JUNE 3, 2021 FLOWERS IN THE SHADE

There are a few North American plants that bloom in the shade. When growing in the shade it is important to make sure the soil is rich in nutrients which support the plant. You can test your soil with a soil kit. Most garden shops offer a soil kit very reasonably. I did it before I planted my gardens in Connecticut. I started with Bleeding heart ( (Lamprocapnos spectabils) and Columbine ( Aquiegia species ) They look wonderful I might move the bleeding hearts near the many hostas in the garden

This year I have planted two other shade flowers. I have planted a Cardinal flower ( Lobelia cardinalis ) and Coral bells ( Heuchera species) Although the coral bell flowers can be small , these flowers attract hummingbirds. The Cardinal flower relies on hummingbirds for pollination. So you see honeybees are NOT the only pollinators in my garden. I will try next year Turtleheads ( Chelone species)

Until tomorrow

JUNE 2, 2021 SUPPLEMENTS AND COVID 19

In the past year there have lots of articles on medications and supplements used during a COVID infection or to prevent a COVID 19 infection. Here are my thoughts.

We as human do NOT make Vitamin C. It is important that we take supplements to support Vitamin C Our primary antioxidant is glutathione. Since COVID pandemic started I have been prescribing lots of supplements to support Vitamin C and glutathione levels I have been using high doses of intravenous Vitamin C in these patients. There are some doctors that feel no supplementation including Vitamin C can prevent or treat COVID 19. I disagree.

Oral glutathione supplements that include precursors as N - acetyl cysteine (NAC) and Vitamin C can effectively increase glutathione production hence improve outcome. I have even used glutathione by inhalation therapy in these patients with good results. A dose of intravenous NAC immediately loosens up a tight mucous bound chest

Both of my offices in New York City and in Fairfield Connecticut are using intravenous Vitamin C to improve outcomes and help patients to breathe easier

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 1, 2021 URIC ACID

The common lay person thinks of gout when there are high uric acid levels in the blood. This is called hyperuricemia. There are certain factors that one more susceptible There are certain factors that make an individual susceptible . These factors are obesity, alcohol consumption, dehydration, advanced age, heavy meat diet ( as with the kings of England) and binge eating.

The laboratory test is a simple blood test to determine if you have a high uric acid. The range is 3.6 to 8.3 mg/dL The high uric acid level not only damages the kidneys, but can damage the heart. High uric acid levels are positively associated with colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary cancer and even non melanoma skin cancers. I have seen high levels in patients with irritable bowel disease as Crohn’s Disease and in patients with emphysema ( COPD)

There are conventional medications that decrease uric acid levels. I prefer to use supplements and herbs The herbs that have been used to decrease uric acid levels include curcumin, cinnamon, olive leaf, and green tea. There are many people that use tart cherry juice with good results. I have tried the herbs Rumex crispus and Humulus lupulus with some good results

Until tomorrow…

MAY 31, 2021 FOOT BATH FOR HEADACHES

We all have a secret for curing our own headaches. Yes there are many treatments available, both convntional and alternative. I have seen many remedies used. I used to rub Tuger Balm on my tension headache. There are many causes for headaches. Don’t think a food allergy can’t cauise a headache because it can

An old Egyptian remedy for a headache is the use of the herb, thyme. There are many uses for thyme. In my readings I have found a foot bath remedy for headaches. I have seen the following used

1. One tablespopon of the essence of pine

2. Four tablespoons oif thyme tea

3. two tablespoons of powdered mustard seed

Place the herbs in lukewarm water ( not too hot) and soak your feet for 10 minutes. The fatigue, tension and even the headache will disappear.

Try it if you don’t have a headache It can be relaxing

Until tomorrow…

MAY 28-30, 2021 HERBS AND THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Throughout my career I had continuously read virociously . I love to learn new materials and re learn old material. I have also discussed various teachersm colleagues and mentors. I cam across a book on my shelves entitled The Endrocrine System for the Herbalist by Jody Noe, ND MMS. Not only is she a colleague but also a friend with a tremendous amount of herbal knowledge . She is a fabulous writer. Our ties also are in the field of oncology. She was an adjucnt professor at the University of Brodgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine. By the time I became an adjunct professor at the school, she had left the university However I started to teach Integrative Oncology in addition to other courses. I used her authored book, Textbook of Naturopathic Integrative Oncology.

I always have found in writins and teachings to be detailed yet explainable and teachable ( if these are words ) She is an independent practitioner in Rhode Island ( close to the Connecticut border). I refer to her as she is an expert in the use of CBD and THC . This leads me to her third book, Medicinal Cannabis Experiences & Protocols- A Cannabis Companion Handbook . I belive and encourage all herbal and natgurpathic students to get her books for their personal library. You also refer back to her books for protocols and explainations.

We both are instructors at the ArborVitae School of Medical Herbalism in New York. It always is a pleasure to see her at conferences.

Buy her books

Until tomorrow..,.

MAY 27, 2021 POLLINATORS

Did you know that honeybees and bumblebees together pollinate almost 90% of the world’s plant population? Withour their pollination you would have a 1/3 less fruits and vegetables on your table.

Bee-friendly gardens are a great way to help nectar and pollen spread, and keep our world’s beautiful landscapes thriving!

There are many bee-friendly plants

Examples are Mountain Laurels, Hydragea, Coral Bells, and Butterfly Bushes

If you want to start a project ( it is never too late ) there are books on Pollinators. One of my favorites is

1. National Wildlife Federation: Attracting Birds, Butterflies amd Other Species: Step by Step Instructions by David Mizejewski

2. The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening; Attract and Support Bees, Beetles, Butterflies, Bats, and Other Pollinators by Kim Elerman

And finally the basic DO’S OF A GARDEN Pick plants and flowers that provide lots of cover to your bees

• Allow vegetables and herbs to flower

• Plant at least ten types of plants that attract bees

• Provide access to water

• Pick colors bees are attracted to, such as greens, blues violets, and yellows

• Buy a Mason Bee House

Until tomorrow…

MAY 26, 2021 INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is a key word in medicine. The anti aging approaches to decreasing inflammation involve many modalities. Some of these modalities may be hot laser therapy, biomodulation with infrared pads, acupuncture, physical therapy, supplements/vitamins and herbs.

Inflammation is complex and mediated by the activation, production, secretion and activities of a host of cellular biochemicals. This could get very technical because it does involve enzyme reactions, tumor necrosis factor, cyclooxygenase pathways and probiotics.

Many individuals use over the counter anti-inflammatory agents to decrease inflammation. These OTCs have been linked to blocking choline in the brain and are now associated with Alzheimer's Disease.

The herbs I utilize for inflammation are green tea, ginger, tumeric and Boswellia. I also use white willow bark. I do not use one herb for inflammation but a complementation of many herbs.

For centuries Boswellia (Indian Frankincense) has been known to decrease inflammation.

Boswellia contains boswellic acids which act as the primary anti-inflammatory agent. This herb does a lot of down regulation of immunomodulators much like the pharmaceutical drugs. So why use drugs?

Until tomorrow…

The answer is that you can make more money by manufacturing drugs than by growing and selling Boswellia herb. Lately, it ALWAYS seems to come down to the money when dealing with medicine.

MAY 25, 2021 MINDFULNESS

Do you practice mindfulness? Do you even know what that means. One definition is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Recently I started reading a book by Dr Rochelle Calvert on a pathway to healing It is called Healing with Nature : Mindfulness and Somatic Practices to Heal from Trauma. This is the kind of book we need after this pandemic. She makes us each aware of the trauma we might have hidden or locked away.

The incredible point is to draw strenmgth from the environment or nature, It is a process and and an excellent process to underahnd somatic healing with nature and living into the aliveness with nature.

I practice mindfulness daily in my gardens in Connecticut. I practiced mindfulness when living in New York City on my terrace or at the park. II most enjoy practicing meditation and mindfulness near my bee hives. The sound of the bees centeres me

Get this book You will enjoy it and start mindfulness ( if you not practice it already )

Until tomorrow…