Migraine is a form of headache, with a fixed or variable nature, which can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, visual disturbances, and more. Migraine symptoms are familiar to 12-28% of the population, and appear in all cultures since the dawn of humanity.

Historical Introduction

Since Hippocrates (377-460 BC), the father of western medicine, discussions about the problem of migraine had been made, and Physicians had developed various theories to explain the phenomenon. Beyond the primitive ancient explanations that there are ghosts and demons that attack the person, the theory of the “Four Humors” of Hippocrates was prevalent at the time. According to Hippocrates, the human body has four humors, or liquids that are white, red, yellow and black. Excess or lack of one or more of the humors can cause an imbalance in the human body and cause various diseases. Excess in yellow or black humor, he supposed, not only can cause bad feeling, but also manifest in nausea, vomiting, stomach disorders among headaches. In the human body, the Gallbladder’s function is to secrete bile that helps in dismantling fats, thereby helping the process of proper digestion. In ancient times, the Physicians realized that in order to facilitate those who suffer from headaches, they have to drain excess bile from the digestive system. The best way of doing so is to avoid fatty foods (beef, butter, alcoholic beverages, peanuts and mini-nuts), that promotes secretion of bile. These dietary recommendations are valid even nowadays.

At the same time Hippocrates` theory had been established, various neural theories had appeared and had determined the origin of migraine is a problem in one of the internal organs, spreading pain sensation throughout the body. Throughout this expansion of theories, the important relationship between the head and internal organs was particularly noticeable. According to the same understanding, migraine is physical disorder that may be the start or continuation of an emotional disorder. Migraine headaches reflect a physiological and emotional need alike.
So what is a migraine?
The word "migraine" is derived from the Greek word HemiCrania, or "half head". Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by headaches, nausea, Photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), Hiperacusis (increased sensitivity to noise).  The cause of migraine attacks is unknown, and there are different explanations about the formation of attack. Prevailing theory is that blood vessels in the head constrict and expand without the supervision and control of the brain causing pain. Blood vessel diameter changes, affects the blood flow to different regions of the brain, and thereby create additional symptoms during the seizure. This theory has become secondary over the years, since latest theories are now explaining Migraine headaches as failures of Neurotransmitters in the brain. One is the Serotonin theory. Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitter (a substance that creates communication between nerve cells). It helps control mood, sleep, sex drive, pain sensation and helps to control the contraction or dilation of blood vessels. Decrease in levels of serotonin, may cause an outbreak of a migraine attack. Decrease in serotonin levels can be caused by lack of exercise and unbalanced diet. People with poor mental condition, depression and anxiety, may also suffer from decrease of serotonin levels. Raising levels of serotonin can be achieved by medication, moderate physical activity and consumption of dates, bananas, papayas and whole grains.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of migraine attack vary from patient to patient. Therefore, what one patient feels before, during or after the attack cannot be completely defined. There are four stages during an attack, and they are common among patients. Their manifestation is not obligating, and the unique symptoms for each level may vary even for the same patient.

Prodrom Phase – takes place hours up to days before the attack itself. This phase occurs in 40-60% of migraine patients. This phase includes mood swings, feeling of something wrong, irritability, fatigue, excessive yawning, sleepiness, craving for certain foods (mostly chocolate and sweets) and more. These symptoms usually herald the upcoming attack. Past experience can teach the patient that the headache is about to come.

Aura phase – an aura is a precursor to a migraine attack and occurs minutes before the attack itself. Aura is a neurological disorder that creates a sensory illusion. Visual aura is the most common, in which the patient reports a vision disorder, including amorphous white light flashes, or color flashes with a zigzag shape. There are patients’ reports of seeing through smoke, or through a tunnel. There is also a sensation aura, when a patient reports of numb-tingling sensation along the upper and lower extremities.

The headache phase – the typical migraine headache is one-sided, with pulsating pain and usually increased with exercise. The location of the pain can vary between attacks, and even change during the attack. The pain may switch sides, start on one side and move into the other. The pain can last for 4-72 hours. Frequency of seizures varies, ranging from a small number of attacks over a lifetime and a number of attacks per week. Other symptoms may be manifested such as nausea and vomiting (there are reports that when there is nausea, forced vomiting may end the migraine attack in seconds), hypersensitivity to light, sound sensitivity, sensitivity to smell, taste changes, general feeling of cold and more.

Postdom phase – after the headache phase, the patient may feel fatigue, nausea, weakness and mood changes. Some patients report a feeling of joy after the attack, while some report of sleepiness and heaviness.

Factors

There are factors that are used to trigger the appearance of the attack. Triggers can be behavioral, environmental, hormonal and neural. These factors include:

1. Allergic reactions

2. Sensory stimulation such as exposure to strong odors, bright lights and loud noises

3. Stress

4. Changing sleep patterns

5. Smoking and exposure to smoke

6. Skipping meals and improper diet

7. Hormonal changes, taking birth control pills during menopause

8. Foods such as dairy products (especially cheese), smoked fish, figs, red wine, chocolate, nuts (especially peanuts), avocado, citrus fruits and foods that contain high amount of MSG

Often, it seems that the migraine attack occurs without specific cause. Therefore, it is suggested migraine patients will keep a viewing journal, which record the attack onset time, what happened at the moment of the attack, how long it lasted, the nature and location of pain, what caused it to disappear, what facilitated or exacerbated the pain, and thereby understand the pattern and nature of one’s migraine attack.

Diagnosis

to diagnose migraine, there is a specific criteria. It is used for migraine attacks without aura, using the principle of 1, 2,3,4,5.

- 5 or more attacks that had occurred

- Attack lasts between 4 hours to 3 days

-  The pain must manifest in two or more of the following: pain on one side of the head, throbbing pain, moderate or strong pain intensity

- The attack is accompanied by a symptom such as nausea and vomiting, aversion to light, aversion to noise or smell

Diagnosis of migraine is made by a neurologist, with additional laboratory tests and brain imaging.

Treatment

Beyond symptomatic treatment of pain, other treatment methods that address the pain and help reduce attacks frequency had been evolved. Quite a few patients have developed over the years a unique individual treatment method that can help dealing with migraine attacks. Here are some techniques:

1. wearing a stocking cap

2. Eating fresh garlic and onion during the attack

3. Cold sock method: before bedtime wet some socks, squeeze, and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and wear. On top of the wet socks wear a pair of dry socks. The cold sensation in the feet will draw blood from the head towards the feet

4. Number of patients, men and women alike, reported sexual activity significantly relieved headache

5. Consuming strong and much sweetened black coffee

6. Deliberate vomiting

not all the methods listed above work for everyone. Try to see if a particular method helps the specific case of the same patient. One of the important things in treating migraine is avoiding those foods mentioned above, in order to reduce the attack triggers.

Chinese medicine treatment of migraine consists of two principles. One is a symptomatic treatment during the attack, which may be through herbal formulas, methods of relaxation, pressing acupuncture points. The second principle is to prevent the attacks and reducing their frequency. Frequency of treatment varies between patients and depends on the condition.
Number of food additives had been demonstrated to help prevent migraine attacks and the relief of symptoms, including vitamin B12, vitamin B2, Co enzyme Q10, magnesium citrate, and chrysanthemum flowers. Consult with a trained therapist prior to taking dietary supplements.

Facial Paralysis is a symptom which is expressed in acute peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve (cranial nerve number VII), which cause to a deviation of the eye and mouth. The paralysis is characterized only in the facial area, and has no implications on the limbs, or other areas of the body.

The symptom can be caused by Bell's Palsy, a neural disorder which its main symptom is paralysis of the facial nerve, in addition to factors such as local trauma, brain tumors, outbreaks of Herpes Zoster (the herpes virus attacks the cranial nerves), and a stroke. Exposure to cold wind directly to the face can also cause to Facial paralysis.

The symptom manifestation varies between patients, and can last from several weeks to several years. Before the treatment, the practitioner must ensure that the reason for paralysis is known, and is not caused by injury, tumor, etc.. The patient must perform extensive neurological testing through a neurologist to determine an accurate diagnosis. In most cases which include facial paralysis, usually will be from Bell's palsy.

Western treatment is controversial, since there is insufficient data to determine whether the chances of recovery with Corticosteroids and Antiviral medication are higher than the chances of recovery without any medicinal treatment.

The Chinese medicine sees Facial Paralysis usually as a cold wind pathogen that causes stagnation of Qi in the facial area. Indeed, many outbreaks occur when the patient is exposed to extreme cold in the head and facial area (especially when the hair is wet).

Chinese medicine treatment includes acupuncture and herbal treatment used externally and internally. There is a very good prognosis only if the treatment is administered within 6 months from the first appearance of the symptom. To speed up the recovery, the frequency of treatments is higher than usual, at least 2 treatments per week.


If there is a season that describes a new beginning, changes and openness it is the spring. After the winter nap, which is the time for gathering, comes the openness of the spring, used as a transition phase before the summer heat. Spring is considered a period of change and new beginnings. It’s hard not to notice the blossoming and blooming at this time. Much like nature, we get renewed after the winter time.
The color green symbolizes spring, which according to the Five Phase theory in Chinese medicine coincides with the Wood Phase. The color green is soothing for the eyes (Who remember the green chalkboard at school?) and thus allows us to see things more clearly, at a new perspective.

Naturally, during the spring we eat little then the other seasons. Lighter daily menus mostly composite elements symbolizing the energy that breaks-out the winter gathering energy, like sprouts, fresh herbs and various greens, grains and cereal.  Spring time cooking process is simple and easy. There is no need of putting all the best stock pots for a long time as in winter.

Spring cooking purpose is to preserve the natural taste of the ingredients, so you should cook the food for a short time than usual but at a higher temperature. Stir-frying, blanching and scalding are the preferred cooking techniques.

Chinese Snow Peas with garlic and ginger

This recipe is especially suitable for the spring. At this time we are provided with the fresh garlic, before it dries up. It has reddish skin color, much more intense flavor and odor than the dry garlic. You can replace the Chinese snow pea with sword-beans or string-beans.

300 g Chinese peas (snow peas), rinsed clean

4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

1 part fresh ginger about 2 cm length, finely chopped

Atlantic Sea Salt

White roasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation:

In a large pot, boil big amount of water with a little salt. When the water reaches to a boil, put the peas carefully inside the pot for about minute, and  immediately transfer it to ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the peas and dry well. Heat up the oil in a Wok or in a big frying pan. When the oil starts to smoke a little, carefully put the peas, garlic and the ginger and stir-fry constantly. After about a minute remove from the heat and season with sea salt and olive oil. Decorate with sesame seeds.

Fennel salad with sprouts and dried cranberries

Most people don’t like the acrid and anisee taste of the fennel, however in this recipe, the fennel is cut to very thin strips and is soaked in ice water. Soaking the fennel make it to be more crisp and with a milder taste. Fennel strengthens and improves the digestive system function, absorbs gas and lowers cholesterol and fat levels in the blood.

2 fennel bulbs thinly sliced soaked in ice water for half an hour

1 package bean sprouts

1 cup of dried cranberries

Handful of rocket leaves (Arugula) washed and dried

Juice from 2 oranges

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Atlantic Sea Salt to taste

a pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Strain the fennel and let it dry. Pour the oil and orange juice into a glass jar, cover and shake well. Mix the fennel, sprouts, arugula leaves and 3 / 4 cup of cranberries and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce into the bowl and continue mixing until the sauce covers the vegetables. Place into a serving bowl and decorate with the remaining cranberries. Serve immediately.

Acne is an inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which appears mostly as red pimples with white head boil. The inflammation appears mainly in the face, chest and upper back areas. Acne mostly occurs during adolescence, but there are cases where it appears at the age of early 30’s.
There are several factors causing Acne including:
• Adolescence – hormonal activity at this age is awakening, like puberty and the beginning  of menstruation.
• Stress causes excessive secretion of the hormone Adrenaline, which contributes to the hormone imbalance.
• Increased consumption of dairy products – commercial cow’s milk unlike other dairy products is rich with hormones that may erode the hormonal balance in the body.
• Consumption of certain drugs such as Steroids.
• Irritation or itching of the skin which could result in inflammation.
Many products are sold to meet the problem of Acne, but they have not yet been proven scientifically. Usually the proper combination of chemical preparations gives the best answer. Some treatments have side effects, so you should consult a Dermatologist and take precaution while using them.
Some treatments available are:
Hormone therapy – as to women, pills contain the hormone Estrogen have been found to have a positive effect on Acne eruptions.
Natural soaps – soaps that contain vegetable oils and essential oils such as Lavender oil, Tea Tree oil, and Cypress oil, disinfect and soften the skin to reduce the quantity of eruptions. These soaps contain higher percentage of fat that helps preventing skin dehydration.
Drugs and medication – drugs such as ROACCUTANE have shown success in treating severe acne. Taking these drugs is always accompanied by supervision of a Dermatologist because it could drag severe side effects. In some cases the drug can damage the Liver, so it is accompanied with often blood tests during treatment. The drug can also cause birth defects during pregnancy, so the treatment is often forbidden for pregnant women, and sometimes accompanied by contraceptive pills for women who are not pregnant just in case.
Light Therapy – a relatively new treatment which radiates light in high intensity. The treatment lasts between 15-20 minutes, twice a week during four weeks period.
Prevention of deterioration – showering in very high temperature water, washing the face more than 2-3 times a day, bathing with soap that is too drying, all of these factors may worsen your acne. Explosion of the eruption causes wound pus material come into contact with the skin and may create an inflammatory response, and prolong the Acne.
Chinese medicine treatment is based on soothing the inflammation using Chinese herbs and acupuncture, as well as treating Acne factors like pressure and stress, hormonal imbalance and more.

Asthma ("wheezing" in Greek) or bronchial asthma is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by respiratory troubles. During asthma attacks, an over-reaction occurs in the airways. Respiratory muscles begin to shrink and cause the respiratory passages being thicker. Inflammatory response leads to rapid thickening of mucus which increasethe narrowing of the breathing passages.

There are a number of risk factors that can encourage the development of the disease. High risk factor is family history of the disease, or existing allergy. It has been found that the more one’s allergic, the risk of developing asthma disease is higher.

Since most allergy risk factors are domestic, research attention shifted to examine the relationship between the presence of those factors allergens and the development of asthma disease in children and infants. The studies have showed mixed findings. For example, house mite exposure reduce the allergic reaction caused by dust mites, and reduce disease risk in the development of asthma in children up to 8 years of age. However, it has been found that exposure to allergens like dogs and cats in the first year of life, reduces the likelihood of developing asthma disease. Inconsistency of research findings led to the development of thinking of other risk factors.

Hygiene hypothesis

Hygiene hypothesis holds that an increase in the development of asthma in children is caused by modern medicine's success in preventing infectious diseases among children. Studies have found that children growing up in less hygienic surroundings (large families, kindergartens and schools, etc.) are less likely to develop asthma during their adult life. Avoiding excessive exposure to infectious agents in childhood, is causing a lack of "strengthening of the immune system" and therefore increases the likelihood of developing allergic reactions and asthma.

Socio –Economic Status

Asthma disease is more common in populations with low socio-economic status. This population usually live in dense areas, close to industrial facilities with poor sanitary conditions. The presence of roaches and rodents, which is common in crowded living surroundings, is also considered as one of the causes developing asthma.

Factors

Asthma usually caused by a combination of genetic defects and environmental influences. Combination of factors will determine the acute disease and the responsiveness of different treatments. There are also numerous environmental factors that encourage the development of the disease, but few of the factors are considered significant.

Exposure to cigarette smoke, especially smoking during pregnancy can increase the development of the disease. In addition, exposure to poor air quality, due to air pollution or living in areas with high levels of ozone gas is also associated with the disease progression.

Caesarean Section born children may also develop asthma more than children born in a natural birth. Research shows that there is an increase of approximately 20% of asthma in children born by Caesarean section rather than natural birth children. One explanation is that during the transition of the baby through the vaginal canal, essential materials to the development of the baby's immune system are secreted from the mother, while during Caesarean Section the baby gets none of them. Caesarean section is considered to be simple and easier for the mother, and is more hygiene than natural birth. Increase in the development of asthma is explained by the hygiene hypothesis described above.

Stress had been long suspected as a trigger for asthma attacks. However, in recent years, it had been understood that not the pressure is causing the asthma attacks, but the pressure and stress factors reduce the resistance of the immune system to infections.

Antibiotics are also considered a possible cause of asthma. Prolonged use of antibiotics especially in early childhood affects the natural environment of the digestive system bacteria (good bacteria) and thus indirectly weakens the immune system. In developed countries where antibiotic use is high, it has been found that prevalence is increasing. According with the hygiene hypothesis, explanation of the phenomenon is that prolonged use of antibiotics prevents exposure to bacteria, which is essential to create immune modulation, which is important in the process of growth.

What is asthma in Chinese medicine?

Asthma disease is well known in the Chinese medicine. There are herbs and acupuncture points specially treating asthma symptoms. Such example is a acupoint called Ding Chuan ("arrest wheezing" in Chinese) which is located on the upper back, and is used to prevent and treat asthma attacks. Another example is the acupoint kongzui (“large opening” in Chinese) which is located on the forearm, and is used to open obstructions of the respiratory system. Herbs are also used to treat asthma attacks, like the Ginkgo Nut. This herb origins in China and Japan, and has been used for thousands of years in treating blockages of the respiratory system. The Ginko Nut strengthens the immune system, improves blood circulation, and also improves mental functioning.

Asthma treatment in Chinese medicine is divided into two, considering the disease’s stage. There is a treatment while the asthma occurs (the acute stage), and a treatment in the latent stage of the disease. Most treatments are based on prevention and relief of seizures, and so as cessation of drug dependence gradually with accordance with the doctor's decision.

Pain is an integral part of the body's warning system. Pain alerts and signals us where there is a problem, and the body's response against pathogens. Pain is considered to mark the fifth vital sign, among body temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate.Everybody have experienced pain for at least once in a lifetime. The pain can be physical, characterized by a sense of discomfort as a result of neural transmition from body tissues to the brain. The term also refers to pain and mental suffering, caused by damage to one’s personnal aspect. Often, emotional pain can lead to a sensation of physical pain, and vice versa. When we come to deal with pain, the therapist should test and find out the root for the problem, why it was expressed just then, and of course give a quick and efficient medical response, to make an improvement in the patient's lifestyle.

Pain is a subjective feeling which differs from person to person, so pain intensity measurement is made according to a scale, one of them is Wong's pain scale. This scale was used mainly for children, but now it  is used for the general population. Another scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, which includes 20 groups of words that describe different types of pain.

Group 1 Flickering, Pulsing, Quivering, Throbbing, Beating, Pounding

Group 2 Jumping, Flashing, Shooting

Group 3 Pricking, Boring, Drilling, Stabbing

Group 4 Sharp, Gritting, Lacerating

Group 5 Pinching, Pressing, Gnawing, Cramping, Crushing

The pain symptom has many faces and is different from patient to patient. The therapist has to extract  information about the type of pain to treat it fundamentally. Pain treatment may include a number of ways. The conventional way of treatment is non-narcotic analgesic use, such as the pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory NSAIDS or Non Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs. This group includes drugs as Aspirin, Nurofen, Volterne, and Advil. Drugs also treat inflammatory processes such as Arthritis, dental infections and therefore could handle the pain source indirectly. These drugs can cause damage to the lining of the stomach wall, so prolonged use should be avoided.

Chinese medicine treatment of pain includs Acupuncture treatment, herbs for external and internal use, magnets and massage therapy. Acupuncture causes secretion of endorphins, substances that are naturally active in the brain, causing mood improvement and relief of pain, like morphine (morphine endorphins are of the same chemical group). In China the treatment of pain disorder is very common, and most patients respond quickly to the treatment. To avoid further inconvenience to the patient, the treatment begins from a distant area of the pain. For example, Low Back Pain treatment will be treated first through acupuncuture points located on the extremities, and after a slight relief is achieved, the practitioner will place needles in the affected area. Another example is the treatment of Migraine headaches. Most who suffer from headaches and migraines cannot tolerate a stimulus on the head during a seizure, and therefore treatment is based on distant acupuncuture points. Another way of treatment is through hot compresses of herbs. Since ancient times the Sages knew the properties of various herbs and used them daily, like bathing in a warm bath scented with Bay Leaves and lemon Grass is effective for treating Low Back Pain,  which is relaxing the muscles and reducing inflammation. Also chewing Basil leaves is effective for toothache.

What is the ideal way to cook eggs? How to cook vegetables and keep their color? How to derive maximum taste from different food products?

In recent years, there is growing interest among cooks and chefs to understand the chemical and physical processes affecting the food during its preparation, and to use it to make more accurate and creative dishes. For more than a decade ago, the restaurant El Bulli which is located in Costa Brava Spain and serving food on the basis of molecular cuisine broke into our minds and consciousness. The restaurant is working  for 6 months of  a year, and in the remaining 6 months the kitchen staff researches and examines various processes that affect the food in labs . Head Chef and owner Fran Adria's findings and discoveries caused a slight turbulence among the Classical Kitchen devotees, as he broke axioms that were in the heart of the kitchen. For example, one of the problems preparing whole roasted chicken is that the chicken breasts often come out dry and unsucculent. The reason for that is the difference in the heat conductivity between chicken pieces. Adria's solution is to roast the chicken at low temperature (about 60°C/140°F) for 3-4 hours. If you're a little impatient, or just in lack of time you can place a tray full of hot water at the bottom of the oven, the steam will moist the chicken and keep it out of drying.

The book "On food and cooking: the science and lore of the kitchen" by Harold Mcgee provides information about various food components (vegetables, fruits, grains and beans, spices, meat of all kinds, etc.) to a scientific understanding of their preparation. The book reviews the use of food components alongside scientific explanations of the chemical and physical processes that occur during food preparation. In addition, the book explains the Biological processes occurring in the body as the food is digested. Inside the book you will find many facts about food, including the source of words that describe the various types of food. For example, the English word for salt comes from the old French word for soldier (Saltier), as in the old days it was customary to pay the soldiers with salt. The book surveys the various cooking methods among frying, cooking, baking, roasting, steaming, pickling, etc., showing the advantages and disadvantages of each method.