SEPTEMBER 28-29, 2019 INTEGRATIVE HEART SUPPLEMENTS

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Hypertension is the most common reason for visits to primary care physicians and costs more than $20 billion annually in the United States. Clinical studies show that pharmaceuticals control blood pressure (BP), resulting in reduced strokes, CHD, myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and renal disease

Cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer. There are many documented well researched conventional therapies which do play a role. As a integrative cardiologist there are equally many other natural therapies to be considered.

Hypertension is the response of blood vessels to endothelial disfunction. There are many nutraceuticals that help endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide . There are many supplements that can do this like arginine and citrulline. I utilize a lot of citrulline for blood pressure elevations ( hypertension ) People with hypertension are more likely to have certain nutrient deficiencies compared to the general population. Some dietary supplements including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and natural compounds in food produce a physiologic effect. Some of these nutrients that can be zinc, L- taurine and omega 3 fatty acids

You do not always have to take a medication for your blood pressure. In addition to change in exercise and dietary lifestyle changes there are nutraceuticals.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 ANXIETY REDUCING HERB

There are many traditional conventional medications to treat anxiety. There are also many complimentary /integrative therapies to treat anxiety. Some of these treatments involve botanicals as Lemon Balm, Chamomille, Valerian, St Johns Wort and California Poppy.

Preclinical studies report anxiety-reducing effects of aloysia (Aloysia polystachya, Verbenaceae), a plant grown mainly in Argentina and Uruguay. These authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 clinical trial to test whether aloysia is superior to placebo in treating anxiety-related symptoms in adults

This study was preliminary data was published in the American Botanical Council’s most recent , HerbalClip .Each treatment capsule contained 300 mg powdered aloysia.

Limitations of the study include its small sample size, high dropout rate, and the absence of an assessment of the reproductive/hormonal status of the females in the study. Furthermore, the results cannot be generalized to patients with more complex psychiatric disorders.

The authors conclude the "administration of powdered leaves of A. polystachya, rich in acteoside, carvone and limonene, to adults with anxiety-related symptoms was significantly superior to placebo in decreasing HAM-A scores after 8 weeks This study was written in the ABC Herbal Clip

Carmona F, Coneglian FS, Batista PA, et al. Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) powdered leaves are effective in treating anxiety symptoms: a phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.. J Ethnopharmacol. October 2019;242:112060. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112060.

There are many herbal and homeopathic remedies to treat anxiety.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 WITCH HAZEL

There are medicinal herbs growing in your backward and you don’t know it. Every state has a particular herb, flower or tree that is seen commonly in that state. In the State of Connecticut it is Witch Hazel. The botanical name is Hamamelis virginiana.

The leaves, bark and twigs of witch hazel contain tannic acid It is used topically as an astringent for burns and skin irritations

Traditionally it has been used to relieve hemorrhoidal, anal and vaginal itching. It decreases inflammation and promotes healing of bruises, and varicose veins. There is even a homeopathic preparation that I use for hemorrhoids with much success.

It can also be used as a gargle for throat inflammation

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 SEA BUCKTHORN

In al likelihood you have never heard or used Sea Buckthorn. Its botanical name is Hippophae Rhamnoides,. This herb produces a highly nutritious berry that has gained super fruit status. The fruit and seed oil are full of Omega 3, 6, 9, and 7, a rare fatty acid recently discovered. The fruit contains a host of antioxidants and healing nutrients, and is a superior source of vitamins and minerals

I love a Sea Buckthorn tea. It has a tart taste.

This tea has been used for brain function and memory. I have used it to decrease cholesterol along with artichoke, bergamot and guggul lipids For the patient suffering with dry eye syndrome associated with some autoimmune diseases, it also can be useful as a soak It helps the inflammation and dryness of the eye

I have seen other herbalists use it for symptoms of menopause

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 GROWING ALLIUM

One year ago I planted garlic in my new home garden. I planted it too soon. I planted it in September From reading and looking at different types of garlic and long and short I am going to plant it before Thanksgiving. I will grow outside this year. I could start growing them inside and transfer to outside

I could do this by following three simple steps

#1. Cloves can be planted in the same container but must be spaced 1 to 2 inches apart.

#2. The root side of the clove – the narrow pointy part, must be placed down into the dirt first.

#3. Plant the cloves between four to six inches deep in a compost rich potting soil.

Garlic ( Allium sativum) is a medical herb used for centuries. Some of the uses of garlic are:

• Treats and prevents gum disease

• Helps treat common cold and flu symptoms, especially a persistent cough

• Treats yeasts infections

• Garlic oil helps remove splinters

• Heals cold sore

• Soothes yeast infection discomfort and helps correct the problem

  Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 YOU TO CAN GROW MEDICINAL PLANTS- TARRAGON

Growing medicinal plants indoors vastly increases your ability to cultivate a comprehensive survival apothecary. Start healing herb and plant seeds indoors is always a great idea. Last Spring 2019 I started to grow some plants indoors which I transferred to the outside by early summer. These were Basil, turmeric, tarragon, mint, chives and lavender.

One of the easiest was Tarragon which I never grew before this year.

This healing herb can help treat stomach aches, toothaches, and insomnia. Tarragon could also help improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar. It can also help normalize sleep patterns and reduce pain associated with Osteoarthritis, as well as sparking an increase in appetite.

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2019 BIRTH CONTROL

There are many women on birth control around the world. The pill uses progestin and estrogen or progestin alone. The pill prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation. The ‘ pill’ of today contains little or no estrogen. Today, there are fewer side effects of weight gain and mood swings than in the earlier days of the pill use

It is not expensive - less than $10 for those without health insurance if you obtain at a local community health center. If used correctly it is 97 % effective. I would check its content on gluten for those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.

There is a risk of developing a blood clot also called thrombosis ( especially if the pill has estrogens) For those that have a methylation defect , or MTHFR 677 you should not go on the pill. This is especially important for homozygous MTHFR +/+ 677 These individuals should NOT go on birth control

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins are the result of valve damage and loss of elasticity that allows blood to pool inside the vessel. This is especially evident when an individual is standing . When you stand for a long period of time the valve stops working.

There are many men and women who will not wear shorts in the summer/fall due to varicose veins. There are treatments that are available besides laser , saline injections and surgery

These other treatments are exercise, yoga, headstands and the obvious compression stockings

There are botanical treatments as horse chestnut as well as gingko biloba. There are even homeopathic remedies that can offer some good results. I have seen infrared saunas help alleviate the varicosities

Until tomorrow…