The function of laterality, the alteration in normal brain asymmetry in cerebral functions and control of neuroendocrine activity, has become more clear in recent years. Behavior and perceptual efficiency are related to a decelerating heart rate and the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, interactions which are lateralized to the right hemisphere. The relationship between handedness and laterality is not absolute, while stress is correlated to hand preference. The two cerebral hemispheres are asymmetric in their regulation of the response to stress. The right hemisphere activates sympathetic outflow, and the left hemisphere increases the parasympathetic response. A lack of laterality between the right and left hemispheres can result in both psychological and physical illness. Laterality should be determined in patients prior to treatment of illness. Objective assessment of the autonomic response to laterality in various conditions is important in choosing appropriate treatment and assessing results. We have proposed a method for examining peripheral blood flow distribution to assess the laterality of the autonomic response. Handedness must be taken into account when blood flow distribution is assessed in patients for early diagnosis of cardiovascular pathologies, since left and right handed patiients may react differently to mental or physical stress. Our preliminary data confirm that average blood flow distribution at rest is directly related to handedness.


IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE
Noah Samuels, M.D.
Shoresh Medical Center, P.O.B. 28048, Jerusalem, Israel

Acupuncture has been found to have significant immunomodulatory effects, both in animal and human studies, with clinical implications. In animals, acupuncture has been found to increase pituitary secretion of ACTH as well as beta-endorphins, resulting in enhanced NK cell activity, increased levels of interferon gamma and interleukin-2. Acupuncture also suppresses delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to injected allergens, as well as enhancing T -helper cell activity. Human studies have found similar immunomodulatory effects, with alleviation of immune-mediated illness such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and urticaria.

A COMPARISON OF AURICULODIAGNOSTIC POINTS IN MAN AND THE DOG
Jan Still, Prof. DVM
P O Box 612 Witkoppen 2068
Johannesburg, South Africa

Auriculodiagnostic points situated on the inner (concave) surface of the external auricle can be described as pressure-sensitive areas. Numerous points corresponding to various body parts and functions have been described in the relevant medical literature. The purpose of this paper is to compare the data in humans with the available clinically and experimentally tested data in dogs. The following auriculodiagnostic points/areas have been described by this author in the canine species: stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas, sexual organs and urinary bladder, heart and lungs, as well as functional points for cutaneous pruritus (allergy) and acute conjunctivitis, front and rear limb, stifle (knee), hip and shoulder joint, as well as fore and front paws. The location of the sites in the dog is compared to their location in man. Inter-species differences in anatomy of the ear and location of the auriculodiagnostic points/zones are discussed.

USE OF COLOURED STONES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FUNCTION OF THE THREE TISSUE LAYERS IN AURICULAR MEDICINE
S.W. Hofman MD
Gouda, The Netherlands

Upon increasing pressure, using the VAS, Nogier found three different reaction types of the skin, and named these: reactions of the superficial, middle and deep tissue layers. Originally these were found in the ear, and, according to the Nogier school, these layers represent different somatotopies. Since then different color reactions have come into use to differentiate between layers and investigate their functions. It has become evident that these layers can function in a more hyper- or hypo-active state, or show a blockade. Instead of using pressure or colors (by means of filters or a beam of light), the author found the use of stones (semi-precious, colored stones) practical for the examination of these layers. Those stones have shown more or less specificity for the different states (hyper- c.q. hypo-active) of these three layers. In the experience if this author there exists an intimate relationship between the layers and the three bodies in the subtle anatomy of yoga science, where a difference is made between shiva-dominated (yin) and shakti-dominated condition (yang), and energy-flow through the channels. Making use of the stones is convenient for the examination of flow disturbances as well as local disturbances. Predominance or fixation usually indicates pathology. There is a fluent ovoid around the body and the ears, at whose top and bottom the three bodies are intermingled. It is here that we find the main inflow and outflow structures of the two energies, which in yoga are named bindus. These two bindus are useful for global testing (for example: medication), the upper bindu, where in yoga atma-vidya influx of shiva-energy and outflow of shakti-energy is projected, has been found and is used in the color therapy of Jean-Luc Vigneron.

The detection of impaired energy circulation can easily be done (with little knowledge of the subtle yoga anatomy) at roughly the central and more peripheral channels, as well around the body as near the ears. The stones used for the superficial layer are green chrysocoll, which detects yang condition, and red spinel for the yin condition. These relate to the physical body in yoga. For the middle layer the yellow sapphire and the blue aquamarine are used for yang and yin respectively. These relate to the mental body in yoga, which is for our techniques an important artifact or conditioning related to psychology (comparable to obsession and depression respectively). The deep layer is examined with green emerald and red ruby, and relates to the causal body. In the subtle anatomy of yoga these six conditions are called annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vijnanamaya kosha, anandamaya kosha, and hiranyamaya kosha. The Kodak-Wratten filters used in the luminous detector for similar detection are 58/25, 21/44 and 65a/24 respectively. To detect insulated zones where the energy flow is impeded, one can use the green tourmaline; comparable to the Lee color filters 013 and 322 combined, as used in the color system of Jean-Luc Vigneron. In the meticulously elaborated techniques by Gerard Fiches, who uses the sounds of stones for his examinations and treatment, the stones mentioned above can be used sous couverture. One can make use of black and white, or rather coal and diamond, for the detection of the shiva (yin) and shakti (yang) energies.

CHASTETREE FRUIT FOR FEMALE DISORDERS
Sigrun Chrubasik, MD, PhD
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg
Albertstr. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany

Used by the ancient Greeks, chastetree fruit (Agni casti fructus) has, over the past five decades, undergone extensive research which has shed some light on the mechanism and therapeutic benefits for gynecological complaints. The medication consists of either the whole or powdered fresh or dried mature fruits of Vitex agnus castus with no less than 0.1% casticin. For the treatment of irregular menses and premenstrual complaints such as mastodynia, the Commission E monograph recommends aqueous-alcoholic extracts (50-70%), corresponding to 30-40 mg of the drug (1). Recently, it was suggested that doses of up to 240 mg crude drug per day 2 are effective for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

The flavonoid casticin may be the active compound of the extract, while lipophilic labdane diterpenes have been identified as co-active compounds. Presently it is still unknown if hydrophilic compounds, such as the iridoid glycosides agnusid or aucubin contribute to the active properties of the drug. If the amount of crude drug per daily dosage is not listed, stated, treatment with Vitex agnus castus preparations may lead to unpredictable effects. Results of clinical studies with particular extracts cannot be extrapolated to other preparations. This is because the total amount of effective compounds in the product is dependent on the origin of the plant, its qualitative and quantitative spectrum of co-active compounds, as well as the extraction and manufacturing procedures employed. PMS can be characterized by both psychological and somatic symptoms such as depressive mood, nervousness, irritability, anxiety, confusion and social withdrawal, breast tenderness (mastalgia), abdominal bloating, fatigue and headache, all presenting during 8 to 10 days prior to the onset of menstrual bleeding. A number of exploratory and two confirmatory clinical studies have shown the clinical effectiveness of chastree fruit preparations in the treatment of PMS (2). Chastetree fruit extracts (ranging from 40 to 240 mg crude drug per day) were used in the GCP-compliant studies on PMS. Mastodynia, often a part of PMS, especially in pre-me-nopausal women, has been found to be alleviated by the use of a proprietary chastetree preparation equivalent to 32.4 mg crude drug per day (2).  A number of exploratory (3) studies have found that menstrual cycle abnormalities can be reversed by daily consumption of chastetree fruit preparations. Two confirmatory clinical studies (3) support the use of the proprietary chastetree fruit preparations in luteal insufficiency and amenorrhea (extracts equivalent to 20 – 40 mg crude drug). A fertility-promoting effect of chastetree fruit has been supported in a number of studies, but more research is required to confirm this. Gynecological complaints may be associated with latent hyperprolactinemia, which often becomes manifest at the end of the cycle. Moderate elevation and relatively high levels of estrogen are frequently found in patients suffering from mastalgia. High prolactin levels may result in anovulation, corpus luteum insufficiency, oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea. The rational basis of the effectiveness of chastetree fruit is its interaction with elevated prolactin levels (3). Its impact on the release of other hormones such as progesterone, estradiol, FSH and LH, remains to be seen. In vitro studies using pituitary cell cultures and studies in rodents confirm the chastetree fruit effect on prolactin release. However, a non-dopaminergic effect (4) (mainly interaction with opioid receptor sites) may also be involved in the chastetree fruit effect mechanism and may correspond to the clinical efficacy, while the dopaminergic and opioid effects could explain the alleviation of some of the PMS complaints. The overall mechanism of the chastetree fruit action has yet to be fully understood. Serious adverse events have not occurred during treatment with chastetree fruit preparations when used for periods lasting more than several months (2). The mose common toxic effects are gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, allergic skin reactions, headache, fatigue, and hormone-related symptoms such as alterations in the menstrual cycle and bleeding pattern, mastalgia, and bloating. There is a general consensus that chastetree fruit preparations (as prolactin inhibitors) should not be used during pregnancy or lactation (due to inhibition of prolactin release). Concomitant use of dopamine receptor antagonists may decrease the effectiveness of chastetree fruit preparations, and the potentiation of co-administered dopaminergic agonists may occur. Interaction with opioid receptors may also occur. In cases of tension and swelling of breasts and disturbanced menses, a physician should be consulted regarding decisions on continuation of treatment. Preclinical safety data have shown a very low toxic response in rodents during acute, subacute and chronic tests (5), as well as with genetic toxicity, but complete data regarding the safety of this fruit still to be concluded.