Chinese health foods and herb tonics

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look

The adaptogen concept is examined from an historical, biological, chemical, pharmacological and medical perspective using a wide variety of primary and secondary literature. The definition of an adaptogen first proposed by Soviet scientists in the late 1950s, namely that an adaptogen is any substance that exerts effects on both sick and healthy individuals by 'correcting' any dysfunction(s) without producing unwanted side effects, was used as a point of departure. We attempted to identify critically what an adaptogen supposedly does and to determine whether the word embodies in and of itself any concept(s) acceptable to western conventional (allopathic) medicine. Special attention was paid to the reported pharmacological effects of the 'adaptogen-containing plant' Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae), referred to by some as 'Siberian ginseng', and to its secondary chemical composition. We conclude that so far as specific pharmacological activities are concerned there are a number of valid arguments for equating the action of so-called adaptogens with those of medicinal agents that have activities as anti-oxidants, and/or anti-cancerogenic, immunomodulatory and hypocholesteroletic as well as hypoglycemic and choleretic action. However, 'adaptogens' and 'anti-oxidants' etc. also show significant dissimilarities and these are discussed. Significantly, the classical definition of an adaptogen has much in common with views currently being invoked to describe and explain the 'placebo effect'. Nevertheless, the chemistry of the secondary compounds of Eleutherococcus isolated thus far and their pharmacological effects support our hypothesis that the reported beneficial effects of adaptogens derive from their capacity to exert protective and/or inhibitory action against free radicals. An inventory of the secondary substances contained in Eleutherococcus discloses a potential for a wide range of activities reported from work on cultured cell lines, small laboratory animals and human subjects. Much of the cited work (although not all) has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Six compounds show various levels of activity as anti-oxidants, four show anti-cancer action, three show hypocholesterolemic activity, two show immunostimulatory effects, one has choleretic activity and one has the ability to decrease/moderate insulin levels, one has activity as a radioprotectant, one shows anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities and yet another has shown activity as an antibacterial agent. Some of the compounds show more than one pharmacological effect and some show similar effects although they belong to different chemical classes. Clearly, Eleutherococcus contains pharmacologically active compounds but one wishes that the term adaptogen could be dropped from the literature because it is vague and conveys no insights into the mechanism(s) of action. If a precise action can be attributed to it, then the exact term for said action should obviously be used; if not, we strongly urge that generalities be avoided. Also, comparison of Eleutherococcus with the more familiar Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), 'true ginseng' has underscored that they differ considerably chemically and pharmacologically and cannot be justifiably considered as mutually interchangeable. Accordingly, we recommend that the designation 'Siberian ginseng' be dropped and be replaced with 'Eleutherococcus'. In the case of both Eleutherococcus and true ginseng, problems inherent in herbal preparation use include inconsistencies not only in terms of indications for use, but in the nomenclature of constituent chemical compounds, standardization, dosage and product labeling. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Personal constitution and health status among Chinese elderly in Taipei and Los Angeles

This paper reports ethnographic and statistical data on the indigenous Chinese concept of constitution (ti-zhi) and its association with health status. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 203 Chinese elderly residing in Taipei and Los Angeles. The informants used several dimensions to characterize their constitutions. They also described how their constitutions originated and were expressed over the lifecourse. The association between these characterizations of constitution and reported number of symptoms/diseases, self-rated health status and satisfaction with health were examined statistically. These analyses indicate that characterizations of constitution as strong/weak or as hot/cold, have significant but moderate associations with the indicators of health status.

Egg phobia in retirement homes: health risk perceptions among elderly Chinese

Studies pertaining to health promoting behavior in daily life have received scant attention among medical anthropologists. The present study addresses this issue by means of an empirical analysis of perceptions and behaviors concerning a daily food item -eggs. Data were collected via in-depth interviews as well as participant observation in four retirement homes-two in Los Angeles and two in Taipei, Taiwan. The results reveal that practices of egg-restriction are pervasive throughout the four homes. Cholesterol has become a commonly-discussed issue in the daily lives of the 203 residents interviewed, and many of them were found to be preoccupied with the risk involved in excess consumption (especially of egg yolks) and increased serum cholesterol levels. Four forces: health professionals, family members, peer groups and mass media play important roles in constructing egg-consumption behaviors among the elderly subjects. The cognitive, psychological and behavioral impact of health information on elderly subjects has been discussed herein. It may be argued that the 'egg issue' reflects a shift in previous health paradigm thinking due to the biomedicalization of health promotion among Chinese elderly.

The low mortality rates of Chinese infants: some plausible explanatory factors

The objectives of this paper are: (1) to describe the differential infant mortality rates between Chinese and white Americans; (2) to identify and evaluate the commonly suspected factors for the low infant mortality rates observed among Chinese in the United States; and (3) to explore alternative explanatory factors for the low death rates of Chinese infants by drawing upon a body of current sociomedical research regarding the effects of smoking and drinking on fetal development, preterm delivery and low birthweight in non-Chinese populations. Anthropological studies on Chinese pre- and post-natal health practices--both in Taiwan and in the United States--are also discussed. The data come primarily from U.S. birth and death records. Where available, both published and unpublished data on Chinese infant mortality from Hong Kong Colony. Taiwan Province and Mainland China, are also presented for purposes of comparison.

The "throbbing sign"--an indication of early venous congestion in replantation surgery

Venous congestion in a replanted or transplanted digit can be detected, even before any obvious color changes, by the "throbbing" elicited by pinching the digit between the thumb and finger of the examiner until the skin blanches. Releasing the pressure slowly, a sensation of throbbing will be felt synchronous with the patient's pulse rate. The sign disappears when venous congestion is relieved or when swelling persists and increases enough to lessen the arterial inflow.