KnowHow Herbal Remedy

Tiejun Tang

KnowHow Acupuncture is not only an acupuncture clinic, we also provide Chinese herbal medicine treatment. In KnowHow, there are 200 high quality raw herbs that can be selected for decoction, a traditional method of taking Chinese medicine. Two years ago, I published an article talking about the advantages of decoction in my blog. Selecting herbs according to the patient’s individual condition can ensure precise and effective treatment. Moreover, the prescription is adaptable as the condition changes and the active ingredients of the herbs are easily absorbed by the body. However, some patients may find taking a herbal decoction inconvenient as it tends to have a bitter taste, be quite costly and takes a long time to decoct.

What is the second option for taking a herbal formulation? KnowHow concentrated herbal tablets can be a good alternative. Let’s see its manufacturing process:      

As we can see from the manufacturing process detailed above, the tablets of KnowHow are made differently from other types of Chinese herbal tablets and pills. As there is a decocting and concentrating process, the properties of the tablets are similar to those of a decoction. Also, as the tablet is highly concentrated, there is no need for large doses, as can be the case with other herbal tablets. Usually, three tablets twice a day are enough for most conditions.

The recipes for KnowHow herbal tablets come from classic herbal formulae used for hundreds, even thousands, of years. They also come from my personal experience treating common ailments in the UK. All of the ingredients come from natural herbs. We use no animal or mineral substances, and no endangered species. The labeling on the pills clearly states the Latin and Chinese names of each herb, the expiry date of the tablets and the clinic address,

KnowHow concentrated tablets are an efficient, convenient and most of all, safe herbal remedy. 

Acupuncture may protect your liver from alcoholic damage

Tiejun Tang

Do you drink? How often do you get drunk? What is your best hangover cure? Perhaps it’s time to throw out those egg yolks and try needles instead, as new research suggests that acupuncture on certain points on the body can reduce liver damage caused by alcohol.

It is widely known that over-consumption of alcohol can cause liver damage. There are three main stages of liver disease caused by alcohol: alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. According to NHS Choices, it is estimated that 90-100% of heavy drinkers have alcoholic fatty liver disease, one in four drinkers with fatty liver disease will develop alcoholic hepatitis and one in five drinkers with fatty liver disease will develop cirrhosis. Death rates linked to alcoholic liver disease have risen by more than two-thirds (69%) in the past 30 years in UK.

The best way to treat alcoholic liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol. Western medicine use Disulfiram (sold under the brand name Antabuse), and Acamprosate to help people abstain from alcohol. However, this may lead to a severe and sometimes fatal reaction known as a disulfiram–alcohol reaction. It is widely known that drinking alcohol can be harmful to the liver, however habitual alcohol abuse remains a problem deeply ingrained into British society. Often, heavy drinkers find it difficult to abstain from alcohol due to the addictive nature of the drug.

A recent study in China ^[1] suggested that electric acupuncture on Taichong (LV3) – the third point on liver meridian, could protect the liver from alcohol damage. Researchers used 40 rats divided into a control group, a model group, a group using electro-acupuncture on LV 3 and a group using electro-acupuncture on non-acupuncture points. The rats were administered 40ml/kg of distillate alcohol for 12 hours – enough to overwhelm the liver and create mild liver injury. Rats were then treated for 30 minutes using the acupoint LV3. At the conclusion of the study, liver tissues were collected and ALT and AST liver markers, enzymes present in the blood at elevated levels when there is liver damage, were measured. Within the acupuncture on LV3 group, ALT and AST levels were significantly reduced, whereas the control group exhibited elevated levels of these enzymes. Another study ^[2], utilising the same experiment model whereby fatty liver disease is measured in rats, suggested that electro-acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) could significantly reduce fatty degeneration of hepatic cells. These research results could spell good news for heavy drinkers.

If you find it difficult to give up drinking altogether, why not try to minimize the damage that can be caused by alcohol? Acupuncture could provide a convenient solution for the heavy drinker. Apart from the two acupoints mentioned above, a variety of acupoints can be selected, creating a ‘point prescription’ according to the different symptoms of each individual case.  Some Chinese herbs may also be effective in protecting the liver from alcohol damage. The best time to seek acupuncture treatment is the day after a night of heavy drinking, or few hours before a heavy drinking session. Remember: no acupuncture whilst drunk!

There’s no harm in enjoying a night out, but don't forget your liver! A happy liver makes for a long and healthy life.

Reference:

1. Chen BJ. 2011. Effect of electroacupuncture of "Taichong" (LR 3) on liver function in mild alcoholic liver injury rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu  36(6):419-22.

2. Wang Wei. 2004, Effects of electroacupuncture at “Zusanli” (ST 36) on alcoholic fatty liver rat model. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion  2004 -12.

Preserving the Whole (Heiner Fruehauf & My tutor professor Deng Tietao)

Goodbye Asante and Hello Middlesex

Tiejun Tang

I quitted my job at Asante Academy of Chinese Medicine on 15^th August 2013. I had worked in Asante for 8 years and 4 month since April 2005. Eight years is longer enough to keep a lot of memories in my mind, and I had met many very nice colleagues, many lovely students and many patients. Some of them became my good friends. I would like to say thank you to Dr Ke for given me the opportunity to meet so many good people, to teach so many students and to serve so many patients. Thank you to my dear colleagues for everything you did for me in the past days. Thank you to all the staffs of Day Treatment Centre in Whittington hospital.  At the time to say good bye, I send my best wishes to all of you.

Eight years time is nearly a quarter in my 34 years Chinese medicine career. My first job was at Xijing Hospital, the Forth Military Medical University, it last 5 years and ended because of my MSc study. My second job was at the First Military Medical University, it last for 12 years, but these 12 years was interrupted by my PhD study and post doctoral research work at two other universities. Asante work is the longest job in my career without any interruption. Before I came to UK, I had spent 26 years time to accumulate my Chinese medicine knowledge in China. As a medical practitioner, I believe that if you want to give your patient a better service you should continue updating your medical knowledge. That is why I never stop continuing professional development for higher degree. The patient’s precious life and health is in your hand. You cannot make any mistakes at any time.

From September I will join a completely new teaching clinic of Middlesex University which is based near Hendon campus. I will continue my clinical treatment and teaching work in that new clinic. New term will be a new start. I will meet new colleagues, new students and new patients. In this complementary medicine clinic we will have Chinese medicine, western herbal medicine and ayurveda. Three branches of traditional medicine will work together. I think this combination will give patients more benefits. I am very sure the new clinic will become one of the best teaching clinics in complementary medicine field.

If you are my patient or used to be my patient, you are more than welcome to see me at the new teaching clinic of Middlesex university.

You also can see me at my private clinic in Harley street central London. You can book your private or student treatment session online at www.harleystreetchineseacupuncture.co.uk