JULY 3-5 , 2020 HOMEFRONT FARMERS

Summer is here. It is not the summer we had hoped for. It is not what we expected. We have to continue to social distance and wear masks. There is a lot of discussions about all of this For weeks I have written about the Corona Pandemic . I have tried to educate, teach and hope some of my readers have listened. I will continue to write about the Corona Virus.

For this 4th of July I want you to love the taste of summer from your own garden. Last week I have crisp lettuce and deep green spinach from my Connecticut neighbors garden I even picked fresh strawberries from my own garden . This year I planted many berry bushes. I have planted 2 elderberry bushes, one Bing cherry tree, one mulberry tree, one Turkey Fig tree, and one gooseberry bush. I planted 3 tomatoe plants and 4 pepper plants.

You might not have time to grow your own vegetables. And if you do you might need help to maintain. I have a great suggestion You can educate yourselves with the assistance on Homefront Farmers. They are the leading experts in producing homegrown organic food They have organic gardeners who can help, assist and make visits. They will keep your garden bountiful. They still have seedlings in their greenhouses. There is still time to maybe grow on your windowsill.

Check out www.homefrontfarmers.com Get involved

Until tomorrow…

JULY 2, 2020 SAVE OUR POLLINATORS

In 2014, Science found that were a 45 % global mean abundance decline in insect populations and last year another report stated that 40 % of insect species are threatened with extinction. In Europe the reports are more alarming. If you live in a city you probably do not hear about this nor do you concentrate on the insects in your neighborhood. I have been a beekeeper for more than 10 years . I started this ‘ hobby’ to Save Our Honeybees. What started as a hobby is my passion. I have kept bees in NYC on my terrace and now in Connecticut. If we lose the bee population you will not have a third of your fruits and vegetables at your dinner table. This year I raised $4500 in donations for my 60th birthday for the American Apitherapy Society for which I am Vice President.

Living in Connecticut I get to witness the decline. I plant insect friendly flowers for our pollinators — bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other insect pollinators. Get involved.

The Pollinator Pathway Project covers parts of Connecticut and New York. It has been establishing pollinator friendly habitats and food sources for all insect pollinators. The ‘ pathway’ is formed through the establishment of pesticide free , semi contiguous corridor of public and private properties that provide plant habitat and nutrition for pollinators. This is a worth while cause that is needed. This corridor operates as a sanctuary for native pollinators. This approach is working and spreading throughout Connecticut. Like every organization there are hurdles. The best plants are those native to the Northeast. These stand the best chance to provide what is needed.

Get involved. Read about this Project . www.pollinator-pathway.org

Until tomorrow….

JULY 1, 2020 WHAT IS CISTANCHE

Have you ever heard of Cistanche ? I didn’t . During the pandemic I have extensive reading on a variety of subjects. Since I enjoy plants I do most of my reading of species of plants for the garden as well as medicinal use. The major component of Cistanche tubulosa extract has been researched , studied and has published medical benefits.

Cistanche health benefits include enhancing immunity, sexual health, antioxidation, and neuroprotection. It's known for its anti-aging properties It has shown to improve sexual function in both men and females. Maybe you have heard of this plant. Cistanche goes by many different names: cistanche tubulosa, cistanche sinensis, cistanche sala, and cistanche deserticola. It is also called Rou Cong Rong by the Chinese and nicknamed “ginseng of the desert In Asian cultures it is used as anti aging plant with others. It is a powerful antioxidant which account for its anti aging properties. It has been shown to promote T cell lymphocyte production thus increasing life span.

The supplementation of Citanche has been shown to increase naïve T cells and natural killer ( NK) cells which decreasing pro inflammatory markers as Interleukin 6. There are other supplements which decrease the inflammatory marker, IL 6 as CHEA and omega 3 oils.

More needs to be studied on this herb. Cistanche could be opportunity to live a longer healthier life.

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 30, 2020 NUTS, NUTS, NUTS

If you need a quick energy boosting and cancer preventing food I would suggest eating a variety of nuts. I have discussed the beneficial use of Walnuts and Almonds in the past as well as a variety of seeds as Pumpkin seeds. One nut , the Pecan has many health benefits.

When I think of Pecans I think of Virginia and Nancy Byrd’s Pecan pie. I wasn’t fond of pecans if not for the pie. However one ounce of pecans contains 3 grams of protein in addition to healthy fats ( like other nuts )

Pecans have been shown to decrease the bad cholesterol , LDL. Pecans are high in monosaturated fats. One specific one is oleic acid . It has been shown to lower the expression of a gene called Her2/neu This gene is involved with the expression of breast cancer. The activation of this gene is associated with aggressive breast tumors and a poor prognosis.

Perhaps this is the reason I recommend a Mediterranean diet ( without the bread and the pasta) as this diet is high in monosaturated fats like oleic acid.

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 29, 2020 STRESS REDUCTION

It has been hard to reduce stress during the Corona pandemic. We do know that increased stress can reduce your immune system These high levels of stress which may include loss of work, financial insecurity and your health can trigger high levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone. There are published studies that have shown that cortisol diminishes immune functions and can increase disease risk.

Cortisol is responsible for your flight or flight response that each of us has had at one point in our lives. When the stressful threat has passed cortisol levels are supposed to return to normal . With an ingoing pandemic, cortisol levels are most definitely ON. Sress can result in a decrease in lymphocytes. These immune cells are used to kill viruses, like Corona and other invaders of the body.

We do know from published that supplements rich in polyphenols can help promote a variety of biochemical activities especially reducing inflammation and decreasing cortisol One of the best and most studied herbs that is effective in reducing cortisol and inflammation is Green Tea. It is rich in a polyphenol EGCG.

There is also the lychee fruit which is rick in polyphenols. Lychee contain long chain polyphenols which are not easily absorbed. Life Extension has a new short chain lychee green tea blend which is excellent. (www.,lifeextension.com ) There are studies that this product with added Magnolia bark and Phellodedron bark can reduce cortisol. I also use many adaptogenic herbs in tea form and tablet form to help your stress. These tea blends and supplements are available at Botanical Bounty in NYC at 115 East 57th Street Suite 1510.

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 25-28 2020 INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY

For the last five years I have taught Oncology at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. It was a task or endeavor I enjoyed doing for the students What started as a weekend intensive course 6 years ago was now a full semester of Integrative Approaches to Cancer. Not only are naturopathic doctors must know the conventional principles of oncology and specific cancers , but they approach the patient in a different perspective. As a integrative/functional medicine physician I use many approaches to the treatment of cancers. I introduce the patient to the world of botanicals that have been used in other countries for treatment as well as vitanutrients.

According the American Cancer Society in 2020 an estimated 276,000 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Many of these individuals will die. Although treatments as radiation and chemotherapy are used, many will still succumb to this dreadful disease.

This is journey I have taken many times with my patients. It is a mental/ emotional and psychological journey. The treatment is demanding Only the patient and the families know what lies ahead. I provide integrative tools to complement conventional treatments. These include meditation, yoga, reiki, botanical ( herbal ) treatments, vitamins ( oral and intravenous) , acupuncture and many other modalities. I present all to the patient. I perform a battery of blood tests to further help with the treatment protocols. Some of these plants used are Carnivora, Ukraine, B17, Mistletoe , and a variety of medicinal mushrooms.

I believe every individual should know other treatment modalities used in other countries This is truly an integrative approach to cancer

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 24, 2020 ALARMING SPIKES

Corona virus is like the fires of Australia. It is never going to go completely away . Yesterday California reported more than 6,000 infections in a single day - the largest single day count since the pandemic started. The more troubling sign is the increase in the hospitalizations in the state in some areas

I feel this is due to increase in widespread testing and also because the virus like a fire continues to spread. We have to see if this all results in increase hospitalizations. I do know that you can help build your immune system with vitamin C, zinc, complete mushroom formula and herbal antivirals.

There are projections within some states. There is 170 % increase in what was reported for deaths to be 5,600 which will now be about 150,000 by October 2020. This is alarming. We will begin to see higher[projections in most states that initially were low. The virus is continuing to spread. Los Angeles has had more than 2000 new cases per week in the last four weeks. We expected an increase in cases as business reopened and individuals started back at normal routines. This is high than was expected

Health officials expected a surge. I feel California and other states will deal with the increasing numbers. We must be diligent and proactive

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 23, 2020 DEXAMETHASONE

Dexamethasone is not a new drug Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood, hormone and immune system disorder and used in treatment of certain cancers. It is also used as a test for an adrenal gland disorder drug .

This medication is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions.

Recently there are reports that it stopped or cut COVID deaths. The report of its use has NOT been published yet. The scientific expert in the U.K. Patrick Vallance called the result “ tremendous news” Even the FDA said “ this is a positive finding.” I am still skeptical as I want the study to be published and I want to see the data. There were drugs at the beginning of the pandemic that were touted ‘ cures’ or the “ best’ Some of these were in spoken by the covert narcissist in the White House.

This study has a good patient study population of more than 2,000 patient each receiving 6 mg of Dexamethasone. It is the first drug to improve survival. I like the fact that this is an inexpensive drug that can be used. We will await the results

Until tomorrow…