This chapter shows how to compute Yin and Yang for different latitudes so traditional Chinese herbalists can quantify the efficacy of herbal drugs. Based on daylight hours, the chapter provides a simple formula that allows computation of Yin and Yang for each day of the year. Moreover, using daily Yin and Yang values, the chapter shows how to render the Yin-Yang symbol properly in accordance wi...

Background: The world is confronted with an acute pneumonia outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the use of plants remains best choice for many populations to prevent infection this virus. This work ethnopharmacological survey on medicinal used prevention Algerian population. Method: study was carried out in 2020 three provinces (Bejaia, Bouira, Boumerdes). Ethnobotanical information obtained usin...

To define three different types of Kui traditional healers, herbalists, blowing doctors and spirit healers, according to their range and methods of treatment. Surveys were conducted to identify traditional healers among a population of Kui villages in the southern part of Northeast Thailand. Criteria were established to select a sample group of thirty healers, ten of each type of healer. For ov...

[In the first half of Dr. van der Geest's article (MAQ.15(3):59-62, 1984), a review of the literature on activities of pharmaceutical companies in Third World countries was presented. Several case studies were cited which document how both the structure of the industry and its practices appear to place higher priority on profits than on people's health. For example, as multinational corporation...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids. DESIGN 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. SETTING Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASU...

In plant-based medical systems, bitter tasting plants play a key role in managing dyspepsia. Yet when it comes to defining their mechanism of activity, herbalists and pharmacologists are split between two theories: one involves cephalic elicited vagal responses while the other comprises purely local responses. Recent studies indicate that bitters elicit a range of cephalic responses which alter...

Purpose Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting 6-18% of women of reproductive age. Irregular periods are a hallmark symptom of PCOS and whilst Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has historically been used as an effective treatment for irregular periods, this requires further investigation in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). To ensure that the met...