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The war in Iraq has changed the life of its residents so far for the worst. One of the consequences of the war is the disruption of medical services. Many doctors and nurses fled the country, as many as 2000 doctors, according to informal estimates; and many others were killed or kidnapped. In addition, seeking treatment often involves venturing into sections of town that are dangerous.

As a result of this situation, people are turning to an ancient form of treatment indigenous to the country, called Hijama, translated loosely as cupping. It is mentioned in the Koran and endorsed by Mohammad. Practitioners of Hijama use small jars or traditional horns, and a surgical knife, razor blade, or similar equipment. They burn a small piece of paper inside the jar, which is placed on a designated spot on the patient’s body. The burning inside the glass consumes the oxygen in that area and creates a vacuum that pulls the blood vessels to the skin’s surface. Next, the practitioner makes a few small cuts in that spot, collects the blood (which is considered bad blood) in the cup, cleans and bandages the spot. (this should not be confused with venesection, or blood letting, which involve large amounts of blood.)

According to Hijama practice there are 123 designated areas in the body where cuts can be made depending on the condition. Usually those spots are located on the head, on the side of the neck, in the back and on the legs. Practitioners believe that it is better to perform treatment when the moon is full during the second half of the month, since the ebb and flow of blood is affected by the moon.

Hijama practitioners treat circulatory and chest diseases, blood pressure, joint pain, migraine, eye problems and other conditions. They claim that it can also improve memory. Training is done in the old fashion way- by apprenticeship.

Hijama is practiced also in other Arab countries. In the UAE it is practiced in medical centers by licensed doctors.

Sources:

Wikipida: Hijama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijama

RedOrbit News http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=676276

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Looking for old wisdom in the fight against Cancer

In the search for cure for cancer scientists are probing into the anti-cancer possibilities of Triphala, a component of Ayurveda medicine that originated in India. It is a form of laxative composed of the dried fruits of Terminalia Chebula, Terminalia Belerica, and Emblica Officinalis and it usually is prescribed for detoxification and internal cleansing. However, recent research found that Triphala had cancer fighting properties. One such research by scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, published in the January issue of the Cancer Letters, found that Triphala caused cell death in cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Another research from December 2005 originating from Jawaharlal Nehru University and reported in the Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer found that Triphala reduced tumor incidence in animals and increased antioxident status. Other research reports confirm these results.

Triphala is a gentle remedy and does not induce laxative dependency. Ayurveda practitioners claim that Triphala improves appetite, purifies the blood, regulates bowel movement and is also used to treat various eye conditions. Now it can also be prescribed as a cancer fighting agent.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Research and innovations in Ayurveda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_and_innovations_in_Ayurveda

Ayurveda’s Triphala Emerging as Cancer Fighter/By Francis C. Assisi http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=082106115647

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Take an Aspirin for Cancer

Aspirin has been considered a wonder drug for a long time. With each passing year its curative properties seem to expand. Besides its efficacy in treating inflammation, fever and many forms of pain, studies have already confirmed Aspirin’s ability to help prevent heart attacks. As a result of these studies, millions of people around the world are taking aspirin regularly. In Recent years, scientists have been looking at Aspirin as a possible Cancer fighting drug.

A study published in August 2002 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Vol. 94 #15) reported that taking Aspirin regularly may cut the risk of pancreatic cancer by half. The researchers found this information by analyzing data from the Iowa Women's Health Study which followed 28, 000 women for 7 years. (However, it should be noted that other studies came up with conflicting results and the jury is still out in the case of pancreatic cancer).

Other studies have shown that taking aspirin every day for 3 years can reduce the occurrence of colon adenomas (polyps) which lead to cancer by 19-35 % in high risk population.

Aspirin efficacy against cancer is related to its Cox inhibiting properties. It lowers the production of Cox-2, an enzyme that damages cells and encourages cancer cell growth. However, Aspirin also reduces levels of Cox-1, which is important to maintain small blood vessels in the body. Reduction in Cox-1 can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines, which warrants caution and careful follow up when prescribing Aspirin for long term use.

The potential of Aspirin as a cancer drug got further boost recently when scientists from the University of Newcastle in Britain discovered that in addition to Aspirin’s Cox inhibiting effects, it also reduces the creation of blood vessels that feed tumors and allow them to grow. This study was published in the October 2006 issue of The FASEB Journal.

Sources:

ACS news center

http://www.cancer.org/

National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/aspirin

Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061002215512.htm

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Marijuana slows Alzheimer progress

New research presented last week in a meeting of the Society of Neuroscience in Atlanta suggests that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana can decrease the formation of inflammation in the brain associated with Alzheimer disease. This study follows earlier observations that people who smoked Marijuana over many years tended to have lower incidence of Alzheimer than the general population. This study follows an earlier study from Madrid’s Cajal institute (February 2005). However, scientists warn against rushing to provide marijuana to Alzheimer patients, since marijuana has additional effects that can worsen the disease such as aggravating depression. Further study is needed to determine the proper dose and usage of the THC compound to benefit Alzheimer patients.

Sources:

Reuters http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061018/hl_nm/marijuana_alzheimers_dc_2

Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050224111638.htm

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Conferences*

November 9-11: 8th ANNUAL ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY CONFERENCE – Lighting the Way to Wholeness at Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada. with Norman Shealy, MD; Ann Nunley, PhD; Marilyn Schlitz, PhD; Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD. and others. Sponsored by Meridian Seminars and Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology. For information contact: Sharon Cass Toole, 416-221-5639; fax 416-221-7126; info@TorontoEPC.com; http://www.TorontoEPC.com

November 10-12: 9th WORLD CONGRESS ON QIGONG AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California. For information call: 972-620-3023; fax 972-620-3099. VIsit http://www.camexpowest.com

November 10-14: INTERNATIONAL SOUND HEALING CONFERENCE at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For information call: 505-474-0998 or 505-474-7604; fax 505-471-2584. e-mail: message@bizspirit.com. http://www.bizspirit.com

November 17-19: AROMATHERAPY CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW at Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica, California. Call: 800-822-9698; e-mail aromatherapytours@verizon.net. http://www.aromatherapyconferencetours.com

November 24-26: WHOLE LIFE EXPO 2006 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada. Over 200 exhibits and 45 speakers. For information visit: http://www.wholelifecanada.com

More upcoming conferences at http://www.alternativemedicineconferences.com

*Conferences are presented for information only and are not necessarily endorsed by Katonah Study Group.

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