Mary Bolz is an accomplished writer. Her work has been published in several different periodicals. In the linked articles on this page, Mary Bolz both eloquently and effectively communicates her knowledge of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and martial arts; and shares with us how we can use these modalities in our everyday lives to acheive better health.

We will continue to add more articles as they become available. For questions and comments regarding these articles, please contact Mary Bolz at 707-455-0638.

Autumn-A Beautiful Season-but the Lungs are susceptible

Physiologically, bronchial asthma is a typically episodic and remittent obstructive lung disorder characterized by narrowing of the large and small airways due to spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, edema, inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, and production of tenacious phlegm. A great deal of bronchial asthma is allergic in nature. People differ greatly in the severity and frequency of their symptoms. Some people may be completely asymptomatic between attacks and others may seem to have it perennially, and get episodes of flare-up attacks that can be severe. A severe exacerbation may occur after exposure to known allergens, viral infections, exercise, or nonspecific irritants. Psychoemotional stress may also either precipitate attacks or aggravate their severity. Read More

Treatment of diabetes mellitus Type II

This article is a report of what Dr. Gang Ma, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China is doing in the treatment of diabetes mellitus Type II and what I, as a student in the doctoral program at Five Branches University, have directly gleaned from him. It is very exciting how he and his staff are treating thousands of patients who have diabetes Type II with what seems to be much greater success than the Western-medicine-only treatment of diabetes that is usually done in the United States. Read
on about Zhejiang University Hospital and Dr. Ma. Read More

Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis Naturally

Almost all Americans have at least heard of osteoporosis and it seems more prominent today than ever before. It is no wonder it is so prominent when you consider the main causes of it. The more Americans realize the value of a healthy lifestyle, however, the incidence will go down. READ MORE

TCM: Effective Treatment for Post-stroke Recovery

In China, there is less incidence of stroke than in Western countries, and there is greater recovery of function after a stroke. This is not because Chinese people are physically different from Americans, but because of differences in diet, lifestyle, and post-stroke treatment. This will be changing in the near future, however, as the Chinese adopt a Western diet more and more of coffee, meat, and overly sweet baked goods. READ MORE

ORIENTAL TRADITIONS AND MODERN NUTRITION

In the late twentieth century, food finally began to be recognized in the West as an important healing force. For the first time in United States history, the Surgeon General acknowledged, in 1988, the value of a good diet while at the same time condemning typical American eating patterns. According to his statement two-thirds of all deaths are directly affected by improper diet, and poor eating habits play a large part in the nation’s most common killers – coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes and some cancers. READ MORE.

NATURAL HEALING AND HEALTHCARE FROM THE ORIENTAL PERSPECTIVE

What the majority of Americans may call traditional medicine is what an Oriental medicine practitioner (doctor) would refer to as modern Western medicine or allopathic medicine, or conventional medicine. In a broad sense, with history of the human race as a whole taken into consideration, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is traditional; allopathic (Western) medicine is modern. Both forms of medicine are legitimate and both have much to contribute to the health of the society. READ MORE

DRUG / HERB INTERACTIONS

Is it safe to combine drug and herbal therapy simultaneously? It is important that people who are taking medications and wish to opt for a safer route, consult with a qualified, professional herbalist. A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner is educated and qualified in Chinese herbal pharmacology as well as acupuncture. It involves a long and thorough study of not only the art and science of understanding the herbs properties, actions and effects on the human body, but of deriving an accurate diagnosis for the cause or imbalance underlying the patient’s disease or feeling of ill health. A Western pharmacology course is also included in the education. A degree in Oriental medicine is a four-year academic program at a specialized school, after undergraduate studies. Allopathic medicine doctors (M.D.’s) and pharmacists do not have an education in herbal medicine (unless they also went to Oriental medicine school). Because of this, there are allopathic medicine practitioners who advise their patients not to take herbs while on medication. That may be good advice if the patient is prescribing their own herbal therapy without any formal training. It may be significantly poor advice if it is preventing the patient from using herbs under the guidance of a qualified herbalist. In fact, the patient may miss out on a wonderful opportunity for a great state of health and the possibility of becoming drug free. READ MORE

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB- CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

The typical Chinese herbal medicine shop conveys a feeling that little has changed for thousands of years. Rows of wooden drawers or transparent jars, simple scales and old fashioned crucibles, and the age-old varieties of the herbs themselves are still used today in a Chinese herbal pharmacy. Allopathic physicians may wonder why they don’t modernize the ancient art of herbal healing. Why don’t they refine and purify the crude herbs, extract and concentrate their active ingredients, and produce modern medications in capsules and ampules? READ MORE