and animal studies (Shamsi et al., 2000, Stewart-DeHaan, 1999, Lu, 1998). The body's production of glutathione in the liver is dependant upon a diet high in fruits and vegetables (providing precursors), membrane transport activities of the three sulfur amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine), and adequate conversion of methionine to cysteine via the trans-sulfuration pathway (Lu SC, 1999). Therefore, any of the many herbs and nutrients that aid this biochemical process are valuable in cataract prevention. Nutrients include NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), alpha-Lipoic acid. Many herbs affect glutathione status because they contain glutathione(or members of the glutathione family) or other wise boost it's action. Some of these are elderberry, blueberry, astragalus root, milk thistle seed, turmeric root, garlic bulb and oil, and especially wheat sprouts.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS) is an immune system dysfunction characterized by severe unrelenting fatigue, low body temperature, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, fibromyalgia and various neurological and mental symptoms. One day while browsing the shelves of the local university library, I was fortunate enough to happen upon perhaps the first book ever written about chronic fatigue.  Chronic Fatigue Intoxication: a heretofore inadequately described affection, by Edward H. Ochsner, MD, was published in 1923. 

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TAM doctors make nose drops by adding small amounts of herbs to pure sesame oil. For general inflammation, add five or ten drops white sandalwood oil to a one-ounce dropper bottle. Drop two or three drops into each nostril two to five times per day, or as needed.

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As is so often the case, we can gain some perspective by looking back at our roots. Both TCM and Ayurveda have listed the signs and symptoms of excess fatty substances in the blood - heaviness, sluggishness, a slippery pulse, greasy coating on the tongue, weight gain etc. For this problems use the diet listed for excess mucus, along with herbs that help regulate mucus, congestion, inflammation and sluggishness

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This fermentation creates short chain fatty acids, which is the main energy source for the lining epithelial cells. When there are imbalances in this fermentation, caused by problems further up the GI tract leading to increases in bad guy bacteria, putrefactive gasses can develop. These conditions result in serious abnormal fermentation in the intestines, thus producing a large amount of endotoxin, heat and inflammation. This can cause the fluids to decrease enough to make the stool hard, causing constipation. Other common causes of constipation include poor digestion, intestinal infections, lack of exercise, not drinking enough water, lack of fiber, sluggish liver, dryness, bowel diseases, and structural or neurological abnormalities.

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Major symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, fatigue and frequent urination. The long-term health problems that can result from diabetes are mostly vascular. Fluctuations in blood sugar shock the mural cells in tiny capillaries, gradually weakening and narrowing them. Most diabetic problems result from this breakdown in the vascular system. The resultant damage is usually much more severe in patients with poor blood sugar control and/or poor nutritional status.

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Almost half of the estimated 16 million people in the United States who have diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy, by far the most common form of diabetic eye disease. The retina weakens and bleeds, endangering vision. Good blood sugar control and blood pressure management, as well as yearly examinations and treatment, are the best methods of preventing eye complications due to diabetes

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Diverticulosis, a condition characterized by sacs or pockets in the colon with no inflammation, is a disease seen most frequently in elderly patients. It affects up to 20% of the population by the age of retirement, and two-thirds by the age of 85

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Tears are not just made up of water. They have three separate components: 1. Oil (from the Meibomian oil glands in the eyelids) 2. Mucus secretions (from the goblet cells deep inside the eyelid) 3. Watery tears (the "aqueous" tears from the lachrymal gland and accessory lachrymal glands located in the conjunctiva of the eyelids).

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Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain and cramping associated with menstruation.  The pain and cramping usually appears with the onset of menstruation.  Biochemically speaking, excessive production of prostaglandins by the myometrium and endometrium are the cause of uterine contractions, pointing to nutritional problems.

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Allergy- and eczema-prone children and adults are often severely deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and have digestive problems. A food allergy connection to eczema is clear, especially in infants and younger children. For example, there is often marked intestinal inflammation and food allergy (Majamaa, et. al., 1999). Beginning solid foods too early seems (before the age of four months) can cause more than double the incidence of eczema (Ferguson and Horwood, 1994), and this can be explained by the passage of the new foods into the immature GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue), causing immune reactions.

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Endometriosis is a condition that occurs most commonly in women of reproductive age, whereby endometrial tissue appears in abnormal locations.  Because this is also a hormone-related condition, the dietary recommendations, hormone-balancing strategies and lifestyle mentioned throughout this website should be combined with the following TCM formula The main goal of Nai-shing's treatment strategy for endometriosis is to strongly move the blood to flush out stagnation.

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Children are more likely to develop an associated cold from the virus than are adults. The eye can become red (from pink to blood red), with swollen lids, tearing and discharge. In some cases the other eye will become involved shortly after the first. Rubbing increases the chance of spreading the virus to the second eye and to family and friends. Adenovirus is more contagious than chickenpox. If the eyes are stuck together upon waking, and/or you have a small, tender lump in front of your ear (the site of a related lymph node) it’s probably pinkeye.

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Female infertility can have many causes.  In cases with mechanical blockages such as scarring of the fallopian tubes, herbal medicines are not effective.  However, they can definitely help if the problems are hormonal, emotional, or nutritional.

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The symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease (FBD) are swelling, pain, and tenderness of the breast, and the presence of small or large cysts, abnormal sacs containing gas, blood, fluids or semisolid (mucinous) waste material.  The associated pain increases prior to menstruation, due to the rise in estrogen levels.  The cystic areas are palpable to touch, with a dense, irregular and stone-like feel.  A physician should examine any lump to ascertain the diagnosis, especially if there is any discharge from the nipples.  This disease affects as many as 20-40% of pre-menopausal women, but the severity of the condition usually decreases or subsides after menopause.

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Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that contain an odd number of electrons. These dangerous chemicals can damage cells, cell membrane surfaces and even our genetic material (DNA). If you imagine your body as a house, you can think of free radicals as iron ping pong balls bouncing around inside, knocking over lamps, denting the furniture, and chipping the paint on the walls.  However, free radicals are not always completely bad. Your body generates these molecules as by-products when your immune system destroys bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances.

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To treat simple external fungal infections, I mix some thyme or oregano oil, about 10-20%, into teatree oil.  If this is too strong for the skin, dilute with vinegar, which also is anti-fungal. Apply this twice daily to the affected area, for months if necessary

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