SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 ONE OF THE TWIN PEAKS

Without discussing the pandemic of COVID —there are two epidemics - obesity and diabetes. Many patients gained weight during the quarantine. There were a percentage of patients who ate better as they had time to prepare and cook food.

Changes in glycemic status can lead to pre-diabetes, which left untreated can lead to diabetes. Conventional or allopathic doctors do believe in behavioral dietary changes , diet lifestyle change, and medications. The pharmaceutical market for diabetic medications is overwhelming. These are oral medications I am not discussing insulin. I believe the most effective treatment for pre-diabetes includes behavioral changes including a healthy diet, regular aerobic exercise, and appropriate nutraceuticals/ herbs.

A recent study was published in Phytotherapy Research on Yerba matte and white mulberry. It was reprinted in the American Botanical Council, Herbalgram. If you are NOT a member- join the American Botanical Council today.

Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifoliaceae) has been shown to positively affect glucose absorption as well as have hypocholesterolemic and anti-inflammatory effects. White mulberry (Morus alba, Moraceae) had been used to decrease weight and adiposity, improve insulin resistance, increase glucose uptake, GlUT4 translocation and adiponectin, inhibit a-glucosidase activity, and improve endothelial function. Studies have shown that chromium picolinate may be beneficial in glucose and lipid control

More studies need to be done on plants and glucose metabolism. There are many herbs as bitter melon, cinammon and gymnema to help diabetes as well as nutraceuticals as chromium, vanadium, and alpha lipoic acid.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2020 CRANBERRY JUICE

When you think of cranberry juice , you might think of it as a prevention for a urinary tract infection. Some might think of it with vodka also known as a Capecod. A recent report published indicated it for Helicobacter pylori infection.

 A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial" was conducted by key scientists at the Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute in Beijing, China, a leading cancer research center. The study included 522 H. pylori-positive Chinese adults between the ages of 18-60 that have never previously received antibiotic therapy for H. pylori infection.

A new clinical trial found consuming cranberry juice containing 44 mg of proanthocyanidins (or "PACs") per 240-mL serving twice daily for eight weeks resulted in a 20% reduction in the H. pylori infection rate in Chinese adult participants, when compared to those consuming lower amounts of juice and a placebo.

The study findings reveal that cranberry juice may be a useful aid in H. pylori management in adults in a high-risk region of China with an endemic infection rate of over 50% In the United States conventional physicians prescribe antibiotics and an H2 blocker as Pepcid etc.

I will try the cranberry juice in addition to Mastica ( or mastic gum) and berberine. I have had success with these two herbs.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 CAYENNE PEPPERS

“ Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” Have you ever thought what does that mean !@ What is the meaning of this ? The pickled peppers refers to an herb that has many uses. It is Cayenne Pepper ( Capsicum annuum  or Capisicum frutescens.sider )

Many people consider Cayenne Peppers  to be the king of medicinal herbs. I feel this is one of the kings or queens. There are others . In fact, these peppers have been used for thousands of years to help treat many health problems. Not only do they have medicinal properties, but cayenne peppers are also great for cooking and contain several beneficial nutrients. I feel we all at one time or another have tasted this herb

The main medicinal properties of cayenne are derived from a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient which gives peppers their heat. Cayenne is a very high source of Vitamins A and C.It also has the complete B complex family while being rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it has been suggested for the heart.

It is one of the herbs used in ancient times. It has restorative and stimulating abilities in the digestive process, . The English feel it it good for memory and some feel the pepper can deter senility

So see if you like it …try it …a sprinkle on your food.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 COMPOSTING

It is important to compost no what where you live. I didn’t do it in the city I didn’t think of it. Living in Connecticut it is a must So my neighbor gave my a composter.

We as humans have a symbiotic exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide. We are linked. An herbalist has a link between the plant and the Earth. This should be a give and take situation. We have taken too much from this Earth and give nothing back.

Now you can give back to the Earth —by composting.

Start your own composting on October 31 to November 1 which is Samhaim- It takes several months for organic material to break down into enriched soil. You will have the compost by Spring for your planting season Use fallen leaves, vegetable scraps, flowers, stem etc AVOID animal waste as well as bones and meat( as you do not want to attract rodents etc )Egg shells if crushed are good. I am beginning to put my ‘stuff’ in a commercially built tumbler

It is said that composting is your opportunity to complete the sacred cycle of the seasons and honor the dead. This compost is a magical bed of transformation for my gardens where new life will grow and flowers will bloom

I am excited to begin this process

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBERF 8, 2020 RED CLOVER

This is one plant that you cannot miss once you recognize its three leaflets and a round flower head It is located throughout the United States. It is often used by herbalists for a variety of conditions.

You can even eat the petals. I have placed them in a salad and they are tasty

Red clover is used for symptoms of menopause, weak and brittle bones, high levels of cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Red clover contains chemicals called phytoestrogens that are similar to the hormone estrogen. For this reason it can be used for females who have menopausal symptoms.

The tea from the flowers are flavinoid rich providing anti oxidant and anti cancer benefits. I have used it in addition to the above to treat burns and guts and liver problems. This herb is part of the cancer formula called Essiac. The other herbs in Essiac is burdock root, slippery elm. rhubarb poot, sheep sorrel

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 PEPPERWEED

I always try to read about weeds that are edible. Pepperweed also known as Lepidium virginicum is an edible weed. The entire plant is edible. Young leaves can be used as a potherb, sautéed or used fresh in salads. The young seedpods can be used as a substitute black pepper. ... The flowers can be tossed into a salad and the roots

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

There is not a lot of information on the medicinal benefit of this plant. Native Americans use this plant as general medicine. It is said that tea from its leaves and the seeds can restore sex drive

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 4-6, 2020 MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY

There are many vitamin an d mineral deficiencies. I see Vitamin D, B12, folate deficiency all the time. Usually this is due to either the patient not eating enough of green leafy vegetables or there is an undiagnosed MTHFR mutation

There is usually an undiagnosed Magnesium deficiency . But nearly 50% of all Americans have a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is a mineral needed to support a number of critical functions in your body. For instance, it helps maintain normal blood pressure, keeps your bones strong through the metabolism of calcium and potassium, and helps to keep your heartbeat steady. It’s a cofactor involved in over 300 enzyme systems that regulate biochemical reactions. And it’s a necessary component for energy production, DNA and RNA synthesis, and muscle and nerve function.

You can get magnesium from eating magnesium rich foods. If you decide not to do that then you must take magnesium as a supplement. Magnesium is found in bananas, certain grains, almond, peanuts and other sources. We need magnesium for a healthy heart, prevention of osteoporosis, help prevent Type II diabetes, better sleep cycles, and prevention of migraines.

You can get an accurate magnesium checked at your physician. He should do a rbc-magnesium level.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 BEE VENOM THERAPY

As the name implies, bee venom is an ingredient derived from bees. It’s used as a natural treatment for a variety of ailments. Recently the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Australia studied and published a paper concluding that bee venom therapy rapidly kills breast cancer cells. It was published in the journal, Natural Precision Oncology. The study was led by Dr Ciara Duffy

Its proponents claim that it offers a wide range of medicinal properties, ranging from reducing inflammation to treating chronic illnesses. There are studies that concluded that BVT is beneficial for autoimmune conditions as Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even lupus, but also other conditions. All products from the hive have medicinal benefits.

I am a beekeeper and an apitherapist . I do use all products of my hives which incldue propolis, honey, beeswax ( to make candles) royal jelly and BVT. Due to the increased number of beekeepers, there is a surge in bee venom popularity bee venom use Bee-venom therapy has been used in traditional medicine practices for thousands of years. A recent show on Netflix called UnWell ( episode 6) discussed BVT.

I am the Vice President of the American Apitherapy Society , where we have a mission to educate. I would suggest looking at our web site, www.apitherapy.org. You can support the AAS in helping us. In June I helped raise money for the 501C project.

Support the AAS and your local beekeeper.