MARCH 11, 2020 ABDOMINAL MASSAGE

Massage in general is effective at relieving stress. There have been studies that it can health with a variety of conditions as arthritis, depression, circulatory problems, fibromyalgia and even headaches.

Abdominal massage relaxes and tones the organs, muscles and fascia of the abdomen. I have found this massage to be very useful personally as well as in my patients with a variety of conditions Some patients cannot tolerate an abdominal massage as this is a sensitive area. It should be done by a practitioner well versed and knowledgeable . There are many practitioners that are trained in this type of massage

There is a list of DON’T DO

1, Should not be done if the female patient is inflamed in the pelvic region ( example ovaries, uterus )

2. Should not be done in any patient has any type of stone

3. should not be done after a heavy meal

4. Should not be done with a full bladder

5. Should not be done when the patient has an extremely high blood pressure ( since this massage increases blood pressure )

6. should not be done with a recent history of bleeding

I would encourage this type of massage when appropriate. It can help with many digestive issues.

Until tomorrow

MARCH 10, 2020 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 10TH YEAR

Beyond my wildest dreams.

10 years ago I started to write a daily blog. It was called Stitch Your Way to a Healthy Heart ( www.stitchyourwaytoahealthyheart.blogspot.com ) I thought it was a good way to educate my patients as well as educate myself on different subjects. It had a thought for the day. I reflected thoughts in the blog on my personal life. Every Friday the blog discussed a hobby as a way to boost self esteem. The hobby varied from Knitting, to painting to Stamping Cards to building a ship in a bottle. To be honest

I did it to compete with someone else who was starting to write a daily blog. Let me tell you this : 10 years later the other person never continued their blog and is no longer in my life. A lot has changed. I can say I am happier today than I was 10 years ago.

Today I am grateful, humble and blessed. There are no mistakes in life — only lessons to be learned. I have learned a lot about myself ( and others)

As Edith Piaf sang , “ No Regrets “

No ! No regrets

No ! I will have no regrets

All the things

That went wrong

For at last I have learned to be strong

No ! No regrets

No! I will have no regrets

For the grief doesn’t last

It is gone

I’ve forgotten the past ….

….

Here’s to another 10 years of blogging

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 9, 2020 MEDICATIONS AND THE GUT BIOME

In October 2019, a study at the University Medical Center in the Netherlands published that a group of commonly used medications can have a significant impact on the make up of the gut microbiome.

This impact on the gut biome could increase the risk of infection, obesity and other conditions. Some of these medications surprised me. Some of the biggest offenders were the proton pump inhibitors ( like Prilosec, Nexium, Omperazole), metformin, laxatives and many antibiotics.

The antibiotics did not surprise me but the proton pump inhibitors for ulcers and gastritis did.

There were eight medication groups that appeared to increase antibiotics resistance mechanisms in the microbiome. This speaks to me that natural remedies and Medicines from the Earth, or Plant Medicine is the only solution

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 7 9, 2020 OBESITY

Today in 2020, there are 40 % of adults are obese. This is alarming as during the years 1976 to 1980 there were only 15 % of adults were obese. With the pounds going up every year, there is a rising rate of heart disease, diabetes and cancers.

We live today in a country of highly processed foods. These foods are killing us each day. These high calorie food available any time of the day and night cause a disruption in normal feeding and leads to overconsumption. This overconsumption leads to obesity. Having food available 24 hours of any day results in obesity This is not a surprise.

Studies have shown that a “ wild diet in calories and fats’ maintained normal eating and exercise had proper weights. These individuals were not obese.

Obesity is reversible. If obesity is reversible then so is heart disease and diabetes.

Eat better. Live longer, Live healthy

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 6, 2020 CHILI PEPPERS AND HEART DISEASE

Do you like to eat chili peppers? A published study in The Journal of American College of Cardiology published in 2019 revealed that regularly eating chili peppers was associated with lower total and cardiovascular disease mortality risks. I found this study to be informative and insightful.

The Chili pepper is part of our culture. Maybe not the American culture, but NYC culture with a melting pot of different cultures. It is seen in jewelry designs and most Italian cities. Historically and folklore medicine show chili peppers with amazing properties. We do know that different species in the Capsicum family have protective benefits for many disease other than heart disease.

Lets look at the consumption of spicy foods. These are consumed daily in some cultures. The daily consumption is associated with a 14 % reduction in total mortality and 22 % reduction in death from ischemic heart disease.

The lesson is: Start eating chili peppers

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 4, 2020 CORONA

The head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday that the global mortality rate for Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, was 3.4 percent.

“While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, Covid-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity,” states the WHO

To prevent any strain of flu

• Wash your hands after being in a public area with soap

You must have a good immune system. There are many things to consider to strengthen your immune system

Eat a healthy lifestyle. Limit the simple sugars.

Drink plenty of glass bottled water

Exercise at least three times a week

Take the following supplements

1. My Community by Host Defense - a complex mushroom formula by Fungi Imperfecti

2. Zinc and Selenium

3. Liposomal gluthathione

4. Astragalus

5. Monolaurin

6. ViralTone- I have been making a herbal tincture of herbs used against viruses

7. Herbal Tea- I have been mixing a herbal blend of tea to drink called Sickly

Both Viral Tone and Sickly tea are available at Botanical Bounty in NYC Call 212 421 3202

Be prepared and Be Well

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 3, 2020 CBD

I have written about CBD many times over the last 5 years. This months Natural Nutmeg ( www.naturalnutmeg.com) featured an article about CBD. I was proud ot see it was written by a former student, now naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Nick Edgerton. Hemp plants and its use have been around for many many years. It has been used long before the last 10 years with its popular use. Dr Edgerton highlighted the difference between the hemp plants which are the non flowering male plants and the female plant which is referred to as cannabis or marijuana.

CBD has its effect on the central nervous system due to its effect on the endocannabinoid system. Until 10 years there was no much literature on this ECS ( endocannabinoid system)

There is a lot of research today on the uses of CBD. These are highlighted in Dr Edgerton’s article. I have used CBD for more than 10 years. I have seen products’ come and go’ on the market. I have used it for anxiety, pain management, seizures, IBD and much more For a physician in recovery I I am careful to make sure I use CBD without any trace of THC. Be careful what you buy

As always I am in awe that I have been part of an individual’s education Dr Edgerton’s article summarizes the use of the correct CBD so well. I encourage to read this month’s Natural Nutmeg. He currently is in practice in northern Connecticut at Collaborative Natural Health Partners.

CBD IS NOW AVAILABLE AT OUR CONMNECTICUT OFFICE AT 203 717 1339 AS WELL AS IN OUR NEW YORK OFFICE AT 212 421 3202

Until tomorrow

MARCH 2, 2020 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE UNITED STATES

According to the State of the Worlds Plants Report 2017, there are at least 28,187 plants that are recognized as medicinal. There are great plant books on medicinal plants from the area that you live in. Herbalist, Matthew Wood wrote two books, The Earthwise Herbal . These are books on Old World and New World Medicinal Plants. These are just two examples of plant books .

The northernmost states of the US are home to a great many medicinal plants. These states, include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. I am a resident in two Northeast states- New York and Connecticut.

Examples of some plant in my region are:

Barberry, Black Walnut, Black Raspberry, Dogwood , Goldenrod, Hawthorne, Juniper, English Yew, Ginkgo, Maple, St John Wort, and Sycamore

Find the medicinal plants in your area Medicinal plants are growing in every state in the United States

Until tomorrow…