NOVEMBER 4, 2020 CYSTITIS

Acute cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, is caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). The antibiotics used to treat UTIs alleviate symptoms quickly; however, the use of antibiotics is associated with adverse effects and an increase in antibiotic resistance. The use of antibiotics also disturbs the gut microbiome.

A recent study posted in HerbalGram of the American Botanical Council by Pugliese D, Acampora A, Porreca A, Schips L, Luca C. Effectiveness of a novel oral combination of D-Mannose, pomegranate extract, prebiotics and probiotics in the treatment of acute cystitis in women. Arch Ital Urol Androl. April 6, 2020;92(1):34-38.

I use D mannose for cystitis related to E coli. I never though to combine with the other constituents. The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit -bearing shrub that grows between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall. When i think of the pomegranate I think of a medicinal plant from the Bible and its use in prostate issues. There was good results from this combination. As with all studies there are small flaws. Yet the authors stated "Our study suggests that the synergistic action of the components of this new combination could help the bacterial washout resulting in an effective management of acute cystitis in women without antibiotics in a wide majority of the cases.”

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 WITCHERY

I do not know if it is appropiate to discussion witchery on Election Day, but being close to Halloween I though it was deemed necessary. I read a lot . I feel it is important to always keep the brain active with new material. I recently purchased Plant Witchery by Juliet Diaz, author of Witchery. I enjoy all books but especially ones on plants and magic. I am kindered to plants. I have realized this even more so in the last two years y moving to Connecticut and planting my gardens. It has been serene, peaceful and meditative to me

In Plant Witchery, the Book Annoiting Ritual grasped my attention and it had the book almost awaken ‘ a spell’ on me. I started to read the pages and couldn’t put the book down. You ask what is Plant Witchery. Diaz exp0lains it well “ It is more than a path or practice — it is a devotional pact between Mother Earth, Earth spirits and inner self. “ e need this more today than ever before. The Mother Earth is in need of help. It is my hope that all people save this planet in any way you can. She states “ The Earth holds the spirits of our ancestors; they speak to us through nature.”

The description of 200 herbs in the book is very informative and educational. I enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GINGER

It’s botanical name is Zingiber officinale. It’s unmistakable. Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades

It can be used fresh, dried, powdered, as a juice or even an oil. There are many scientific studies which have shown ginger to be medically beneficial. As in most plants there is an active component. Sometimes it is an alkaloid. For ginger it is gingerol. It has been used to fight colds and flus, it an reduce nausea, and aid in digestion. It is useful for the vomiting associated with pregnancy.

It has anti inflammatory and anti oxidant effects. It can reduce free radical damage of the body. There was a 2019 study concluding that ginger can reduce weight loss. In 2016 another study concluded its weight loss effects and also that ginger reduced insulin levels.

Many of my patients use ginger for their osteoarthritis. It helps reduce pain and their disability. In my field of cardiology I was most impressed by its reduction of apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A ratio. It also reduced oxidative stress by decreasing by 23 % malonaldehyde (MDA)

Perhaps it is best known for helping digestive problems as dyspepsia also known as indigestion

If you haven’t tried ginger…I would suggest you do.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 31,2020 - NOVEMBER 1, 2020 STEVIA

Stevia is a sweetener and sugar substitute  derived from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana native to Brazil  and Paraguay. The active compounds are steviol which have been shown to have 30-150 times more sweetness than sugar. It is rather non toxic compared to white sugar. Stevia is heat stable and non fermentable.

Importantly the body does not metabolize the glycosides in stevia and does contain zero calories.

Other substitute as Equal, Splenda and Sweet n Low also contain zero calories, but studies have shown these compounds to be toxic and are linked to cancer. As far as we know and what has been studied, Stevia is neither harmful nor toxic

We thought the same for others above until investigated years later. You can obtain stevia in powder or liquid. Stevia has a long history of use in South America with promising results.

Stevia is sold as Stevia but it also found in the product Truvia.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 30, 2020 CANNABIDIOL

If you ever needed a bit of stress relief… it is now. The use of CBD based products has increased exponentially. There are studies to validate the use of CBD for a variety of conditions. These conditions include

1. Anxiety

2. . Skin conditions as pruritis, psoriasis, acxne

3. Pain and Inflammation

4. Nerve Pain from Shingles, neuropathy

5. Vulvodynia

6. Autism

7. IBS, as Crohn’s and Colitis

The Cannabis plant has been cultivated and used for centuries. The two main plant species used are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica These plants contain more than 80 different cannabinoids. The psychoactive component is THC ( this is marijuana) whereas the non psychoactive part is CBD. Different strains of the plant are grown to contain different amounts of CBD and THC. There are benefits to using the psychoactive THC. I do refer patients to get a Marijuana Card from the correct physician. I utilize CBD , the psychoactive part in many patients. It is overwhelming to read the number of diseases that have used both parts of the hemp plant. The endocannabinoid System ( ECS) in our bodies is well researched and extensively studied. We have CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body.

You must get a good quality CBD product. There are many on the market. I use the company, Canbiola for most of my products. I refer patients to get many different types of CBD from this company. I use their roll on / cream for pain. I also utilize Diamond CBD for infused gummy bears for sleep. Another company is EBM which I use often

I encourage my patients to investigate CBD as a treatment option for many of their health related concerns

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 29, 2020 CORONA

As Halloween is approaching, it will not quite the same. There is NO NYC Halloween Parade, and there will be less trick or treaters on the streets. And FOR GOOD REASON

This pandemic is not quite over ... and can be frightening. There are as of this week 43.6 million cases and 1.1 million deaths world wide. In the United States there are 8.7 million cases with 225,000 deaths. The number of deaths in the United States will increase

As a physician, both in the ER volunteering and in my medical practice I have seen death from corona. There are some individuals who still refuse to believe that this virus kills. I am not one of those people.

Patients who take supplements and herbs did fair better if they got COVID. These 4 supplements should be taken

1. Vitamin C - at least 2,000/day

2. Zinc - 30 mg once a day

3. Vitamin D - 5,000/ day

4. NAC- N acetylcysteine or glutathione 300-600 mg twice a day

In addition I have prescribe a loose herbal tea for patients as well as a tincture I made called ViraTone.

Call Botanical Bounty - 646 741 3710

Until tomorrow… And please WEAR A MASK

OCTOBER 28, 2020 LYME DISEASE

Lyme Disease is real. Unless you suffer from Lyme or know someone who is —it is difficult to understand how a tick bite can cause so much havoc in one’s body.

I am been a witness to the suffering of countless patients with Lyme. One of these is my son, Gregory. He like many others have a variety of symptoms ranging from fatigue to headache to inability to concentrate to inability to walk to low blood pressure and heart rate.

Many patients didn’t know they were bit, and some ( about 45 % ) did not develop a rash. By not being treated within a reasonable amount of time ( about 72 hours) the spirochete can take over and cause many of these symptoms. Some medical professionals do not believe in chronic Lyme.

My son like many have undergone multiple antibiotic regimens both oral and intravenous, many herbal protocols and many have read “ Healing Lyme by Stephen Buhener. As a physician and father I have tried various other regimens for my son including other intravenous regimens and been sting therapy with live honeybees. Of course there needs to be a change in dietary lifestyle, as well as exercise lifestyle. The patient needs to detox the body of other chemicals and metals

Some of my patients have tried Stem Cell Therapy with success. These patients have done a 4 week therapy at the Stem Aid Institute in Mexico.

Here is his story: Check out a Go Fund Me page https://www.gofundme.com/f/9ambm-beat-lyme-disease?sharetype=teams&member=6248166&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=706c5c821ac842d390e4b16e54eb622e

Until tomorrow

OCTOBER 27, 2020 ETROG CITRON

Etrog Citron is available now in some specialty food stores. It is available in late Fall and early Winer. The Etrog citron looks like a large, knobby and sometimes ribbed lemon. It is a species of citrus fruit and is related to the Buddah’s Hand. One characteristic of this variety of citrus is a very thick rind and aromatic skin. It has very small sections and many, many seeds. The flesh of the Etrog is neither particularly sweet nor sour and sometimes there is very little to even taste. Its botanical name is Citrus medica

Have you ever tasted an Etrog Citron. I have. I like the taste . I cannot describe the taste- I know as stated it is neither sweet nor sour. It has many health benefits.

One story from the Torah claims the Etrog was the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, and not in fact an actual apple. I thought it was a pomegranate and NOT an apple. Never heard it was an Etrog

The health benefits from ingesting etrog are numerous . Studies have been done on its anti oxidant, and anti microbial benefits. It does contain high levels of limonoids which are found in a very few citrous fruits. It has been studied that these substances have inhibitory effects of many inflammatory pathways The antimicrobial benefits are attributed by specific limonoids as limonin and nomilin.

An etrog is high is calcium, about 166.0 mg and about 16.7 grams of carbohydrates of which all 16.6 grams are dietary fiber.

Although etrog differ in size, shape and color I would encourage you try one during this time of the year. Put it on your bucket list- do not be as cautious as you would be by its shape— try it you’ll like it.

Until tomorrow…