JULY 16-18, 2021 QUALITY SLEEP

Sleep is more vital than you might think. We all need quality sleep. Insomnia and sleep disorders are significant health concerns affecting individuals around the world which can result in fatigue, attention deficits, mood instability, anxiety, and depression. A reduction in the hippocampal volume, daytime cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, and recruitment of the caudate nucleus are all associated with insomnia. This causes overactivity of the arousal, emotion regulating, and cognitive systems which could lead to insomnia

There are many conventional medications used for sleep/ These include clonezepam, ambien, lunesta, trazadone and gabapentum. There are many herbal treatments for sleep as CBD, valerian, california poppy, skullcap, and much more. Recently an article was published by the American Botanical Council HerbalGram on Saffron (Crocus sativus, Iridaceae)

The study showed positive or beneficial results on sleep. “ The authors conclude that saffron extract supplementation led to an improvement in sleep quality after six weeks. Since the study only included individuals with mild to moderate chronic primary sleep disorder with a specific dosage of saffron, they state that it would be beneficial to perform more studies on different dosages of saffron to better understand its mechanism”

To review the whole article either use the information below. It is best to join the American Botanical Council. I believe every ND should join the ABC.

Pachikian BD, Copine S, Suchareau M, Deldicque L. Effects of saffron extract on sleep quality: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Nutrients. April 2021;13(5):1473. doi:10.3390/nu13051473

Until tomorrow…

JULY 15, 2021 JUNIPER

The berries from this plant are a evergreen shrub found on both coasts of the United States. The shrub can be 3 to 9 feet tall. You can’t miss the juniper purplish berries.

Juniper ( Juniperus communis ) has been used in cooking recipes for centuries. It is usually added to flavor wild game as duck or pheasant. I have used it as a crushed berry and I add to green tea. The berries are added to marinade of rosemary, oregano or ginger.

The extract of juniper is used as a diuretic. It is used as antiseptic n urinary tract infections. It is contraindicated in kidney disease. It is contraindicated in pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions. Used traditionally as a decoction to treat rheumatism and arthritis. I have read that American Indians used in their teepees to ward off rattlesnakes. I have even seen it to promote menstruation.

Until tomorrow…

JUL 14, 2021 JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE

The Jerusalem artichoke also known as Helianthus tuberosus is very commonly found along roadsides. It has a yellow sunflower appearance with broad oval rough leaves. It has a hairy stem You will not miss it.

It is found throughout the United States. The tuber can be peeled, sliced and eaten raw. It is an excellent food source. I try to pick them NOT along the roadside of a busy section as I worry about lead contamination The tuber taste like a chestnut

You can make a tea using the flowers and stems. This tea is great for arthritis. This is different from Globe Artichoke leaves which I use to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Try the tea Call Botanical Bounty 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

JULY 13, 2021 ASHWAGANDHA

If there is one herb that everyone should be on -it is Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) This is not a uncommon herb as it has been traditionally used for over 4,000 years in India. It is from the Solanaceae family. In Ayurvedic medicine its name means promotes learning and memory retrieval

The reason I feel everyone should be on it is because it cannot help stress. It is an adaptogenic herb As an adaptogen herb it can adapt to what is going on at that time. During the last year I have seen many individuals who are stressed due to the pandemic.

It is referred to an Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry The word actually means “ the smell and strength of a horse.” This is refers to his aphrodisiac properties. It is traditionally used for emaciation, impotence and premature aging

It is used in other cultures to help support normal sleep patterns

For more information , you can try Ashwagandha tea by calling Botanical Bounty 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

JULY 12, 2021 LEMON BALM

There are many fragrant herbs. Some of these fragrant herbs are healing herbs as lavender. One of my favorite which is from the Mint Family is Lemon Balm ( Melissa officinalis) Why do I love this herb besides its fragrant smell. Melissa is the Greek word for Bee. Some refer to Melissa as Bee Balm. The honeybees lobe Bee Balm. It has historically been used as a culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herb. It is used medicinally for anxiety. I use the herb for hyperthyroidism or when the thyroid is over active. In conventional medicine there is a drug called Tapazole which slows down the thyroid when in an overactive state.

The herb, Lemon Balm is very effective for slowing down the thyroid with two other herbs which also are from the Mint Family. The other herbs are Motherwort and Bugleweed.

Other illnesses where Lemon is used are in digestive disorders, use with fevers, and to increase perspiration

If you want to try Lemon Balm as a tea ..call Botanical Bounty at 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

JULY 9 -11, 2021 A NEW CANCER TEST

A simple blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before any clinical signs or symptoms of the disease emerge in a person is accurate enough to be rolled out as a screening test, according to scientists.

The test, which is also being piloted by NHS  England in the autumn, is aimed at people at higher risk of the disease including patients aged 50 or older.

It is able to identify many types of the disease that are difficult to diagnose in the early stages such as head and neck, ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal and some blood cancers.

Scientists said their findings, published in the journal Annals of Oncology, show that the test accurately detects cancer often before any signs or symptoms appear, while having a very low false positive rate.

The test, developed by US-based company Grail, looks for chemical changes in fragments of genetic code – cell-free DNA (cfDNA) – that leak from tumours into the bloodstream.

The Guardian first reported on the test last year and how it had been developed using a machine learning algorithm – a type of artificial intelligence. It works by examining the DNA that is shed by tumors and found circulating in the blood. More specifically, it focuses on chemical changes to this DNA, known as methylation patterns.

Now the latest study has revealed the test has an impressively high level of accuracy. Scientists analysed the performance of the test in 2,823 people with the disease and 1,254 people without.

It correctly identified when cancer was present in 51.5% of cases, across all stages of the disease, and wrongly detected cancer in only 0.5% of cases.

In solid tumors that do not have any screening options – such as esophageal, liver and pancreatic cancers – the ability to generate a positive test result was twice as high (65.6%) as that for solid tumors that do have screening options such as breast, bowel, cervical and prostate cancers.

Meanwhile, the overall ability to generate a positive test result in cancers of the blood, such as lymphoma and myeloma, was 55.1%.

The test correctly also identified the tissue in which the cancer was located in the body in 88.7% of cases.

Until tomorrow…

JULY 8, 2021 MUSHROOMS FORAGING

There are many individuals who do perform mushroom foraging. Those mushroom foragers practice good harvesting practices . I have found that these forgers ( one which I am not …yet) know mushroom safety. There are some basic guidelines which I want to share with you

1. Learn the land. I think to know this you must be familiar with the edible and poisonous mushrooms of the area you are foraging. You must know how to identify them There are many books on this subject as well as attending some courses.

2. Know the risks. I do not think anyone should experiment with eating mushrooms that you don’t know. The effect of ingesting a poisonous mushroom can be lethal but can vary from individual to individual. In the North America there are no poisonous mushroom that can be absorbed through the skin—they must be eaten

3. If you know the mushroom you are foraging you must always COOK your mushroom Never eat a mushroom without cooking it.

4. Be prepared for your foraging. Have all the proper tools- a knife, pen and wax paper( or paper bag) a pen for labeling, a basket, and the very important Mushroom field guide

5. Always take the whole mushroom not just the cap or the stem

I feel this is a great hobby I have been studying the mushrooms of Connecticut as I am preparing to go mushroom foraging in the near future

Until tomorrow…

JULY 7, 2021 TO WEAR OR NOT WEAR A MASK

The question is “ To wear or not wear a mask” Since more individuals are being vaccinated is it necessary to wear a mask. ? There have been new criteria about the use of a mask. I know for a fact that Metro North commuters must wear a mask when in the station or on the train . This is also true on NYC transit subways and buses. I haven’t heard the latest on riding in a cab. There is a recent study published on the use of face masks. Most studies are focused on the protecting the wearer.

The negative effects of mask use was not reported. Among the adverse effects of mask wearing was difficulty breathing, facial irritation or discomfort. Some other effects reported were headache and warmth. Of course there is interference with communication or facial recognition. Mask contamination and misuse of wearing was noted.

Regardless of all of this—I feel mask should be worn of those individuals whom are not vaccinated. For those vaccinated it will be a personal choice. I will still chose to wear a mask. That is my decision

Until tomorrow…