JANUARY 3, 2020 PSYCHEDIC MEDICINE

the word hallucinogenic creates a taboo. These drugs should not be discussed as LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine and much more. Today more than ever these hallucinogenic herbs are being studied for depression in main stream medicine.

This is not new. In 1855 Ernest Freiherr von Bib ra published a german paper discussing seventeen psychoactive plants. He urged other chemists to begin studying these plants. A British mycologist , Mordecai Cooke published papers on fungi. In 1860 he published a publication entitled, “ The Seven Sisters of Sleep,’ an interdisciplinary study of psychoactive plants. So the quest began

It wasn’t until some 60 years later in 1924 that Louis Lewin published another book on psychoactive plants , Phantastica. Although there have been many advances in pharmaceutical, ethnobotanical and phytochermical, we still have much to learn about many of these plants.,

Perhaps Michael Pollan latest 2018 book,’ How to Change Your Mind What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence’ has made an impact and started the ball to once again roll. As a sober individual in a 12 step program I find this topic to most revealing of the human mind. The second book which I am reading is called “ Magic Medicine” Modern Day Use of Psychedic Plants and Substances.” by Cody Johnson This is a must read to get introduced into the world of psychoactive plants.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 2, 2020 HORSE CHESTNUT

Horse chestnut , also known as Aresculus hippocastanum is basically used in botanical medicine to treat venous disorders. I have used the herb and homeopathic preparations for hemorrhoids ( which are dilated veins) in many patients. In Europe it has bene used for venous condition as thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and even edema.

There is an active ingredient in Horse chestnut. It is a saponin called escin. There are other active components in Horse chestnut as flavinoid and esculin.

I would not consider Horse chestnut as an anti cancer herb. There was one in vitro study that found that horse chestnut saponins are cytotoxic to cancer cells., It can protect the vasculature and the surrounding edema.

This is yet another example of a herb beneficial effect in cancer therapy. It should be added to the armentarium of natural compounds.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 1, 2020 MELATONIN

You know melatonin as a supplement that is used for sleep. It is sold as 1 mg , 2 mg 3mg 6mg and even as high as 20 mg. This is what you didn’t know about melatonin. There are more than 35 in vitro studies conducted on the cytotoxic effects of melatonin against cancer cells. Many of these studies were conducted on breast cancer. In the book, “ Thriving with Cancer,’ high dose melatonin at 20 mg is discussed on the beneficial effects for patients with breast cancer.

There are 28 studies conducted with melatonin alone or in conjunction with the inflammatory marker, interleukin IL-2. These studies suggest melatonin with IL-2 increased the survival of patients with cancer when compared to placebo.

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the human body in the pineal gland. It is secreted in a day night rhythm with the highest being secreted at night. Raw honey increases the natural production of melatonin. I do not use high dose melatonin for all patients with sleep disturbance, but do use high dose if that patient has active cancer.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 31, 2019 QUINONES

Quinones are comprised of more than 1200 naturally occurring compounds, These natural compounds have been reported to be anti bacterial as well as anti fungal. Some of these quinone rich plants are used as laxatives as senna, rhubarb and cascara leaf. Some quinones are used in hair dyes as henna.

There are two anti cancer quinones that have been studied extenivsely. This are emodin and hypericin. Emodin is classified as an anthraquinone. There are FDA approved anthraquinone for chemotherapy . One example is doxorubicin. Herbs containing emodin have been used to treat cancer patients in China. One example is Polygonum cuspidatum.

Hypericin is a photoactive compound that has been studied for its anti cancer effects. Photoactive hypericin has been used and studied in skin cancer

In March 2020 it will be the 10th year I have written a daily blog. It by no means has been to replace the effective therapies in different disciplines of medicines as oncology, infectious disease, endocrinology and much more. The reason for writing this blog which began as a ‘ dare’ that I couldn’t do it- is now a labor of love. It is for educational purposes. It is to educate any individual on other modalities of natural medicine that are available.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

Until 2020…

DECEMBER 30, 2019 LONG TERM WEIGHT LOSS

Americans have a huge problem. We are overweight. Currently 80 percent of adults and about 40 % of children are overweight or obese.

Believe it or not if your body mass index is between 25 - 29 you qualift as overweight, while a BMI of 30 is classified as obese

A healthy weight for a man who is 5’10 is 132 - 167. You are considered overweight at 174 and obese at 202. Obesity as surpassed or overtaken smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the USA. How is this happening to this country? We have many to blame- the food industry and the advertising that promotes fast foods or processed foods.

The typical American diet needs to change. Individuals need to seek better alternatives for meals other than quick processed foods as bagels, cereals, and breakfast bars. We know that glass of orange juice if the 1970’s doesn’t suffice anymore. Nor does Carnation Instant Breakfast or Microwave oatmeal.

Obesity kills. It leads to Type 2 diabetes ( non insulin dependent diabetes) It first starts as insulin resistance also known as Syndrome X or Metabolic syndrome. Obesity and Diabetes are the twin epidemics that lead to the number one killer in the United States—Cardiovascular Disease

Learn how to change your dietary lifestyle and save your life. Call Fratellone Medical Associates at 212 421 3202 or Connecticut Integrative Medical Center 203 717 1339 today

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 27, 2019 TURKEY TAIL

It is likely that you have eaten Turkey Tail . This mushroom is a well studied medicinal mushroom around the world along with others like Shiitake and Maitake. It has other names as Coriolus versicolor and Trametes versicolor.

Its main constituent ( active ingredient ) is PSP or PSK These are the beta glucans that stimulate the immune response. Due to these beta glucans, it has been shown to induce cell death and reduce cell proliferation in patients with cancer.

You may ask, “ Are there studies about the beneficial effects of Turkey Tail? There are more than 350 studies that have demonstrated these immune modulating properties and anti cancer activities. There are even human studies.

The renowned journal, The Lancet published a study of Turkey Tail and stomach cancer. There are ten year studies on the use of Turkey Tail and colorectal cancer

I would be informed on the many medicinal mushrooms. There are many good books concerning this subject

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 26, 2019 GLYCYRRHIZIN

Glycyrrhizin is a portion of the licorice plant which can stimulate or support the body’s own immune system. I have used it for more than 20 years in my intravenous therapies for patients with chronic fatigue, immune and cancer support. It has no known side effects.

It is the chief sweet-tasting constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) root.

There have been studies where glycyrrhizin has had beneficial benefits in those patients with prostate cancer In other countries it has other uses. Its aglycone is enoxolone assessed as a prodrug used in Japan to reduce the risk of liver cancer in people with chronic hepatitis C

Upon reading you will see various articles about this plant based therapy

Be informed

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 23, 2019 OATSTRAW

Although this herb dates way back to Medieval times it is still used today by many herbalists. Its botanical name is Avena sativa. It is used to feed livestock.

It is used for a sense of well being and relaxation and stress relief. I have combined this herb with skullcap, poppy and lemon balm for soothing the nerves

It is said to be energizing making it an effective aphrodisiac. I have never used it in this way

Until tomorrow…