Tuesday, July 25, 2006
iN THE MAiL: DEPRESSION
dear dr. zhang.
i'm a pretty lucky person, have a stable job, a family that loves me, and am fairly healthy (except that I'm a little bit overweight). i don't want to self diagnose myself as a depressed person or state to anyone that i have depression. but as i'm still single and not getting any younger, i am becoming more and more sad and insecure about myself. I try to lift up my spirits by treating myself to some cravings or going shopping but they are only temporary relieves. i don't believe in going to a psychiatrist about my 'depression' and was thinking about trying out something natural. i've always been interested in alternative/holistic methods of healing and wanted to know what you might have to say about my little problem. i feel silly admitting this to my family or colleagues who consider me a very happy person. i want to deal with this my own way. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.
thank you
D.M. Fresno, Ca.
Dear D.M.
Depression, sadness and emotional distress may be triggered by temporary causes, such as a relationship breakup, a lost job, stress by moving to a new city, the death of someone near and dear, physical illness, or it can be hereditary.
Depression is an extremely common phenomenon in modern societies. According to statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20 million adults in the
If a depression is related to temporary causes, usually it is a short-term one. Hereditary depression, however, can be chronic and more difficult to deal with. Scientific data indicates that people suffering from depression have imbalances of natural substances (known as neurotransmitters) that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. Some scientists think that low levels of one these neurotransmitters (serotonin) in the brain may contribute to the well-known symptoms of depression.
However, in traditional Chinese medicine, depression is a symptom of Qi (Chi, our bodies’ vital energy, or life force) stagnation. Stresses and life-changing related pressure can suppress the body's Qi and stop the vital energy flow, which explains why depression patients often feel headaches, body pains (especially heaviness in the chest), emotional distress and fatigue.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help you deal with depression and emotional distress. Some studies have shown that exercise like walking and running, or yoga is very beneficial to depression patients. A good healthy diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, vegetables and fruits will reduce your cravings for sweets. Cutting down on your red meat (especially fatty meats) consumption will also help alleviate depression. Building and sustaining healthy relationships with your family and friends is of great importance.
As for herbal therapy, I can tell you that Chinese herbs are very effective in combating mild depression and sadness. I have designed a special Mood & Fatigue Formula to help my patients cope with depression symptoms and it has proven effective in a number of cases. This formula will help your body regain its balance and open up the energy flow, the Qi.
Yours and Dedicated to Your Health,
Dr. Zhang
Thursday, July 20, 2006
iN THE MAiL: HIGH CHOLESTEROL, WEIGHT LOSS
I have a few questions...
First and foremost - I have high cholesterol (im only 26) So i take a daily fish oil and vitamin B complex along with a baby aspirin.
A friend of mine recently told me about the wonders of Apple cider vinegar tablets but I am wondering what the benefits are of taking them...
I have two important things I need to take care of - first of all i'm about 20 pounds over what would be healthy for my height and age - I would like to lose some weight... I am quite active and I eat well/healthy and I watch my portions.... I can't seem to lose weight very well. I'd like to take something in addition to my diet that would help me with this - But I am all about natural things only. I don't like artificial drugs or pills...
And secondly, I have always had bad skin. Breakouts, oily skin, etc - even with a healthy diet, I still break out. I have used proactive and its excellent but its expensive. Is there a supplement I could add to my diet that would help me with my breakouts?
I am moving abroad in a month so i dont want to take TOO much - if I could consolidate that would be great. I don't know how easily accessible these things are aboard, so I'd like to buy them now and take them with me... Hope to hear from you soon. Many thanks
Davina
High cholesterol is very rare for your age. People usually don't get high cholesterol until their 50s -- even with high cholesterol running in their families. So, your high cholesterol may be just a temporary symptom due to stress or improper diet. Break outs are usually a symptom of hormonal imbalance, it happens often in young age.
My suggestion is:
1. Watch your diet.
2. Stop eating sweets and fat (especially animal fat). Skip the cookies, chocolates, ice cream, the fat part of the meat, the butter, chips, all cheeses and dairy (except for non-fat yogurt), etc. Eat organic, lots of veggies and fruits. Eat fresh foods.
3. Stay active and exercise. Moderate exercise such as walking 45 minutes a day will be OK if you can keep it up daily.
4. Try to relax. Slow down. Take a moment to contemplate all things positive. Try yoga, you may find it a great idea. Almost every gym has yoga classes these days that are pretty affordable and there are hundreds of yoga studios all over too.
If you still can’t lose weight or lower your cholesterol, you may go to your doctor to check your thyroid hormones level, even if it is an unlikely problem.
Skin break outs are usually related to your hormones and age. You can take some herbs to clear your skin. Chinese herbs and Indian herbs, as well as others, may help. If you know any doctors who know their herbs well, go see them. Here at HERBALmax I have designed an herbal Acne Formula for skin break outs. It will clear up your skin. However, due to your young age, your break outs may appear yet again. After your skin clears up, you don't have to continue taking the formula. Though, you may still keep one bottle at home and should your skin breaks up again, you can take the herbs again right away to stop the breaking out. When you get a little older, your skin problem will subside. Cheers!
Thanks for your blog. I've had elevated blood pressure for a while now and am doing all I have found alternatively to lower it. The western docs want to put me right on BP med, of course. I'm resisting that.
What do you recommend for lowering BP? I have a friend who uses only Chinese herbs and I have not gone that route yet. Some while back I was going to Emperor's College for acupuncture, not for BP, and they were giving me various tonics for energy and my blood pressure rose. So I'm somewhat learning about Chinese herbals due to this experience. Thanks for your input. joyce m.
Dear Joyce,
I understand your concern. Many of my patients have the same fears of the side effects of conventional Western medicine blood pressure medications and refuse to take them. To be healthy, your blood pressure has to be in the lower-to-normal range (below 120/90 or ideally under 110/85 and over 90/60). High blood pressure could slowly cause internal organ damages and it can be very dangerous.
If you don't like to take pharmaceutical medications then I would recommend that you give Chinese herbs a try. Since the 1950s Chinese and other medical scientists from around the world have done many scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of Chinese herbs and herbal formulas for medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Also as many of you already know the Chinese have over five thousand years of history using herbs for their medicinal properties. When administered properly, Chinese herbs are very effective and safe.
You can try going to a Traditional Chinese medicine doctor near you and see what she or he can do for you. However, a lot of Chinese medicine practitioners offer most of their medicine in the form of herbal teas which can be a little hard and inconvenient to take long term. I designed Dr. Zhang’s HERBALmax Blood Pressure Formula in capsule form to help my patients with high blood pressure. It is also the only herbal formula I know of that could drop high blood pressure down within 2-3 days with no side effects.
The causes for high blood pressure are very complicated, so there is no single medicine or herbal product on the market so far that can effectively lower every case of high blood pressure. My Blood Pressure Formula comes in two sizes -- small and big -- so people may try the small bottle first and see if it works for them. If it does work for you and it lowers your high blood pressure within a few days, then you can continue taking the formula until your blood pressure gets normal. You can find more information about the Blood Pressure Formula on my website.
Yours and Dedicated to Your Health
Dr. Zhang
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The first thing we notice when we look at someone closely is the state of his or her skin. Some people have a beautiful and healthy skin. Others unfortunately don’t. Skin conditions abound by the hundreds and are responsible for much annoyance and suffering. Healthy and beautiful skin is what everyone wants. Why? Because a healthy and beautiful skin makes us much more attractive and pleasant to others!
Skin conditions like eczema can be hard to control. Eczema is chronic in nature. It often affects people who are also suffering from other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. The skin affected by eczema usually looks red, dry, and scaly, and is extremely itchy. Although eczema can affect the entire body, it is usually found in specific areas. In adults, eczema is commonly found on the eyelids, around the lips, neck, hands and wrists, and behind the elbows and knees. In children, the most commonly affected areas include the cheeks, chin, back, stomach, and arms. Areas such as the hands, feet, and creases of the elbows and knees can also be affected.
Eczema affects more than 15 million Americans and the numbers are growing. Ten percent of all children have eczema, with most cases diagnosed before the age of 5. Although eczema may clear up by adolescence, many people continue to suffer from it throughout their lives. Eczema is more common in urban areas and affects both males and females of all racial groups.
After years of experience in my practice and studying records of traditional Chinese medicine for alleviating skin conditions, I developed Doctor Zhang’s HERBALmax Skin Formula. This formula effectively helps alleviate skin allergies, rashes, and itching. It also helps chronic skin problems such as eczema, contact dermatitis, hand dermatitis, and dry or chapped skin. These skin conditions can often be caused or triggered by food, cosmetic products, medication, environmental factors, and long-term cortisone use.
The Skin Formula is composed of Chinese herbs that have been used traditionally by Chinese physicians for thousands of years. These herbs have been proven by modern scientists, in various research studies, to be effective in combating skin problems. Clinical experience shows that the effectiveness of the Skin formula can usually be seen within 2-3 days.
For more information on this product or to place an order, please go to our website: http://www.herbalmax.com/. Thank you!
Yours and Dedicated to Your Health,
Dr. Zhang
Monday, July 17, 2006
The liver is one of our most important organs. It is the purifying and filtration system of the body. Nearly two dozen major body functions are performed by the liver on a continuous basis. To perform all these functions efficiently, the liver processes an incredible amount of blood, about three pints every minute.
The state of your general health is greatly dependent upon the health of your liver! When the liver is unhealthy or diseased, it respectively ceases to perform many of its vital functions correctly. Toxins are no longer filtered out efficiently and may build up in the body. Byproducts of protein metabolism (such as ammonia) can also accumulate in the liver. Sugar levels fall, the body is more vulnerable to infection, and the kidneys may fail. Severe, uncontrollable bleeding may occur followed by coma and death. If properly checked and cared for, however, a diseased liver may heal.
For this purpose I have specifically developed Doctor Zhang’s HERBALmax Liver Formula. The Liver Formula is made with Chinese herbs that have been proven, in scientific studies, to be extremely effective in combating various liver-related problems. The formula helps liver problems caused by Hepatitis A, B and C, and liver dysfunction. It also helps to regulate high liver enzymes caused by bad diet, improper use of vitamins, and long-term use of certain medications. This formula also helps digestive problems caused by liver or gall disorders and assists in fighting hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice and other conditions involving the liver. The formula also may be used to detoxify the liver in a detox program.
The Liver Formula is a botanical alternative to mainstream pharmaceutical medications and it effectively cleanses and rejuvenates the liver. Its effectiveness can be felt within 1 week and results can be detected by laboratory tests around 20 days after taking the formula.
For more information on this product or to place an order, please go to our website: http://www.herbalmax.com/. Thank you!
Yours and Dedicated to Your Health,
Dr. Zhang
I started my company HERBALmax in 2003 to distribute the herbal formulas I had developed to help the patients in my own practice. The herbal ingredients I have used in my formulas have been scientifically researched and used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Now, thanks to the growing popularity of HERBALmax products and the internet, I am able to help people from all over the world with their health-related problems.
I decided to start this blog so that I may reach more people out there who may need alternative medical advice regarding their health. Here, I plan to post articles about general health and health-related disorders. I am also looking forward to hearing from you! That is from anyone who may have a health problem and would like some advice. I will be happy to answer any health-related questions you may have. You may send me your inquiries at: drzhang@herbalmax.com. Please keep your emails brief and down to within 200 words. Thank you!
Yours and Dedicated to Your Health,
Dr. Zhang
