AUGUST 27, 2019 CALIFORNIA POPPY

When I think about Poppies, I can’t help think of the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz which celebrated its 80th anniversary yesterday. The Wicked Witch has the four walk through a field of poppies which makes them sleepy. This is because the flowers and leaves have a sedative or hypnotic properties. Of course Glenda the Good Witch comes to the rescue and has it snow so the four can wake up. What you didn’t know is that the snow was toxic asbestos flakes falling from the sky.

The botanical name for California Poppy is Eschscholzia californica- the state flower of California This is similar but less toxic than its cousin, The Opium Poppy.

I utilize this plant for gentle sedative properties useful in anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness. It is great for a long plane flight or a long plane ride ( if not driving) I combine it with chamomille for restlessness and cramp bark for insomnia. It is great for nerve pain when combined with St Johns Wort.

It is best to use the fresh undried whole plant if you can get

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 26 , 2019 GENETICS AND GUT INFLAMMATION: OUR PROGRAM

Inflammation or irritation of the digestive system is very common. The most common cause is a dysbiosis which is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. There are two free radicals that can be the culprit - zonulin and peroxynitrite. If a patient has genetic genes that reduce levels of natural antioxidant as gluthathione- this inflammation can get out of hand. There are many genetic variants that do not help digestion allowing the body not to clear toxins.

When dealing with gut inflammation consider genetic testing . There are many variants in HLA genes that contribute to gluten sensitivity. For example there is a FUT2 gene may impact the production of pre biotics which support probiotics

I am delighted that two of my doctors at Connecticut Integrative Medical Center have trained with Peter D’Adamo at the Center of Excellence. I worked at the Center of Excellence for one year. These two doctors, Dr Jenny Goto and Dr Katie Zinn utilize Dr D’Adamo’s program - OPUS After our weekly discussions I am able to give these patients the IV support I feel our program gets to the root of the gut inflammation

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 23-25,2019 MEMORY - A SHAME TO WASTE

Learning is a continuous way to increase our capacity to increase our memory Additionally, as we age, memory impairment is thought to be a consequence of decline in neuronal function and increase in neurodegeneration, with oxidative stress as a major factor in brain aging and memory impairment. More than one million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed annually with a chronic brain disease or disorder, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most prevalent cause of adult-onset brain disorders.8 Research estimates that in the U.S., 35.8% of those 85 or older have moderate or severe memory impairment, and individuals 85 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. In 2016, There are many ways to increase our memory- there are recall exercises, there are botanicals as Hu[perzine and Vinca alkaloids , and there are nutraceuticals There are medications which have not to date shown to be effective

There is SYNAPSIN - which is a patent pending powder with ginsenoside Rg3 and nicotinamide. It was designed to support neurological health as well as cognitive health. I am utilizing this now in my practiced with tremendous results. It must be prescribed by a medical doctor.

There are many reasons to use Synapsin. It supports healthy mitochondrial function for all cells, especially the brain. It supports NAD production in the central and peripheral nervous system.

For those that are interested, Rg3 is one of several ginsenosides found int he plant genus of botanicals called Panax Rg3 is extracted from genus Panax to support neuroprotection

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 22, 2019 RETINAL VEION OCCLUSIONS

Retinal Vein occlusion ( RVO ) is a common vascular disorder of the retina affecting the veins. It is more common than discussed. The veins which carry blood away from the eye get blocked. This leads to hemorrhages and leakage of fluid .

There are two types: central RVO and branch RVO There are more than 10.9 million people affected by this disorder. The cause are lifestyle driven meaning it is a matter of lifestyle changes.

There is no conventional treatment for a RVO There are some drugs as ranibizumab. Steroids are another option. I prefer changing some lifestyle choices. This will include taking some eye nutrients as lutein ( 6 - 20 mg /day) zeaxanthin, ginkgo biloba, bilberry and omega 3 oils. This sound simple —IT IS SIMPLE I recommend 180-220 mg of bilberry /day as well as a high quality organic multivitamin

Your eyes are important. Please protect them

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 21, 2019 WHY SAVE BEES

Besides being the most important specie son Mother Earth. It is not just honeybees that are at RISK. It is all bees. Without bees we would less colorful flowers and fewer plants. Not only is that disappointing to the naked eye, but more important is the loss of a food supply. There would a third less fruits and vegetables in the markets as well as legumes as nuts

I became a beekeeper and a member of the American Apitherapy Society to do some small part in helping to save bees. I have collected .an a mass array of old and new books on bees. The Beekeeper’s Bible is a must to start with., There are many books on bees worth reading, “ Honeybee Democracy” is one as is “ Keeping the Bees” , “ The Bee Book” and much more.

Here is what you can do:

STOP using any pesticides in your garden. Encourage your neighbors to use no pesticides.

PLANT BEE friendly flowers and plants for their pollen. Bees need to forage

Support your local beekeeper at the markets;

JOIN the American Apitherapy Society ( www.AAS.org)

BE an advocate for the bees

Until tomorrow…

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…