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Acupuncture & TCM Articles

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Articles by Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, LAc

Jake Fratkin, OMD, LAc, has been in the practice of Oriental medicine since 1978. Following undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Wisconsin in Chinese language and philosophy and pre-medicine, he pursued a seven-year apprenticeship in Japanese and Korean style acupuncture with Dr. Ineon Moon and a two-year apprenticeship in Chinese herbal medicine with Drs. Zhengan Guo and Pak-Leung Lau in Chicago. He also spent a year in Beijing hospitals interning in advanced herbal medicine, specializing in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, and pediatrics.

Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines Dr. Fratkin is the author of several books, including Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines: The Clinical Desk Reference, and is the editor-organizer of Wu and Fischer's Practical Therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1999, he was named the "Acupuncturist of the Year" by the American Association of Oriental Medicine.

Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines: The Clinical Desk Reference

Hardback book, 1198 pages. This volume covers 1360 products, including 550 GMP level products and all of California FDB analysis on 505 products. Includes information on endagered animals, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals. The text is organized into 12 groups, with a total of 109 chapters and includes material by Andrew Ellis, Subhuti Dharmananda, and Richard Ko. Over 80 pages of full-color photos (with English and Chinese cross-reference). Fully indexed.


Concerning “Chinese Herbal Nephropathy”
Chinese nephropathy exists. There have been hundreds of cases of kidney-failure due to aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbs in the West, and probably many times more in China, Taiwan and throughout Asia.

Getting Off the Antibiotic Merry-Go-Round
When we recommend against antibiotics for epithelial bacterial infections, we are not advocating against treatment. You must have confidence that Chinese herbal formulas are as effective as conventional antibiotics, without the massive destruction of necessary gut bacteria.

Treating Complex Multi-Layer Cases, Part 1: Diagnosis
This information will help you decide with which prescription to begin treatment.

H1N1 Swine Flu
Chinese Medicine in the Treatment and Prevention of H1N1 Swine Flu

♦ TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE ♦

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Part One
A Modern Epidemic, The Problem

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Part Two
A Modern Epidemic, Diagnosis and Treatment

Leaky Gut Syndrome - PDF File
Handout Notes, 2007

Essentials of Traditional Chinese Pediatrics - PDF File
Handout Notes, 2007

Treating Infants and Small Children with Chinese Herbal Medicine
In China, pediatrics is a TCM specialty, attracting many of the best and the brightest.

Pediatric Ear Infections and Chinese Medicine
I believe that the frequent administration of antibiotics to children is the single most important event diminishing a child´s immune system and health.

The Treatment of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) With Chinese Herbal Medicine
Pertussis (whooping cough) is aptly called "the 100-day cough" (bai re ke) in Chinese medicine.

The Treatment of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) With Chinese Herbal Medicine
Part Two

The discussion of pertussis would be incomplete without some comments regarding vaccinations.

Treating Viral Infections with Chinese Herbal Products
One of the great contributions Chinese medicine offers the West is the availability of herbs and herbal formulas that directly attack viral heat toxins...

New Chinese Herbal Formulas for Treating Depression
It's becoming more common to encounter patients who are on a mood-stabilizing drug for depression or anxiety.

Two Cases of Hyperthyroid
Hyperthyroidism is not often seen in the clinic, but Chinese herbal medicine can be very helpful.

The Potential Avian Flu Epidemic
At present, avian flu is confined to wild birds, domestic fowl and a few humans who have been in direct contact with them.

Modern Applications For Anti-Viral Therapy
Traditional Chinese hospitals reported a much smaller incidence of staff health workers coming down with the SARS flu.


Using Wen Bing Theory in the Treatment of Modern Epidemics
Handout Notes, 2007
Part One PDF File
Part Two PDF File
Part Three PDF File

Plotting Acute Cough
In my clinical practice, I treat someone with a cough every day. And in the winter, it might be 40 percent of the cases I see.

Improved Outcomes When Combining TCM With Western Interventions for Cancer
Most acupuncturist patient loads now include patients who have had cancer, or who are being treated for it.

Cancer - Western Understanding PDF File
Cancer - The TCM Perspective PDF File
Treating Side Effects Of Cancer Therapy With Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine PDF File

Hepatitis C: Differentiation and Treatment According to Wu Boping
I want to talk about the treatment of hepatitis C. It is recognized as a major health problem in the United States, and of course it is becoming a problem in China.

Western vs Oriental Medicine
Scientific Criticism of Traditional Oriental Medicine: Reflections Following Conversations with My Twin Brother

Treating Acute Kidney Stone Attack
I created AMBER STONE FORMULA as a variation on PASSWAN, a Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of kidney stone from Bai Yun Shan Pharmaceutical Manufactory in Guangzhou.

An Extraordinary Chinese Herbal Product Finds its Way to North America
Yin Herbal Wash

Making Alcohol Extracts
Making Chinese Herbal formulas into alcohol extracts.

Trauma
Treating traumatic injury and pain with Plum Flower products.

Menstrual Disorders
Treating menstrual disorders with Plum Flower products.

Viruses
Treating viral infections with Plum Flower products.

Stunning Herbal Formula Wins Recognition in the Western Medical Community
"An oral combination of three Chinese herbs could be as effective as conventional medicines at alleviating asthma symptoms but without such severe side effects, report Chinese and American researchers."

♦ ACUPUNCTURE ♦

History of Japanese Acupunture
The Emergence of Japanese Style Acupuncture

"Healing in the Fire of Moxa":
Acupuncture for Spiritual Purification
An Interview with Shinto Priest Hideo Izumoto

Meridian Symptoms
According to Fukushima Kodo and Shudo Denmai, a Summation

Meridian Therapy for Health
An Introduction for Patients

Muscle Testing
Using Muscle Testing in Meridian Therapy

Root and Branch
Clinical Applications of Japanese Meridian Therapy

Shudo Denmai
Shudo Denmai's Workshop at the Pacific Symposium.

Sushi Versus Stir-fry
My Move from TCM Acupuncture to Japanese Acupuncture.

♦ HEALTH AND DISEASE ♦

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Part One
A Modern Epidemic, The Problem

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Part Two
A Modern Epidemic, Diagnosis and Treatment

Leaky Gut Syndrome - PDF File
Handout Notes, 2007

Essentials of Traditional Chinese Pediatrics PDF File
Handout Notes, 2007

Pediatric Ear Infections and Chinese Medicine
I believe that the frequent administration of antibiotics to children is the single most important event diminishing a child´s immune system and health.

The Treatment of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) With Chinese Herbal Medicine
Pertussis (whooping cough) is aptly called "the 100-day cough" (bai re ke) in Chinese medicine.

Alternative Medicine for Children
Part I: The Consequences of Antibiotics

New Chinese Herbal Formulas for Treating Depression
Dr. Shudo Denmai, the Japanese acupuncturist, remarked that a sign of mental illness is the degree to which the patient can think only of themselves and of their problems.

The Potential Avian Flu Epidemic
At present, avian flu is confined to wild birds, domestic fowl and a few humans who have been in direct contact with them.

Modern Applications For Anti-Viral Therapy
With the emergence of a SARS (sudden acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic several years ago in southern China and Hong Kong, Chinese herbal medicine obtained some degree of international notice.

Improved Outcomes When Combining TCM With Western Interventions for Cancer
Essentially, the combined approach shows significant improvement in the efficacy of the Western treatment.

Cancer - Western Understanding PDF File
Cancer - The TCM Perspective PDF File
Treating Side Effects Of Cancer Therapy With Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine PDF File

Plotting Acute Cough
In my clinical practice, I treat someone with a cough every day. And in the winter, it might be 40 percent of the cases I see. In the absence of good herbal treatment, sudden-onset cough, once entrenched, can linger for weeks before resolving completely.

Western vs Oriental Medicine
Scientific Criticism of Traditional Oriental Medicine: Reflections Following Conversations with My Twin Brother

Fire in the Clinic: A Memoir
Six and a half years ago, fifteen or so practitioners - medical doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, rolfers, cranial sacral therapists - had all come together as a group, wanting to work together.

Meridian Therapy for Health
Using acupuncture to prevent illness and maintain optimal health.

The Future of Energetic Medicine
The theoretical foundation for energetic medicine should be that of Oriental medicine

Staying Healthy with Oriental Medicine
The Chinese idea of exercise has a different orientation than the western approach of strengthening the heart and lungs.

CHINESE HERBAL PATENT MEDICINES