Sea cucumber is not a plant, but actually an animal similar to a slug. It is a sea creature, resembling a cucumber in appearance, which is related to sea urchins and starfish, and resides on the ocean floor.
There are hundreds of varieties of sea cucumber found throughout the world. It is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and is a staple of some forms of Chinese cuisine. In addition to its uses as a food, however, sea cucumber is also prized for its medicinal properties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, sea cucumber has salty and warm properties, and is associated with the Heart and Kidney meridians. It is believed to help nourish the yin and blood, and is a tonic herb for treating the kidneys. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including impotence and frequent urination. Studies conducted in China have found that sea cucumber is a good source of chondroitin. As a result, many practitioners recommend sea cucumber to help treat arthritis, tendonitis and joint pain. It is also an extremely good source of protein.
To help treat arthritis, most practitioners recommend 600-1,200 milligrams of powdered sea cucumber, taken once per day with water during a meal. Other doses may be used to treat different conditions.
Fresh sea cucumber can be found at some Asian markets. If being used as food, the sea cucumber often needs to be rehydrated, which can take several hours. Powdered sea cucumber can also be found at some specialty stores and herbal shops, along with sea cucumber pills and capsules.
As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions or adverse side-effects associated with consuming sea cucumber. If eating fresh sea cucumber, however, make sure that the animal has been cleaned and cooked thoroughly before consumption. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before using sea cucumber or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
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.
