NOVEMBER 12, 2020 MAGIC MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms have bene used to treat medical diseases much longer than it has been written about. There are many different types of mushrooms. Some are edible and some are not. Some are medicinal and some are not.

Psilocybin mushrooms provide fast-acting, long-lasting relief from major depression, a new major study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds.

Also known as magic mushrooms, just two doses of the humble fungi eliminated symptoms of depression faster and kept them away longer than typical pharmaceutical antidepressants, a team of psychiatrists and neurologists from Johns Hopkins University found. These mushrooms were four times more effective than conventional medications. Although this was a small study I was happy to see it being published.

The state of Oregon just legalized these magic mushrooms, authorizing them for therapeutic use and decriminalizing possession, so it looks like Oregonians will be the first to enjoy the seemingly “magic” medicinal mushroom.

More studies need to be done

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 CORONA UPDATE

When is a disease free day in sight ? I think that is a day that is long off. There are 600,000 deaths world wide with 14 million cases. The numbers are beginning to be staggering again as if it was March 2020. The United States reported more than 128,000 new coronavirus cases on November 5th as the number of fatalities nationwide exceeded 1,000 for the fourth consecutive day.

There will be a Corona task force set up per #46 ( President Elect Biden) This is my dilema—what do we do now ? A vaccine? Let’s not hope that one comes out soon as there are 5 in Phase 3 trials, yet none are near completion. Let us not forget if any of these vaccines have neurological effects. I have many of my patients on 4-5 key supplements: 1. Vitamin C, 2. zinc; 3. N acetyl cysteine; 4. Vitamin D; and 5. methylated B complex; Many are also on low dose naltrexone ranging from 1 to 4 mg. This is a prescription.

This next statement by the Center of Disease Control worried me.—

“Adults testing positive for the coronavirus were almost twice as likely to report having gone into workplaces in person or into a school in the previous two weeks than those who tested negative, according to a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control “

You MUST wear a mask. You MUST social distance. You MUST use your common sense when traveling to and from work. Eat healthier, exercise at least three times a week and STAY CALM

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 THE WORTS

There are lots of plants with the word ‘ wort’ in its name. There is Lungwort, and Mugwort and of course Motherwort. I have used the first and the last in many herbal formulas. For those that love magic and plants you must read about Moonwort. Its botanical name is Botrychium lunmaria. I love the mystery behind this herb . It is said to bring light to who we are.

It is truly a magical herb. Witches have used it to bring the moon energy into their spell work. I would bet that the Sanderson Sisters used Moonwort. We all have an intuitive side. Some use it more than others. Most witches are female and this plant is great for the feminine energy.

It is used medicinally to help wound healing. It can speed up the healing process when used on a fresh wound.

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 DRAGON'S BLOOD

I feel I must have written about Dragon’s Blood at one point in the last ten years. It is a resoin rather than a specific plant. Most of the resin comes from the genus Daemonorops. It is hard to find a good source of Dragon’s blood.

There is not a lot written about this resin Medicinally it has ant viral properties as well as wound healing effects. It also has anti inflammatory properties.

It has been used as an ink in ancient times. I sure used to write love letters. I have read that it is a good healer.

My intent is to find a good source of dragon’s blood to use it to seal my Christmas envelopes ( wax and dragon’s blood )

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 6-8, 2020 FENGREEK

Fenugreek is not a common herb that you may know about. Its botanical name is Trigonella foenum-graecum . Fenugreek is a clover-like herb native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. Its seeds, which smell and taste like maple syrup, have been used in cooking and as medicine. Fenugreek is used as an ingredient in spice blends and a flavoring agent in foods, beverages, and tobacco. I feel most individuals have heard of fenugreek due to its effect on boosting testosterone and increasing milk production during lactation.

In the herbal world it has many medical benefits. I use it to lower blood sugar when combined with other herbs as bitter melon, and cinnamon , It useful when combined with chromium , vanadium and alpha lipoic acid.

A recent study used fenugreek as a lipid lowering herb in patients with Type II diabetes. These authors conducted a randomized, controlled trial to investigate the effects of a fenugreek seed powder solution on the lipid profile of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This study was published in the HerbalGram of the American Botanical Council in July 2020. There were significant improvements seen in total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels (P < 0.001 for all). There are many herbs that should also be studied along with fenugreek.

The authors conclude that the fenugreek seed powder solution "had pronounced effects in improving lipid metabolism in type II diabetic patients with no adverse effects" and "may provide new alternatives for the clinical management of type II diabetes."

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 5, 2020 GARLIC

It seems ages ago that Dr Peter Bonjioro, Dr Pina Lo Giudice and I wrote a paper on Health Benefits of Garlic. I am grateful that this review iwas published n the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in 2008 . As stated in our article.

“ A member of the Liliaceae family, garlic (Allium sativum) is highly regarded throughout the world for both its medicinal and culinary value. Early men of medicine such as Hippocrates, Pliny and Aristotle encouraged a number of therapeutic uses for this botanical. Today, it is commonly used in many cultures as a seasoning or spice. Garlic also stands as the second most utilized supplement. With its sulfur containing compounds, high trace mineral content, and enzymes, garlic has shown anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant abilities. Diseases that may be helped or prevented by garlic's medicinal actions include Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, strokes, hypertension, thrombosis and hyperlipidemias) children's conditions, dermatologic applications, stress, and infections. Some research points to possible benefits in diabetes, drug toxicity, and osteoporosis.

I am always reading and surfing articles on the internet Recently posted in the HerbalGram of the American Botanical Council was an article that peeked my interest. It is

Shaikh K, Kinninger A, Cherukuri L, et al. Aged garlic extract reduces low attenuation plaque in coronary arteries of patients with diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Exp Ther Med. February 2020;19(2):1468-1471

The study concluded that one year of AGE therapy ( aged garlic ) led to a reduction of LAP ( low attenuation plaque (LAP), a high-risk plaque feature) in patients with diabetes. "Further studies are warranted to evaluate whether AGE has the ability to stabilize vulnerable plaque and decrease adverse cardiovascular events," This is a great study. I would hope that more conventional physicians would read these studies.

Until tomorrow…

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…