JULY 21, 2021 TEA BAGS OR NO TEA BAGS

This seems like an easy question to answer. Yet it is not. There are lots of discussion on whether you should use loose tea or tea in bags ( tea bags). As you can imagine loose tea with different types of strainers has been used for years. The very first tea bags had the full or broken tea leaves in it. As always with businesses a lower quality form of the tea can be used and substituted.

I am not saying this occurs with all companies that sell tea bags. I prefer some overt others as Bigelow Tea and another brand I buy in Whole Foods called Tea Pigs. I read about fanning> I didn’t know what “ Fanning” was. A fanning consists of small particles of tea that are left over from the production of tea. The tea on that bag is of low quality.

There is a problem with tea in general especially if you do not know where it is grown. There could be metal contamination. This would occur with tea in bags or in loose tea. You must know your source and the quality of the tea especially where it is grown. I also worry about tea bags as some are made with different materials, including plastic. Plastic can be harmful to your health

At Botanical Bounty we sell loose tea. We buy in bilk from organic fair trade companies. Each patch of tea has a certificate of where it was grown. This is especially important to me as a herbalist and physician. I make a perfect ( imperfectly perfect) cup of tea from Botanical Bounty’s loose tea of all types Call 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

JULY 20, 2021 HEALTHY SNACKS

WE all snack Let’s be honest here. However there are unhealthy and healthy snacks. Snacks, no matter how you like them – sweet or salty, crunchy or chewy – can be a nutritious, satisfying, and filling.

What do you snack on? Make a list on a piece of paper of your snacks. Stop reading the blog now.

After you make the list - now you can continue to read and see if you have any healthy snacks of your list

1. A Health Bar - these can be tricky as some of full of sugar Try to pick one with high protein and low in carbohydrates and sugar.

2. Hummus - this is a great snack but not always doable if on the go. This is a snack i have at home with vegetable or bean chips

3. Trail Mix - this is an easier to pack snack when on the go. You must be careful that no raisins, dried fruit or milk chocolate is in the trail mix. If it has dark chocolate it can be better , My favorite is the Trail Mix from Trader’s Joe. It has types of nuts- with NO raisins, cranberries, or chocolate

4. Celery and a nut Butter - I enjoy filled the celery stalk with almond butter. I then slice into pieces and enjoy this nutritious snack with low calories and low sugar. It ahs good protein and good fiber

5. Unsalted or Plain Rice Cakes- this is another snack that is easier at home or if you keep rice cakes in your desk drawer. I like to put pumpkin , sunflowers or almond butter if I cam eating at home

6. Greek Yogurt0 a definite at home snack. I like plain Greek yogurt at home as I can add blueberries and my own ray honey to it. I love this snack the best.

   Whatever you snack is —keep in mind of the amount of sugar. For your information one teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams.

   How many of the above snacks were on your list ?

   Until tomorrow…
   

JULY 19, 2021 BOTANICALS USED IN CANCER PATIENTS

There are many botanicals used to treat and support patients with cancer. When I taught Integrative Oncology at the Naturopathic School of Medicine at the University of Bridgeport I discussed 50 plants that have been used. These range from different Mushrooms to Carnivora to Paw Paw ( or Soursop) to Ukraine. I also discussed Vitamin B17 also known as Laetrile from Apricot pits. There are new studies discussing the herb tumeric ( Curcuma longa ) from the National Institute of Cancer ( NIC) as well as Artemisia annua.

With countless life-changing properties known for over a thousand years, Artemisia annua is one of the most powerful and natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant in the world that supports the body’s immune system.

The Zagazig University in Egypt in 2020 studied Artemisia. They found that this herb extract has a tumor suppressive effect in anthracene induced breast cancer .

Every patient with cancer should seek integrative approaches in dealing with the treatment of their cancer. I believe and advocate that physicians of any discipline should discuss other options with their patient.

Until tomorrow…

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…