TCM in Metastatic Lung Cancer: Prognosis and Complementary Treatment of Advanced Pulmonary Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Jan Baak, Michael McCulloch, Carl-Hermann Hempen.

The most frequently occurring lung cancer type is non-small-cell cancer (NSCLC).  Over the past three decades, the median survival time of advanced NSCLC has increased from approximately six months in the 1980's to nine months twenty years later; mortality rates are still very high.
This article looks at recent studies which have given a strong positive signal that complementary/supportive TCM-herbal treatment next to conventional platinum-based chemotherapy improves prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients.  Several of the TCM herbs used have an immune-stimulating effect, of particular interest for nivolumab-treated patients.
Additional research needed to obtain definitive clinical evidence for the prognosis-improving effect of TCM treatment in conjunction with platinum-based chemotherapy is also discussed, and recommendations made for supportive clinical management of NSCLC with complementary TCM at the present time, until such data is available.
Read the whole article.

The Development of Auricular Acupuncture in Europe and China
Manfred Angermaier

This article describes the origins of ear acupuncture, and its development through an exchange of European and Chinese experience. Different patterns of point localisation in the ear are discussed, as well as different techniques for detecting pathological points. Also described is the effect of ear acupuncture, and holistic medicine, in promoting the distribution and storage of energy in body cells to maintain health.
Key words: auricular acupuncture, Paul Nogier, energy, RAC, laser, needle material.

A New Understanding of the Brain and its Clinical Application
Tianjun Wang

The Brain in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is traditionally one of the six extraordinary organs, but there exists very little guidance to its relevance in clinical practice. In the development of TCM theories, what constitutes the governor of shen is an important area for exploration. Brain is viewed as another governor of shen, and is most important in the regulation of shen.
It houses yuan shen, which has two main meanings, spirit and yuan jing (yuan essence), which is the original material of shen. Yuan jing is the basis of other materials, and of the zang fu organs.
The clinical application of a new understanding of Brain is to value the role of Brain particularly in acupuncture, including the affiliated meridian of Brain, the Governor Vessel (GV) or du mai, and to focus on the application of du mai points in the treatment of Brain related diseases, such as emotional conditions and original jing and shen related diseases.
Keywords: Brain, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, yuan shen, du mai.

Catalysing Emergence: Zheng Qi and the Authentic Self
Lonny S. Jarrett

Other than treating St 36 zu san li, how do I tonify zheng qi?
An exploration of the deeper meaning of zheng qi, and how this relates to practitioner and patient.

European Auriculotherapy: The Pulse, the Phases and Clinical Advantage
Jim Chalmers

Auriculotherapy (AT) and ear acupuncture are terms often used synonymously. However the common assumption by the public and practitioners alike that AT was originally part of the Oriental medicine tradition is completely erroneous. AT, including its charts and many of its protocols, is of modern European origin with its genesis and evolution being found in France during the 1950s. Certainly there is no doubt that much of the early cartography of AT has become entrenched in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unfortunately, in this process of absorption of the charts and protocols of AT, some of the great advantages of the European discoveries have been lost, much to the disadvantage of both patient and practitioner.

This article looks at the developments that occurred after the discovery of the so-called ‘inverted foetus in the ear’, particularly the Vascular Autonomic Signal and the Phases, and the advantages they offer.

Meridian Frequency Moxibustion with Ontake Warm Bamboo
Part 1: Getting Started
Oran Kivity

Ontake Warm Bamboo is a moxibustion technique with two additional components: pressure and rhythm. A short piece of bamboo is filled with moxa wool. When the moxa is ignited, the bamboo gets hot and can be applied to the skin. The bamboo can be held, tapped, pressed or rolled rhythmically along the acupuncture channels and on specific points. Most importantly, with the use of a metronome, these techniques can be applied rhythmically at specific frequencies of beats per minute, namely, Dr Manaka’s meridian frequencies.
The treatment can be used as a branch treatment to augment acupuncture root treatment, or as a non-pattern based root treatment in its own right.
This two-part paper will introduce you to everything you need to get started with bamboo.