Chinese Herbal Medicine: Reishi Mushroom

This is the first in a series of posts that will start to introduce my patients and interested community members, herbalists and acupuncture patients to Chinese Herbal Medicine. High quality tinctures of these herbs are available to my patients at Acupuncture and Healing Arts. These are made by me in order to be able to guarantee high quality fresh herbs and in an appropriate concentration. Tinctures of this quality made in Memphis are rare.

The first herb that I would like to introduce to you is called Reishi. It is a mushroom used extensively through out Asia. Reishi is actually the Japanese name. Ganoderma lucidum is the latin name.


Here is a photo:


It is a non toxic herb that has many healing properties. Reishi can help build the immune system and boost your energy. Also go to this wiki page for more information. Here is what it says about Reishi or Lingzhi in chinese.

Lingzhi research and therapeutic usage

Lingzhi may possess anti-tumor, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by studies on polysaccharides, terpenes, and other bioactive compounds isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelia of this fungus (reviewed by R. R. Paterson[4] and Lindequist et al.[7]). It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure (via inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme[8]), cholesterol and blood sugar.[9]

Laboratory studies have shown anti-neoplastic effects of fungal extracts or isolated compounds against some types of cancer. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been reported to prevent cancer metastasis,[10] with potency comparable to Lentinan from Shiitake mushrooms.[11]

The mechanisms by which G. lucidum may affect cancer are unknown and they may target different stages of cancer development: inhibition of angiogenesis (formation of new, tumor-induced blood vessels, created to supply nutrients to the tumor) mediated by cytokines, cytoxicity, inhibiting migration of the cancer cells and metastasis, and inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells.[4]

Additional studies indicate that ganoderic acid has some protective effects against liver injury by viruses and other toxic agents in mice, suggesting a potential benefit of this compound in the treatment of liver diseases in humans,[12] and Ganderma-produced sterols inhibit lanosterol 14α-demethylase activity in the biosynthesis of cholesterol .[13] Ganderma compounds inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity in the biosynthesis of dihydrotestosterone.[8]

Besides effects on mammalian physiology, Ganoderma is reported to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities.[14][15] Ganoderma is reported to exhibit direct anti-viral with the following viruses; HSV-1, HSV-2, influenza virus, vesicular stomatitis. Ganoderma mushrooms are reported to exhibit direct anti-microbial properties with the following organisms; aspergillus niger, bacillus cereus, candida albicans, and escherichia coli.
[edit] As weight loss aid

Some oriental preparations containing Lingzhi extract are marketed as a weight loss aid. They are advertised as a "slimming formula"[4] in Japanese markets and Lingzi is combined with other herbal extracts. Research is scarce to show the validity of these claims in terms of Lingzhi as a weight loss aid.

Sullivan Acupuncture Q&A: Acupuncture Schools

After about 6 years in private practice people are still curious about how I got into Chinese Medicine. Many of my patients are also curious about where someone would go to learn acupuncture in the US. They often think that someone could only learn in China. They wonder how someone living in Memphis or Bartlett, TN would actually be able to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine effectively.
There are currently around 65 acupuncture and chinese medicine schools in the country. Most on either the west coast or east coast. A few more are located in the upper midwest states. Deep South states like Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama do not have any schools yet. The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have a complete list of the accredited schools. The programs offer extensive courses of study that hover around the 2500 hour mark.

Here is the curriculum overview from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine :
"Our four-academic-year (three-calendar-year) program in acupuncture and Oriental medicine consists of 3,272 total hours, for which 211.68 quarter credits are granted. Of these, 960 hours are devoted to clinical studies.

Qi Cultivation Our students study two years of qi cultivation: one full year of qigong, and a second of advanced qigong or taiji. These internal development arts support personal health and creativity and provide the groundwork for direct, experiential understanding of the fundamental energetic concepts of Oriental medicine.

Oriental Therapeutic Massage Students study six weeks of shiatsu, a Japanese form of acupressure and six weeks of tuina, a Chinese form of massage before determining their focus for three more quarters of study.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory Throughout the master’s program, students will explore the theories that serve as the foundation for the practice of Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture Theory and Practice First-year students will study the location of more than 400 points and the channel theory on which acupuncture is based. As they progress through the program, students will master the functions of the acupuncture points, design acupuncture treatments, learn and practice basic and advanced techniques of needling, as well as adjunctive therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, and electrical stimulation of points.

Chinese Herbal Medicine After studying more than 300 individual herbs of the Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia, students learn to combine these herbs into classical formulas and to modify those formulas to meet the needs of individual patients. Working in the Chinese herbal dispensary helps students become familiar with the look, feel, smell, and taste of the herbs and the specificity of their clinical applications.

Biomedicine Coursework in basic sciences; anatomy and physiology; living anatomy; western pathology; western clinical diagnosis; western pharmacology; diet and nutrition; public and community health enable our students to partner with patients and their providers to offer optimum care to their patients.

Professional Development Students develop their ethical and legal awareness, case management capabilities, and marketing and practice building skills in a series of dedicated courses and a community outreach practicum.

Clinical Studies Clinical training affords students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge and skills and apply them to the treatment of patients in a carefully structured and supervised learning environment. For more information about clinical education at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, click here.

To learn more about the master’s degree curriculum, including course descriptions and a year-by-year narrative, we encourage you to download our catalog."

As a side note there is an Acupuncture training course at UCLA Med school that is about 300 hours. Another company out of San Francisco is offering a TCM based acupuncture and herbal program to physicians that also hovers around the 300 hour mark. Some chiropractic colleges offer a few courses on acupuncture here and there.

Layman's Guide to Acupuncture

I found the Layman's guide to acupuncture while surfing around today. It has solid information on all aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If you have time go check it out at www.acupuncture.edu.

Acupuncture Points: P6 curtesy of Acuxo

More info Available at Acuxo.com

PC6 • Nei Guan • Pericardium 6 Inner Pass. Luo Connecting Point on the Pericardium Channel to TE4. Special Command Point for the Thorax.

Location: On the anterior forearm, 2 cun superior to the transverse wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles.

Unbinds The Chest Regulates The Heart Harmonizes The Stomach Clears Heat Opens The Yin Linking Vessel Regulates Qi Calms The Spirit Alleviates Nausea And Vomiting

Abdominal Fullness • Abdominal Pain • Arm Contraction • Arm Pain • Asthma • Cardiac Arrhythmia • Cardiac Conditions • Cardiac Pain • Chest Discomfort • Chest Pain • Elbow Problems • Fever • Headache Migraine • Hiccough • Hypochondriac Region Pain • Hysteria • Insomnia • Jaundice • Malaria • Memory Impaired • Menses Irregular • Mental Disorders • Metabolic Disturbances • Nausea • Palpitations • Rectal Prolapse • Seizures • Stomach Pain • Surgical Pain Or Post Surgical Shock • Vomiting • Windstroke •

Sullivan Acupuncture FAQ: What is Qi?

Qi is a difficult concept to talk about. Essentially, one can say that if you are eating properly, getting enough sleep, moderating the lifestyle and relatively healthy then it is possible to say that you have "good qi". Many authors have written that qi equates to life force energy. While this is true, it has much deeper meanings associated with the climate, atmosphere, seasons, structure of the body, etc. For more info go to this Wiki page.

Sullivan Acupuncture Q&A: What does acupuncture treat?

For complete article go here:

In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO (WHO) has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:

* low back pain
* neck pain
* sciatica
* tennis elbow
* knee pain
* periarthritis of the shoulder
* sprains
* facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
* headache
* dental pain
* tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
* rheumatoid arthritis
* induction of labor
* correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
* morning sickness
* nausea and vomiting
* postoperative pain
* stroke
* essential hypertension
* primary hypotension
* renal colic
* leucopenia
* adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
* allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
* biliary colic
* depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
* acute bacillary dysentery
* primary dysmenorrhea
* acute epigastralgia
* peptic ulcer
* acute and chronic gastritis

Chinese Medicine Documentary

Part with Medical Research Information

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my site. My name is Chuck Sullivan. I am an acupuncturist working in East Memphis. Our location is just inside the loop on the corner of Poplar and Yates.

Acupuncture is a safe effective complimentary practice that enhances the care you receive from your MD, PT, Chiropractor, etc. My goal for your care is to offer professional alternative medicine in a comfortable nurturing environment. Acupuncture is a holistic form of medicine that takes into account your past medical history, diet, lifestyle habits, mind, body and spirit. I am particularly effective in treating neck and back pain, head aches, women's issues, and sports injuries. Your sessions last one hour and could include acupuncture, acupressure, herbal therapy, nutritional advice and qigong instruction.


If you are tired of being rushed in and out of the office or only spending a few minutes with your provider, then my treatment room is for you. I strive to offer personalized comprehensive (acupuncture, herbs, acupressure)alternative treatment that is simply not offered anywhere else in Memphis. Call today to talk to one of our friendly staff members to start your journey to wellness. My office number is 901.763.0909. Remember to ask for Chuck Sullivan.