MARCH 1, 2021 11 YEARS

This year marks 11 years since I started to write this blog. It has been a pleasure writing on a variety of subjects. These have raged from herbs, to supplements, to diseases and to life lesson I have learned. This is a new month. It has been a difficult year - This ‘pandemic’ was the reset for many individuals including me. I used this year to ‘perfect’ my simple habits. It is really progress , not perfection. Living a full healthier lifestyle is easier than you think. Here is my list of 7 things that might improve your life.

1. GRATITUDE: It is gratitude not attitude. This is a life lesson from my 12 step program. Having gratitude has changed my perspective. It has made me appreciate the small things in life.

2. MEDITATION/PRAYERS: I have meditated for more than 20 years. This year I changed the type of meditation to improve my flow of life.

3. NATURE: I need Mother nature or what I call, Earth Mother. You should be part of this beautiful world- flowers, plants, animals, insects ( honeybees ) Watching my honeybees drink water from the pond is amazing. You begin to feel alive

4. EXERCISE: Do some exercise. This past year with many closures it has been difficult. You can exercise at home or simply just walk in your neighborhood.

5. SLEEP: We all need to sleep better. This is one lifestyle habit that is life changing. There are many ways to improve your sleep- meditation, yoga, chanting and you can take some herbal supplements

6. DIETARY CHANGES: Stop eating processed foods. This is a no-brainer Stop the sugar in your life. This decreases inflammation in your body

7. FAMILY/FRIENDS: We all need human connection. It is the key to living a vibrant life. Surround yourself with positive individuals

The last and final words of wisdom - LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 27-28, 2021 SHOULD YOU TAKE DHEA

Should you take DHEA ? This is a hormone that is sold over the counter in most vitamin /health food stores. Please do not confuse with the oil , DHA which is needed for good brain function.

DHEA has its place in your medicine cabinet and should be taken after consultation with an integrative practitioner. DHEA can increase stress tolerance, and lowers the cortisol ( stress hormone) in your body. We are all under stress in this world we live in. DHEA has shown to increase the lifespan of animals. DHEA does not affect the hormone aldosterone - so you would not get fluid or water retention.

DHEA may be converted to testosterone. This is why I recommend a consult with a practitioner before starting. It can stimulate hair follicles and oil glands. For this reason it can cause acne.

I have seen some of my patients get irritated, anxious and even have palpitations when taking DHEA. I use the 7 keto DHEA for these patients, as the 7 keto DHEA does not convert to testosterone

I am always asked how much should I take. I always prefer to start with a low dose 10- 25 mg for women and 50 mg to 100 mg for men. For sensitive patients I can start at 2.5 mg to 5 mg. You can check your levels of DHEA by a blood test.

Ask your doctor about DHEA

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 BASIL

When i think of Basil I think of my Poppy’s Italian cooking. Basil ( Ocimum basillicum) is part of the Mont Family. It is native to the tropical climates. It is a fragrant herb. I find it easily grows in my home in Connecticut. I prefer to grow all of my herbs in clay pots There are many types of basil- the most common is sweet basil. You should know there is purple basil, lemon basil and even Thai basil.

When I think of basil I think of the oil form. This is called the Oil of Renewal. I often suggest the use of oil of basil for patients who feel overwhelmed, fatigued, and are stressed. This could be anyone today with the world happenings. I feel it helps patients achieve a better balance in their lives.

It is definitely an energizing herb as well as a herb for rejuvenation .

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 WHAT TEA SHOULD I TAKE

As a medical doctor/ registered herbalist I am more than familiar with different herbs for different illnesses. I never have a tea that can be used for all except maybe gastrointestinal disease. I have consulted with Botanical Bounty to make some generic teas called “ Calmly”, “ Lovely”, “Sickly”, “Streamly” and our most popular “ Gutsy” Check out www.botanicalbounty.org or call 646 723 1823.

We can also make a tea just for you —just tell us your symptoms and fill out the forms on their website.

For example you suffer from arthritis. I can think of 10 different herbs I can use. Examples of herbs used in tea for arthritis include burdock root, vervain, blessed thistle, devil’s claw and nettles.

I had a parent call me about bedwetting for their 7 year old. There can be many causes. I prescribed a tea of chamomille, St John’s wort and added some ginseng. It worked for this child. I tried the same formula on a different child and it didn’t work. This is why I like to make herbal teas for patients that I meet in the practice.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 COVID UPDATE

This last yeaqr has been numb to many including me. WE all have sufered in some way- I witnessed first hand the devastation that corona caused killing friends, family and patientgs. More than 500,000 have died from COV ID in the United States

We are now in a vaccine frenzy? Should I or shouldn’t I? According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ( VAERS) there have been 12,697 injuries following vaccination and 653 deaths. This is what was reported. Is it true? Are there much more that haven’t not been reported ?

Of cases reported between December 14 2020 and February 4, 2021 , 3.69 % were life threatening and the numbner of deathjs were 5.14. Pzifer accounts for 58 % of deaths while Moderna 41 % What is more disturbing was looking at January 2020 to January 2021 where you find that COVID 19 vaccines account fdor a 70 % of annual vaccine deaths

Do you get vaccinated ? Some of us have no choice. Health care professionals will eventually need a vaccine to renew their medical licenses There are many who at at risk with heart disease, diabetes, autoiummune disorders and cancer.

You evenbtually have to enter the real world. There will be a time where a vaccine passport will be mandated. There are many countries who have acquirted grants to work on the future state of affairs. In a recent article ‘ Papers Please’ on Dr Mercola’s website you can read about the increased surveillance with vaccine passports.

The world has changed—don’t be fooled . With all the grief we now must deal with the future of ‘ normal daily life’ with a type of vaccine passport.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 ZINC

We need zoinc. It is an essential element to our wellbeing. I have many of my patients taking opti-Zinc as a protection against COVID 19. Zinc in our body is a catlyst for about 100 different enzyme reactions in our body. Since zinc is not stored in the body it must be taken every day.

Zinc deficiency is seen in most patients with a low or under active thyroid called Hypothyroidism. Zinc deficiency prevents the conversion of hormone T4 into the active T3 hormone. Zinc is also needed to form th thyroid stimulating hormone ( TSH) There are food sources of zinc as oysters, chicken, beef and lobster. So a vegetarian or vegan would have a zinc deficiency and must supplement. Zinc absorption is also impaired in many patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IUBS) or rather best termed “ Leaky Gut “ Any insult to the gut such as food allergies, heavy metals intoxication, chronic infections et al can cause gut disturbance which would lead to a zinc deficiency.

A good clinician ( doctor) can defect zinc deficiency on the liver function tests ( AST , ALT , and Alk phos) A low alkaline phosphatase can be the first sign of a zinc deficiency.

Zinc is required for all. Ask your doctor to check zinc, copper and selenium levels especially if you have a thyroid problem. You must take 1 mg of copper for every 15mg of zinc you take

Get your zinc level checked today

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 22,2021 DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulosis is a common condition characterized by the formation of small pouch like herniations along the wall of the GI tract. These are called diverticuli They usually appear in the large intestines but there can be diverticuli along other areas in the GI tract. If one of these pouches get inflammed or infected , you now have divericulitis. This usually requires a visit to the ER, blood tests, CT scans and intravenous antibiotics.

I have used herbal teas or tonics on my patients to alleviate gas, bloating , nausea and pain in their abdomen

I use three to four herbs ( fresh if possible) licorice root , marshmallow, root , raspberry leaves and plantain leaves You boil the water and add the roots first, then add the leaves. You use 1 tablespoon of each herb to 1 1/2 quarts of water.

Strain you should take 1 cup 4 to 5 times a day with 1/4 tsp or either maple syrup or raw honey.

This will help your diverticulosis and prevent and support divericulitis

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 CANCER and TEA

In 2018, over 1.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer. At least 35% of those diagnosed will die from cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

According to the National Cancer Institute, tea’s antioxidants may stall cancerous growth. In animal studies, tea catechins prohibited cancer cells from invading the body. I have discussed green tea and other teas, as white tea in the past. The herb Camilla sinensis ( green tea) contains EGCG , a potent antioxidant. This herb has been extensively studied on diseases as cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes and heart disease.

Black tea contains more antioxidants than green tea, but fewer catechins. Green tea offers more catechins and less caffeine than black tea.

I would include one of these in your daily regimen. It is healthy and it tastes good. Add a little raw honey and sip away..

Until tomorrow…