Health & Spirit Forum: Recent Posts

Health & Spirit Forum: Recent Posts http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Please post your questions or comments here... en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:41:50 +0000 soma on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-171 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:45:21 +0000 soma 171@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Adina, Sorry for the delay. Busy season in Bali at present. Thank you for the report and happy to know of the improvement. Just want to warn you that clearing a lingering pathogenic factor takes some time so I would expect more colds and coughs in the future. However, if you follow the protocol we've laid out and if P.keeps a decent diet, we should definitely see a decrease in frequency and intensity. Keep us posted. All the best, Soma. adina on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-170 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:32:21 +0000 adina 170@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Soma, I am happy to report that giving a combination formula based on Sang Ju Yin and Sha shen Mai Dong Tang this past spring produced a very good result. The cold was mild, short, and the cough was minimal. Thank you! P is off to university in another city this fall. I plan to send him with the herbs to have on hand, and also to begin now the tonification phase with the Minor formulas as you suggested. I will report on this phase later on. All the best, Adina. JenniB on "Free Webinar: Holistic Treatment of Colic & GERD" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=78#post-169 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:05:04 +0000 JenniB 169@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ I just thought I would share with everyone that there is a free webinar tomorrow 9-10 AM (PDT) given by Randall Neustaedter. It focuses on treating colic and GERD in babies using Chinese medicine, supplements, and homeopathy. You can find out more information and register at the link below: <a href="http://www.healthychild.com/digestive-problems/holistic-treatment-of-reflux-gerd-and-colic-in-babies/" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthychild.com/digestive-problems/holistic-treatment-of-reflux-gerd-and-colic-in-babies/</a> Jenni soma on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-168 Tue, 18 May 2010 09:46:10 +0000 soma 168@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Diane, You might need to explain to mom that the energetic work is as important as the herbs to get him well. In my experience, the children who get the sho-ni-shin recover much faster and stay well much longer than the other kids. About the herbs: Blue Poppy Press carry a great range of pediatric formula in tincture forms. You may want to get a catalog and look them over. Dr. Zhao's Minor Bupleurum modified could work during the not acute stage but your kid has more upper respiratory problem and Jie Geng and Zhimu would be more appropriate for the lingering coughs and phlegm. Anyway, please call Heather at SWAC before planning to come to my class in Boulder as we can only see 4 to 5 kids and she's taking care of the scheduling. LPF means lingering pathogenic factor and there are extra points on the neck about 1/2 cun from Cervical 5 and Cervical 6 which help soften phlegm nodules on the neck. All the best, Soma. dianecridennda on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-167 Mon, 17 May 2010 18:28:07 +0000 dianecridennda 167@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thanks Soma, I will talk to the Mom, she tends to not bring him in much just doing herbs at home. I also don’t have raw herbs and infrequently use granules (esp for kids as compliance is an issue) I have access to peds rx. From Gently Warriors, Sage Solutions, do you have another resource? They are 48%water,vegetable glycerin24% alcohol only 10%.Do you have a recommendation for other ped formulas in tincture? Dr Zhao in SF has B&A liquid which is Xiao Chai Hu Tang pluse Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. Rx is Chai hu 20%, Huange qin 10 %, Zing Hao, Long Dan Cao, Mu Dan Pi, Shi Zi, Bai zhi, Ban Xia, Huang Qi20%, Ren Shen Sai Shu, Wu Wei Zi Bai Shao Yao All the other ingred are 5% execpt those i listed.Do you think this is a good rx. Or should i use Xiao Chai Hu Tang alone then Huang Qi JZT when he is not acute? Also I am going to ask Mom to come to Boulder on that Sunday when you are here. What time would we need to be there? Sorry what is LPF on the neck points? I am not familiar with that term. Thanks Diane soma on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-166 Sun, 16 May 2010 02:50:49 +0000 soma 166@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Diane, Thanks for the post. Yes, this twin has some health challenges. There are both deficiency and excess at the same time. There is history of respiratory weakness in the mother which he probably inherited and a strong lingering pathogenic factor from the courses of antibiotics. There's probably also candida from the history of thrush and the sticky, persistent phlegm is indicative of a host of food sensitivities or allergies. The question is where do you start? The first formula I always think of in a scenario like that is MINOR BUPLEURUM. It does need some adjustments and modifications to suit the particular case but it should be the base formula. I usually alternate a clearing formula to resolve the excess presentation such as phlegm, heat, Qi stagnation, etc with a formula to tonify Qi and the immune system when the symptoms clear a bit. Best one is HUANG QI JIAN ZHON TANG. Yes, diet and recolonizing gut flora are very important. Receiving moxa with a tiger warmer on pts such as Ren 12, St 36, Sp 6 and stimulating LI 4, LV 3 and the LPF points on the neck and back with the sho-ni-shin should be done frequently. I hope you can bring this child to our class in Boulder and keep us advised. Thanks, Soma. dianecridennda on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-165 Fri, 14 May 2010 18:40:13 +0000 dianecridennda 165@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ HI all, I have a one year old twin, seems to be the lest health of the two. Sinus infection Dec 2010 10 days antibiotics two weeks later another 10 days of a different antibiotic for sinuses and ear April sinus (no cultures done) Hx of thrush as baby, Mom was on years of allergy and asthma meds (we got her off all before she concieved) Symp not sleeping possibly heat in liver, or just simply can't breath yellow mucous discharge from eyes, rattleing chest and nose, can be watery of thick depending, droopy lower lid, dull eyes, always looks like a baby who just woke up from a nap. over the year I have tx with herbs recently showed mom gua sha along ub channel St 36 pressure etc. RX strong probiotic, intensive care as much as the Mom is willing to give him Quiet Calm Yin Qiao Jr Health concerns Pipe cleaner Open air Wind breaker Most are Sage solution or Chines Modulars recently Allerease Jr Blue poppy I seem to be only putting out fires, trying to recolonize gut flora I think he is very sp/st xu Have taken him off milk, cold raw foods, cut back on fruit esp banana Mom is not exactly convinced he should not have milk but is trying Referrd him to cranial sacral to open sinuses, mom says it helped and will go again. Any ideas or recommendations? Thanks so much. Diane Cridennda julia fisher on "Swollen tonsils and adenoids in 3 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=76#post-164 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:23:24 +0000 julia fisher 164@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thanks for the suggestions, Soma. I'll let everyone know how things turn out. If I remember right, there is some debate as to whether Shaoyang may indeed move into Yangming as part of a beneficial healing progression,no? This kid presented with a lot of yangming heat the first time I saw him 2 months ago for the acute cold that has led to all this, so I'm wondering if that has something to do with why the pathogen is moving this way... Or, I just drove it deeper with herbs... Hmmm, I hope not! Upon reflection, his folks didn't stick to the healing plan (diet restrictions, herbs) back then, so It's really apparent how we got from there to here. Poor kid! Poor parents! I really enjoy this forum, and appreciate so much how freely you give of your time and energy! Julia soma on "Swollen tonsils and adenoids in 3 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=76#post-163 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:27:36 +0000 soma 163@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Julia, Sorry for the delay and thank you for this very interesting case. Well, Xiao Chai Hu Tang did exactly what it is supposed to do for a LPF: Reduce the hard swelling and loosen the hard phlegm. Shaoyang is not supposed to move into yangming by the way, but into taiyang. Unfortunately the phlegm is too sticky and is blocking his sinuses and XCHT did not change his adenoids. At this stage you definitely need to resolve phlegm. I'm not sure that allerease is the right formula. There is a formula called Qing Bi tang which is probably better with the addition of more phlegm moving agents. And Yes, you do need to be careful with his Yin as all these herbs are very drying. Make sure you add some moistening herbs such as Zhi Mu and Bai Shao. There is a great homeopathic remedy for very sticky green phlegm which prevents breathing. It's called KALI BIC. 30C is a good potency, 1 or 2 doses a day for 3 to 5 days. It might be quicker than herbs to clear the sinuses and then you can follow up with a constitutional formula. Of course, steaming with eucalyptus or mint oil and drastically reducing the phlegm forming foods will be very helpful. Let me know about both cases. Thank you! Soma. julia fisher on "Swollen tonsils and adenoids in 3 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=76#post-162 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:10:13 +0000 julia fisher 162@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, Julia here, first to thank you so much for your guidance on my 2 year old patient with mixed CP. I will update you further when I have the time. We have completed 2 10day treatment series so far, and the experience has been quite interesting. But right now, I have a more acute situation to ask you about. I have a 3 year old patient who came to me with tonsils so swollen that he could not breath well at night. No sore throat or ear pain or nasal congestion. He had had a lingering cough 1 month before that never fully resolved. His pediatrician told his mother that she wasn't worried about infection at the moment, but if the swelling lasted for more than 6 weeks than she would want to take them out. So... I did shonishin (he wouldn't tolerate much more than that), and prescribed blue poppy's xiao chai hu tang tincture. I saw him 4 days in a row and saw the tonsil swelling retreat dramatically. BUT, his nose started running (green and sticky) increasingly over the four days, and now he can breathe fine out of his throat but his adenoids are very swollen and he is waking repeatedly throughout the night unable to breathe out of his nose. His mom is worried that he is not getting enough O2 at night and is not getting any sleep herself. My thinking is that the lingering pathogen is moving out from Shaoyang to Yangming, which is how it should move, right? So my first thought is to switch to the Allerease Jr. tincture from Blue Poppy to address the sinuses, but I have 2 concerns about that: 1. He's starting to get dry (dry congestion), and I'm afraid that both the XCHT and the Allerease are too drying at this point. 2. Is it too soon to transition off the XCHT if his tonsils are still at all swollen? I don't want to stop expelling the pathogen, right? Perhaps I should switch to the Allerease and continue addressing Shaoyang with the shonishin alone? Of course the other thing I am worried about is the pathogen shifting again into the ears, which can happen with badly swollen adenoids, and potentially damaging hearing. FYI, he has a very hot and energetic constitution. He is a phlegmy kid due to diet, and I'm working with mom and dad on that. Right now he is completely off sugar and dairy. He is strong willed and very yang. He is able to focus and be calm. His tongue last time I checked was a fairly normal pink with thick greasy and white coat, which is a lot less heat than when he first came in. Any guidance is much appreciated ~ this is my first experience with this sort of thing! Thank you! Julia soma on "Night time Gas in 16 m.o." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=75#post-161 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:24:54 +0000 soma 161@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Jenni, Thanks for your post and very interesting case. I would try the formula"BAO HE WAN" for a while to see if it helps more and use the point SI FENG. It seems like some food accumulation. I like your recommendation to stop night time nursing. Keep giving her sho-ni-shin and show her mother the clockwise massage around the abdomen. It might be helpful at bedtime. Let us know how it goes. Thanks, Soma. soma on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-160 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:18:11 +0000 soma 160@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Adina, On the subject of allergy, I largely share your views. I myself has had allergies and food sensitivities since childhood but undiagnosed until my 20s. When I discovered Chinese medicine and especially the Liver/Spleen connection, my health changed for the better and is still great 30+ years later. I don't believe in all these tests. Eating well, balanced and organic is the ground for good health. Learning from what our bodies tell us is the next secret. At 18 P. might still have lots of excesses to do before he gets so fed up with being sick all the time that he really decides on his own that what he eats has a direct effect on how he feels. Best, Soma. JenniB on "Night time Gas in 16 m.o." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=75#post-159 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:14:23 +0000 JenniB 159@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi there Soma I have a case that I would love some feedback and/or recommendations. I am treating a 16 m.o. child with very painful nightime gas. She has no gas or bloating during the day but wakes up crying a few hours after she has fallen asleep. This can sometimes go on the whole night with her waking every hour or two. This has been going on since she was 4 months old. Her stools are formed and occassionally will have undigested food. There is sometimes a strong odor but not on a daily basis. She usually has two BM's a day and if she has only one, her Mom says this will almost always be a rough night. She did have a small rash on her cheek which is almost gone since she started treatment. Her appetite is good and she eats a very healthy diet. Her Mom did an elimination diet when she exclusively nusing and wasn't able to pinpoint any food allergies or sensitivities. I have suggested to the Mom that she try and cut down on her nightime nursing and she is down to nursing twice during the night. She is a charming child with a very sweet temperment. Even though she doesn't get much sleep, she is rarely irritable. I have had her on spleen tonics with herbs to move food stagnation and clear heat for about about a month now. She has improved 30-40% but is still waking up nightly with gas. The past few weeks, there has been very little improvement. I have been giving her sho-ni-shin but not consistently because the family has been out of town. She really enjoys the treatments and does very well for a few nights after sho-ni-shin. Would love your insight on this case. Thank you for your time! Jenni adina on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-158 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:52:31 +0000 adina 158@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thank you, yes, I understand. For P, allergy patch testing has only revealed a reaction to corn. (in addition to inhalants such as grass pollen and dust.) He avoids this - including processed foods with corn syrup, most of the time. As far as complete avoidance, or indeed complete avoidance of hypothetical multiple sensitivities, how realistic is this for an 18 year old just moving out on his own? It seems that even fully dedicated, mature people are only able to sustain these diets for relatively short periods of time. Otherwise, we have always cooked and eaten from scratch, largely organic farm food that my partner grows, for all of P's life. I am not sure how I feel about the various bioenergetic sensitivity tests. I've had many patients who have been tested, then "cleared" or been tested and avoided the offenders, without significant improvement in various symptoms, particularly the skin diseases that are my specialty. I don't fully understand these modalities. From personal experience I think we can also see that we may be sensitive to something one day and not the next - lactose intolerance is really a perfect example, as many people report extreme swings in reactivity over days or weeks. I would love to hear either of your direct experience with this topic. Thanks again Adina. soma on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-157 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:30:34 +0000 soma 157@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Adina, Just to clarify things on a diagnosis view point. P is still carrying a LPF,(lingering pathogenic factor), which by definition involves phlegm. Now there are different stages in the pathology as you yourself described. And he needs different herbal formulas for the different stages. First try SANG JU YIN WAN at the onset of the cold and if that doesn't stop the progression, then SHA SHEN MAI MEN DONG TANG is for the hacking cough stage. That's the time when the Yin has been depleted and I did mention some additions to the formula. When the hacking cough finally loosens and as you say there is still phlegm signs such as nasal discharge and throat clearing, you can move to the formula Minor Bupleurum with additions such as JIE GENG, ZHI MU and QIAN HU. Remember that Minor Bupleurum is very drying and should not be given for long periods of time without the proper modifications. If there is a gap when everything clears before the next cold sets in, then a combination of YU PI FENG SAN with XIAO JIAN ZHONG TANG or GUI ZHI TANG will help boost his immune system and hopefully delay the onset of the next cold. Now as I mentioned in our very first correspondence,his diet definitely needs checking as it is very likely that P has allergies or food sensitivities. Thank you and thank you Alma for your participation. Soma. almabella on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-156 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:26:38 +0000 almabella 156@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Adina! I am a West LA acupuncturist/health coach. I was wondering what P's diet is like? because at the root of conditions like this may lie an allergy. Aside from the wonderful advise on herbs from Soma, it is always advisable to change a patient's diet to enhance immunity and to eliminate offending foods. NAET is such a type of therapy that might assist in relieving allergic reactions...perhaps you can get acquainted through google and then find a practitioner in your area. Peace and blessings! adina on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-155 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:51:12 +0000 adina 155@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ HI Soma, Somehow I missed the notification of your post, sorry to take so long to acknowledge your kind reply. I had considered a treatment such as Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang, but I wonder about the fact that there is still some phlegm - nasal discharge and throat clearing - in between colds, and that this phlegm does not seem particularly dry. I guess I've always been confused by the proportion of phlegm to some Yin deficiency. Significantly, and I omitted this in my first post - the tongue is always peeled in the middle and front but often has a too thick, sl greasy and rootless coating on the sides, which can be white or yellow. So I guess my question is - is Sha Shen Mai dong Tang balanced enough not to produce more phlegm in this scenario, and do you think we should add anything to XCHT for the stomach over the long term? Thank you so much again, Adina. soma on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-154 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:14:59 +0000 soma 154@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Sorry about the delay. I'm in the middle of a move. First, I think 10 days on, 5 days off is a good treatment schedule. However the poor kid also needs some breathing space during the times on. I think it will back-fire if too many therapies are performed back to back. I would suggest the acupuncture/sho-ni-shin in the morning for example and one of the other, OT or PT in the afternoon. the parents can do tuina/tragger at home in the evening and he needs to have enough down times and play times. Then the next 10 days on, the other form of therapy can be performed in the afternoon. You and the parents may notice on which 10 day segment, does the kid get more improvements. As you say this child has had so many treatments already. Seems like his Shen is intact and that's the best prognosis. If the parents are willing, keep this schedule going for at least 3 months and that will give you a good idea of how much improvements you can expect. Don't forget herbal formulas and supplements. They are powerful healing tools. Best, Soma. julia fisher on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-153 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:08:22 +0000 julia fisher 153@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Yes, of course ~ differentiation! This little guy has a lot going on. The root is the Ki Qi/Jing Xu, and he has a mixed spastic/flaccid pattern. He seems to have more of a Lv wind excess pattern, with some definite heat in the St. I think it's mostly excess with some Sp Qi Xu. I have some strategies in mind, and always welcome protocol suggestions, but I am mainly wondering about what you and other folks think about consistency of treatment and prognosis. The parents are willing to try a form of the 10 day on and 5 day off treatment schedule that Scott and Barlow recommend, but this poor child has so many appts. for so many different therapies. I am considering recommending that the regimen be 10 days on of all his treatments combined and then 5 days off for integration. For example, OT one day, then PT, then acupuncture, then the parents doing tuina and traeger at home then acupuncture, and so on until day 11 he gets a rest from everything until day 17... Do you think this would be ideal considering the situation? And how do I assess how long to estimate that we will be in treatment? As far as the severity of the CP, this boy is very alert and attentive. He can focus well and connect better than some able bodied 2 year olds. He can make sounds and seems to understand and respond to language. He can relax for minutes without being flaccid, and has good and normal muscle tone. Cognitively he is very close to "normal". He is low weight and low height. He can roll over and is starting to learn how to crawl. He still eats through a G-tube, takes antispasmotics, cannot speak, sometimes has breathing problems, and does not sleep well. He has had many forms of treatment, including stem cell therapy, hyperbaeric oxygen, and aggressive electro acupuncture in China. His parents describe his situation as "a smart, connected and frustrated boy who's body just won't cooperate." They are very hopeful that there is still some neurological repair that can be done. I'm not sure what to tell them to expect, but with regular treatment and this integration time, I am feeling optimistic. I would so love to hear your suggestions and experience, because I don't want to send these folks on an intense treatment protocol for a long time if there really isn't much indication that it will help. In addition, I will try to make it as affordable as I can for them, but this is undoubtedly another expensive therapy that they are considering undertaking. Got to catch a plane! Would love to hear whatever anyone wants to share on the matter! Julia soma on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-152 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:16:43 +0000 soma 152@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Julia, Thank you for your post. No, I'm not aware of any studies on treating CP with sho-ni-shin. I can only give you feed-back from my own research and my clinical experience. First I need to mention that the most important starting point is your differential diagnosis. This is the strength of Chinese Medicine. First establish a 5 element, a zang/fu and an 8 principle pattern of syndrome differentiation. Then you want to treat according to that. No 2 children with CP will have the exact same syndromes. In CP you have both paralysis (wei syndromes) and spasticity (Liver wind) and of course the Kidney jing and Qi deficiency, some may be more Yang, some more Yin. I have had some good results with children with CP here in Bali. I have to admit I also have used homeopathic remedies as well as herbs and sho-ni-shin. I've never used electricity or very aggressive needling methods. I think the prognosis depends on how badly the child is affected neurologically and also how many treatments the parents are willing to bring the child for. If you want to follow-up with some more specifics about the child, I or someone else might want to propose a more specific line of treatment. Thank you again and all the best. Soma. julia fisher on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-151 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:03:08 +0000 julia fisher 151@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, I have a 3 year old patient with mixed CP. This is my first experience with CP in children, though I wrote my research paper on it in school. All the research I have found is on what seems like fairly aggressive needling protocols. I am much more interested in treating gently with shonishin, and do so with my other pediatric patients. Can you or anyone else on this forum suggest any studies done treating CP with shonishin? I would also love to know what the prognosis for neurological recovery has been in your experience. This child had a relatively normal (c-section) full term birth and was afflicted with the CP 6 hours after birth following asphyxia while breastfeeding. He is very high functioning and quite healthy overall. I would like to present the parents with a plan of treatment, but I am not sure what to tell them to expect. What has been the best case scenario in your experience? Thank you! I too would love to come to Bali to study! Yeah - no brainer! Julia Fisher soma on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-150 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:11:55 +0000 soma 150@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Dear Adina, I read the case of your son with great interest and I hope that his recurrent cough can be completely eliminated. First give him some herbs during the hacking cough phase to nourish his Yin: SHA SHEN MAI MEN DONG TANG and add SANG BAI PI and a little XING REN. When the acute phase is over you can follow up with XIAO CHAI HU TANG combined with XIAO JIAN ZHONG TANG. Add some HUANG QI to tonify his immune system. Stop the Minor formulas if he gets another cold. Give him something for the acute presentation then follow up again with the Minors. Hopefully the colds and cough will come less and less frequently. I believe that one dose of PHOSPHORUS 200 will also be very beneficial as he still seems to carry the Phosphorus picture. Give him a dose when he's feeling better as a boost to his life force. Thank you for your trust and I would love it if you'd keep us posted about his progress. You may also want to check on his diet and think of supplements or some cleanses to help his liver. Best, Soma. adina on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-149 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:58:13 +0000 adina 149@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Soma, I've enjoyed your website, and was immediately attracted to it by a mere few words on a google search, your experience and competence came through right away. I am a TCM practitioner and mother of said 18 year old young man. I am perplexed by a recurrent cough/cold pattern that P. has manifested since early childhood. In keeping with not treating one's own family, I took him, about 10 years ago, to a wonderful homeopath who prescribed phosphorous, successfully. For a few years he was ok. Unfortunately the homeopath passed away, and in the intervening years the problem has insidiously crept back. Time to act again, and I would love your feedback as you are trained in both medicines. Here is the usual acute manifestation: fairly typical head cold onset with one day of chills and or fever, moderate nasal discharge, followed by 1 - 2 weeks of cough: single cough at a time, loud and startling, as if something is forcefully expelled, but very scanty expectoration. One such cough, followed by another and so on, at intervals of seconds to minutes. May evolve into hacking night cough, or just go on this way for several days, until finally it loosens and slowly dissipates. Morning and evening cough may well continue, in this single cough at at time pattern, til the next cold comes, often a month later. Concurrently there is often one red eye, and itchy. Another feature is that the cough may suddenly appear to be gone for a day or two, only to come back and pick up where it left off. Chronic background presentation includes a very thin build, good appetite, hyperopia, emotional sensitivity, fatigue, tense jaw, clicking joints, anxiety, neck and shoulder tension, slightly enlarged neck nodes with no tenderness, very cold hands and feeling "out of it". Also seasonal allergies. Another TCm herbalist prescribed XIAO CHAI HU TANG last fall. Taking it for several months in granule form did improve the cold hands, fatigue and out of it but the cough/colds came as usual, 5 so far this winter. Additionally P. got mononucleosis in the middle of winter, but recovered fairly well in about 5 weeks. He did get secondary hepatitis and splenomegaly, which both retreated promptly, although the neck glands are still more enlarged than is usual. Modified xiao chai hu tang makes sense to me as a long term treatment, but nothing whatsoever seems to work once the cough has started. I am not sure whether to pursue homeopathy, or TCM , or both, and whether phosphorous would still be appropriate, after all this time, and at what potency. I've not been able to find a local homeopath that I trust. For the moment I feel like a shoemaker whose children are barefoot.... Sorry for the long post and thank you so much, in advance. adina. soma on "kidney reflux, eczema and peanut allergy in 14 month old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=73#post-148 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:13:53 +0000 soma 148@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Marleen, I would say that the reflux condition and her allergy situation are interconnected since the end of breast feeding and the start of “Nestle good start” both happened at 8 months. That's when she developed the vesicoureteral reflux. I definitely agree with taking constant probiotics and following the allergy protocol from Randall's "Holistic baby guide". However I feel that she does not exhibit Kidney deficiency signs. It looks more like Liver overacting on Spleen. A formula such as Jia Wei Xiao Yao San with a few modifications would take care of both the urinary pattern and the allergy pattern manifesting both as food sensitivity and skin eruptions. Thanks and I hope we get more suggestions. Soma. mgreenberg on "kidney reflux, eczema and peanut allergy in 14 month old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=73#post-147 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:03:01 +0000 mgreenberg 147@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi, I posted this on holistic pediatrics forum and thought I would also post here. I have included the response I got from Randall Neustaedter. Can anyone suggest a good kidney tonic I could use for her? Thanks, Marleen Greenberg, R.Ac. Calgary, Alberta I just saw a 14 month old girl who was diagnosed with bilateral bladder reflux after developing a kidney infection at the age of 8 months. She is being treated prophylactically with novo trimel 2.5 ml/day to prevent further infections. Mom has been told there is a 50 - 60% chance of her outgrowing the reflux. She has eczema and cradle cap (not sure when that started) and uses a moisturizing non-medicated cream daily for that. She broke out in hives last month after eating peanut butter for the first time and saw an allergist who did the sratch test. She is only allergic (on the milder side) to peanuts, but is now avoiding all tree nuts. She has been fully vaccinated, was breast fed until 8 months and then put on Nestle Good Start wtih omega 3 & 6, eats all foods and drinks milk daily. Vaginal non-medicated birth. I have recommended an infant or children's probiotic daily while she is on the antibiotics and gave her fermented cod liver oil to take daily. The mom was hesitant to take her off all dairy until she plans to wean her from her bottle at 18 months but was agreeable to trying her on goat's milk products for a month to see if the eczema improves with that. I have instructed the mother in how to massage the kidney, stomach and lung channels for support. I have also recommended avoiding all refined flours and sugars, and using sprouted grains whenever possible. her shen is very good, there are no dark circles under her eyes or veins anywhere on her face. She is not a picky eater and loves to be touched. Bowels are twice a day and well-formed. Sleep is good. She is generally very happy and engaged. My question is about the reflux which I think was the original cause of most of the issues. Is there anything that can be done herbally to help with that? Would it be worthwhile to give her a formula for the eczema or is it reasonable to first wait to see if changing and then stopping dairy helps? I am trying not to overload the mom. Thank you, Marleen Greenberg, R.Ac., NTP Calgary, Alberta from Randall Neustaedter: Depending on what degree of reflux (which they should know by now from the xrays) there are two options. One is to take antibiotics, as she is doing, the other is to put her on some antibacterial herbs (such as the Evergreen Herbal ABX formula or similiar liquid extract) and do periodic urine tests every two to three months (either dipsticks or cultures) to check for bacteria. This may not be feasible if she's not potty trained yet. Constant probiotics. And I would give her a kidney tonification formula to see if you can encourange progress in the the urinary tract development. Treating the underlying allergic component would be good as well with the protocols set out in my book The Holistic Baby Guide. Aoife Lucy on "Pregnancy vaginal varicose veins" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=69#post-145 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:58:12 +0000 Aoife Lucy 145@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I just wanted to say thanks again for your help and give you an update. My sister got immense relief and now is patiently waiting for her baby to arrive, but doesn't mind if she goes full term as her pain has completely gone she can't believe it, she is delighted. She still has signs of heat and I am now going to do the prebirth treatments from the course Many thanks Aoife soma on "Childrens cough and vomiting" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=71#post-144 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:34:02 +0000 soma 144@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Star, Your children's cough are very likely caused by a virus but you can surely help them with the right Chinese herbal formula instead of letting it take its course. The formula Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang (with some modifications for the labored breathing and vomiting) and doing the sho-ni-shin on the Lung/large Intestine channel, lung and stomach back-shu points as well as phlegm points such as LU 5, PC 3, 5 & 6, ST 40 and Ren 12 would have been very helpful during the yellow phlegmy stage with vomiting rebellious Qi. The kidney points on the chest are very important for difficulty breathing combined with LI 3 and LI 1. Also stimulate the lower Kidney points like KD 3 and 6 to help grasping Lung Qi. The difficulty breathing is from phlegm-rheum accumulation. The fluids are accumulating in the lungs and not dispersing which block the airways especially in recumbent position. If you can make your own herbs, then combine XIAO QING LONG TANG (Minor Blue Dragon) with Wu Ling San(Poria Five) and add Huang Qin to clear remaining heat. Does your daughter have a dry cough now? Her Yin is probably damaged from the long spell. The formula SHASHEN MAI MEN DONG with the addtion of SANG BAI PI and XING REN will be helpful. If the cough is still a bit phlegmy, she should take XIAO CHAI HU TANG with JIE GENG, QIAN HU and ZHI MU. Find a herbalist who can make you these herbal formula, preferably from granular or tincture (easier on kids) I hope they both recover quickly. Please let us know. All the best, Soma Star on "Childrens cough and vomiting" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=71#post-143 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:51:20 +0000 Star 143@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I have a nine year old daughter who last November started out with a cold that developed into a Wind-Heat, I put her on some pediatric herbs for the wind-heat. In a couple of days she developed a very nasty cough Her main symptoms was a phlemgy loud cough and then inhaling was very stressed, trying to gasp for air. She would also vomit. At night it got really bad, and she woke up many times through the night gasping for air, only to have to cough and then vomit. At first she vomited yellow phlegm, but after two weeks of this there was no phlegm, but the cough still remained and she would still cough and gasp for air and this would still cause her to vomit. It is now February and she still has a cough, but with no phlegm or vomiting. Her 6 year old brother now has the cough, he is in the coughing and vomiting stage with no more yellow phlegm, he will just cough and then vomit and spit a little phlegm (not yellow anymore). I tried pediatric herbs for cough but again he is on his fourth week, and wakes up many times through the night gasping for air and then coughing, with or with out vomiting. Any suggestions. The doctors checked my daughter out for whooping cough, it was negative. One doctor said it was just a virus and it will take time, the other doctor said early on that it was bronchitis. He has had to sleep with me for four weeks at this point so I can help him sit up and breath. Thank you Star Aoife Lucy on "Pregnancy vaginal varicose veins" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=69#post-140 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:16:23 +0000 Aoife Lucy 140@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma Thank you so much I am going to see her Friday so will update you next week Thanks again Aoife soma on "Pregnancy vaginal varicose veins" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=69#post-139 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:08:21 +0000 soma 139@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Aoife, Yes, you can offer your sister some relief with acupuncture and homeopathy. I wouldn't use any Chinese herbal formula at this stage. First, UB 67 can be used at 35 weeks. I recommend 3 to 5 direct moxa cones, for 3 consecutive days and get the baby position checked by midwife. For the swollen, itchy vulva and the hemorrhoids, you can needle GB 34 and SP 9 and ST 13, angle towards tip of shoulder. (recommended by Debra betts) The 2 most indicated homeopathic remedies for this case are: PULSATILLA (always use for transverse lying position) and SEPIA which will help the swollen and itchy vulva as well as the hemorrhoids. You might take care of the vaginal varicose veins first with acupuncture and sepia and start on UB 67 the following week when you see some improvements with the vulva. It will be very good for your sister to receive the prebirth treatments which we covered in the seminar starting on week 37. Keep me posted. Best, Soma Aoife Lucy on "Pregnancy vaginal varicose veins" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=69#post-138 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:28:29 +0000 Aoife Lucy 138@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma This is the case I mentioned: My sister is now 35 weeks pregnant today(third pregnancy) and is suffering from vaginal varicose veins and she now also has a bad case of Thrush I have not managed to see her yet since she is suffering from this but I will see her this weekend so my details are not very comprehensive Symptoms are very sore, red and some times itchy swollen vulva. She also has haemorrhoids and has suffered from these since her first pregnancy. The veins on her legs are now black Her baby is also tranverse lying so lying more towards the left and so her pain is more on the left. Would you recommend BL 67 at this stage to help move the baby as that may help ease her pain? Typically she is someone that suffers from damp-heat patterns and liver-heat patterns - i.e. I have treated her for sinus problems which she suffers badly from and she always has alot of phlegm. She was also suffering alot previously from liver yang rising headaches that i have treated her successfully for. I would really like to give her some help and ease the pain somewhat as she is getting no relief from anything, but as she is so far gone in her pregnancy I want to be careful regarding what treatment to give her. If you have any guidance regarding treatment it would be really appreciated or anything she could apply to the area to ease the heat and pain Let me know what other information that would help Many thanks mgreenberg on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-126 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:16:24 +0000 mgreenberg 126@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, Thanks so much for your reply. I will pass this information on to the mom and let you know what happens if I end up working with him, or if I hear anything else in terms of the treatment. I had mentioned chlorophyll to her so I am glad to hear that was appropriate. I hope I can get to Bali some day to do more training with you, Marleen soma on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-125 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:43:48 +0000 soma 125@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Marleen and Michelle, Thank you for posting this case on this forum. I have treated quite a number of infants and children with CP, here in Bali and can definitely state that just LI 4 and LV 3 once a week will not change the child's condition. The spasticity and flaciddity can be diagnosed as Qi and jing deficiency, Liver wind and obstruction in the channels and network vessels. A child like that needs touch, so sho-ni-shin is highly recommended and the frequency should be at least 3 times a week or ever other day if possible. After 1 month the frequency can be reduced, Besides LI 4 and LV 3, I would also use DU 20 and ST 36 and stimulate Lung, Heart and Kidney meridians. I have found the combination of 2 formulas quite effective: Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang for the flaccidity and Gou Teng Yin for the spasticity. Of course some modifications can be done depending on the specifics of the disorder and the child's constitution and temperament. A good supplement could be chlorella and foods which reduce Liver wind symptoms. (check paul Pitchford's healing with whole foods.) Hope this helps. would love any feed-back. Soma. Michelle Craw on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-124 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:19:36 +0000 Michelle Craw 124@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ I agree with Julian Scott in haveing a higher frequency of treatments. Also I think that massage would be a good idea to stimulate the reflexes. mgreenberg on "Mixed cerebral palsy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=57#post-123 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:11:29 +0000 mgreenberg 123@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi, I just received a call from a mom who has an 18 month old with Mixed CP due to lack of oxygen before birth. He has been seeing an acupuncturist for 6 weeks who is doing Liv 3 and LI 4 with no needle retention, once a week. The acupuncturist is recommnending weekly treatments for 6 - 12 months before any improvements will be seen. The mom is wondering if this is a reasonable course of treatment. I checked Julian Scott's book and he recommends a much higher frequency of treatment and uses that combination for spasticity but other points for flaccidity. It sounds as though the child has more spasticity than flaccidity. Scott also recommends other points in combination. There has not been any change from the acupuncture yet. The mom has the child on an organic diet and is giving as much oils as possible. She is using Udo's oil (he wouldn't take cod liver oil), as well as avocado. Does anyone have any recommendations on what the frequency of treatment should be, as well as other ideas? Would shonishin be indicated if the child accepts needles? What about herbs? Supplements? Thanks, Marleen Greenberg, R.Ac. Calgary, Alberta