OCTOBER 1, 2020 HERBAL MEDICINES

Many conventional doctors do not know if herbal medicines work on patients. When a patient tells their allopathic doctor that they give herbal medications to their children there are two answers from the doctor? One is “ I don’t think they work” or if honest “ I don’t know anything about herbal medicines.

So I found an article about the efficacy of herbal medicines down in Europe. In Germany, approximately 85% of children are treated with herbal medicinal products (HMP) each year. However, clinical trials of HMPs are rarely conducted in pediatric populations, so evidence of efficacy, safety and dosing is lacking. The PhytoVIS database was developed to record patient experiences with HMPs

Although the study was limited there were adequate results. The perceived effect was rated very good in 48.4% of the patients, good to moderate in 36.8% of the patients, modest in 10.8% of the patients, and missing in 4.0% of the patients

The study was published by the American Botanical Council in their HerbalClip. I encourage health care professionals to join the ABC. I have been using herbal medicines for patients for more than 15 years with excellent results. As a patient you need to search out other modalities as herbal/botanical medicines to treat diseases.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 HOW TO NOT ALWAYS BE WORKING

For years I have always told patients to find a hobby. Earlier this year I decided to get a Little Library Box in Connecticut. I researched and found Little Free Library. ( www.littlefreelibrary.org) A beautiful dark green box was placed just inside my fence. To my amazement people in my neighborhood have been gracious at donating their books and also taking a book for them. Yesterday a book “ How to Not Always be Working - a toolkit for creativity and radical self care “ appeared in my library. This book by Marlee Grace exemplifies what I have been stating to my patients for years

I read 3/4 quarters of the book last night. The little book had exercises which keep me interested. It was an easy read. Any book that discusses herbs is heart felt for me. Nettles, Oat straw and Chamomille were discussed.

More than discussing the herb , it told the reader how to make an infusion. Simple , Easy and Relaxing. My tool kit for creativity is vast. I draw, I paint, I knit, I needle point, I stamp, I beekeep, I wax seal my envelopes, and I make candles. Remember it is progress NOT or NEVER perfection.

Try a hobby

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 BITTERS

It is amazing that I prescribe herbs. I love herbs. As a registered herbalist/integrative physician I utilize many herbs in my practice. I love bitters. I feel Western herbalists and Asian herbalists utilize bitters in IBS ( Irritable Bowel syndrome ) patients.

Bitters are herbs that stimulate the function and motility of the gastrointestinal tract. They increase gastric secretions which is a vital function. Bitters have a tonic action of the gut and stimulate exocrine secretions. I use Bitters to increase digestive function and these herbs do balance the GI flora. Most bitter herbs taste bitter. Not all bitters are actually bitter. Bitters are also choleretics, especially the well known Taxaxacum officinalis ( commonly known as Dandelion ) and Fumaria officinalis

There are pungent bitters as Zingiber officinalis ( Ginger)

Of note, any herb that has officnalis in its botanical name means it is used as medicine.

I prescribe bitters 30 minutes before a meal. Usually i combine the herbs in a tincture. The best result is when the patient tastes a bitter taste when taking a digestive tonic. This bitter state starts the digestive process by increasing salivary secretions.

Try a bitter herb.. Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 YOU'RE ON THE AIR

It has been 15 years since the publication of my first book- You’re on the Air with Dr Fratellone. It was a book on answers to the most commonly asked questions about supplements and herbs. It is still available on amazon.com and other companies. It was conceived from the many radio shows I had done solo and with the late Dr Robert Atkins. While working with Dr Atkins, I did a 1 hour radio show with him from his office . I have fond memories of those years.

The book is easy to read . I wrote the book with nutritionist, Barbara Mendez whom I worked with in my office. I still refer patients to look at the book and many other books.

In the 15 years, I have authored many medical articles, and magazine interviews . I have been a adjunct professor at the Naturopathic College at the University of Bridgeport for the last 5 years. I have lectured on many topics at the University. It has been ‘ beyond my wildest dreams.”

The late Walt Disney said “ All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them” -

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2020 HEMP

Hemp and all of its constituents, THC and CBD ( cannabinoids) have until recent years been misunderstood. Today it is used in paper, textiles, designer clothing, food, fuel, home building materials and of course, medicine

Both CBD and THC have roles in medicine. If you have anxiety, and pain, a good CBD can be used. I used products by many companies, but Canbiola Inc has a full spectrum CBD in many forms.

I utilize THC for many patients with proper marijuana registration and medical dispensary.

I recommend reading Rowan Pobinson’s book “ The Great Book of Hemp” A Complete Guide to Commercial, Medicinal and Psychotropic Uses. I have found this book to be complete from a history perspective as well as its uses today.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 HOMEOPATHIC FLU SHOT AND RE BOOST

This year it is important to consider a flu shot. There are many individuals who have never received the conventional flu shot. I can relate to this as many of patients have never had a flu shot. I have been offering a homeopathic flu shot from the company, HEEL for twenty years HEEL is a very reputable company.

This year you need the flu shot. I recommend the homeopathic flu with a booster of oral ReBoost cold and flu. This is sold exclusively given at Fratellone Medical in conjunction with the assistance of Botanical Bounty . Let Botanical Bounty get you ReBoost +10 with Oscillococcum and Zicam ( Zinc)

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 GINKGO FOR ISCHEMIC STROKE

Ginkgo biloba is a well studied herb for a variety of medical conditions. A published study in Medicine revealed and discussed Ginkgo as adjunctive treatment for ischemic strokes. This was a systemic review. This review studied 15 published trials between 2010 and 2018 which included over 1,500 patients . It is an excellent review of these studies

Conventional trained physicians would not consider a herb to be used in ischemic stroke patients. I feel we need to know all the data that is out there and has been published.

The authors of this study concluded that Ginkgo biloba extract improved neurological function compared to conventional therapy is ischemic stroke patients.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 EGGPLANT

Eggplant ( Solanum melongea) has been part of my Italian heritage from my childhood. I can’t remember a Holiday or even a Sunday meal without eggplant. Whether it was in parmigiana or breaded —it was always on the table. It is recommended to reduce calorie intake and to prevent type II diabetes. Recently a study published in Nutrients discussed daily intake of eggplant powder to reduce blood pressure and stress in a psychological stressed individual.

Any herb or food that can reduce blood pressure is interesting to me . We know from may studies that Garlic can do this as well as Glove Artichoke. These same authors discussed in previous studies the BP lowering effect of ACh ( acetylcholine ) in hypertensive rats. The study was better for the BP patients in the study versus the stress individual part of the study

The study was published in the HerbalGram of the American Botanical Council. I would suggest joining the American Botanical Council ( ABC) as a member. The articles published are always interesting.

Until tomorrow…