AUGUST 20, 2019 PIMPERNEL

“ No heart can think, no tongue can tell, The virtues of the Pimpernel.”

Its botanical name is Anagallis arvensis

Whether there are red or blue flowers I have never seen one. It has been described by ecletic physicians and master herbalists as for clearing the head, for splinters or as an antiseptic to close the wounds.

I have read a difference in use from red or blue pimpernel by Parksinson but no research to the difference.

I have read about its uses for garden stings and thorns possibly from Rose or Nettles or Thistle Medicinally it is not used that often other than first aid.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 19, 2019 ELEUTHEROCOCCUS

Eleuthrococcus is part of the ginseng family It is sometimes referred to as Siberian ginseng The active ingredient is the eluethrosides A - G. These alkaloids provide the primary adaptogenic, antistressand anabolic activity of eleuthro.

Its traditional use was for infections, colds, and even the flu. It is sometimes used to provide energy and longevity otherwise which in my opinion means vitality.

It is one of the most useful adaptogenic herbs. If there is one that has greater potential: it is Withania also known as ashwagandha.

Eleuthro has favorable effects of multi human systems as visual acuity, hearing, and even thinking

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 16-18, 2019 GARLIC

Garlic is the superfood that no cook wants to be without. The succulent, juicy, aromatic, flavorful cloves of home-grown garlic is unparalleled, and unlike any garlic you could buy in a store. It is time to plant garlic. I placed my order today. There are many types of garlic to plant . Do you want softneck or hardneck garlic ? I buy a few species of each and start to plant. I am going to make a Garlic Garden in my Connecticut home. This makes me happy. I will easily grow more soft neck species than the hard neck species. There are many health benefits for garlic. Years ago, Peter Bonjourno, his wife Pina and I published an article on Garlic

Bongiorno Peter, Fratellone Patrick, LoGiudice Pina: Potential Health Benefits of Garlic (Allium savitum): A Narrative Review: Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 1

Health Benefits of Garlic:

1. Garlic helps regulate blood pressure, which also reduces your chances of heart disease.

2. Reduce "bad" cholesterol (lipoprotein/LDL) with garlic, again reducing your risk of heart disease.

3. Garlic can also help regulate your blood sugar when the stomach is empty, aiding diabetics and those of us that tend to get "hangry" before lunch.

4. Consuming garlic greatly reduces tick bites, as ticks tend to avoid garlic lovers.

5. Antioxidants in garlic can reduce cell damage from free radicals that contribute to the aging process, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

6. Antibacterial properties in garlic fight infection, assisting our hard-working immune system, and for this reason it is being studied around the world for its cancer-fighting potential.

7. Garlic is proven to boost virus-fighting T-cells, reducing the chances of catching a cold or flu and also reducing the length of time you are sick.

8. Garlic helps to detoxify the body and helps remove heavy metals from the blood.

9. Garlic is highly-nutritious but incredibly low calorie. It is rich in B6, vitamin C, manganese, and contains smaller amounts of a wide variety of other necessary nutrients.

   Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 15, 2019 WHY EAT FISH

If you consume fish, you could be eating the healthiest food on the planet. The type of fish you consume is very important. I would avoid tuna, sword fish, lobsters, crab s , oysters, mussels and clams. You can eat tuna if you know of a quality company to buy fish that tests for mercury. I utilize www.vitalchoice.com

1. Fish is high in many important nutrients, including high-quality protein, iodine, and various vitamins and minerals. Fatty varieties also pack omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.

2. Eating at least one serving of fish per week has been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes.

3. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which is essential for brain and eye development. It’s recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women get enough omega-3s but avoid high-mercury fish.

Until tomorrow….

AUGUST 14, 2019 CHERRIES

I LOVE CHERRIES . Who doesn’t love to eat cherries? There are some real health benefits to consuming cherries

1. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and other nutrients that your body needs to function optimally.

2. All cherries are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which may reduce chronic disease risk and promote overall health. This especially important for any disease that causes inflammation as irritable bowel disease.

3. Consuming cherries, especially tart cherry products like juice and powder, may improve athletic performance and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 13, 2019 WHEN PIGS FLY

Don’t ask me why I decided to write about Pigs

I loved the off Broadway play, When Pigs Fly years ago. This is the year of the pig The pig is a lucky animal The pig is considered care free, fun loving and brings go9od fortune and wealth Recent years of the Pig are: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

It is said that people born in the year of the Pig are usually happy, honest, trusting and brave They are hard working people and also peace loving people. I know many individuals born in the year of the pig who are very lucky

Until tomorrow.

AUGUST 12, 2019 EXTRAORDINARY CHINESE MEDICINE

Once in a lifetime is commonly quoted. I would say that moment of ‘ once in a lifetime’ has happened to me while reading some extraordinary books. One such book is published by Singing Dragon. It is called “ Extraordinary Chinese Medicine: The Extraordinary Vessels, Extraordinary Organs and the Art of Being Human. “ The mere fact that we live and breathe is extraordinary We are multidimensional beings that only exist through our senses- smell, sight, taste, feel and touch. This in itself is a miracle. Do you ever consider how you exist in this world.? How each part of body communicates through our sense.

This book demonstrated the fact that life is continuous and based of our underlying experience at a level of humanity. I felt a sense of relief when reading this unique book. It discusses when the Qi flows freely without interruption. The extraordinary vessel is US with all of our organs. There are times when reading this book that I felt ‘ one ‘ I felt growth had taken place through all of my experiences.

Read it slow with an open mind and in a quiet place.

Until tomorrow

AUGUST 9-11, 2019 DOUCHING HERBS

This is not a topic I regularly discuss. One of my patients asked me about which herbs she can use for douching. Before I start discussing this I want to discuss vaginal infections. Vaginal infections have increased in the last 20 years due to every increasing use of antibiotics. You know antibiotics kill off the useful bacteria and yeast in the vagina. These then promote vaginal yeast infections which now need to be treated with anti fungal medications as Diflucan, monostat, and nystatin. It has been said that herbal douching is best for minor vaginal infections. I would still encourage the patient to see their own gynecologist. Many gynecologists frown on the use of douching especially with herbs.

The best herbs for douching are lavender, tea tree , garlic and even berberine. I have seen patients use oregon grape root which also is a berberine containing herb as well as uva ursi and even slippery elm

One of my patients swears by the sue of yogurt in a douche because it reduces unwanted bacteria, especially yeast

until tomorrow…