By Arthur Rosenfeld

Editor’s Note from Kirsten Van Nostran, All Things Healing Assistant Editor of Acupuncture: This article is a good introduction to acupuncture to those who have not tried the modality.

Recently I’ve been involved in creating and hosting a series of documentaries on integrative medicine. The three films are aimed at health care professionals. The first is about the science of tai chi, the second is about the science of meditation and the third is about the science of acupuncture. I’ve just wound up the last on-location filming (interviewing experts) for the acupuncture film, and am struck by how this ancient healing modality is blossoming in popularity across the country.

A healing tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been successfully administered for more than 2,500 years. According to the TCM view, a vital energy called qi flows through the body along channels called meridians. I like to think of these channels as a sprinkling system for the body, bringing qi to vital organs and extremities in much the way hoses bring water to your garden. In the TCM model of health and disease, when qi flow is blocked it stagnates. Stagnating qi causes illness. Acupuncture therapy unblocks the qi flow, strengthens or weakens the qi (think opening and closing the garden spigot) and directs it to areas of need.

A holistic practice, acupuncture seeks to re-establish the body’s healthy equilibrium and function, as opposed to forcing healing using surgery or pharmaceuticals. Interestingly, Chinese practitioners were not the only (and may not have been the first) to identify these energy pathways in the body. The frozen body of a man recovered well-preserved from the Alps features tattoos that correspond to Chinese acupuncture’s qi meridians.

Much research is afoot to attempt to define qi in Western terms. This is a challenge, as the word runs deeply through not only Chinese medicine, but through Chinese art, literature, philosophy, pugilism and daily life. From the standpoint of Western medical science, qi is likely to be revealed as some amalgam of endorphins, the bioelectric potential of cell membranes, nervous conduction, circulating hormones and perhaps even photons (light) and infrared radiation (heat). In attempting to define and quantify qi, acupuncture research may end up identifying a whole new system of biological information, such as the conduction of impulses through the body’s connective tissue.

A typical acupuncture treatment involves penetrating the skin with tiny needles, but some styles of acupuncture (Japanese toyohari, for instance) don’t require such penetration. Some researchers link such distant healing to the so-called “non-local” effects of quantum physics. Cutting edge stuff! Still, studying the effects of acupuncture with the traditional, Western, double-blind placebo controlled model presents certain difficulties. These center on the fact that since we don’t fully understand how acupuncture works, we don’t know what the variables are; not understanding those elements, we can’t adequately control for them. More, the term “placebo effect” (as in this treatment or that pill is no more effective than a placebo) is an inaccurate and pejorative term that is rapidly losing relevance as we learn more about the body’s ability to heal itself. It turns out that the effect is powerful, and desirable, perhaps the new “gold standard” for the way the body should heal.

Despite the challenges of study design and the mind-bending possibilities for a new understanding of how the body works, acupuncture has been extensively studied and verified both by international studies and by our own National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Part of the National Institutes of Health, NCCAM alone sponsors more studies than I can list here, and their website (merely one, orthodox outlet for medical information from a Western point of view) addresses acupuncture for pain, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and more.

Some folks, including older Western M.D.s, still talk about whether or not they “believe” in acupuncture. Such thinking is ill-informed and outdated. One might as well speculate about whether to believe in aspirin, morphine, insulin, surgery or an MRI. The question is not whether acupuncture works, but how it works, and whether it is the appropriate therapy for a particular syndrome, problem, symptom, disease or patient. In a clinical setting and performed by a licensed professional (licensure is by state) acupuncture is effective for a variety of complaints.

Over the years, I have received acupuncture myself and watched scores of people from different walks of life receive the treatment for a spate of different ills. While practitioners vary in their needling technique, for the most part acupuncture is not painful and gives results readily. Practitioners use smaller needles here than they do in China, and are generally gentler in their application, citing the lower pain threshold of American patients. In China, needles are thicker, longer, and sometimes as enthusiastically “rowed” while in a patient as an oar in the hands of a whitewater kayaker. Ouch. Discomfort seems to be expected by Chinese patients — here, not so much.

In China, the typical course of therapy seems to be everyday for 10 days, a break, then another similar course if needed. On our shores it is more typical to go once or twice a week for a month or two before lasting results are gained. Most sessions last 15-30 minutes in a quiet room, during which the patient often falls asleep.

Does insurance pay for acupuncture? In the state of Washington coverage for acupuncture (along with other complementary treatments such as chiropractic and massage) is mandated. In other states it varies by company and policy. If you are paying for treatment out of your own pocket, the cost can add up, but should be weighed against other treatment options, your pain and suffering, and of course the modality’s potential to forestall worsening health.

So should you try it? That depends on a variety of factors. Patients who have tried more familiar therapies without success, particularly for a chronic or recurring problem, are good candidates for acupuncture. Another type of candidate might be someone who is reluctant to endure the side effects of some more conventional Western therapies. A third acupuncture patient profile might be the person who wishes to emphasize wellness and prevention over the disease model of medicine and is willing to make concomitant lifestyle changes to achieve optimum health.

If you have needle fears, remember that acupuncture needles are more like a pin — very small and not open-ended like a hypodermic needle. Consider going to see a treatment and having a close look at the needle, or, if you have a real phobia, choose the non-penetrating form of the therapy (toyohari) mentioned earlier. It’s best not to expect results overnight, even though I have heard tell that it can sometimes interrupt a grand mal epileptic seizure, end an asthma attack and drop blood pressure quickly. Given time, acupuncture may be effective in addiction therapy (including helping patients stop smoking) weight loss, increasing fertility, treating back pain, migraine headaches and the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and valuable in a host of other chronic conditions.

Pushed along by cultural and financial forces, American medicine is evolving. Old prejudices are giving way to open minds. The new model of integrative medicine is patient centered, and embraces any and all effective solutions to the patient’s health problems. Read, learn, ask questions, and take advantage of all options available to you in your quest to get well and stay that way.

More healthy and green articles from Care2:

• Acupuncture: Stick a Pin in Pain
• Acupuncture Study Shows Scientific Reason for Effectiveness
• Chinese Medicine Improves Blood Cell Counts for Cancer Patients

Go Green

Green magma has been shown to provide many important benefits in cardiovascular functions. Healthy blood flow is essential for our bodies to maintain optimal health. Certain restrictions in cardiovascular functioning can result in acute and more chronic health problems. It is important that we do what we can to keep our bodies functioning at their best.

Dietary, lifestyle and certain kinds of genetic factors also can play a significant role in our health, but making certain changes in our dietary habits such as supplementing our diets with green magma can have many healthy benefits.

Green magma is a barley grass supplement that is full of rich nutrients. It has a great balance of nutrients and more than most green plants in the world. It is full of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, proteins and active enzymes that protect the body from free radical damage. Green magma is also grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

It has many properties that promote detoxification and when people start to introduce green magma into their diets, they often notice that they have a lot more energy and that their hair looks shinier and healthier.

Green magma is a supplement that contains barley grass and it can easily be mixed with juice or dissolved in water. You should drink a mixture of green magma twice daily. Don’t mix it with hot liquids because it can neutralize the enzymes that are present.

Toxins are everywhere in our lives and all around us. By supplementing our diets with foods like green magma, we are giving ourselves a powerful defense against pollutants and free radicals that threaten our health and do harm to our bodies. If you want to start doing more to protect your health, incorporating green magma into your diet is one of the best ways to start to provide yourself with some protection against various pollutants.

The benefits of green magma continue to grow and as more and more research is being conducted on the health benefits of green magma we can certainly expect to see a lot more from this power food. Green magma is one of the best ways to make sure that you can do everything you can to help improve your health and protect yourself against the many harmful pollutants that are everywhere around us. We can’t always avoid the pollutants that surround us, but we can do what we can to help make ourselves strong and protected against the harmful effects of these substances.

The first thing you will notice about high powered green laser pointers is they are always categorized by power. This is the number with “mW” at the end. mW stands for milli-watts and is 1/1000 of a watt, that is, 1000mW is 1W. You will also see another number associated with green laser pointers. This number has “nm” at the end. This stands for nano-meters and is used to measure wavelength. You really don’t have to look into this number too much as all green laser pointers have a wavelength of 532nm. Pretty much, when you see 532nm, you should automatically think of the color green.

Now, lets focus on power. This is probably the most important factor because the more power you buy, the more money you spend. Yes, power is expensive! You need to ask yourself, what are you buying this laser pointer for? I think I can categories this into 3 types of lasers.

The first type, you’re looking to buy something for everyday use. You’re a teacher, professor, or someone always doing presentations in large groups. You are looking to use the green laser pointer as a “pointer”. Good, I can make the decision for you now. Get a 5mw green laser pointer. While you could buy something more powerful, I wouldn’t suggest getting anything over 20mW if pointing is all you will be doing. 5mW is for small classroom pointing, 20mw is for longer distance pointing as in an auditorium.  Now, I’m talking about real laser pointers, that is, don’t buy from ebay or any auction sites. Their advertised output is usually fake. If you buy a 5mW, you’ll probably end up with a 1-2mW green laser. You can search the term “Skylasers” in google, they are a good reputable company.

Now, the second type is looking for a visible beam green laser pointer. First question, are you looking to burn or melt anything with it? If you answer is no, stick with a green laser pointer between 20mW to 80mW. During the day, these lasers have a very bright end dot (the laser beam is not visible). Realize that you will not find a laser pointer with a visible beam during the day. At night, however, a 20-80mw green laser is very bright! Yes, amazingly bright! This is where I ask, how much do you plan on spending? The more power you buy, the brighter the laser pointer. On a personal note, I would recommend a 40 – 60mW green laser pointer if all you want is a bright beam. The 20mW is still slightly dim for me. 40mW to 60mW green laser pointers go for around $100-$150. If you have the money, go for the 80mW, you will notice the difference in brightness. I just think 40mW – 60mW is plenty bright though.

If you are looking to burn and melt with this laser, you need something above 100mW. Want to see laser pointers in action? Simple, go to youtube and search for “lasers”. You will find green laser pointers from various companies lighting cigarettes, popping balloons, etc. There are some very cool videos out there. The question now is, what do you want to burn? Again, the more power you have, the faster your laser will burn and melt. You can buy green laser pointers with more then 500mw these days that could cost you a pretty penny. It’s really up to you as to how much you want to spend. If burning is your thing, look around for reliable companies and compare prices. Buy something you are comfortable with spending.

There are several laser pointer forums out there that can be very resourceful to you. Stick with www.laserpointerforums.com, www.photonlexicon, and www.candlepoweredforums.com. These forums have a good following and members are generally very eager to answer your questions. I suggest staying away from www.lasercommunity.com, this forum is very tightly monitored and is run by a laser company. They do not allow members talking about other laser companies…

Scientific research groups in the West and Asia have both come up with evidence of green tea health benefits. In 1994 the Journal of National Cancer Institute reports a study that shows drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly 60 percent.

University of Purdue also reports in a recent study that green tea benefits go as far as inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Other studies show drinking green tea will reduce total cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease.

You might wonder what may be the source of such amazing green tea health benefits. The fact that green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant. EGCG prevents the growth of cancer cells and kills cancer cells without harming the healthy tissue.

Green tea, black tea and oolong tea all come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference and the reason green tea benefits are greater is in way the teas are processed. Black and oolong tea are made from fermented leaves, which destroys the EGCG compounds the heath benefits come from. Green tea leaves are steamed which still has the EGCG intact.

The only harmful side effect of green tea is insomnia due to the caffeine. If you are concerned about the caffeine effecting you, you can get green tea in supplement forms, either alone or by itself where the caffeine is removed.

Looking at taking green tea in supplement form is a wise choice, especially if you take a supplement that combines with other vitamin, minerals, and herbal extracts that are needed for optimum health.

In conjunction with getting green tea health benefits you will also be gaining benefits from all the other nutrients. Check out my web site for more information on why healthy supplements are necessary for good health. The best time to start taking care of your health is today, so go ahead and take a look now.

The beverage that I have been used to drinking for a long time now is one that I have never before associated with a way in which to lose weight. But, having a desire to find things out for myself I uncovered some interesting tit-bits of information. This article will look at a selection of them.

The spotlight on tea is specifically on green tea extract pills themselves, as you could also derive similar benefits from a brewed cup of green tea. So one has to beg the question of what’s inside these pills that claims to help those of us on a diet.  

It seems that there are some compounds called Catechins within green tea which for one are great antioxidants, and are also able to act on our metabolic system. This is essentially how quickly we burn up those calories doing any of a multitude of things we do as part of our daily lives. The plus point with these Catechins is that our bodies burn calories at a slightly faster rate, something which some independent studies have backed up.

One other important fact is that by taking green tea extract pills you do not get any of the side effects that are often associated with other diet products.

Other supporting evidence of additional green tea health benefits are that it could lower levels of bad cholesterol, prevent dental cavities and even help diabetes sufferers by stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Food for thought and if you also take a daily nutritional supplement of any kind, you can also find producers who have included green tea extract already in their product. This may be the easiest way to get both the dieting benefit and maintaining your nutrient intake.

But these studies have found out some other things about green tea. Things that you’ll be very interested in if you’re sick of that extra weight and want to lose a few pounds. Let’s take a look at them in order of importance.

5. Green Tea Increases Endurance & Helps You Exercise Longer

Everyone knows that dieting isn’t nearly as effective if you’re not pairing it up with some sort of exercise. This, of course, is because exercise burns calories and builds muscle, which in turn boosts your metabolism and leads to even faster weight loss.

Antioxidants in green tea stimulate the use of fatty acids by liver and muscle cells. This reduces the rate that carbs are used and increases endurance while allowing for longer exercise times. A study on lab rats found that green tea increased the time they could swim by as much as 24%.

4. Switching to Green Tea Leads to Calorie Reduction


Want to do something really smart? Stop drinking coffee and soft drinks and switch to green tea exclusively. If you’re worried about losing the caffeine burst that you get from your morning cup of Java, don’t be. Green tea has just enough caffeine to do the trick, and absolutely no calories!

Many people add sugar and creamer to coffee which sends the calories through the roof. And let’s not even talk about the nutritional disaster called soft drinks! Switch to green tea and you’ll be getting a healthy dose of powerful antioxidants while simultaneously dropping the calories and sugar.

3. Green Tea Helps Calm Cravings


A recent study found that lab rats injected with green tea consumed 60% less calories than other rats. I’m sure you can imagine how this can help you during a diet. Frequent consumption of green tea also fills up the stomach reduces appetite even further.

2. Green Tea Increases Metabolism


An antioxidant in green tea called EGCG, along with the caffeine, stimulates the central nervous system and causes fat to be released into the blood stream for the body to use as fuel. This process is called “thermogenesis” and it greatly boosts the metabolism.

Caffeine alone can stimulate the metabolism this way, but researches have found that the combined ingredients in green tea do a much better job than caffeine by itself.

1. Green Tea Burns Fat


Green tea’s ability to stimulate the metabolism also causes the body to burn calories at a faster rate. Once the body runs out of carbs, it will turn to fat as a source for fuel. This is exactly what you want if you’re trying to burn off those pesky pounds!

So there you have it. These 5 things are helpful enough individually, but put them together and you have one heck of a head start on losing weight. Pair green tea with a good diet and exercise and you’re well on your way to a slim, fit body!

It seems to be that we are increasingly being made aware of what some ingredients like caffeine are doing to our health. It’s a sign of the times, that the food and drink we consume is coming under more and more scrutiny. Legions of nutritionists and food experts are always giving us advice and tips on what to avoid and often it’s just a case of following our common sense.

So, when I was told I may have to avoid caffeine in what I drink because of a  treatment I was under, I learnt that my daily cuppa was on the list of items to cut back on or avoid. As I actually enjoy a cup of refreshing and invigorating green tea I tend to make a brew three or four times a day. This advice prompted me to find something out about caffeine in green tea.

Well, it definitely has less than coffee, about a quarter of whats in coffee when compared on a cup by cup basis. I then focused my attention on the levels of caffeine in normal green tea and the decaffeinated variety. A curious fact emerged which stated that decaffeinated green tea does indeed have lower levels of antioxidants and flavenols. These are all important compounds and substances within it, that are linked to many of the claimed health benefits we get when drinking it.

Some clam this can be simply overcome by drinking more of the decaffeinated green tea to make up for any perceived shortfall in these nutrients. 

There are also many people that drink green tea as part of their dietary regime and weight loss program. Again it’s these same substances, known as catechins that play a part in reducing levels of body fat by raising our metabolic rate. That’s essentially the rate at which we burn up the food we eat. Here again, the decaffeinated green tea was less effective at this level than the normal tea which contained caffeine.

So, while those of us who don’t mind the caffeine in green tea can carry on as usual with next to nothing to worry about, the others who do mind need to weigh up the pro’s and con’s.

Visit: Drinking Green Tea Benefits

This of course, is the same question I had some months ago.  Very much is said about the benefits of green tea, yet it is hard to find concise information about the amounts of green tea to drink per day.

So, how much green tea should you drink for results?

Let me say first, this info is based on my own experience and observations with green tea. The amount of “doses” will depend greatly on the type of green tea presentation you consume.

In the case of green tea extracts (which you can find mostly of 350mg), I’d recommend taking from three to four pills a day, but not at once.  Instead, it is a good idea to take them after eating: breakfast, lunch and dinner with abundant water preferably.

If you are drinking green tea hot or as iced tea, I’d recommend drinking at least one cup after your meals. However, when drinking green tea, you are freer with the way you take green tea. For example, during summer I take my iced green tea and drink it throughout the day besides after every meal. Be sure though to not make of this tea your exclusive drink, you should also be taking pure water.

Finally, you can opt for the pill / drink combo. Here’s a great tip that also gave me great results: Take 3 pills a day, again after every meal.  And while you are eating or at any time, replace your usual drink with green tea. Lately, I’ve been using this combination and it really works!

Visit: Drinking Green Tea Benefits

Everybody wants to have a healthy body. But, with today’s very comfortable lifestyle, it can be quite difficult to do. It seems like everyone is becoming unhealthier and unhealthier every single day. You might eat the right kinds of food, and you might be exercising regularly, but your doctor may still say that it’s not really enough. So, what’s missing? To answer this question, you may want to start drinking green tea.

So, just what’s all the hype about this centuries old brew that it made everyone absolutely crazy about it? From scientists, to health buffs, to regular people, what it is about green tea that is so great that it seems that almost everyone is drinking it?

First of all, this brew existed for thousands of years. The Chinese and the Japanese have been drinking this for centuries, and is still part of their daily life, and they even said that this tea can keep your body healthy.

Today, scientists have found that there is more to green tea than your average everyday tea. To start, it has antioxidants that are known to help fight off or prevent cancer, and it is also full of certain vitamins and minerals that contribute to making your body healthier.

To name all the benefits, here are 7 reasons why you should start drinking this miracle brew:

• Cancer

As mentioned before, green tea is filled with antioxidants that helps counter the effects of oxidants or what we commonly know as free radicals. By fighting off free radicals, it will help prevent cancer.

• Diabetes

Most people who are diabetics have been found to have low metabolism rate. This means that they cannot get rid of carbohydrates easily which will be stored as fat in the body. This will also increase the blood sugar levels in your body. With green tea, it will increase your metabolism rate and increase your energy levels, which will help in preventing diabetes. Studies on lab rats have found that it is very effective in preventing diabetes and also proves to be an inexpensive way to do so.

• Bad breath

Green is known to help in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Also it helps in keeping the mouth clean and free from odor-causing bacteria. If you have a bad breath, then this brew can definitely help give you a fresher and nicer smelling breath.

• Acne

Because green tea has antioxidants, it can help in preventing acne as well as treating it. Also, it helps in reducing the inflammation that is associated with acne. By drinking this brew, you will definitely see it as an inexpensive way to treat acne and help you get a smoother skin.

• Alzheimer’s disease

Another benefit that green tea provides is that it helps in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea has been found to prevent plaque deposits in the brain, which is the cause of this very serious disease. With green tea, you will definitely have a healthier brain and a sharper mind.

• Cholesterol

Studies have found that green tea can help in fighting and reducing bad cholesterols. It is also a natural anticoagulant. All in all, it will help in keeping your blood pressure low, as well as prevent heart diseases and strokes. Green tea is also about giving you a healthy heart.

• HIV

Last but not the least; green tea has been linked to help in preventing HIV. Because green tea naturally increases the body’s immune system, studies have found that the EGCG that is naturally found in this brew can boost your immune system. Therefore, it may not be very far in the future that green tea will contribute a lot in HIV prevention and cure researches.

These are 7 reasons why you should start drinking green tea. Indeed, this brew can do miracles to the body. If you want a healthier body, then this brew is definitely for you