Herbal Enema Research Articles

Combined traditional Chinese medicine therapy for the treatment of infertility with polycystic ovary syndrome: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility has attracted great attention from researchers due to its high incidence. Numerous studies have shown that Chinese medicine is effective in treating this disease, but there is a wide variety of Chinese medicine therapies available, and there is a lack of comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various Chinese medicine combination therapies in the clinic, which requires further in-depth exploration. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS using network meta-analysis (NMA). In PubMed, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) databases, searchs were conducted for information about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combined TCM therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS. Quality evaluation was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and NMA using Stata 16.0. This study comprised 28 RCTs using 8 combined TCM therapies in total. The results of the NMA showed that moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, electroacupuncture + herbal, and acupoint application + herbal improved the clinical pregnancy rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Additionally, ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal, acupuncture and moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal improved the ovulation rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, and ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the ovulation rate. The combined TCM therapy demonstrated better efficacy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS compared to acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy. However, the optimal treatment therapy varied depending on the outcome indicators. Further large sample, high-quality, and standardized RCTs are needed to verify these findings.

Chinese herbal enema therapy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease

Chinese herbal enema therapy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease

中药灌肠联合无创通气治疗AECOPD合并呼吸衰竭的有效性和安全性Meta分析

中药灌肠联合无创通气治疗AECOPD合并呼吸衰竭的有效性和安全性Meta分析

Prevalence and Determinants of the use of Enema in under-five children in Akwa Ibom State

Background: Use of enema in children across clinical and community settings are associated with risks. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of enema practice in under-five children, substances used as enema and the reasons for enema practice by mothers.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study among 252 consecutively recruited mothers of under-five children attending immunization/well babies clinics in 2 health centres in Akwa Ibom state using a semi-structured self and interviewer administered questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 at a level of significance of P&lt;0.05.Results: One hundred and sixty-nine (67.1%) respondents had ever given enema to their children. Mothers (69.2%) administered enema to their children which most often (72.8%) was recommended to them by others. Herbal enema was preferred to chemical and plain water enema. Common reasons for enema administration were in preparation for administration of antimalarial to ensure its effectiveness (60.4%), to relief constipation (49.7%) and abdominal pains (46.7%) and treatment of fevers (41.4%). Predictors of enema practice were age of the child (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.212-0.765, p=0.005) and ethnic origin of the mothers (OR 9.4,95% CI 4.024-22.104, p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: The practice of enema is common in the study area. Health practitioners should be aware of this practice in the communities, seek for this history during clinical consultation and make concerted effort in educating the mothers and other caregivers against this practice.

Nursing management of a patient receiving Chinese herbal medicine enema treatment for gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopy

Nursing management of a patient receiving Chinese herbal medicine enema treatment for gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopy

Ding's herbal enema treats dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by regulating the gut microbiota and maintaining the Treg/Th17 cell balance.

Ding's herbal enema (DHEP) is a traditional Chinese medicinal therapy that has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in China. The present study determined the molecular mechanism of the effect of DHEP in UC treatment. C57BL/6J mice were treated with 3.5% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days to establish an animal model of colitis. The mice were divided into five groups (n=5): Control, vehicle, DHEP, mesalazine and β-sitosterol. After oral administration for 7 days, the body weight, disease activity index, histopathology and inflammatory factors were analyzed. The fractions of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and CD4+IL-17A+ T helper (Th) cells were determined by flow cytometry. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by next-generation sequencing. The results revealed that DHEP and β-sitosterol could significantly alleviate the symptoms of DSS-induced UC. Furthermore, the levels of IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-α and p65 were reduced after administration of DHEP. Additionally, the data indicated that DHEP could increase the abundance of seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and decrease the abundance of 12 OTUs in the gut microbiota. The content of short-chain fatty acids in the colon remodeled the balance of Treg/Th17 cells in DSS-induced UC in mice. The present study preliminarily defined the mechanism of action of DHEP in UC that may be associated with the regulation of the gut microbiota composition, and maintenance of the balance between Treg and Th17 cells. Furthermore, β-sitosterol exhibited the same effects with DHEP and it could be a possible substitute for DHEP in UC treatment.

Literature review of the research on chronic prostatitis treated by traditional Chinese medicine

This paper reviews the clinical research on the treatment of chronic prostatitis with traditional Chinese medicine in recent years. It is believed that the core of the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease lies in the deficiency of spleen and kidney, dampness heat, phlegm turbid and blood stasis toxin. If the disease lasts for a long time, the spleen and kidney become to the deficiency from excess. The internal treatment of traditional Chinese medicine includes syndrome differentiation, disease differentiation or single prescription, while the external treatment mainly includes herbal bathing, enema, anal administration and acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine has advantages in the treatment of this disease. We should continue to study the the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine for this disease, standardize the syndrome differentiation and treatment and outocmes evaluation, and carry out research on famous prescriptions on prostatitis. Key words: Prostatitis; Traditional Chinese medicine therapy; Research progress; Literature review

Traditional herbal enema combined with vacuum sealing drainage for perianal abscess

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of traditional herbal enema combined with vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of perianal abscess. Methods A total of 87 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into control group (43 cases) and study group (44 cases) by random number table method. The control group was treated with vacuum sealing drainage. The study group was given traditional herbal enema on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 20 days and followed up for 6 months. The WBC, neutrophil count (NEU) and neutrophil percentage (NEU%) was measured by automatic blood cell analyzer, and the hospitalization and wound healing time was recorded. The recurrence rate of abscess and secondary anal fistula was observed during the follow-up period. Results The total effective rate was 97.7% (43/44) in the study group and 88.4% (38/43) in the control group. There was significant differences between the two groups (χ2=4.010, P=0.045). The hospitalization time (14.2 ± 0.6 d vs. 17.0 ± 1.2 d, t=13.970) and wound healing time (45.6 ± 0.7 d vs. 48.7 ± 1.2 d, t=15.216) in the study group was significantly shorter than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the WBC, NEU and NEU% level in the study group was significantly lower than those in the control group (t=23.318, 12.827, 46.630, all Ps<0.01). After 6 months of follow-up, the recurrence rate of abscess and the secondary anal fistula rate in the study group was significantly lower than those in the control group(χ2=12.813, 4.225, respectively, P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions Traditional herbal enema combined with vacuum sealing drainage can significantly shorten the hospitalization and wound healing time, reduce the recurrence of abscess and secondary anal fistula, and improve the clinical efficacy. Key words: Anorectal disease; Negative-pressure wound therapy; Drainage; Enema therapy

Chemical Colitis From a Hydrogen Peroxide Enema

Constipation is one of the most common complaints among patients. Many resort to “natural” therapies described by complimentary and alternative medicine. Hydrogen peroxide enemas, ranging from 3-10% solutions, are one of the promoted remedies. We present a case of chemical colitis after using a hydrogen peroxide enema. A 26-year-old female with chronic constipation, presented with bright red blood per rectum for 2 days. It started immediately after using a 35% hydrogen peroxide enema for constipation. She had used herbal enemas previously, and this was the first time she had used hydrogen peroxide. She had large-volume rectal bleeding with fresh blood that quickly slowed down. She had abdominal pain with vomiting, decreased appetite, and tenesmus. Initial assessment revealed an afebrile, normotensive young woman, with diffuse abdominal tenderness most severe in the left lower quadrant, without rebound tenderness or rigidity. Laboratory evaluation was significant for leukocytosis (17.09 x 103/μL) and slightly elevated C-reactive protein (3.0 mg/dL). Her hemoglobin was normal on presentation 12.8 g/dL. Fecal calprotectin was greater than 1250 μg/g with fecal leukocytes present. Her lactic acid was within normal limits. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed diffuse left transverse and left colonic thickening and submucosal edema up to the mid-transverse colon, suggestive of colitis (Image 1). She was admitted and was managed conservatively with intravenous hydration, electrolytes correction, serial abdominal examinations, and hemoglobin checks. Colonoscopy was deferred due to risk of perforation. Rectal bleeding stopped after 3 days; she clinically improved with supportive care only. The patient was discharged and advised to avoid chemical enemas in the future. At a 3-month follow up, she denied any episodes of rectal bleeding. There are a few reported cases of chemical-induced colitis in patients experimenting with hydrogen peroxide enemas to self-treat chronic constipation. Hydrogen peroxide enemas are an increasing “home remedy” that are made popular on alternative medicine websites. The production of hydroxyl free radicals from hydrogen peroxide causes cell death. Macroscopically, it leads to corrosive injury of the colonic mucosa. With increasing availability of information on the Internet, it is critical to caution and inform patients of potentially dangerous therapies that are not medically approved.Figure: Diffuse submucosal edema up to mid-transverse colon, suggestive of colitis.

The Effectiveness of Herbal Enema for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Calcium Channel Blocker-Controlled Trials

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, and a symptom-based diagnosis. Because of the unclear mechanisms, the treatment available have not acquired the satisfied effect. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal enema in treating IBS compared to the calcium channel blocker administration. Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing herbal enema in patients with IBS which compared to the calcium channel blocker administration in PubMed, EMMBASE, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wan-fang Database and the VIP Database up to May 2016 with no language restrictions. Primary outcome was the global symptom improvement and secondary outcome was the symptom severity scale score. Safety was also assessed. We used Revman 5.3 to estimate the pooled mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and relative risk (RR) for binary outcome measures, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Five studies (230 patients in experimental group and 209 patients in control group) were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that herbal enema as the sole intervention or combined with other treating methods could significantly promote the global symptom improvement and mucous stool scale and has potential to improve abdominal distention compared to the calcium channel blocker administration. But there was no difference between the two groups in abdominal pain. The recurrence rate was lower than the control group. Conclusions: The study indicated that herbal enema may be an effective assistant means for IBS.

Effect of methotrexate intervention combined with herbal enema in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Objective To study the effect of methotrexate intervention combined with herbal enema in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Methods 220 cases with ectopic pregnancy were selected and divided into two groups according to the methods of random number table: the observation group and the control group, each group of 110 cases. The observation group used methotrexate intervention combined with herbal enema treatment, the control groups only used methotrexate intervention treatment. The clinical effect and adverse reactions of the two groups were observed. Results The observation groups:74 cases with marked effect,30 cases were effective,6 cases without effect, the total efficiency was 94.5%;The control groups:44 cases with marked effect,50 cases with effective,16 cases without effect,the total efficiency was 85.4%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(The total effective rateχ2=5.05,P 0.05). Conclusion Methotrexate intervention combined with herbal enema in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy can obtain fast and exact curative effect, it's less adverse reaction and worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: Pregnancy ectopic; Herbal enema; Methotrexate

Herbal Medicines for Acute Kidney Injury: Evidence, Gaps and Frontiers

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health threat worldwide. The literature on herbal intervention in AKI was searched from English and Chinese databases and reports were critically analyzed in terms of preventing AKI, promoting repair and regeneration, enhancing extrarenal clearance of uremic toxins, and preventing progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Altogether, 16 herbal formulae and a few extracts derived from individual herbs were reported to prevent or mitigate AKI in animal models induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion, cisplastin, gentamicin, glycerol, adenine, sepsis or physical exhaustion. Four formulae and six individual herbs were reported to accelerate recovery and/ or to prevent CKD in established AKI animal models. Intrarectal herbal medicines, with or without simultaneous oral administration, were reported in six clinical trials and in an animal model to increase extrarenal clearance of uremic toxins. Additional 13 clinical trials reported oral or intravenous herbal interventions in AKI of different etiologies. Despite recurring problems, notably poor compliance with good practice guidelines for clinical trials and for authentication, naming and quality control of herbal materials, accumulating experimental data on the preventive effects of herbal medicines in AKI look encouraging and urge for better, definitive trials to guide clinical practice. Herbal enemas promoting extrarenal clearance of uremic toxins seem cost-effective, but better clinical evidence is certainly needed before any affirmative recommendation be made for AKI patients without access to dialysis. New frontiers, however, lie in those herbal remedies that promote repair/ regeneration and prevent chronicity after AKI. Recent experimental data suggest that this may be possible. Abbreviations: AKI: acute kidney injury; AKIN: Acute Kidney Injury Network; αSMA: α smooth muscle actin; ARF: acute renal failure; ATN: acute tubular necrosis; BUN: blood urea nitrogen; CAT: catalase; CKD: chronic kidney disease; CXCL12: chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12; CXCR4: chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4; CLP: cecal ligation and puncture; Cu-Zn-SOD: copper-zinc superoxide dismutase; ECM: extracellular matrix; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; EMT: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; ESWL: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy; FSP: fibroblast-specific protein 1; GSH: glutathione; GSH-Px: glutathione peroxidase; HMP: herbal medicinal product; HO-1: heme oxygenase 1; ICAM-1: intercellular adhesion molecule-1; ICU: intensive care unit; IFN-γ: interferonγ; IL: interleukin; iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase; i.p.: intraperitoneally or intraperitoneal; I/R: ischemia/reperfusion; i.v.: intravenous or intravenously; JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase; KDIGO: Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes; KIM-1: kidney injury molecule 1; LPS: lipopolysaccharides; MCP-1: monocyte chemotactic protein 1; MDA: malondialdehyde; MMP9: matrix metalloproteinase 9; Mn-SOD: manganese superoxide dismutase; NF-κB: nuclear factor κB; NGAL: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin; NO: nitric oxide; PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention; PCNA: proliferating cell nuclear antigen; p.o.: per os (oral administration); pRIFLE: modified RIFLE guideline for pediatric use; RCT: randomized controlled clinical trial; ROS/RNS: reactive oxygen/nitrogen species; RIFLE: Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage renal disease; RPTECs: renal proximal tubular epithelial cells; Scr: serum creatinine; TCM: traditional Chinese medicine; TGF-β: transforming growth factor β; TIMP1: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; UUO: unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Traditional medicine and childcare in Western Africa: mothers' knowledge, folk illnesses, and patterns of healthcare-seeking behavior.

BackgroundIn spite of the strong role of traditional medicine in childcare in the pluralistic healthcare system in Western Africa, little information is known on mothers’ domestic plant knowledge. Identifying local perspectives and treatments of children’s illnesses, including folk illnesses, is essential to having a comprehensive understanding of how mothers make healthcare treatment decisions. We aimed to identify which infant illnesses Beninese and Gabonese mothers knew to treat with medicinal plants and for which illnesses they sought biomedical care or traditional healers.MethodsWe conducted 81 questionnaires with mothers in Bénin and Gabon and made 800 botanical specimens of cited medicinal plants. We calculated the number of species cited per illness and the proportion of participants knowledgeable on at least one herbal remedy per illness. Using qualitative data, we described folk illnesses in each country and summarized responses on preferences for each of the three healthcare options.ResultsParticipants from both countries were most knowledgeable on plants to treat respiratory illnesses, malaria, diarrhea, and intestinal ailments. Mothers also frequently mentioned the use of plants to encourage children to walk early, monitor the closure of fontanels, and apply herbal enemas. Major folk illnesses were atita and ka in Bénin and la rate and fesses rouges in Gabon. Traditional healers were reported to have specialized knowledge of cultural bound illnesses. Malaria was frequently cited as an illness for which mothers would directly seek biomedical treatment.ConclusionMothers largely saw the three systems as complementary, seamlessly switching between different healing options until a remedy was found. Folk illnesses were found to give insight into local treatments and may reveal important neglected diseases. Due to high reported levels of knowledge on treating top statistical causes of infant mortality and folk illnesses, mothers’ medicinal plant knowledge should be included in the analysis of healthcare-seeking behavior for childcare.

Recent Literature

Recent Literature

Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of tissue that is morphologically and biologically similar to normal endometrium in locations outside the uterus. Surgical and hormonal treatment of endometriosis have unpleasant side effects and high rates of relapse. In China, treatment of endometriosis using Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is routine and considerable research into the role of CHM in alleviating pain, promoting fertility, and preventing relapse has taken place.This review is an update of a previous review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, issue No 3. To review the effectiveness and safety of CHM in alleviating endometriosis-related pain and infertility. We searched the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library) and the following English language electronic databases (from their inception to 31/10/2011): MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, and NLH.We also searched Chinese language electronic databases: Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Sci & Tech Journals (VIP), Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS), and Chinese Medical Current Contents (CMCC). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving CHM versus placebo, biomedical treatment, another CHM intervention; or CHM plus biomedical treatment versus biomedical treatment were selected. Only trials with confirmed randomisation procedures and laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis were included. Risk of bias assessment, and data extraction and analysis were performed independently by three review authors. Data were combined for meta-analysis using relative risk (RR) for dichotomous data. A fixed-effect statistical model was used, where appropriate. Data not suitable for meta-analysis were presented as descriptive data. Two Chinese RCTs involving 158 women were included in this review. Both these trials described adequate methodology. Neither trial compared CHM with placebo treatment.There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of symptomatic relief between CHM and gestrinone administered subsequent to laparoscopic surgery (95.65% versus 93.87%; risk ratio (RR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.12, one RCT). The intention-to-treat analysis also showed no significant difference between the groups (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.18). There was no significant difference between the CHM and gestrinone groups with regard to the total pregnancy rate (69.6% versus 59.1%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.59, one RCT).CHM administered orally and then in conjunction with a herbal enema resulted in a greater proportion of women obtaining symptomatic relief than with danazol (RR 5.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 20.05; RR 5.63, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.54, respectively). Overall, 100% of women in all the groups showed some improvement in their symptoms.Oral plus enema administration of CHM showed a greater reduction in average dysmenorrhoea pain scores than did danazol (mean difference (MD) -2.90, 95% CI -4.55 to -1.25; P < 0.01). Combined oral and enema administration of CHM also showed a greater improvement measured as the disappearance or shrinkage of adnexal masses than with danazol (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.78). For lumbosacral pain, rectal discomfort, or vaginal nodules tenderness, there was no significant difference between CHM and danazol. Post-surgical administration of CHM may have comparable benefits to gestrinone but with fewer side effects. Oral CHM may have a better overall treatment effect than danazol; it may be more effective in relieving dysmenorrhoea and shrinking adnexal masses when used in conjunction with a CHM enema. However, more rigorous research is required to accurately assess the potential role of CHM in treating endometriosis.

Limits of health education: Barriers to oral rehydration use among Ghanaian mothers

Childhood diarrhea is one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in West African communities. In the Ejisu-Juaben region of Ghana, oral rehydration solution (ORS) sachets are provided by the district hospital by nurses working in surrounding communities and by community drugstores to combat diarrhea and replenish electrolytes that have been depleted as a result of diarrhea. Previous research from the Ejisu-Juaben region, part of the Ashanti region, found that 92% of mothers had heard of ORS and 86.6% could describe its preparation, but only 28.4% had used ORS to treat their child’s last episode of diarrhea (Kendell et al., 2009). The purpose of this study is to determine potential barriers to the use of ORS in these communities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 91 mothers, eight public health nurses, five community volunteers and five drugstore owners in the Ejisu-Juaben region. Additionally, focus groups were held with mothers. Mothers knew where to obtain ORS, could correctly demonstrate its preparation and identify it as an effective treatment. The primary reasons given for not using ORS were its expense and use of alternative treatments. The latter includes herbs boiled in water, herbal enemas, sand enemas and innocuous foods; the primary reasons for choosing these treatments over ORS include availability of home remedies and adherence to tradition. While public health education is vital to improving overall health in developing countries, education does not always predict compliance with medically proven health practices. This is particularly true when cost and tradition are barriers to behavioral change. A diarrhea treatment that bridges traditional and modern methods while mitigating cost barriers could potentially increase use, thereby decreasing

Herbal enema: At the cost of colon

Various colonic side-effects of herbal enema have been reported in literature ranging from mild abdominal discomfort to self-limiting haemorrhagic colitis. It rarely requires blood transfusion or subtotal colectomy. We report a 57-year-old male patient developing severe ileo-colitis with persistent massive rectal bleeding immediately after herbal enema administration for the treatment of chronic constipation and was resistant to conservative management. Patient was managed successfully with emergency total laparoscopic colectomy. Post-operative recovery of the patient was excellent.

Treating chronic colonitis diarrhea by He-Ne laser irradiation of acupoints: A report of 200 cases

Objective To compare the effect of treating chronic colonitis diarrhea (CCD) using He-Ne laser irradiation of acupoints with routine drug treatment. Methods Two hundred patients with CCD were randomly divided into a laser irradiation group (laser group) and a routine drug treatment group (control group) with 100 patients in each group. The laser group patients were treated with a He-Ne laser ( power density 478 mW/cm2 )through coupling fiberoptic cable radiating onto the Shenque (REN8) , bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Dachangshu (BL25) acupoints, each for 10 min daily for 10 days. Control group patients were treated with routine drugs such as antibiotics, astringents, antidiarrheals, antispasmodic analgesics, vitamins and Chinese herbal enemas. Three months after treatment the patients were examined by fibercoloscope to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy in the two groups. Results In the laser group 66 cases (66%) experienced a short-term cure, 27 cases (27%) improved and7 cases (7%) showed no effect. In the control group 33 cases (33%) were short-term cures, 43 cases (43%) improved and 24 cases (24%) had no effect. These differences were statistically significant. In both groups the effects for patients with short histories was better than for those with longer histories. In the laser group the pathological changes in the distal colon were significantly better than in the proximal colon, but this difference wasn't significant in the control group. The average days of total treatment to achieve short-term cure and improvement in the laser group were significantly less than in the control group. In the laser group the average days to the disappearance of abdominal pain and diarrhea in the short-term cure patients of was significantly fewer than in the control group. Conclusions Laser irradiation was more effective than routine drug treatment, especially for stopping diarrhea, spasmolysis and analgia. Key words: Lasers; Acupoints; Colouitis; Diarrhea

HIV/AIDS and traditional healers: a blessing in disguise

Traditional healers contribute significantly to the level of health-care systems in Africa. They could play an important role in the prevention and care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the community. The traditional healing system deals with psychosocial stress associated with HIV/AIDS as well as herbal medications. Sometimes, herbal medicine causes serious life-threatening complications. Two case reports are presented in this article. The first is a 48-year-old woman with HIV who was made to drink a large volume of a herbal decoction to stimulate vomiting in the belief that cleansing the bowel would rid the system of the disease. The second is a 25-year-old young man who had a herbal enema, which resulted in gangrene of the large bowel. The case histories, mechanism of action and causes of death are discussed.

Clinical Curative Effect Observation on Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Exacerbation Stage with Aerosol Inhalation of Budesonide Combined with Chinese Herbal Enema

Objective To observe clinical effect of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) in exacerbation stage with aerosol inhalation of budesonide combined with Chinese herbal enema. Methods 36 cases with COPD were randomly recurited into a control group and a treatment group. The control group was treated with routine western medicine, and the treatment group was treated with aerosol inhalation of budesonide combined with Chinese herbal enema. The clinical effect was observed in both groups, Results The total effective rate in the treatment group and the control group was 88.9% and 72.2%, respectively, showing significant difference between the two group. (P<0.05) .Conclusion The treatment of aerosol inhalation of budesonide combined with Chinese herbal enema on COPD is better than routine western medicine. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ; Budesonide ; Chinese herbal enema: Exacerbation ;