Anaemia

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees this as an imbalance of the spleen unable to transform Qi efficiently and the liver not storing blood effectively. Although acupuncture can influence both of these organs to function more effectively and efficiently the main treatment for this condition is herbal.

The remedies used would contain angelica, rhemmanhia, and peony root, longan berries and red dates. These herbs help the body produce its own iron, helping restore the haemoglobin levels. The Western approach in anaemia is to use iron supplements to restore the balance of iron present in haemoglobin. TCM does recognise the deficiency of iron in anaemia, however the TCM view is to make sure the body gets plenty of iron from a well balanced diet and to restore the spleens ability to absorb iron. Therefore the TCM treatment can help avoid the constipation and sickness that can be experienced with iron supplements. In fact many of the herbs used are able to moisten the intestines and thus regulate bowel movements.

Acid Stomach

In Traditional Chinese Medicine this is seen as spleen deficiency and disharmony between the liver and spleen. When the spleen is deficient there can be excessive "dampness", this causes accumulation and regurgitation in the digestive tract. The treatment using herbs and acupuncture would be to strengthen the spleen to either drain or dry dampness, calm and reduce the liver to encourage harmony. Acupuncture points on the stomach, spleen, liver and gall bladder channels would be used. Herbs such as ginseng, liquorice, orange and mandarin peel could be used. Obviously the patient would be advised to follow a food plan that is non-acidic (i.e. citrus) and non-damp inducing (i.e. diary).

Organ of the month

The lungs
Opens into the nose
Element: Metal
Colour: White
Paired organ: Large Intestine

The lungs are situated next to the heart and are known as the ministers that advise "the emperor" (the heart). They are the highest of the 5 organs in the body and are very important as they dominate the Qi. The lungs control breathing, inhaling and exhaling air, which is called heavenly Qi. The lungs mix nutrition from the spleen (earth) with air (heaven) and send it round the body to nourish and energise. The lungs dominate the skin and hair and open into the nose, the organ which air is first taken into the body. The lungs have a descending function, sending a "mist" they produce downwards to the kidneys. This "mist" is said to help the joints be flexible, the muscles strong and to help the hair grow. When there is imbalance in the lung Qi it can rebel travelling upwards causing coughs, sneezing and wheezing. The "mist" flows upwards as it is prevented from descending causing puffy eyes and facial oedema. When the lungs are strong the defensive energy in the skin opens and closes the pores of the skin. When the skin is attacked by cold the pores become blocked but this can be remedied by taking the herb fresh ginger, which opens the pores again expelling the cold. As the lungs open into the nose a blocked of running nose will indicate lung involvement as can be seen in hay fever. Herbs and acupuncture can be used " to open the nose" and help the lung Qi to descend thus restoring balance naturally.

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