Strength24 in the Acupuncture Clinic by Dr. Lyle Wilson, Dipl. Ac., MQT

Strength24 is a marvelously diverse supplement which utilizes a highly concentrated form of jasmine flower extract as its key ingredient.  This is a whole flower extract standardized to methyl jasmonate concentration for dosing consistency.  In this article, I will briefly explore jasmine flower and its properties from both Oriental and Occidental perspectives.

Jasmine flowers and their extracts are classically understood to regulate qi and calm the spirit, and to treat qi stagnation. They are considered sweet and warm, enter through the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver, and are then distributed throughout all regions and tissues via the Luo network. Jasmine has the tonic effect of replenishing qi and blood.

Let’s look at those attributes from a Western mindset:  First, some background.  Jasmones and jasmonates have been proven in many studies to stimulate the expression of two categories of calcium regulation enzymes called calcium ATPases.  One type resides in the cell membrane and is called Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase (PMCA).  These enzymes are responsible for moving excess calcium ions out of the cell. The second type is Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA).  This second type resides inside the cells and is responsible for moving calcium from the cytoplasm back into storage vesicles.

Our bodies use the double plus charge of the calcium ion (Ca++) as a messenger to trigger work in the cells.  When cells receive a signal from the nervous system to perform work, calcium ions are dumped into the cytoplasm from outside the cells and also from storage vesicles inside the cells.  When the signal stops, it is these important calcium regulating enzymes that return the cell to its resting state by moving calcium out of the cytoplasm.

An insufficiency of either or both of these enzymes in the cell translates into an inability for the cell to flow work product, i.e. qi stagnation.

I’ll use a skeletal muscle fiber contraction as an example of how this regulation works in every cell in our bodies.  When the nervous system sends a signal to a muscle to contract, it triggers the opening of calcium channels in the cell membrane to allow large quantities of calcium ions into the cytoplasm from outside the cell, and also triggers the opening of sarcoplasmic reticulum storage vesicles to release more calcium. Individual calcium ions attach to receptor sites on troponin which exposes the receptor sites on the actin filament, leading to the action/myosin interaction and the fiber contraction.  When the nerve signal stops, calcium ATPase must remove the calcium ions from the troponin receptor sites in order for the muscle fiber contraction to relax and return to its pre-contraction length.  If there are not enough calcium ATPase enzymes available to remove all of the calcium ions, the muscle will stay in a state of partial contraction, leading to fatigue and imbalance.  This regulatory system works in essentially the same fashion regardless of cell type – whether it is a muscle contraction or a hormone or a neurotransmitter being produced.  When cells cannot completely relax between work sessions, fatigue and stagnation ensue, which lead to premature aging and early cell death.

I have had many acupuncturists and herbalists tell me that while qi regulation and the improvement of qi stagnation are attributes of jasmine flower, the effects of a jasmine tea are quite mild and there are other more potent herbs in the formulary to support such changes.  I agree.

It is important to be aware that the concentration of the jasmine flower extract used in Strength24 is the dose equivalent of drinking 1000 cups of jasmine tea, and therefore possesses the ability to beneficially support qi regulation and improve qi stagnation in a consistent and measurable way.  Multiple studies show support for improvement of cardiac function, sugar metabolism, mood regulation, sleep regulation, bladder function, skeletal muscle strength, recovery after exercise, and more.  Functional improvements in these various organs and tissues and systems as they are characterized in Western terms, all arise from optimal qi flow.

Many of your colleagues around the country and the world use Strength24 in their practices and I will encourage you to do so as well. I will be delighted to answer any questions you may have via email at drlyle.bhs@comcast.net or by phone at 214-546-4427.

Dr. Lyle Wilson, Dipl. Ac., MQT

President of Broady Health Sciences, LLC

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