JUNE 23, 2021 BEE BALM

Bee Balm ( Monarda fistulosa) is one of my favorite plants/flowers to grow. I planted many along my back fence when I moved to Connecticut. It returns every year. It is also known as Horsemint or Wild Bergamot. It is a member of the mint family like Lemon Balm, Motherwort and Bugleweed. It does have a soft mint scent.

The leaves and flowers can be eaten and most likely used for a garnish

Honeybees love Bee Balm ( hence the name ) I have used it for use in individuals with coughs or throat infections. I have seen it added to a balm for skin infections due to its antiseptic properties.

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 22, 2021 CROWBERRY

Since moving to Connecticut and planting in my own yard I have been fascinated by the different edible berries other than the common blueberry or strawberry. I have planted and written about gooseberry, chokeberry and other berries.

Crowberry ( Empertrum nigrum )is a creeping dwarf shrub growing in New York and Vermont. The name empertrum literally means "growing on rocks". It grows in bogs and thrives in acidic soil

It flowers in May or June and are minute tiny pink or purple in color. The berries ripen in July through November. he harvesting or picking has a long season. Some plants yield a small harvest and some are abundant in its berries. I find the berries to be tasty and juicy.

The taste of crowberries are somewhat acrid and are generally used for making pies, wine, jams, jellies, etc. They are an excellent source of fibre and antioxidants - even better than blueberries. They are high in vitamins C and K. Crowberry is used for smoking fish in some northern cultures.

The berry fruit is said to have anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and even anti fungal properties

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 21, 2021 BLACK CHOKEBERRY

Aronia melanocarpa, called the black chokeberry, is a species of shrubs in the rose family native to eastern North America

There are medicinal benefits to Aronia or black chokeberry. Both the aronia and bilberry extracts helped to relax the tissue, which would allow for improved blood flow. Aronia berries may reduce cancer cell growth in people with certain types of cancer. It also has been shown tomprove insulin sensitivity.

A recent study was published in the HerbalGram of the American Botanical Council . The paper was entitled “ The effect of long-term Aronia melanocarpa extract supplementation on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function: A randomized controlled trial in healthy, middle-aged individuals. “ Nutrients. August 2020;12(8):2475. doi: 10.3390/nu12082475.

It was a small study population The AME extract (Brainberry®; BioActor BV; Maastricht, The Netherlands) was used as the intervention.

The authors conclude "AME could have a protective effect on cognition and blood pressure in healthy, middle-aged, overweight adults." The authors recommend future studies aim to isolate the mechanisms associated with the effect of black chokeberry on cognition. Additional studies should include participants experiencing advanced cognitive decline.

I encourage you to join the American Botanical Council in order to receive their HerbalGram Thrpoughout my career I have used HerbalGram articles to further enhance my knowledge of herbs and potential plants as medicine

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 18, 2021 ARE HUMANS CAUSING PANDEMICS

Are humans causing pandemics? I recently read an article that not only made sense but is true. Thnink about it - we are depleting the Earth, we are destroying nature, we are killings bees, we are fracking, we are using pesticides, we are depleting our oceans and the list goes on and on.

“ydney School of Veterinary Science suggests pressure on ecosystems, climate change, and economic development are key factors associated with the diversification of pathogens (disease-causing agents, like viruses and bacteria).

This has the potential to lead to disease outbreaks The study also confirms increasing population growth and density are major drivers in the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The global human population has increased from about 1.6 billion in 1900 to about 7.8 billion today, putting pressure on ecosystems “

“As the human population increases, so does the demand for housing. To meet this demand, humans are encroaching on wild habitats. This increases interactions between wildlife, domestic animals, and human beings which increases the potential for bugs to jump from animals to humans.”

After I finished reading the article I began to think. We as individuals can do something. You can be an advocate or activist for a cause. Celebrity individuals give donations. You do not have to give a donation but be part of. You can be part of a community garden in your neighborhood, or you can support you local beekeeper. Support your local farmer.

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 17, 2021 MILK THISTLE

When you think of a herb that detoxifies the liver , most likely you will say Milk Thistle or even Dandelion. While Milk Thistle is good for the liver it has other benefits, I have never been a one herb- one disease practitioner. I feel this is due to my extensive career as a trained herbalist with the best of the best throughout my career. I owe this to Andrew Weil, Tierona Lowdog, Sevensong, David Winston , and many many more. I also have applied what I have learned in my practice through the years

Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States. Estmates of diabetes prevalence in people over age 64 are 50 % higher than those aged 45-64. It is also 6.3 times higher than those aged 18-44. So as we get older we must be aware of our sugar intake and must see a health care practitioner yearly.

Recent studies have shown that Milk Thistle helps support a healthy glucose balance and insulin sensitivity. In our Connecticut Integrative Medical Center we have a naturopathic doctor with insight into diabetes unlike no other. His name is Ryan Attar ND. His insight is astute, clever, research based and personal. It is personal as Dr Attar is a Type I diabetic. I encourage anyone with sugar imbalance to see Dr Attar

Milk Thistle reduced fasting glucose by 11 % and insulin sensitivity by 14 % . Do you think there will ever be a double blind study of a conventional glucose medication and milk thistle ? I doubt it. You don’t need one with the studies and research already done on Milk Thistle

In addition to diet lifestyle changes, other supplements like chromium, vanadium and herbs like fenugreek, bitter melon etc. and an appointment with myself and Dr Miles in NYC, or Dr Cooke and Dr Attar in Connecticut- try Milk Thistle

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 16, 2021 AMUR CORK TREE

How do I feel good ? At my age of 61 today I have used many supplements throughout my late 30’s to current. I want a supplement that will motivate me, put me in a good mood and always keep my cognition at its highest. Who doesn’t want this . So I found what I needed in a vegetarian capsule by Life Extension. I have been on the advisory board for this wonderful company for greater than 20 years.

I use a formula called Dopamine Advantage . It contains the Phellodendron bark also called Amur Cork Tree. In China, it has been used for the treatment of meningitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. In addition, the bark of the tree has compounds that may protect cartilage against arthritis, act as a chemopreventive agent for those with lung cancer, and prevent the growth of prostate tumors

As we age we know the neurotransmitter, dopamine will start to decline. This is due to the increase in the MAO- B enzyme. This is part of the aging process. It has been studied and the bark of this tree can preserve dopamine by inhibiting MAO-B activity. This allows me to feel sharper, more on target and in a good mood. So if you want some of the feel good neurotransmitter called Dopamine consider taking this bark. Consult your health care practitioner

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 15, 2021 NASTURTIUM OFFICINALES

Nasturtium officinales is better known as watercress or yellowcress. It is very edible. This year I planted seeds in pots in my small but practical greenhouse. To my excitement they start to grow. I repotted them this past weekend in a pot on the patio.

Their leaves are edible and full of vitamins and minerals. The leaves contain vitamin C and E . It is a tonic , stimulant and a blood purifier. The leaves are great in a salad. They have a peppery taste unlike mustard greens and arugula.

Try them I promise you will like them

Until tomorrow…

JUNE 14, 2021 EDIBLE PLANTS

Last week I received my copy of The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods by Dr Nicole Apelian. You must get a copy of this book. It discusses all edible plants, lichens, mushrooms and seaweeds. It is comprehensive and easy to read. It made me think how lucky I am that I have planted many small fruit trees on my property. This weekend I picked strawberries from my strawbverry ‘ field’ or rather patch. I also picked a Gooseberry off my bush

There are more than 50 species in the Ribes genus and all are edible. If you plant a Gooseberry bush you should be aware of its fine hairs and thorns at the bases of these plant. Its flower its green to purplish starting in April to June and then the picking begins of the gooseberry. You can start picking in June

The unripe ones are used for jams , pies and sauces. I found out if you want to see if ripe, give the berry a little squeeze. I picked one over the weekend that was unripe and tasted. It was very tart

In my new book which I love there is a recipe for Mackerel with Gooseberry sauce. You will not regret getting this book

Until tomorrow…