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Meridian Institute News
RESEARCHING THE SPIRIT-MIND-BODY CONNECTION |
In this issue:
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The Abdominal
Brain and Enteric Nervous System
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Conventional medical
treatment for neurological disorders such as epilepsy, migraine, and autism
focuses on the brain. Although standard medical treatment is often
helpful, the underlying causes of these disorders are not well understood.
Furthermore, some individuals respond poorly, or not all to regular medicine.
Evidence is accumulating in the medical literature
that the enteric nervous system (ENS) - that part of the nervous system
associated with the alimentary canal - also plays a role in these disorders.
With the publication of an article titled "The Abdominal Brain and Enteric
Nervous System" in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
(Vol. 5, No. 6, December, 1999) Meridian Institute staff have accessed
varied sources in documenting the role of the peripheral nervous system
in certain neurological disorders.
Historically, the concept of an autonomous
abdominal nervous system was advocated by Byron Robinson, Johannis Langley,
and Edgar Cayce. In the journal article, the work of these three
prominent historical figures is considered along with modern viewpoints
on the abdominal nervous system. The article also discusses complementary
therapies that address the nervous system of the abdomen as adjuncts to
conventional treatment for these disorders. |
Figure 33 from The
Abdominal and Pelvic Brain (1907) by Byron Robinson, M.D.
Robinson's massive work on the peripheral nervous system consists of 670
pages and 207 detailed drawings such as the one shown above. This
text is cited repeatedly in the article and is contained in its entirety
in the Meridian Institute "Electronic Library." |
Readers interested in the Cayce information will be
glad to hear that with the publication of the "The Adominal Brain and Enteric
Nervous System," Edgar Cayce will for the first time register as a search
phrase in Medline, the primary medical database. The article is available
on the Meridian Institute website (http://www.meridianinstitute.com/ceu/ceu12abd.html).
THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
Scholarly research is the first step in any research
project. It is essential to do a thorough literature review that
covers historical and current information on the selected topic.
A comprehensive literature review ensures that all relevant materials are
considered prior to engaging in more resource-intensive research such as
basic and clinical research projects. The article described above
is an excellent example of scholarly research involving historical sources
(such as old medical and osteopathic texts), the Cayce readings, and the
modern medical literature. In parallel with the scholarly research,
Meridian Institute has also engaged in basic research (measuring
the effects of manual therapy on the peripheral nervous system) and clinical
research on migraine.
To facilitate the scholarly aspect of research into
the Cayce health information, Meridian Institute has established an online
"Electronic Library" program. The Electronic
Library is located on the Meridian Institute website and contains thousands
of pages of historical texts from the literatures of manual therapy (primarily
osteopathy), botanical medicine (classic herbal texts) and energy medicine.
Presently, the primary collections include:
We will continue to add selections to these collections.
We are especially interested in texts or articles in the fields listed
above but are also considering collections for hydrotherapy, diet/nutrition,
mind-body healing and spiritual healing.
Here is how you can help:
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Donate materials if you have access to texts or articles over 75 years
old that are related to the Cayce health information.
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Donate time transferring the text into electronic format. Some of
the more legible texts can be scanned into the computer. Meridian
Institute can do the scanning. Certain texts (due to age or poor
reproduction quality) must be typed in manually.
Once the texts are put into electronic format, they
can easily be uploaded to the Electronic Library where they are available
to anyone in the world seeking such information. Thus far we have
had assistance from three individuals who have contributed time and energy
in typing in old texts. We especially appreciate the donations of
numerous old medical texts from James Baker, DC, including Robinson's invaluable
book on The Abdominal
and Pelvic Brain. Please contact Meridian Institute if you
can contribute in any way to this important program.
MEIN
AND MCMILLIN TALK AT AHMA CONFERENCE
Eric Mein, MD and David McMillin,
MA presented a paper titled "Cayce Primer and Update" at the American Holistic
Medical Association [AHMA] 23rd Annual Scientific Conference in Tucson,
Arizona on June 3, 2000. The talk focused on the principles and techniques
of the Cayce holistic approach with regard to common illnesses (migraine,
psoriasis and asthma) and the research programs undertaken by Meridian
Institute. Three types of research (scholarly, basic science and
clinical) were described using examples from the numerous Meridian Institute
projects. The entire paper
is currently available on the Meridian Institute website. An audio
excerpt from the presentation is also available on the website. |
Dr. Mein presenting at the
AHMA Conference in Tucson, Arizona.
(photo credit: Naoko Mitsuda)
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AMERICAN (YELLOW)
SAFFRON TEA THERAPY
Carl Nelson, DC relates the following anecdotes on
the use of American (yellow)
saffron tea.
"Saffron tea is mentioned frequently in the readings
as a healing agent for an irritated gastrointestinal tract, probably most
frequently as a healing influence for the 'leaky gut syndrome' associated
with skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. The saffron in
the readings, it should be emphasized, is American saffron, Latin name
Carthamus tinctorious, also known as safflower, not to be confused with
Spanish saffron [Crocus sativa], also known as the world's most expensive
spice.
"My first experience with saffron came a number of
years ago when I was diagnosed with an ulcer. I tried it out of desperation
and found that it was more effective than any other over the counter remedies
in relieving the gnawing pain and discomfort of the ulcer. Since
then I've recommended it as an adjunct to other approaches in dealing with
gastrointestinal disorders and it has been valuable.
"A few years ago I had as a patient a woman in her
late twenties who'd suffered from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
since adolescence, had undergone multiple surgeries to repair complications
of the condition, and who continued to be plagued by recurrences of the
colitis. In addition to other recommendations I strongly emphasized
the value of saffron tea prior to each meal on an empty stomach.
I saw her with decreasing frequency over the next few months as she improved
and was absolutely floored when after five months she informed me that
her liver spots, brown discolorations over her extremities, had totally
disappeared as a result of using the tea. I wasn't using the tea
at the time but began to drink a cup first thing in the morning to see
if it would make any difference in some brown spots which had begun to
appear on the backs of my hands and was most pleased to watch them recede
and disappear over the next year or so. Needless to say I have continued
to quaff a cup daily as a type of healer and purifier.
"Saffron's not a panacea but from these experiences
I think many people would benefit from its use, perhaps in other unexpected
ways."
STRUCTURED TREATMENT
INTERRUPTIONS
Edgar Cayce often recommended that therapies be taken
in cycles to enhance efficacy. The idea behind this strategy is that
the body is able to rest and re-establish equilibrium during the absence
from treatment. This concept has recently received attention in the
medical literature under the designation of "structured treatment interruptions"
for HIV patients.
Preliminary evidence suggests that repeated treatment
interruptions can strengthen some people's immune response to HIV.
In a letter published in Lancet, Lori et al. noted, "Structured treatment
interruptions progressively lowered the rate of viral rebound in some HIV-1
infected patients. This approach should be explored as an alternative to
continuous antiretroviral therapies." (Lori et al., 2000)
Christensen's useful summary of studies on this topic
points out that "repeatedly exposing a patient to rebounds of virus sensitizes
the person's immune system, just as repeated booster does of vaccines protect
healthy people against disease." Structured treatment interruptions
also give the body a break from the significant side-effects of the anti-HIV
therapies. "As long as interruptions prove feasible and safe, patients
might benefit physically and emotionally by taking a break from their exhausting
drug regimens, says Anthony S. Fauci of the National Institutes of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, MD. 'In and of itself, this
would be an important advance,' he says." (Christensen, 2000)
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Wayne Emley for calling our attention
to this research.
References
Christensen D. Taking a Break: Can Interrupting Their
Treatment Benefit HIV-infected People? Science News 2000. Apr 15;157:248-249.
Lori et al. Structured treatment interruptions
to control HIV-1 infection [letter]. Lancet 2000. Jan 22;355(9200):287-8.
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