SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2019 OXYMELS

September is National Honey Month. I have lectured on oxymels at the Charles Mraz Apitherapy Courses sponsored by the American Apitherapy Society ( www.apitherapy.org ) in the last few years. An oxymel is a specialized sweet and sour herbal honey; a sweet honey mixed with a little sour vinegar. This combination is used as a carrier for herbal infusions, decoctions, concentrates, tinctures and much more.

Oxymels can be used as a gargle or even as a vehicle for intense herbal aids. Some of the best oxymels can be made with garlic and other herbs

1. To prepare the oxymel base add one pound of honey to 1.2 pint vinegar

2. Place the mixture in a pot and simmer to make a consistency of a syrup

3. To this one normal adds a medicinal agent ( of your choice - infusion, decoction, tincture etc) to prepare it as a gargle

Simple as that

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 HONEY AND BURNS

September is National Honey Month. Honey is one of the best remedies to apply directly to a burn. I remember milk or cold water used to applied directly. If you get a burn merely spread honey on the burn or wound and leave it for 30 minutes. You can reapply if necessary

Honey immediately seals off the damaged tissue from the air, reducing the pain and will work to rehydrate the wounded tissue from the burn. All the natural components of honey will help heal the damaged tissue. Honey has bene shown in studies to be a natural antiseptic and natural antibiotic

Until tomorrow….

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 FAST BRAIN HEALTHY FOODS

It doesn’t matter what diet you on. It does matter to be successful that you pick foods and beverages that love you and help your brain

I think you should find 10 or 15 foods and beverages Here is a list of 5 beverages and foods that are useful

1. water

2. beet juice for blood flow

3. any herbal tea with caffeine

4. coconut water

5. cherry juice

   Here are the five foods

   1. nuts like almonds, brazil cashew

   2. fruits like all the berries, avocados

   3. legumes- like chickpeas

   4. vegetables like broccoli, asparagus

   These are just a small list of brain healthy foods

   Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 MEDICINES DEPLETE NUTRIENTS

Many of the medications that we take can deplete all of nutrients You should stop your medications but check with a health professional that deals with functional medicine. You should be aware of these pitfalls so you can supplement what you are missing.

One of the most frequently prescribed medications are antacids. These medications decrease stomach acid but also calcium, phosphorous, folic acid and potassium .I feel the antacids are the major cause of symbiosis or small bowel intestinal overgrowth ( also known as SIBO)

In the same way antibiotics deplete the good bacteria, B vitamins and Vitamin K

There are studies that indicate 16- 52 % of woman experience depression. I think this can be attributed to the fact that oral contraceptives deplete B vitamins, magnesium, folic acid, selenium zinc , tyrosine and serotonin.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 2, 2019 PAU D'ARCO - IMMUNE BOOSTING TEA

The weather is changing this week. I tend to drink more herbal teas int he Fall and in the Winter. A tree that is located in the South American rainforest is a great immune booster I have used it in my HIV patients as well as my cancer patients. The herb is from the Lapacho and the Taheebo tree. It has a botanical name, Tabebuia avellandae.

1. Make a decoction with 1/2 oz or 12 grams of Pau D Arco herb and 2 pints of water

2. Chop two pieces of allium- one small onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Chop in a tree oyster mushroom

3. simmer until soft

4. For an added touch add in watercress just before serving the soup

5. Have a cup of soup daily for one week

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 30, 2019 CONSTIPATION

There are many causes for constipation and there are many treatments There is smooth move tea, and there is triphala. There is magnesium oxide at bedtime. There is psyllium seed ingestion.

One remedy that an older woman told me about is prunes. I know about prunes I told her. She said- “ Not this remedy- I use licorice soaked prunes or figs “ She told me her remedy which intrigued me. She uses

1. 1/2 teaspoon of licorice root

2. 2. 1/2 cup of water

3. 3 stewed prunes or 3 stewed figs

Makes the tea by simmering licorice in water for a couple of minutes. Removes from heat and let it steep for 15 minutes Strain and soak fruit for at least 2-3 hours. Eat slightly cold or warmed

It will work ( she assured me )

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 29, 2019 CHILDHOOD TEA

There is a lot of talk of measles and vaccination and the New York State regulations. I am not going to discuss this at this point. Most likely your pediatrician will suggest bed rest for the measles. If you want to lessen your child’s duration of the illness I have a suggestion. This is from an older herbal remedy book. I buy a lot of books- both old and new on a variety of subjects like herbs, plants, bees and nutrition. I came across a childhood tea It uses

1. 1 teaspoon burdock root

2. 1/2 teaspoon of bupleurum root

3. 1 teaspoon of catnip, lemon balm, mullein and even throw in elder flowers

4. 1/2 teaspoon of yarrow flowers and peppermint leave

Combine burdock and bulpleurum in a saucepan and simmer for 5 - 7 minutes. Let stand and add the other herbs. Strain and allow your child to drink as much as possible Toi be honest 2 cups a day for a 50 lb child

As my daughter is 31 years old today I can ask her how it tasted years later

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 28, 2019 BONE MARROW SOUP

Give soup to strengthen and nourish the body. It is good or rather excellent for convalescence. Your grandmother did. It my childhood my grandfather also went to the butcher for the bones. Actually my great Uncle Jimmy and my Poppy had a butcher shop in Queens.

It is simple to make bone marrow soup. Today many use store bought Bone Broth ( a nicer name- but the same thing ) Bone marrow soup is simply the stock or broth made from chicken, turkey, duck, veal and venison and beef bones. The vegetarians are cringing right now. I understand. Toss these potent health laiden nutrient vessels in a pot and simply STEW

You get the calcium and magnesium like no other source. I throw everything in - bones, garlic, onions ( both from the Lily Family - genus Allium ) , carrots, celery and much more. I add 2 tablespoons of apple cidar vinegar to the water.

Slow heating enhances the extraction of some nutrients and improves the flavor. It is delicious and the BEST for the body

Until tomorrow…