Currently I am treating a charming patient who's is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This beautiful woman has all the elegance and refined standing that doesn't deserve to be cut down by this demyelinating disease of the nerves.
With acupuncture we are treating various signs and symptoms of pins and needles, numbness and headache and she's getting a lot of relief.
Today she told me her doctor was suggesting she take a medication called Gilenya. She has to be monitored in hospital for 6 hours after initial dose.
I did some research and it is based on the well known Chinese medicine herb Cordyceps Sinensis. It is derived from the myriocin metabolite of the fungus Isaria Sincalairii. Isaria Sincalairii is a fungus which attacks insects. The larvae typically die just beneath the soil surface, and the fungus produces white tufts which grow up from the soil and release powdery white spores. The scientific name changes according to the cycle of the fungus transformation but it is a species related to Ophiocordyceps Sinesis which is the well known cordyceps herb or Dōng chóng xià cǎo.
Info on Gilenya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingolimod
Info on Cordyceps http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_sinensis
We may start to use the herb directly for its well known historical health and longevity effects.
