MARCH 22, 2018 APITHERAPY

Do you know about apitherapy ? Apitherapy is the use of substances from honeybees to relive various medical conditions. Some practices use honey, royal jelly , propolis and even bee venom. This can be accomplished by using been venom from a live bee or injected bee venom from Canada. 

Unfortunately conventional doctors and journal misrepresent live bee acupuncture. In an article in the Post -" A bee is positioned over a relevant potion on a patient's body and its head is squeezed repeatedly until the stinger comes out. " The stinger is inserted into the skin , the venom is released and the bees dies. " This is NOT the way it is done. 

The statement above is a lie. I do not nor does any bee apitherapist squeeze the bee's head. Nor do people die. I have been doing apitherapy for more than a decade with no adverse reactions reported nor NO deaths from bee venom therapy.

There are reported benefits to apitherapy for many conditions. It is written about and published. Those physicians and health care professionals with narrow minds should sit down and read and learn from modalities that have been used for hundreds of years instead of finding a reason to crucify them

A course in apitherapy is offered by the American Apitherapy Society (www.apitherapy.org ) is offered every one to two years int he Uited States. For the last two years it has been done in Redondo Beach CA  In 2018, the AAS Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course will be offered in the Northeast

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 20, 2018 RAVINTSARA

This is not a common plant that is discussed  Ravensara aromatica is a member of the Lauraceae family, and originates in Madagascar.

It is rich in the compound  1,8 cineole which has very potent anti inflammatory properties. On reading about this herb, it also has anti bacterial properties. It can be used for lung function and airway improvement with thyme, boswellia, myrtle and eucalyptus.

Do not confuse this with the essential oil of this plant useful in aromatherapy. You must read to get the correct species of plant with the active component. 

Ravintsara essential oil is actually derived from the Cinnamomum camphora tree which is a native of Madagascar. This species of tree is quite different from the Asian camphor species and its leaves have a very different chemical composition. It has a very high level of 1,8 cineole eucalyptol which is the chemical that gives its distinctive, penetrating aroma to the eucalyptus oils.

Ravensara on the other hand has only 5% 1.8 cineole compared to the 50% found in ravintsara and is distilled from the bark of a different tree species

All are not the same

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 21, 2018 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease ( CVD) is still the number one cause of death in the United States,  There are 47.8 million women are  affected by CVD whereas 3.4 million women affected with breast cancer. 

According to the AHA ( American Heart Association ), the current treatment for breast cancer negatively affects CVD health and lead to CVD. These CVD include heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction.

While the cancer treatments have prolonged lives and even saved lives,  the side effects from these treatments can impact the heart

Another interesting topic is the fact that patients with migraine had an increased risk for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction ( heart attacks ) , venous thromboembolism ( deep vein thrombosis) and arrhythmias as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter  A Danish study at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark looked at this data

Until tomorrow....

MARCH 19, 2018 BREATHING HERBS

Breathing is part of normal life- we do it about 20,000 times per day. Sometimes we each might have a difficult time breathing , This can be due to a number of conditions--Asthma being one of those reasons. It cam be environmental like pollution  or from allergies or even the common cold

One herb, Boswellia is a powerhouse herb for the lungs. It has anti inflammatory effects as it inhibits  an enzyme 5- lipoxygenase ( 5 -LOX) The active component in Boswellia is an acid known as AKBA.  You must pick a boswellia that has the acid AKBA.

Studies have shown that Boswellia in the amounts of 300 mg three times a day improved respiratory symptom s from 70 % to 27 % compared to placebo

Boswellia inhibits the action of mast cells which is the type of white cell responsible for histamine release, thus inhibiting  histamine  . Remember that histamine is responsible for the sneezing, irritation , congestion and watery eyes. I like to combine boswellia with thyme and myrtle.

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 17-18, 2018 HERBS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

There are few herbs that I discuss for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These days I discuss the benefits of bee venom.  There was a twelve month study using Andrographis ( Andrographis paniculata) on relapse rate and fatigue in relapsing remitting MS patients receiving interferon beta.

This herb has shown to be anti inflammatory and neuro protective in animal models. It also has an anti fatigue effects in other autoimmune diseases.

It is a small study group.  Compared to the placebo group those with andrographis and interferon showed a 44 % reduction in fatigue in a 12 month period. This shows great potential

More studies must be done.

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 16, 2018 TITANIUM OXIDE

Many food products contain titanium oxide. A study at the University of Arizona concluded that 89 common food products  contain titanium oxide. This is bad for you. It does not allow the small intestines to absorb. This is another reason you may have ' leaky gut' There are many reasons for leaky gut. Some of the common ones I encounter are lack of food rotation, heavy metals, chronic infection, and yeast . 

Titanium oxide is another cause of leaky gut interfering with the small intestine's ability to absorb.. It is postulated that the titanium decrease the microvilli on the surface of the intestinal cells slowing down absorption. While you lower absorption to interfere  especially with the absorption of zinc,  iron and fatty acids

All leads to inflammation. Inflammation is the cause of chronic disease.

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 15, 2018 DMAE

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a substance naturally produced in small amounts in the brain I learned about this supplement when working with the late Robert Atkins, MD He mentioned this supplement in his book " Vitanutrient Solution " He was known as a diet doctor, yet you must remember he was a cardiologist. This book is unique.

DMAE supplements are promoted to boost brainpower, improve memory, and slow aging. The idea that DMAE can improve memory stems from research suggesting it may increase levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is believed to play an important role in learning and memory

I utilize this supplement as a 250 mg capsule twice a day. I have found it effective in removing brown age spots if used as a cream. Yet this data has not been substantiated. 

If you don't want to take the supplement, you can get DMAE in anchoves and sardines. 

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 14, 2018 HERBAL STEAMS

 This simple self-care practice is a wonderful addition to any skin care routine.

Facial steaming opens up your pores and using herbs and flowers in the water nourishes and tones your skin. Adding the plants to the hot water releases their nutrient-rich aromatic oils you haven't tried a herbal steam you have missed the benefits of something wonderful

I have two new products, Herbal Steams  by Botanical Bounty - BREATHE and SERENE

The Breathe Steam contains herbs like Nettle Leaf ( Urtica dioica) and Eucalyptis  while SERENE contains Skullcap ( Scutellaria) and Lemon Balm ( Melissa ) and other herbs

BENEFITS OF HERBAL STEAMS: 

STEAMS hydrate. Steam is hydrating for your skin and great for increasing permeability. The moist heat revives tired skin and supports the absorption of moisture from your skin care products, increasing your skin's suppleness.

STEAMS  cleanse. Warm steam softens the surface of your skin to remove impurities, bacteria and dirt from your pores. It also draws out buildup, softening blackhead and whitehead plugs so they gently release from the skin.

STEAMS promote healthy circulation. Increasing your perspiration helps your skin's blood vessels to dilate, improving blood flow. The blood feeds and oxygenates the skin. Good circulation is key to a healthy complexion.

STEAMS calm. Steaming instantly connects you to your breath, and the aromatherapy is relaxing and soothing to body and mind.

STEAMS  will give you a glow. The boost in circulation and blast of hydration to the surface of your skin will leave you with a beautiful, healthy glow.

Call Botanical Bounty today at 646 723 1823 to order your refreshing Herbal Steam

Until tomorrow...