MARCH 8, 2019 LIVER
The liver is a powerhouse of an organ. It performs a variety of essential tasks, ranging from producing proteins, cholesterol and bile to storing vitamins, minerals and even carbohydrates. It also breaks down toxins like alcohol, medications and natural byproducts of metabolism. Keeping your liver in good shape is important for maintaining health
There are good foods to take to keep your liver healthy These include coffee, green and black tea, berries, grapefruit, grape seed extract, beet juice and prickly pear.
Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae It can be used in treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. Some preliminary evidence shows that prickly pear cactus can decrease blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 7, 2019 IODINE AND BREAST CANCER
Iodine is considered a trace mineral. Today we have lots of iodine deficient individuals due to not having iodized salt. Many individuals take pink salt which lacks iodine.
Iodine major use is for the thyroid gland but also for proper immune system function. It has anti cancer effects, it is a potent antioxidant and and modulated estrogen response on breast cancer cells
Iodine protects the cell and DNA damage. Japanese women have been shown that they have the lowest incidence of breast cancer. as they consume 25 x higher iodine consumption In studies with as low as 5 mg of iodine have shown increased cell apoptosis, decreased proliferation and decrease in the estrogenic effects on cells.
So you should take iodine especially if you have breast cancer or know someone who does. You need to consult your health care practitioner about the exact amount as it is individualized
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 6, 2019 AMANITA SPECIES
Mushrooms can be medicinal. Mushrooms are a great food.
Certain species are poisonous
There are two deadly mushrooms- the destroying angel ( Amanita bisporigera) and Death Cap ( Amantia phalloides) . These mushgrooms can kill you within a few hours of one bite. The toxins are called amatoxins and unfortunately there is NO known antidote. A few hours after ingestion the person will get nauseous and have bloody diarrhea.
Amantia are gilled mushrooms and grow on the ground in the woods . The caps are oval or convex when young and convex or flat when mature The caps are bright red or yellow Some species have patches on their cap These are also called warts
I encourage anyone who picks their own mushrooms to be familiar with amantia species. There are many books about mushrooms to identify different species. I also like the book 100 Edible Mushrooms by Michael Kuo
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 5, 2019 OCULAR MIGRAINES
This can be described as a related group of conditions, all affecting vision usually temporary and without pain
Ocular migraines are more common in women of child bearing age who have had a history of migraines with auras. There are two types of ocular migraines- one with auras and retinal migraine. There are other types, one called a scintillating scotoma
There are conventional treatments as Depakote and topramax ( which are also used for epilepsy. I have seen tricyclics used for depression to be used. I have seen beta blockers used for this condition
Complimentary or integrative treatment include taking magnesium 500mg which I feel is essential. One of the best herbs used is butterbur but it should contain alkaloids. It should read PA free. The other herb is feverfew up to 100mg per day. Other helpful supplements are 5 HTP, riboflavin and Coenzyme 10
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 4, 2019 SEA BUCKTHORN AND HEART DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease is still the #1 killer among men and women in the United States Individuals with hypertension ( high blood pressure ) often also have hyperlipidemia ( high lipid levels ) ; the combination of the two conditions can lead to the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Poor lifestyle and dietary habits, as well as occupational stress, have contributed to the rise in CVD. Environmental stress should not be ignored for development of CVD
A recent published study observed the beneficial effects of Sea buckthorn on CVD Supplementing a diet with omega fatty acids has been shown to lower blood pressure. The seed oil of sea-buckthorn (SBT, Hippophae rhamnoides, Elaeagnaceae) is rich in omega fatty acids and the antioxidants beta carotene and vitamin E. Sea buckthorn oil is rich in omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9 fatty acids.
There was clearly a beneficial effect noted. The authors attribute the positive results to the combined efficacy of the omega fatty acids and natural antioxidants in the SBT seed oil, which contributes to the reduction of cardiac risk factors. There were some limitations as number of participants, short duration of treatment and other cardiac risk factor measures
Published in Herbalgram from the American Botanical Council
Until tomorrow…
Vashishtha V, Barhwal K, Kumar A, Hota SK, Chaurasia OP, Kuma B. Effect of seabuckthorn seed oil in reducing cardiovascular risk factors: a longitudinal controlled trial on hypertensive subjects. Clin Nutr. October 2017;36(5):1231-1238. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.07.013.
MARCH 2-3, 2019 JELLY EAR FUNGUS
It is beyond my wildest dreams that this month marks the 9 year that I have written this blog. This blog has been inspiring to me and hopefully to the reader. It has changed through the years as does life. It has prompted me to read more on a variety of subjects. I want to thank all of you for reading my blog and sharing it
Jelly Ear Fingus ( also known as Aurcularia auricula-judae) is found world wide and can be enjoyed as a food or a medicine. In teaching Oncology at the College of Naturopathic Medicine I have studied more mushrooms over the years. This mushroom mainly grows on an elder tree.
It has been found to boost your immune system and possesses antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic effects. In animal studies this mushroom has lowered blood level of cholesterol. Actually there is another mushroom that produces a type of statin drug , lovastatin that lowers cholesterol . The Jelly Ear also reduces blood sugar and can help and support a patient with diabetes. It has also been shown toi reduce blood clotting
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 1, 2019 PREGNANCY
Any pregnant women should look after herself when pregnancy by eating properly, getting enough sleep and avoiding physical and mental stress. Easier said than done.
I have found that Chinese Medicine sees a direct link between the emotional state of the mother and the child. I have seen a Chinese practitioner call a pregnant women’s pulse as Slippery - which is normal and reflects additional fluids in the body. The tongue also is checked and varies from woman to woman depend on constitutions of the patient.
Nausea is a common ailment in pregnancy. Ginger tea can help fight nausea. Here is the way to do it
peel a small chunk of fresh ginger root into 3-6 slices
. put the sliced ginger into a sauce pain with some water, simmer for 3-5 minutes
Strain the liquid into a pitcher.
Drink the liquid as a tea several times throughout the day
Until tomorrow…