DECEMBER 19, 2019 VITAMIN C

Every one of my patients take Vitamin C separately or in their multi vitamin. Individuals who take vitamin C in supplement form are at greater risk of consuming too much of it and experiencing side effects, the most common of which are digestive symptoms. One of the bad side effects is loose stools if you take too much. Sometimes Vitamin C can be used to relieve constipation. Ingesting more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day may lead to gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms like diarrhea and nausea.

Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent these potential side effects — simply avoid vitamin C oral supplements. I rather give intravenous Vitamin C in higher doses for a variety of conditions. I use IV Vitamin C ( beet derived) in an antioxidant drip or a Myer’s cocktail. I make sure that every patient has a serum chemistry in their chart citing renal lab values as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.

However, more serious consequences, such as iron overload and kidney stones, may also result from taking extreme amounts of vitamin C

There are a few studies where IV Vitamin C can be used as a cancer support to patient’s other treatments as chemotherapy and radiation.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 18, 2019 LOVAGE

The botanical name for Lovage is Levisticum officinale. Lovage, is a tall perennial plant, the sole species in the genus Levisticum in the family Apiaceae.  Lovage was used in medieval medicinal and kitchen gardens, and is relatively forgotten today

King Charlemagne loved lovage so much that he had stands of this herb planted among his gardens.

I have heard this plant referred to as the Maggi plant because of its association with magic- both love magic and protective magic. I find this fascinating. It does have medicinal uses. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. Lovage is used as “irrigation therapy” for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the lower urinary tract, for prevention of kidney stones, and to increase the flow of urine when urinary tract infections or fluid retention is present

The leaves and ( the roots) have been used to invoke good fortune. I think I will plant this in urn stands in my garden this coming spring.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 17, 2019 WITCHES AND HERBS

The use of herbs in different areas of witchcraft have certainly been written about through the years. I feel we associate the witches cauldron with adding herbs to their potions.

It has been said you can tell if an individual practices witchcraft ( if you do believe) by how they plant their herbs in their garden. Typically a witch’s garden is planted in a circle representing the circle of Life. You will also make note that the outer border has 3 - 4 rows of red colored flowers. This serves as a protective barrier

I find all of this fascinating . The inside of the circle varies depending on the intention of the witch or specific to the nature of her work. I found it interesting that certain ornamental flowers and sacred trees have astrological zodiac associations. For example for my astrological sign of Gemini the association is with snapdragons, filbert, and elder whereas Aquarius is snowdrop and foxglove. This made me really ponder the associations of flowers on specific pottery as Roseville Pottery.

Until tomorrow

DECEMBER 16, 2019 TERPENES

There is much research now on the use on cannabinoids and THC for treating certain cancers. There are many terpenes with proposed anti cancer benefits in cannabinoids.

We do know it is great for anxiety, pain relief and changes in mood

Some of the terpenes include

1. Myrcene

2. Linalol

3. Limonene

4. Humulene

5. Terpinolene

6. Caryophyllene

7. Bisabolol

Humulene and Bisabolol inhibit tumor cell growth There are benefits to all terpenes being present when treating cancer. There are many good books on Cannabis:

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 14-15, 2019 YOU'RE ON THE AIR WITH DR FRATELLONE

It is hard to believe that I published “ You’re on the Air with Dr Fratellone” in 2005. It was dedicated to all radio listener after being on the air daily with the late Robert Atkins on WOR Radio. It was a different life at that time. Many things have changed as it should in life. It is Life on Life’s terms. By the way you can still obtain the book on line.

The book was written with nutritionist Barbara Mendez whom I still speak to today as we share patients.

The book is in a question and answer format from the many questions that were asked of me on the radio. It is still valuable and true to this day. I find although I have expanded my cardiology practice to include autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal diseases, cancer and Lyme—many of the questions are still valuable.

Heart Disease is still and remains the number one killer in the United States. There are many supplements, herbs and vitamins useful for the heart that were discussed in the book

Until tomorrow

DECEMBER 13, 2019 YERBA SANTA

This herb , Yerba santa is not a herb you hear about a lot. It is known at Bear Weed or Mountain Balm. I have not used it in my office practice. I do recall my mentor in Ithaca pointing it out on a herbal walk many years ago. It has been used in traditional Native American remedies

By some it is considered a Holy plant.

When I think of cold and flu I think of Elderberry, Elecampane, and Lungwort. I often add Horehound and use that.

It also bene used for pain relief. I will try to source this herb and start to use it more and more as I read a lot of about it from a variety of books

Until tomorrow….

DECEMBER 12, 2019 WORLD OF PROBITOICS

You have heard about probiotics if you read this blog. There are wonderful health benefits to probiotics. How do you define a probiotic? The WHO defines it as any living organisms that has a health benefit when ingested. That is a simple definition Your gastrointestinal tract contains three (3) to four (4) lbs of bacteria. Some of these are beneficial. and some are not. You need a proper balance of the bacteria in your gut. That is is called the microbiome

Imbalance of the gut microbiome – too many bad bacteria in the gut – has been linked to a wide range of mental and physical challenges. You need to keep your gut in proper balance is essential to your overall health. Some of these gut imbalances first lead to GI symptoms as flatulence ( gas ) , bloating, and/ or change in bowel habits ( diarrhea o0r constipation) This can be termed a ‘ leaky gut ‘ Many of the neurotransmitters in your brain are made in the ‘gut’ There are hundreds of pathways that these brain chemicals travel on from gut to brain Thus with an unhealthy gut there can be a unhealthy brain . The food you eat can cause depression or anxiety

This is an important concept. Clean your gut- get your microbiome balanced. You do this by getting various testing first. You might need to take glutamine daily, or a probiotic daily. You might have to sip a cup of GUTSY tea Gutsy tea is formulated by myself and sold at Botanical Bounty NYC It contains 3 -4 different digestive herbs.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMEBR 11, 2019 THYME

I have been fascinated with this herb since I was a child. It has been written that Thyme attracts the Fairies . This herb is part of the Mint Family along with Lemon Balm, Bugleweed, other Mints and Motherwort

If you use the mouthwash Listerine you are getting thyme in that mouthwash. It is placed in that product for its prevention of dental caries

I have used oil of Thyme to warn off ticks during the high season ( April- August ) It has anti parasitic, anti viral and anti fungal properties.

Many herbalists have used Thyme to treat warts I use Greater Celondine and Thuja homeopathic to treat warts. You can mix one drop of Oil of Thyme with a tablespoon of either olive oil or coccunut oil and apply daily.

Until tomorrow….