AUGUST 27, 2021 HERBS FOR PROSTATE CANCER

There are many herbs which I used for prostate cancer. Many of the conventional urologists do not use supplements or herbs. I see many patients with prostate cancer. Recently in this months Living Strong Magazine there was an article of herbs for the prostate /men’s health. I was very happy to contribute to this article.

I use many supplements as medicinal mushrooms, grape seed extract, pygium africum, lycopene, pumpkin seeds and AHCC for my patiemnts with prostate cancer

Reishi mushroom also known as Ganoderma is a secondary adaptogen In my opinion Reishi has many beneficial outcomes for a variety of illnesses. In addition to its anti cancer properties , it is an antimicrobial which I use against bacteria , viruses and fungi. It also has immune stimulating effects. It can boost the activity of the lymphocytes such as natural killer cells ( NK) In addition to Reishi I use AHCC, grape seed extract , lycopene and much more

This months Townsend Letter featured an article on Herbs for Prostate Cancer written by friend/colleague Dr. Geo Espinosa . Dr Espinosa is a naturopathic physician as well as an acupuncturist who specializes in urologic conditions. It addition to being a well trained doctor —he is a doctor with a capacity to listen to the patient. His bedside manner is beyond reproach.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 26, 2021 HERBS FOR LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is a complex medical illness that has stumped many conventional doctors. I believe there is such an entity as Chronic Persistent Lyme Syndrome ( CPLS). Early diagnosis is the key The most important aspect is what lab was used to determine your Lyme status. I prefer to send Lyme specimens to Stony Brook Labs, IGenix and Galaxy Labs.

Antibiotics are very useful for Acute Lyme within 72 hours. If your bite or bull’s eye rash is noted after 3 days I find conventional antibiotics not to be useful This is where I turn to herbal treatments, intravenous support and bee venom .

Herbal treatment is very effective at targeting Lyme and co -infections

These herbs can support the immune system , recue inflammation and provide other health benefits. Some of these herbs are Sweet Wormwood ( Artemsia annua), Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) , Coptos ( Coptis chinensis) and Knotweed ( Polygonum ) There are many other herbs that can useful for Lyme Disease. I use many of these herbs in combination. I utilize many of these herbs as per Healing Lyme Disease and Healing Lyme Disease and Co Infections by Stephen Buhner. I also give some mushrooms as Cordyceps which help stimulate the immune system

If you or someone you know has Lyme Disease, seek out integrative/naturopathic treatment .

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 24, 2021 NAGALASE

Nagalase is an enzyme which inhibits G (c) protein derived macrophage activiating factor called G(c)AMP . If you inhibit G9c)AMP, you will cripple the immune system ability to detect and destroy unhealthy cells. Nagalase is secreted by cancer cells.

If you decreasing nagalase levels you can have clinical improvement in some cancers as lung, prostate, breast, stomach as well as melanoma

As an integrative physician I see many patients with cancer. In addition to conventional testing I do tumor markers, and nagalase levels. I also consider doing chemo sensitivity and herb/vitamin sensitivity testing

It is well known and researched that “ Nagalse level activity is directly proportional to viable tumour burden. “ I sometimes use oral and /or IV salicinium to reduce nagalase levels. In addition to lowering nagalase levels you can increase GcAMP levels using certain supplements/vitamin levels.

There are many treatments available for a patient with cancer Seek out integrative/naturopathic care

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 23, 2021 ADAPTOGENIC HERBS

This past year and the current situations in the world have caused many individuals to either be stressed or depressed. The stress can lead to chronic stress causing many symptoms. There are many ways to reduce stress. I do not use many conventional medications to reduce stress as anti anxiety medications ( for example ativan, xanax, valium ) . There is a role for these medications in certain situations.

I try to find the cause of the stress and help the patient. There are useful adaptogenic herbs than can reduce the stress hormone, called cortisol. Many individuals secrete cortisol at the wrong times of the day causing insomnia, palpitations and even fatigue. This can lead to adrenal fatigue. Conventional doctor do NOT recognize adrenal stress as a disease

There is adrenal testing that needs to be done. I have been taking an adaptogenic herb for over twenty years. I started when I heard, friend/colleague David Winston talk about adaptogenic herbs. Some of these herbs are ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng and many more. David wrote a book called Adaptogens which you should read. Donny Yance wrote a complex book called Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism. There is also the Essential Guide to Adaptogens.

Discuss adaptogens with your naturopathic/integrative doctor and start them. You will find your stress levels start to decrease.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 20-22, 2021 CARNIVOUS PLANTS

I have been fascinated by plants since I was a little boy. I loved gardening with my mother and grandfather. My Poppy had a fantastic vegetable garden. I discovered my first carnivorous plant, The Venus Fly Trap ( Carnivora ) while shopping in Woolworth’s at 8 years old. My mother bought it for me and I fed it flies and mosquitos. I started to read about these plants. Decades later as an herbalist I began to buy all the books on Carnivorous Plants. I discovered the Pitcher plants by visiting and listening to Red Leaf Exotics , forming in Brooklyn NY and now in Tennessee

Recently a new carnivorous plant has been discovered. There has not been a new in over twenty years. A pretty little white flower that grows near urban centers of the Pacific Northwest is the newest carnivorous plant. It is the bog-dwelling western false asphodel, Triantha occidentalis. It was discovered in Vancouver . Fewer than 1,000 plant species are carnivorous, and these plants tend to live in places with abundant sun and water but nutrient-poor soil.

I will continue to read about this new plant discovery . Learning keeps our minds active

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 19, 2021 TREATMENT FOR SIBO/ ABDOMINAL BLOATING

I am always intrigued by new herbs that I do not know. Quebracho colorado is one of those herbs . Quebracho Colorado (Schinopsis balansae and Schinopsis lorentzii), commonly called Quebracho dye is high in tannin, and can be used as a tannin mordant or a dye on cellulose fibers.

The name is due to its hardness, being derived from two Spanish words, quebrar and hacha, meaning the "axe breaker." Schinopsis balansae is a hardwood tree known as willow-leaf red quebracho which forms forests in the subtropical Gran Chaco ecoregion of north-eastern Argentina and Paraguay.

It is high in tannins and therefore considered a polyphenol. There is not a lot of written about its medicinal benefits and properties. I recently seen it used in a product that be used as a treatment against SIBO ( small intestinal bacterial overgrowth ) So if your bloated, have flatulence and general intestinal problems consider your doctor doing a SIBO test. The treatment for SIBO is the antibiotic Xifaxan at 550 mg three times a day for 10-14 days. Usually one round is not enough to rid the body of SIBO

I have seen this polyphenol combined with Horse chestnut and Peppermint. The Horse chestnut has been traditionally used for venous issues and leg swelling . Peppermint has traditionally been used for headaches and calming upset stomachs.

This combination of herbs gets rid of hydrogen so there is less hydrogen to be made into methane gas , and helps you get rid of bacteria. This allows your intestines to work easier and freely once again. This combination will eliminate bloating , flatulence and abdominal discomfort ( with or without diarrhea) The combination is sold as Atrantil .

This is worth a try for your abdominal discomfort

Until tomorrow

AUGUST 18, 2021 CALCIUM AND STRONTIUM

When I hear the words calcium and strontium I immediately think of Bone Health. These are two important minerals that increase bone density naturally. This is without using drugs. I prefer to source calcium from algae ( plant based) There are new studies and research on the benefit of calcium sourced from algae.

Every day you lose 13 essential minerals from your bones - not just calcium. Magnesium, zinc, boron, strontium and other minerals are equally important to calcium for bone health and strength

Traditional bone formula often DO NOT work That’s because these supplements are made from limestone and marble. ( not from algae ) Yes, the other bone formulas get calcium from rocks. They don’t have the additional minerals in algae, or the vitamins added after harvesting. Yet calcium needs those nutrients to do its job properly in your bones!

I would encourage you yo use Calcium sourced from algae with other minerals especially strontium I have found this is one product. The product was recommended by a patient. I reviewed the literature and their studies and found it to be excellent. It is AlgaeCal plus strontium. I often recommend strontium citrate for a patient who has decreased bone density on a DEXA. Strontium slows down the rate that bone is broken down and stimulates the rate of new bone growth

You do not have to go on a drug for osteopenia

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 17, 2021 COVID

In all COVID patients, hospitalized and non hospitalized the therapeutic focus should be to reduce inflammation. The focus must be done early. The goal is to reduce the overwhelming inflammatory response by COVID and to reduce the possibility of hyper coagulable

I believe we have learned this over the last year . There have been reports of using certain vitamins and supplements to reduce inflammation. For the treatment of a low oxygen we have utilized nasal canula oxygen. As physicians we must increase flow limits and use the prone position of the patient. Hopefully avoid early intubation and only intubate if patient demonstrates excessive work of breathing

I have utilized Ascorbic acid 1000 mg every 6 hours ( IV if possible in mega doses - if in hospital) , thiamine, vitamin D, melatonin 5-20 mg at night, and zinc 75- 100 mg . Over the counter famotidine ( pepcid) has been used at 40-80 mg twice a day.

Medications used in the hospital include ivermectin, atorvastin ( lipitor) anti androgen therapy ( in men only) IV steroids, and even plasma exchange

As you know we are in the midst of rising cases in unvaccinated individuals, and in patients who have been vaccinated ( mainly with Pfizer- in January to March 2021) Please be careful

Until tomorrow…