What's bugging your gut, Part 1: Blastocystis hominis

Blastocystis hominis is a small protozoal parasite that lives within the mucus of the large intestine and the colon, sticking to the inner wall, thus making it extremely difficult to get rid of even with extensive medication.

It is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, or from contaminated food or water. Incidence of B.hominis is therefore quite high in developing countries; however the incidence in developed countries is great amongst those with regular exposure to animals.

Part of the problem of this parasite is that many people may have them, but present with no symptoms whatsoever. For the most part, it is thought to not really be a problem in health unless someone later develops a problem with the immune system or the digestive system. The usual signs of infestation include anal itching, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, weight loss, on-and-off abdominal pain/cramps, abdominal distension, bloating and discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, intense brain fog, very low energy levels, lack of concentration, lack of appetite at times but increased cravings at other times and strangely enough weight gain. Those who suffer from allergies, immune system difficulties, skin problems, and bowel problem should also suspect that B.hominis may be causing problems.


The only true way to determine if the parasite exists in significant numbers in your gut is to get a digestive stool analysis which includes testing for parasites (not all stool testing is the same). These tests usually have a turnaround time of 1-2 weeks, depending on the pathology service.

Whilst mainstream medicine will prescribe strong anti-biotics, this is often found by some patients to be ineffective. There are natural medicine treatments that do work in reducing the severity of the parasite, with treatment protocols that can take 1-2 months.

There are certain Chinese medicine herbs that research has shown to be useful in clearing the gut of these parasites - which, according to traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic approaches, are also generally indicated for the types of patterns one expects to find with the above signs and symptoms:

• Huang Lian (Coptidis rhizome)
• Huang Bai (Phellodendron rhizome)
• Huang Qin (Scutellaria rhizome)
• Ya Dan Zi (Brucea seed)

These herbs are all noted to 'clear Damp-Heat & Toxicity', which many of the above signs correlate to, and lack the harsh side-effects that powerful anti-biotics usually have. Some other herbs that are used include Black Walnut and Wormwood, Oregano oil, Thyme oil, and Clove oil. These herbs all need to be prescribed in the correct dose to be truly effective.



Some other treatments known to be effective include:

• Less/No-grain diet: B.hominis is known to thrive on the the carbohydrates from grains, as well as sugar.
• Colonic irrigation/enema with herbs that are focussed on killing the parasite.
• Highly effective fat-digesting enzymes - this parasite is known to be built with fats; the dissolution of fats weaken and kill it.

Once the parasite has been cleared out of the system, we have found that the gut needs repairing, and this is done using specialist probiotics. The course of treatment can be repeated a couple more times, with re-testing to confirm how much of the parasite has been cleared.

There may still be a need for other herbal formulas to treat other aspects of illness/disharmony, and this is where the power of Chinese herbal prescriptions comes into its own, further strengthening and healing the digestive system after B.hominis infestation, and the clearing treatment. Herbal medicine is prescribed for the person, attending to redressing any energic imbalance also.

Patients often remark how the usual milieu of digestive complaints disappear once this parasite is no longer in their digestive tract.

Hayfever is here - but it doesn't need to stay!

It's spring time again... and for those who suffer from hayfever, this time of year can be quite annoying, not to mention downright uncomfortable - stuffy noses, itchy, swollen eyes, sore sinuses, constant sneezing, and sometimes a head that feels like it's wrapped in cotton wool!

Of course, chronic sufferers of hayfever can experience this at any time of year, especially if this is an allergic reaction to allergens such as dust mites, fungal spores, animal dander, or fumes. However for those who react adversely to grasses and pollens, the explosion of plant growth at this time of year (coupled with increased winds) can make things particularly difficult for a short period of time.

Hayfever is essentially the triggering of a hyper-stimulated immune system response by the particular offending allergen, usually inhaled. Histamine is released by the cells bound to the antibodies, which then produces the sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Hence why anti-histamine is normally prescribed to treat the symptoms. These drugs can be effective at first, but come with the side-effects of drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, and upset stomachs. More importantly, because they don't address the root of the problems (they just suppress the action of histamine, the body's normal immune response to the present of the allergen), the body can develop a tolerance for the drug, thus essentially rendering them ineffective at controlling the symptoms of hayfever.

Chinese Medicine is very good for hayfever, in that practitioners seek to address the root of the problem - building and strnegthening the immune system - whilst also effectively treating the symptoms without any of the unwanted side-effects.

Acupuncture and herbs can have a very immediate effect on reducing the symptoms of hayfever. Acupuncture is best sought 2-3 times a week  for 1-2 weeks. However, if acupuncture is combined with the appropriate herbal medicine, treatment need only be weekly initially. Herbal medicine is particularly good, as it can be taken only when symptoms appear and stopped when they disappear. It is often handy to have these on hand at home, as long as they have been properly prescribed for you.

In chronic situations, the immediate acute attack is treated in the same way, attacking the symptomatic, immediate condition. However in between attacks (and often in-between 'hayfever seasons') is when a practitioner would seek to enahnce and strengthen your immune system and build up your constitution to enable you to withstand attack from the allergen. When chronic hayfever sufferers undergo this kind of treatment, not only does hayfever often become a thing of the past, but there are usually other health benefits, as the body is brought back into balance, possibly leading to better immunity from colds and 'flu's, more energy, and increased general wellbeing.

Of course, preventative measures can also be taken, and if the allergens are known to be things like dust, moulds, or fumes, then we can take steps to eliminate - or reduce as much as possible - the presence of these. If dust is a problem, for example, it would be a good idea to look at what measures can be taken in the home to minmise this: maybe replacing carpet with floorboards? What is the source of the dust? Is there a lot of loose soil outside the windows, or living on a dusty, unsealed road? Do you have pets? Is it their hair, or skin being left everywhere? If you have birds, how often do you clean the cage out? Are the animals left inside? These are the kinds of things to look at in the home (or workplace) to ensure you can minimise the effects of hayfever.

Men need to "feel" how they feel

Talk to any man about their health and you'll usually get "yep, all fine", or no response at all.
According to the Australia's Health Report 2010, on average men rate their health better than what it actually is, and see a medical or health practitioner less than women.

Probably because of this, women are targeted more in health promotion and marketing, because they are more likely to seek out the assistance of a doctor or health practitioner earlier if a problem arises, or certainly in terms of preventative medicine. Mens' Health is often forgotten.....

While men are just as susceptible to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and overweight/obesity, they also have specific andrological illness to keep an eye out for, such as enlarged prostate (ether benign or malignant), problems with bladder control, and of course sexual-related issues such as low libido, premature ejaculation, and impotence.

The biggest and most insidious problem of course lies in mental health - depression, anxiety, etc
Men don't talk about their health, or consider illness to be a big deal, in the same way, they also don't talk about how they feel. This can often impact on their relationships with their loved ones, and partner. Often, this can be a significant contributing factor in sexual dysfunctions, and of the inability to please lover further compounds a sense of low self-esteem and self-worth.

Whilst men have to deal with their own individual issues - physiological as well as emotional - they also are continually bombarded by mixed messages in the media about what it means to be male: competitive, fit, well-groomed, tall, muscular (the 'six-pack abdomen'), successful, dominant, and outgoing. These images are supported by celebrities who fit these images; all too often however, these 'role models' turn out to be less than perfect, getting in trouble with the law, treating women poorly, being involved in brutish and loutish behaviour, drunkenness and drug addictions. These archetypes seem to lack a core masculinity, and when men feel they are not meeting those expectations, this can also lead to very uniquely-male reactions to ideas around self-worth.


In Chinese Medicine, the inability to discuss how one feels is intimately linked with other more serious organic pathologies. This is called yu: constraint or stagnation. When Qi does not flow through the channel system properly, it is unable to reach other parts of the body. This can lead to issues with digestion such as abdominal bloating, heartburn or reflux; or even to sexual dysfunctions, such as low libido, impotence, or premature ejaculation. Prostatitis is often the result of this stagnation, especially in the channels associated with the genitals, after many years of this lack of free-flow. Constraint of this sort is also intimately linked with poor mental health, manifesting as depression, low mood, and even disorders such as anxiety or panic attacks; the latter also being linked with serious heart disease and hypertension.

Acupuncture is particularly useful at promoting that free-flow of Qi throughout the body, ensuring that all the vital substances are able to reach the various parts of the body that they are required. Many men notice how they "feel" better after an acupuncture treatment, even if they are coming for something 'physical'. Once Qi flows better, men are able to 'feel' how they feel, and are more likely to be able to embody the type of honourable man they know they should be.

Herbal medicine is of course beneficial at rebalancing the internal landscape of the body, correcting imbalances amongst substances (such as hormones, fluids, blood, etc.) and providing the material basis for such energetic/emotional shifts. This can be accentuated by following an appropriate diet, and exercising appropriately. Yoga, Qigong, Taichi, Pilates, walking, etc are all useful ways of keeping the body fit, the mind sharp, and the emotions flowing.

Men need to be encouraged to fully perceive how they feel about themselves, and seek help earlier. Most serious chronic illnesses can be prevented if addressed early enough. It is perfectly 'manly' to seek help, and accept that sometimes we are vulnerable - this is part of being a mature and capable male.

Infants & Eczema

Eczema is a non-infectious inflammatory skin disorder which is relatively common in Australia, thought to be found in 1 in 3 Australians. It is often diagnosed as dermatitis as the signs and symptoms are thought to be similar. The most common form found is atopic eczema, where the skin becomes red, dry, itchy and scaly and causes much discomfort for the sufferer; it can also present as weeping, although this presents more in sub-acute and chronic cases. Eczema usually begins in childhood, somewhere between 2-6 months, and most children grow out of it by the age of six, thus being quite prolific amongst children, with an estimated 1 in 5 children having atopic eczema by the time they start pre-school.

It's bad enough to suffer from this as an adult, but it can also be quite nasty for an infant, as they have no way of uderstanding the discomfort, or even able to communicate that discomfort - thus putting a lot of stress and anxiety on parents as they struggle to comfort their baby. Infants and toddlers usually show therash on their face, elbows, and knees, but is not necessarily confined to there, depending on the severity. The complication for seriousc ases is that the lesions can become infected.

Eczema is linked with a family history of asthma, hayfever, or eczema, and with reactions to certain foods such as dairy, wheat, citrus, eggs, nuts, and seafoods. However irritants such as chemicals and tobacco-smoke, allergens such as house-dust mites, moulds, pollen, and soaps can also cause flare-ups. Even the weather, or air-conditioning can irritate the skin into developing the eczema rash.

If there is a family history of asthma or eczema, mums-to-be are strongly advised to breast-feed babies exclusively for at least six months, with no additions of formula or cow's-milk. If there is an issue with breast-feeding and formula-feeding is required, there are formulas out there which have been developed specifically for babies with allergies, and will need to be discussed with a paediatrician, maternal/child health nurse, and your pharmacist. Of course, breast-feeding issues are always common, which a qualified lactation consultant or Chinese Medicine practitioner are able to help you with.

Adjusting your diet whilst breast-feeding can also help - anything mum eats, baby eats too! Generally speaking, patients with eczema should avoid sugar, sweets, and any 'fermented' foods (including yeast). Foods should be cooked (not raw), warm, and 'clear'. Lots of fresh green vegetables and soups and broths full of nourishing ingredients. Grains should be avoided, or at least kept to an absolute minimum. Alcohol, coffee and tea are also something that should be avoided. Anticandidal and hypoallergenic diets are beneficial. So for breast-feeding mothers should also look at eating this way, as it is passed on through the breast-milk. The digestive system in infants plays a pivotal role, as children are born with an inherent digestive weakness - hence why breast-milk is so important, as it is the only thing they can digest (it is considered 'warm and clear'). When digestion is weak, it can lead to many types of illnesses. The skin is the outermost layer of the body, but the quality of it shows a Chinese Medicine practitioner what is occurring on the inside.

Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to be quite effective at relieving the symptoms, and there are known medicinals to treat both the weeping "wet" type of eczema, or the dry, scaly form. As with most issues, Chinese Medicine practitioners assess the individual and make a diagnosis according to pattern, so there are no 'one-size-fits-all' treatment. Herbal formulas can be administered to an infant using a small syringe, or if that is difficult, the mother can take the medicine, with its effects being passed on through the breast-milk. There are also probiotic formulas available which aid the digestive tract by rebuilding beneficial gut flora. Dermatology texts also describe poultices, washes, and powders made from certain herbal combinations; these are designed t alleviate the itch and settle the more annoying symptoms at the skin level. When using any skin creams, be very careful as to the ingredients - oil-based products can make the condition worse, as could various chemicals; natural and organic substances are best. Infants' skin is very sensitive, and if you wouldn't put that stuff in your mouth, then chances are you wouldn't rub it onto your baby's skin!

There are also teas which can be made at home that can help with eczema, using ingredients such as Job's Tears (Pearl) barley, corn-silk, azuki beans, mung beans, or dandelion. Choose 2-3 of these ingredients and place in a pot of water and boil for about 10 minutes, then administer (cooled down of course) to the child.

Eczema doesn't have to be something that one has to live with, or suffer from. As mentioned above, in most cases of childhood eczema, it is self-limiting and the child will grow out of it. However there are the cases where it will become chronic. Treating it early, and beginning to make dietary changes to improve the health of the gut will ultimately lead to better results down the track!

Eating our way out of our mood swings

There is a link between our mood and blood-sugar which is well known. With diabetes on the rise, the dangers of drops in blood-sugar and how to deal with them are now being taught in First Aid courses, describing the tell-tale signs of mood swings and irritability linked with long periods of not eating. The more serious symptoms include seizures, and unconsciousness (and in extreme cases, death!).

One does not need to be diabetic to suffer from lowered-blood sugar, nor from the shakiness and irritability associated with lowered blood-sugar - when there is no detectable reduction in blood-sugar, it is usually associated with the drop in energy a few hours after a meal. The usual symptoms are shakiness, a general sense of weakness, altered mood, confusion, fatigue, anxiety, a pale complexion, abnormal sweating, an increased pulse rate, and hunger.
It's not just the food we eat, but also the type of bugs (good and bad) that live in the digestive tract, that can affect mood. The evidence for the wider implications for gut bacteria affecting the nervous system is slowly growing, with disorders of these microbes being linked with medical conditions such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. There is also growing speculation and research into the link with the state of the gut flora and its effect on mood.

In Chinese Medicine, the health of the digestive system is associated with the organ-systems of the Spleen and the Liver. The digestive system is one of the main parts of the body where vital energy (Qi) is produced, however if a person is tired, run down or has weakened digestive function, their Qi will become depleted because of an impaired ability to absorb nutrients and energy from food. A lack of Qi puts strain onto the liver and creates symptoms of anger and frustration. When the qi is lacking, soon to follow is a deficiency of a nutritive substance called Xue (roughly translates to blood),  because the poorly functioning digestive system (Spleen) is not absorbing and distributing the basic building blocks of Blood from the diet. Blood in Chinese Medicine has a large role in housing the Shen (spirit, or Mind), so if the Blood becomes depleted, the mind lacks the support and grounding it needs. This can leave people feeling easily overwhelmed, easily brought to tears, or feeling generally unsettled and out of sorts. People who suffer from mood swings can fluctuate between the symptoms of depleted blood and constrained qi - feeling tired and cranky when you're hungry, or being driven to emotional eating when upset. Common symptoms of a weak digestion - not necessarily a problem that is fixed by antidepressants or a nice relaxing holiday.
The key in fixing these very common types of mood fluctuations is in looking after the health of the digestive system. Ensuring that the diet provides the foundational building blocks required to function on a daily basis is a good start. What we eat is going to make a difference not just to the energy to move our physical bodies, but also to maintain psychological and emotional wellbeing. A substantial quantity of good quality green vegetables is vital (3-6 cups per day). A good healthy dose of ‘good fats’, so that we can produce cholesterol and maintain a healthy endocrine system. Because hormones like estrogen and testosterone have a role to play in disorders such as depression, eating dietary fat that converts to hormones is important.

The quality of the Blood/Xue depends on vital minerals and vitamins, such as Vitamin B, D, C, and zinc, calcium, and magnesium. The state of the gut flora needs to be protected, and clearing nasty bacteria, parasites and yeasts such as candida and others, while re-building good flora with the use of probiotics can greatly improve the health of our digestion.

Get serious and cut down on the amount of sugar you consume, as this is what will ‘damage the Spleen’ and therefore damage digestion and the production of Qi. A routine of regular, gentle exercise that moves Qi and Blood, such as walking, Yoga, or Tai-chi is also useful. At the same time, looking after the nervous system by eliminating or minimising exposure to serious stressors such as "general life stress", chemical toxicity, emotionally toxic people, and changing your inner emotional landscape to look more like the hills from the sound of music, rather than a wartorn battlefield. Strategies to help reduce stress can be enhanced by learning to meditating, learning how to relax, and maintaining regular sleeping patterns.


Of course, your Chinese Medicine practitioner can prescribe herbal medicines, acupuncture and tailored advice to you so that you can really quickly regain balance in your mood and in your mind. Once you achieve harmony, it's much easier to maintain it using these strategies listed above.
In these ways, it is possible to maintain the health of the physical, emotional and mental aspects of ourselves.

Do you have the gall to keep your gallbladder?

It is becoming increasingly more frequent that people are having their gallbladders surgically removed. This is usually due to the advise of a medical practitioner (usually a surgeon) who recommends it as a first course of treatment in cases of gallstones (cholelithiasis) and with “sluggish” gallbladders, or gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). Most people in this situation are told that it is perfectly alright for this to happen, and most are under the impression that the gallbladder has no real necessary function in the human body.

This could not be further from the truth. What's more, the procedure of removing the gallbladder would be considered a last resort, when all other methods have failed.

The gallbladder indeed has a very important function as part of the digestive system. Its role is to store a substance called Bile, and to secrete it into the small intestine during digestion. Bile is an alkaline substance, bitter-tasting and greeny-yellow, containing acidic bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water. Its main role is in the emulsification and absorption of dietary fats. The storage of bile in the gallbladder occurs between meals, removing the water and electrolytes, and storing it in concentrated form, to then be released about 30 minutes after a meal. When dietary fats are present in the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine), hormonal signals are sent to the gallbladder to begin secretion.

If the gallbladder is removed, it becomes near-impossible to digest any form of dietary fats, requiring one to be on either a no-fat diet, or very small amounts eaten regularly. Dietary fats are required for the operation of the endocrine system (hormones); they provide the pre-cursors to many of the sex-hormones in the form of cholesterol; and they are also important for the absorption and metabolism of important fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. The gallbladder is necessary for dietary fats to be absorbed by the body, so that the endocrine system can perform its role in healing the body when necessary.

In symptomatic cases of gallstones, there is considerable localised abdominal pain and jaundice. Other signs and symptoms of gallstones could include heartburn, flatulence, epigastric discomfort, and intolerances to fatty foods and cabbage. An inflamed gallbladder is usually caused by the lodging of a gallstone in the cystic duct. The pain is similar but will present with specific findings of test results.

In Chinese Medicine, the gallbladder is also said to have a psycho-emotional role, allowing us to be courageous, and having the courage to express our innermost desires in the external world. This is recognised by many other cultures also, with the common expression “having the gall” to do/say something with a degree of audacity. Confucian medical scholars likened the gallbladder to the social role of the judge, whose job it is to make decisions and carry out the (legal) decisions of the State. Thus indecisiveness is said to indicate a weakness of the gallbladder, whilst to have 'da dan' (a large gallbladder) indicates that someone is courageous and decisive.

So how can Chinese Medicine help with gallbladder disorders? Using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy, practitioners are able to dissolve and clear gallstones. Often gallstones are asymptomatic, so if there appears to be some issues with digestion (especially involving foods with considerable levels of dietary fats), it is often useful to do a “gallbladder flush”, which helps clear the ducts that carry bile, and dissolve and clear any stones that are yet to be big enough to cause pain or complete blockage. There are very effective herbal formulas which dissolve the stones, and then flush them out. Apple cider vinegar and artichokes are known to be useful for this, as are lemons, limes, turmeric, parsnips, radishes, mung beans, rye, endives, linseed oil, chamomile tea, and seaweed.

It is a better idea such non-invasive and less-radical procedures to clear the gallbladder of stones and inflammation before heading down the route of surgical removal. The gallbladder has an important function in digestion, and it is probably worth the effort to keep it.

Keeping our insides warm in winter

This is turning out to be quite a cold winter!

In agricultural-based societies, winter was the season of pulling back from the usual workload and spending more time conserving energy; very similar to what many of the plant world during this time. Crops grown over this time are slower growing, and somewhat heartier; and many of the heavy crops harvested in autumn are either preserved or kept in order to be consumed over the colder months. People would still wake with the dawn and bed down at dusk - these times being somewhat brought closer together due to the shorter daylight hours.

Life for us however doesn't necessarily allow us to follow these kinds of patterns. Our schedules are determined by the clock, not by the movement of the sun; and our workloads don't really differ that much from season to season. However, our bodies have an intelligence which mostly is still tuned to those natural cycles - insofar as we unconsciously yearn to sleep more and do less and stay cosy and warm on these chilly winter days.

In Chinese Medicine, wintertime is associated with the Water-phase of the 5-Agents schema. The energy of Water is about dormancy and conservation; the tendency of this time is solitude and isolation, and the emotional need is one of being protected. Immediately, many of us would think of sitting neat an open fire with hearty warm foods, wrapped in warm pyjamas and blankets and fluffy slippers, whilst the cold is kept away.

Here is another one of my family recipes which we thoroughly enjoy at this time of year. It is very rich, but it's also incredibly filling and warming. While the Beef can strengthen Qi, the richness of the meal nourishes and supplements Yin and Blood. The spices also contribute to warming the Yang, while the vinegar and rosemary assist in moving Qi.


Stifatho - Beef stew


Ingredients

½ kilo rump/topside steak, diced

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 medium onion, diced

3-4 cloves garlic

2 bay leafs

2-3 sprigs rosemary

400g tomatoes (passata, or canned tomato)

½ cup red wine

1 cup vinegar (malt or red wine)

10 small pickling onions or shallots

5-6 potatoes

Salt, pepper, cinnamon, few cloves

• Pre-heat oven to 160 C.
• Saute meat, add onion, garlic, bay leaves and rosemary until meat is sealed and brown. 
• Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cloves and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• When the sauce has thickened and reduced, add the wine and continue simmering for another ½ hour. 
• Add the onions and the vinegar and simmer for another ½ hour. 
• Add your potatoes and continue to cook gently until the potatoes are soft.
• This dish is to be very slow cooked so that all the flavours can fuse together and the meat just melts.

Serve this up with a side of steamed green vegetable - traditionally greens such as leafy amaranth, silverbeet, endives, spinach, or 'mountain greens' were lightly boiled and sprinkled with virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Some steamed jasmine/basmati rice can also round this off.


This is certainly a heavy dish, so probably not had as a late evening meal. This dish can take up to four hours, so start cooking it early to have as a late afternoon meal.