Vitamin D is found in many different types of food.  Some of these include fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil.  The sun is also a significant source of Vitamin D.  It is currently thought that as little as ten minutes exposure to the sun daily provides enough of the nutrient to prevent deficiency.

The term “vitamin D” actually refers to a few different forms of the vitamin.  The two that are most important are vitamin D2, which is made by plants, and vitamin D3, which is made by human skin when exposed to sunlight.  The role of vitamin D in the body is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus.  Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, which in turn, forms and maintains strong bones.  When combined with calcium, vitamin D improves bone health, decreases fractures and may also protect against osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer, and other diseases.

When a child has a vitamin D deficiency, it causes rickets is a softening or weakening of the bones.  A deficiency in adults causes osteomalacia, which causes weak bones and muscles.  Those that are at highest risk for deficiency include the elderly or obese, those with limited exposure to the sun, and babies that are exclusively breastfed.  Conditions like cystic fibrosis can be at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Medical Uses

There is strong scientific evidence that suggests vitamin D may effectively be used in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Phosphate Deficiency
• Kidney Disease
• Osteomalacia
• Psoriasis
• Rickets
• Thyroid conditions
• Vitamin D Deficiency
• Dental Cavities
• Fall Prevention
• Muscle Weakness/Pain
• Osteoporosis
• Renal Osteodystrophy

There is some scientific evidence that vitamin D is effective in the treatment of the following conditions or their symptoms:

• Asthma
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Bone Density in Children
• Bone Diseases
• Cancer Prevention (Breast, Colorectal, Prostate, and Other)
• Cognition
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Fractures (Treatment and Prevention)
• Hepatic Osteodyrstophy
• High Blood Pressure
• HIV
• Immune Function
• Increasing Lifespan
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Loose Teeth
• Mood Disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscle Strength
• Muscle Wasting/Weakness
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Osteomalacia
• Osteoporosis Due to Corticosteroids, Drugs or Conditions Like Cystic Fibrosis
• Pregnancy
• Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections
• Non-Responsive Rickets
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Senile Warts
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Skin Conditions
• Skin Pigmentation Disorders
• Stroke
• Tuberculosis
• Diabetes Types 1 and 2
• Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants and Breast Feeding Mothers
• Vitiligo
• Weight Gain

If you do not eat foods that commonly contain vitamin D, and do not get frequent exposure to the sun, you might want to consider supplementing with vitamin D.

Peppermint is often considered one of the most effective and powerful digestive herbs and has a long history of use in many cultures.  Recent evidence even suggests that peppermint may be effective in relieving some IBS symptoms and in treating non-ulcer dyspepsia.  In one study, 57 people with IBS symptoms (confirmed not to be lactose intolerance or haveceliac disease, which are the two conditions most often mistaken for IBS), were enrolled in a study.  Over four weeks, each person was given either placebo or peppermint oil.  At the end of the study period, 75% of patients in the peppermint oil group showed a marked reduction of symptoms (meaning symptoms were reduced by 50% or more) while only 38% of the placebo group showed improvement.

Another study of 39 people confirmed that an enteric-coated peppermint caraway oil combination taken three times a day for four weeks significantly reduced dyspepsia (similar to IBS, but involving the stomach instead of the intestines) pain when compared to a placebo group.  More than 63 percent of participants were pain free after four weeks compared to 25% of the placebo group.

In a study of the importance of prokinect effects (the ability to  stimulate contraction of stomach muscles) as well as salivary-stimulating effects of cisapride since both play important roles in acid clearance of the esophagus, peppermint lozenges were found to produce a significant decreases in the number of swallows need to achieve a certain pH level in the esophagus.

The scientific evidence is mounting to prove what many civilizations have known for thousands of years: peppermint is a powerful support in the quest for digestive health.

Best Practices

The best sort of digestive applications is fresh domestic peppermint.  Other mints, such as spearmint, have similar, though milder effects.  Peppermint can be obtained in tea bags or as loose tea, its oil can also be used.  Generally peppermint tea is more soothing, particularly to the digestive system, whereas peppermint oil is more stimulating.  Since the active constituents of peppermint are fragile, don’t boil the herb.  Instead, let it steep with a lid on the teapot.

To address symptoms such as gastric acidity, indigestion, or digestive related headache, use peppermint oil directly on the temples, applied between the eyebrows, on the forehead, back of the neck, or behind the ears.  You can also place drops on the abdomen over the liver, stomach and intestines; massage the oil in a clockwise motion.

Other Treatments

Intestinal Spasm – Use peppermint oil externally, and drink a warm cup of peppermint tea.

Acute Digestive Disorders, Tension, Anxiety – A peppermint bath is excellent for these conditions.  Make 2 quarts of triple strength tea (1 to 2 tablespoons per cup placed in a hot bath), or you may immerse 2 tea bags of peppermint tea in a bath tub, or simply add 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil into a hot bath.  Some persons with digestive disorders carry the oil or teabags with them wherever they go.

Tips

Be careful not to use peppermint tea that is blended with black tea, as black tea contains caffeine.

Probiotic is a term used to refer to ingested microorganisms that that offer beneficial effects to humans and animals.  The use of probiotics based on the theories of Eli Metchnikoff who suggested that “the dependence of the intestinal microbes on the food makes it possible to adopt measures to modify the flora in our bodies and to replace the harmful microbes by useful microbes”.  Basically, there are “friendly” bacteria found in the human mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract that protect us from unhealthy bacteria.  These “friendly” bacteria include L. acidophilus, B. bifidus and L. bulgaricus.  As a supplement, some of these strains help correct lactose intolerance and resolve intestinal gas, promote absorption of nutrients, and have antibacterial properties.

In a study of hospitalized seniors who suffered constipation, subjects were given a daily dessert of L. acidophilus yogurt prune whip.  Over 95 percent of the subjects no longer needed laxatives as long as they ate the special prune whip.  Other effects of probiotic treatment include improvement in overall mental outlook and in diabetic ulcers for a number of patients who also suffered from diabetes.  Other beneficial effects of probiotics include improving digestive symptoms, preventing infections, and reducing the risk of eczema.

Ideally, good bacteria should make up 90 percent of your gut microbiota (the population of microbes living in your intestines).  Diet, stress, illness, and medication can upset the balance of bacteria.  Fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, and kefir all contain probiotics, but not in the same concentration as probiotic supplements.  According to Shekhar Challa, MD, president of the Kansas Medical Clinic and author of Probiotics for Dummies, ‘Many people can benefit from probiotics for general health and wellbeing.  They especially help people with immune problems, digestive problems, or yeast infections.”

Strains and Enzymes

Probiotics produce enzymes such as protease, lipase and lactase which aid the digestion of proteins, fats and milk products.  They also produce hydrogen peroxide which has a wide range of activity against yeasts, molds, and bacteria.  Probiotics adhere to the intestinal mucosa which helps prevent pathological bacteria from colonizing, and produce lactic acid which creates an acidic environment that is unfavorable for pathogens and enhance the absorption of minerals.  In addition, probiotics lower cholesterol and can inhibit the growth of 23 toxin-producing organisms (natural comp).

There are many strains of probiotics.  Some have general effects whereas some are designed to work against specific conditions.  For example, the combination of bifidobacteria and L. acidophilus has been found to reduce the incidence of cold and flu symptoms in children by 50 percent.  LGG probiotic has been found to prevent eczema in children.  Other strains have been used to treat vaginal candidiasis and reduce cancer risk.  Some probiotic products have been formulated to reduce diarrhea, improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance, and improve immune performance.

The most common indication of probiotic supplements is for those taking antibiotic drugs.  A reduction in healthy bacteria (which antibiotics can cause) can decreases digestion and absorption of nutrients.  It can increases the production of gas, bloating, and toxins.  Diarrhea, stress, and intestinal infections can also alter the bacteria balance.

The Importance of Quality

Like many natural therapies, there can be a tremendous difference in quality among various probiotic supplements.  In general, probiotics should list the genus, species and even the strain of probiotic.  The strength of probiotics is listed as CFU (colony forming units).  In general, quality products have between 1-10 billion CFU per capsule.  Sometimes, a larger quantity is not desirable.  In our clinic in Oakland, California, most people taking inferior quality probiotics notice no improvement, and occasionally people will have an increase in maldigestion after super potent probiotics–some even develop symptoms due to binder ingredients found in probiotics.  One of our patients, for example, experienced increased gas and bloating after taking a probiotic strain recommended by a doctor, a strain that listed corn as one of its ingredients.

Storage

Proper storage of probiotics is also important.  Probiotics need to be kept away from moisture and heat.  At one time, quality products could only be found in the refrigerated section of health food stores.  Today, there are excellent products which do not need refrigeration.  One must pay close attention to instructions on the label of individual products.  Expiration dates can indicate when probiotic activity may decrease or stop all together.

Tips

Rotating probiotics is one of the best ways I have found for patients to gain exposure to a wide range of microbiological organisms.  My favorite, and the best researched probiotic is Culturelle (LGG) which is the most frequently recommended probiotic in our clinic.  Other useful probiotics for the gastrointestinal tract are Florastor (S. boulardii), which is specifically for diarrhea, and Primadophilus reuteri.  Lactobacillus plantarum 200v is one of the probiotics that has been studied in IBS patients.

Intestinal Obstruction is the partial or complete blockage of either the small intestine or the colon.  Common symptoms of the condition include abdominal distention, spasms or cramping of the mid-abdomen, vomiting, and the inability to pass feces or intestinal gas.  In some cases, a partial obstruction can stimulate the intestines to secrete fluid which, in turn, causes diarrhea.  When an obstruction is present, it can trap intestinal gas and fluid in the abdomen, causing it to swell.

There are many causes of intestinal obstructions.  Some include scar tissue from previous operations, hernia, or a knotted, twisted intestine known as a volvulus.  Cancer is sometimes the cause, as is adynamic ileus: the failure of the intestines to transport food matter.  Food allergies and intolerance can lead to obstruction-like symptoms.  Although a skilled herbalist can remove some obstructions, it is important to consult with a physician in order to assess the risk of waiting for alternative therapies to take effect, since obstruction can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as perforation of the intestines or even gangrene.  Medical tests like X-ray, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy are conducted to assess the location of the obstruction.  When these procedures are not able to remove the obstruction, a tube may be inserted through the nose to remove intestinal secretions and air from the small bowel.  This is called nasogastric suction.  Surgery may be required if these methods are not successful.

Because serious complications can result from intestinal obstruction, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain or the following:

• Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas
• Swelling of the abdomen (distention)

A Case Study

A 30-year-old, HIV-positive patient showed signs of an obstruction although all conventional tests were negative.  He had many symptoms that included weekly episodes of severe cramping, diarrhea and vomiting.  These episodes lasted several hours and left him seriously fatigued.  Traditional Chinese diagnosis revealed his pulse to be sinking, weak and rapid.  His tongue was pale and had a thick white coating.  I prescribed this patient an herbal tea meant to tonify the spleen (8 ounces per day).  He was also prescribed Bovine Colostrum Complex (IgG 25% Lactoferrin 7.1mg/gm IGF).

The colostrum was administered for its immune strengthening properties.  It also binds and removes toxins from the gastrointestinal system.  After two months, the patient reported that the herbal tea combined with the colostrum reduced the severity of his weekly attacks.  His pulse was stronger and his tongue coating was noticeably less thick.  Follow-up therapy consisted of combining the colostrum with the following herbal combination:

• Ailanthus cortex
• Baked Astragalus root
• White Ginseng root
• White Atractylodes rhizome
• Red Atractylodes rhizome
• Poria sclerotium
• Nine other herbs

Rectal itching, also known as pruritis ani, has many different causes.  It can be a result of dermatological disorders such as psoriasis, allergic reactions to food or medications, fungal and bacterial infections or poor hygiene.  Some foods such as caffeine, nuts, chocolate and chili peppers are known to cause rectal itching.

In terms of Western treatment, Lidocaine applied topically can be very effective.  In TCM, as is almost always the case, the underlying cause needs to be accurately determined in order to effectively treat.  Poor hygiene and food allergies must be eliminated as the cause. Dermatological disorders are treated with their own specific herbal teas or tablets.  An anti-Candida diet can also be considered in conjunction with the following herbal formula:

• Phellodendron cortex
• Codonopsis root
• White Atractylode rhizome
• Anemarrhena root
• Plantago seed
• Pulsatilla root
• Capillaris herb
• Cnidium seed
• Houttuynia herb
• Dioscorea root
• Licorice root
• Cardamon fruit

For information about Candidiasis, please refer to this article.

Candida esophagitis is an infection in the esophagus caused by Candida yeast.  It usually occurs in people with depressed immune systems, diabetes, cancer and antibiotic use.  It has symptoms that include inflammation of the esophagus with painful swallowing.

Western Treatment

Common practice among Western medicine is to prescribe anti-fungal drugs such as Nizoral.  Surgery is sometimes required to improve the condition of the esophagus .

A TCM Approach

Herbal treatment can be used by combining Pau D’Arco tea, Biocidin and the following herbal mixture:

• Phellodendron cortex
• Codonopsis root
• White Atractylodes
• Anemarrhena root
• Plantago seed
• Pulsatilla root
• Capillaris herb
• Cnidium seed
• Houttuynia herb
• Dioscorea root
• Licorice root
• Cardamon fruit

A Case Study

A 38-year-old male developed Candida esophagitis and thrush while undergoing chemotherapy causing difficulty swallowing.  He was taking Nizoral as treatment.  A Traditional Chinese diagnosis revealed that he had a heavy yellow tongue coating and his pulse was sinking and rapid.  I recommended Pau D’Arco tea (8 cups per day), Biocidin (3 drops in water, gargled before each meal), and the herbal mixture listed above.  After one week, the thrush was significantly reduced and he was able to swallow more easily.  His tongue coating was no longer as thick.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a very rare digestive conditions (1-9/100,000 prevalence) whereby tumors form in the pancreas or duodenum.  These tumors secrete a hormone called gastrin which promotes excessive acid secretion by the stomach.  The vast majority with this condition (up to 95 percent) also have peptic ulcers.  Usually manifesting itself between the ages of 30 and 60, up to 70 percent of those with ZES have malignant tumors that slowly spread to the lymph nodes and the liver.  Ulcers that are associated with this condition are difficult to treat with conventional ulcer medication or surgery.

While not every person with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome has syndromes, when they do, they include:

• Burning pain in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Bleeding from the stomach
• Weakness
• Fatigue

Western Treatments

ZES is treated by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces.  Medication called proton pump inhibitors are usually prescribed.  These include lansorazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium), and rabeprazole (Aciphex), all of which slow down acid production allowing ulcers to heal.

Another type of medication used is called H2-blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac).  These are not as effective at reducing acid production.

Surgery is sometimes needed to address peptic ulcers or to remove the gastrinoma.  Only about 30 to 40 percent of patients who undergo the surgery are cured.  In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy may be used to address malignant tumors.

A TCM Approach

The following herbal combination (mixture A) may be useful in resolving tumors naturally.  It has been successfully used in the treatment of uterine fibroids but must be used for six month or longer.

• Crampbark root bark
• Cinnamon twig
• Achyranthes root
• Red Peony root
• Moutan root bark
• Nine other herbs

For stronger blood circulatory properties, combine mixture A with the following (mixture B):

• Kirin Ginseng root
• Tang Kuei root
• Sparganium rhizome
• Zedoaria rhizome
• Tienchi root
• Six other herbs

With a fever and a heat pattern, combine mixture A with the following (mixture C):

• Patrinia herb
• Sargentodoxa stem
• Cyathula root
• Melia fruit
• Moutan root bark
• Eight other herbs

Lastly, the following formula helps control acid if standard medication produces side effects:

• Poria sclerotium
• Coix seed
• Barley Shen Qu
• Magnolia bark
• Angelica root
• Nine other herbs

It is natural and normal to have gas in the colon and it is usually expelled during bowel movements.  Sometimes people will have excessive amounts of gas that bother them.  Intestinal gas is primarily composed of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane.  Oxygen and nitrogen are found in the air we breathe.  Most of the other gases are the result of bacterial fermentation in the large intestine.  Some foods are prone to increase the natural levels of gas found in the body.  These include beans, peas, wheat, oats, bran, brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn, rutabaga, and dairy products.  Among neuropathy, excessive gas may be an indication of Candida overgrowth.  Candidiasis can be exacerbated by consuming foods that contain yeast or are fermented such as soy sauce, beer, bread, sugar, fruit juice, or fruit.

Intestinal gas can also be aggravated when the amount of fiber found in one’s diet increases or when taking herbal remedies to which one’s body isn’t accustomed.  Other factors can contribute to excessive gas such as eating too fast and chewing gum as air is sometimes swallowed in these cases.  Understanding this means that the first steps to reducing intestinal gas may be simply to eat slower and finding a different means of freshening your breath.

In terms of Chinese medicine, gas is usually attributed to diet, stress and spleen Qi deficiency that is accompanied by dampness.  Over-the-counter remedies should not be taken to relieve or prevent gas, because there is no strong evidence that they are not effective.

Self Help

Intestinal gas is rarely a sign of a serious condition.  Besides being embarrassing it is generally just a sign of a normally functioning digestive system.  Steps you can take at home to reduce the intensity of the condition include:

• Several cups of peppermint tea per day
• Activated charcoal taken short-term.  It is important to follow instructions carefully with activated charcoal and it should not be taken the same time as other medications.

A TCM Approach

Anti-Candida diets are often very effective.  Anti-Candida herbal formulas can be very useful.  I have found the following to be an effective combination, we’ll call this formula A:

• Phellodendron cortex
• Codonopsis root
• White Atractylodes
• Anemarrhena root
• Plantago seed
• Seven other herbs

Such a formula can be particularly useful when combined with symptomatic formulas such as the one below (this formula can be used as a standalone treatment for gas pain).  We’ll call it formula B.

• Poria sclerotium
• Coix seed
• Barley Shen Qu
• Magnolia bark
• Angelica root
• Nine other herbs

Chinese Medicine considers excessive gas due to weak spleen function.  As such, combining formula B with the next mixture (formula C) can be useful particularly if the patient has a weak pulse and complains of fatigue.

• Codonopsis root
• White Atractylodes rhizome
• Poria sclerotium
• Baked Licorice root
• Citrus peel
• Pinellia rhizome
• Vladimiria Souliei root
• Cardamon fruit

When the patient has cold signs, use the following formula (formula D) alone, or combine it with formula C:

• Magnolia bark
• Citrus peel
• Red Atractylodes rhizome
• Pinellia rhizome
• Ginger rhizome
• Licorice root
• Bupleurum root
• Oryza sprout

Finally, if the intestinal gas is accompanied or due to stress use one of the following (formulas E, F, and G respectively):

• Gotu kola root
• Chaste tree berries
• Passion flower
• Pseudostellaria root
• Scute root
• Ten other herbs

• Bupleurum root
• Tang Kuei root
• White Peony root
• Salvia root
• Poria sclerotium
• Seven other herbs

• Bupleurum root
• Pueraria root
• Pinellia rhizome
• Cinnamon twig
• White Peony root
• Ginseng root
• Scute root
• Licorice root
• Ginger rhizome

For PMS, use formula E or formula F

A Case Study

A female patient in her mid-30s complained of frequent intestinal gas, nausea, severe PMS, fatigue, and low back pain.  She drank one or two glasses of wine each night and had a fondness for sweets.  traditional Chinese diagnosis revealed that her pulse was wiry while her tongue was swollen, wet, and red around the edges.  Before I recommended any herbal formulas, I recommended she abstain from alcohol (or have it only sparingly) and meditate after work in its place.  I also recommended she cut sweets out of her diet as this would reduce both the PMS and intestinal gas.  She was then prescribed formula B and formula F.  I also recommended the following formula to help with her fatigue:

• Adrenal Cortex
• PAK (Pyridoxal alpha Ketoglutarate)
• Pseudostellaria root
• Dioscorea root
• Dolichos seed
• Schizandra fruit
• Oryza sprout

After two month’s time, she reported having more energy, less gas and that her PMS was less severe.  Her back pain still lingered.  We discontinued formula B and added a final formula to tonify the body.

• Astragalus root and seed
• Ligustrum fruit
• Ho-shou-wu root
• Lycium fruit
• Rehmannia (cooked) root
• Five other herbs

Gastrointestinal bleeding can be observed through dark, black, or red blood in the stools or by vomiting blood.  There are many causes of this condition, the most common include peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophageal bleeding, tears in the esophagus or upper stomach, tumors, hemorrhoids, and tumors polyps and diverticula in the colon.  Gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious condition that requires immediate diagnosis.  If the bleeding is excessive, emergency medical care is needed.

A TCM Approach 

I recommend using the following mixture to relieve bloody stools:

• Sanguisorba root
• Pulsatilla root
• Sophora flower
• White Peony root
• Tang Kuei root
• Rehmannia (raw) root
• Fraxinus cortex
• Phellodendron cortex
• Lonicera flower

Combining the two following mixtures may help alleviate vomiting of blood:

Mixture 1:

• Poria sclerotium
• Coix seed
• Barley Shen Qu
• Magnolia bark
• Angelica root
• Pueraria root
• Red Atractylodes rhizome
• Seven other herbs

Mixture 2:

• Oyster Shell
• Calcium carbonate
• Bupleurum root
• Ginseng root
• Ginger rhizome
• Pinellia rhizome
• Scute root
• cinnamon twig
• Rhubarb rhizome
• Vladimiria Souliei root

If fever or other heat signs are present, combine the second mixture with the following formula:

• Coptis rhizome
• Lophatherum herb
• Bupleurum root
• Rehmannia (raw) root
• Tang Kuei root
• White Peony root
• Eleven other herbs

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a condition that affects everyone at some point or another. Usually it can be maintained by regular, healthy dental hygiene habits.  When simple self-care does not resolve the issue, it may require taking further steps.

Causes

Food – As food particles break down in your mouth (particularly in and around your teeth), bacteria can increase and cause a foul odor.  Many foods such as onions and garlic also can cause halitosis.  After ingestion, these foods enter the bloodstream, are carried to your lungs, and continue to cause bad breath.
Tobacco – Tobacco products cause their own unpleasant mouth odor.  Tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease which can contribute to the problem.
Poor Dental Hygiene – When one does not brush and floss daily, food particles remain in the mouth and cause bad breath.  Plaque (a colorless, sticky film of bacteria) builds on teeth if it isn’t brushed away.  Plaque irritates the gums and eventually for plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums.  The tongue’s uneven surface can also trap odor-producing bacteria.  Poor-fitting dentures and dentures that aren’t cleaned regular can host these same bacteria.
Dry Mouth – Saliva helps cleanse the mouth, washing away the bacteria and food particles often left behind.  Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) is a condition which leads to a decreases in saliva production.  This can be made worse when sleeping with your mouth open causing morning breath.
Infections in the Mouth – Wounds in the mouth caused by things such as surgery or tooth removal can result in bad breath.
Mouth, Nose and Throat Conditions – Small stones can form in the tonsils which end up covered in bacteria that have foul odor.  Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat that contribute to a postnasal drip can cause bad breath.
Medication – Some medications have the undesirable side effect of bad breath by causing dry mouth, or releasing chemicals into the body that can affect your breath.
Other Causes – Diseases like some cancers, or conditions like metabolic disorders cause distinctive breath odor as a result of the chemicals they produce.  Acid reflux is also associated with bad breath.

A Case Study in TCM

A 55-year-old woman complained of chronic bad breath, belching, loose stools, a metallic (bitter) taste in her mouth and work-related stress.  The patient was 10 pounds overweight.  A traditional Chinese diagnosis revealed that her pulse was wiry and her tongue was red with a yellow coating.  To begin her treatment, she was prescribed one mixture which contained the following:

• Lotus seed
• Ophiopogon tuber
• Poria sclerotium
• White Ginseng root
• Plantago seed
• Scute root
• Six other herbs

After a month, there were no changes her conditions so Bovine Colostrum Complex (IgG 25% Lactoferrin 7.1mg/gm IGF) was added to her treatment protocol.

This combination improved the patients stools become more formed.

To address her belching, she was given the following mixture:

• Bupleurum root
• Tang Kuei root
• White Peony root
• Salvia root
• Poria sclerotium
• Seven other herbs

After two months, the belching was relieved.  However, the chronic bad breath and the metallic taste in the mouth remained.  The patient typically responded to herbal treatments for her symptoms within one month.  Considering this and that she had been on penicillin from the age of 13 to 19 due to rheumatic fever, I began to suspect she might have undiagnosed candidiasis and thus recommended anti-Candida therapy.  She was recommended to eliminate all sugars, including fruit, for two weeks, as well as foods containing yeast.  She was not an alcohol drinker but alcohol would have been restricted as well.  She was prescribed the following combination:

• Phellodendron cortex
• Codonopsis root
• White Atractylodes rhizome
• Anemarrhena root
• Plantago seed
• Pulsatilla root
• Seven other herbs

Mixture 1 was stopped.

Although this protocol is very involved, it seemed to be the only treatment that improved her breath.