Hemp seeds come from the hemp plant (cannabis sativa L), an annual herb that grows throughout the world's temperate regions. The plant can reach a height of approximately 30 inches, and flowers during the summer. The seeds are harvested in autumn; they are pounded or powdered, and taken raw for use. Hemp seeds contain a fatty oil, and are a good source of many essential fatty acids.
Hemp has a long history of medicinal use. In traditional Chinese medicine, hemp seed has sweet and mild properties, and is associated with the Spleen and Large Intestine channels. Traditionally, it is used as a laxative to loosen the bowels and relieve constipation. Many practitioners prescribe it to help relieve pain, induce sleep, and treat nausea associated with chemotherapy. It also has a soothing effect on some nervous disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and has been used to relieve pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma. When treating constipation, hemp seed is often used with other herbs, such as rhubarb and magnolia bark.
The typical dosage of hemp seed is between 10 and 30 grams, used in a decoction. It is usually mashed or powdered before being added to water. Some practitioners also provide concentrated hemp seed extracts (in a 5:1 ratio); for extracts, the recommended dose is 2-3 grams per day.
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Governor Gavin Newsom has retracted the proposed budget cuts to the Medi-Cal acupuncture program for low-income Californians for the 2024-2025 budget year. This decision marks a significant victory for health care providers and advocates who have long championed acupuncture as a vital component of comprehensive medical care.
There’s no doubt that many of your patients visit your practice because they are in pain. And there’s certainly no doubt that curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be incredibly effective in stopping that pain, whether due to chronic conditions like arthritis or acute pain from intensive workouts. But your patients may also benefit from curcumin for other reasons.
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Fair and appropriate wages in health care are typically based on economic evaluations. A simple literature review illuminates that acupuncture is missing economic evaluations; which implies you are either underpaid or overpaid. The complexity of services provided by most American acupuncturists, which they are trained and certified to provide, must be reimbursed fairly.
