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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Tazo Tea, acupuncture, homeopathy	Christina	Thursday, July 24, 2008
Question: Pax Christi! 1. I have read your explanation of the incompatibility of acupuncture with Catholicism, and also the Holy See document "Jesus Christ Bearer of the Water of Life". When I encounter resistance, the typical line is that the Asians have been using this method for thousands of years. My only comeback is that the occult has also been around for thousands of years. Therefore, can you help me on how to answer this fact that these are medicinal methods used by the Asian people. If it never healed them, then it would have died out centuries ago. 2. I am having trouble with homeopathy, because it seems similar to the actions of vaccinations. I have used it in the past at the onset of the flu, and it went away quickly. 3. For you and your viewers: I listened to an interview of the person responsible for "Tazo Tea" - sold at Starbucks and supermarkets - and he mentioned that the tea leaves purchased in India are blessed by a Shaman. I would not drink anything blessed by the occult. Thanks and blessings, Christina
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Christina: Sorry for the delay. 1. Acupuncture has been studied scientifically. It has been found useful in pain control, but not in much else. Even then, traditional pain killers are just as effective and even moreso than acupuncture. It is interesting to note that Chinese surgeons, in China, do not always use acupuncture in their practice. Acupuncture is based upon the idea of energy in the body that flows through "meridians." What acupuncture is suppose to do is to remove blockages (that cause disease) in this "flow". When that happens the person is suppose to get well. The idea is also to balance the energy within the body with the energy of the universe. This is the Yin/Yang dynamics. All this is hogwash. There is no evidence of meridians and this "flow" through them that affects health. What acupressure may do is stimulate endorphins and other chemicals in the body that have healing functions. But the claims of major healings of everything from cancer to whatever has never been substantiated. We can also not neglect the power of the placebo effect. Bottomline, is it the acupuncture or something else that may facilitate healing? One a properly conducted scientific study can determine that. Those studies have not shown the great healing powers of acupuncture itself. Studies would also have to be conducted in China as to how many people are ACTUALLY healed as oppose to those who only claim to be healed. This is the same with so-called Faith Healers. Just because they say people are healed doesn't make it so.... yet people flock to these faith healers even when they have been proven a fraud. Even if acupuncture had no effect at all, it would still flourish and be used. 2. The use of herbs can have medicinal effects. Many drugs are derived from herbs. The problem is that when buying these substances from a Health Food Store or Herbal Store we cannot be for certain what the potency might be or the quality of the herb. Also, taking certain combinations of herbs, or combinations of herb and medicines can be poisonous. One needs to know what they are doing. 3. I would agree. If the tea leaves of this tea are blessed by shamans it is best to avoid it. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Tazo Tea, acupuncture, homeopathy

Christina

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Question:

Pax Christi!

1. I have read your explanation of the incompatibility of acupuncture with Catholicism, and also the Holy See document "Jesus Christ Bearer of the Water of Life".

When I encounter resistance, the typical line is that the Asians have been using this method for thousands of years. My only comeback is that the occult has also been around for thousands of years.

Therefore, can you help me on how to answer this fact that these are medicinal methods used by the Asian people. If it never healed them, then it would have died out centuries ago.

2. I am having trouble with homeopathy, because it seems similar to the actions of vaccinations. I have used it in the past at the onset of the flu, and it went away quickly.

3. For you and your viewers: I listened to an interview of the person responsible for "Tazo Tea" - sold at Starbucks and supermarkets - and he mentioned that the tea leaves purchased in India are blessed by a Shaman. I would not drink anything blessed by the occult.

Thanks and blessings,
Christina

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Christina:

Sorry for the delay.

1. Acupuncture has been studied scientifically. It has been found useful in pain control, but not in much else. Even then, traditional pain killers are just as effective and even moreso than acupuncture. It is interesting to note that Chinese surgeons, in China, do not always use acupuncture in their practice.

Acupuncture is based upon the idea of energy in the body that flows through "meridians." What acupuncture is suppose to do is to remove blockages (that cause disease) in this "flow". When that happens the person is suppose to get well. The idea is also to balance the energy within the body with the energy of the universe. This is the Yin/Yang dynamics.

All this is hogwash. There is no evidence of meridians and this "flow" through them that affects health.

What acupressure may do is stimulate endorphins and other chemicals in the body that have healing functions. But the claims of major healings of everything from cancer to whatever has never been substantiated.

We can also not neglect the power of the placebo effect.

Bottomline, is it the acupuncture or something else that may facilitate healing? One a properly conducted scientific study can determine that. Those studies have not shown the great healing powers of acupuncture itself.

Studies would also have to be conducted in China as to how many people are ACTUALLY healed as oppose to those who only claim to be healed.

This is the same with so-called Faith Healers. Just because they say people are healed doesn't make it so.... yet people flock to these faith healers even when they have been proven a fraud.

Even if acupuncture had no effect at all, it would still flourish and be used.

2. The use of herbs can have medicinal effects. Many drugs are derived from herbs. The problem is that when buying these substances from a Health Food Store or Herbal Store we cannot be for certain what the potency might be or the quality of the herb.

Also, taking certain combinations of herbs, or combinations of herb and medicines can be poisonous. One needs to know what they are doing.

3. I would agree. If the tea leaves of this tea are blessed by shamans it is best to avoid it.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum