SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 KAVA KAVA

There are many herbs I use for anxiety and stress. This class of herbs are called Nervines. I use a variety of nervine herbs. One is Kava kava

Kava or kava-kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper: Latin for 'pepper', methysticum: (Latinized) Greek for 'intoxicating') is a crop of the western Pacific. The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with mild sedative properties. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia (including Hawaii), Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia and Australia. Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones. A Cochrane Collaboration systematic review concluded that it was likely to be more effective than placebo at treating short-term social anxiety. Safety concerns have been raised over liver toxicity largely due to the use of stems and leaves by supplement makers, as opposed to solely the root of the plant as dictated by traditional uses, although the ultimate long-term safety of the herb is not settled.


Historically Kava kava is the name given to the drink which is made for religious ceremonies. The important compounds in the kav kava are the number of lactones known as kava pyrones. The most important is kavaine but there are many compounds that are active. I prefer to use kava in increasing doses.

I think the historical aspects of kava are interesting to read :

"Kava seizes one's mind. This is not a literal; seizure, but something does change in the process by which information enters, is retrieved or leads to actions as a result. Thinking is certainly affected by the kava experience, but not in the same ways as are found with caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or marijuana. I would personally characterize the changes I experienced as going from lineal processing of information to a greater sense of 'being' and contentment with being. Memory seemed to be enhanced whereas restrictive of data inputs was strongly desired especially with regard to disturbances of light, movements, noise and so on. Peace and quiet were very important to maintain the inner sense of serenity. My senses seemed to be unusually sharpened so that even whispers seemed to be loud while loud noises were extremely unpleasant." - RJ Gregory


There are numerous studies to show beneficial results from consuming kava. Studies reveal that the sedative effect is achieved with 180 - 210 mg two to three times a day.

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 WINTERGREEN

Memories: One of the earliest plants that I became familiar with was foxglove. When I was young my brother and I were limited to a 'lot' of trees and plants at the end of our street. It wasn't a big area, less than a 1/2 mile long. No one except the neighborhood kids went there. We used to build forts. I remember building a thick wall of bushes My brother Paul, David, Richie and I made pretend camps --all make believe. I used to dig up plants from "the lot" and put them in milk containers. I would transport them back to my backyard and replant them.

One of those plants had an intoxicating smell. If the leaf was torn or scraped and I took in a deep breath--it had a distinct smell. I didn't know what it was but I knew my Poppy would know. He did --it was wintergreen. 'Wintergreen' once commonly referred to plants that continue photosynthesis (remain green) throughout the winter. The term evergreen is now more commonly used for this characteristic. My Poppy asked where we got it. I told him and he asked me to bring some more, but not take them all. For years later, we had wintergreen with their berries in our backyard. I do know that he made flavored ice tea with the leaves.

The medicinal uses of wintergreen are related to the oils found in the wintergreen leaf. It contains the chemical methyl salicylate, which is related to aspirin. So it can be used as pain relief medicine. It does make a great mouthwash and has a soothing effect on the gums.


A good formula for arthritis/rheumatism
To be taken internally...
1. Oregon grape root - 6 parts
2. parsley root- 6 parts
3. Sassafras - 3 parts
4. Prickly ash bark - 3 parts
5. Black cohosh - 3 parts
6. Ginger root - 2 parts

Make a tea using one ounce of herbs to a pint of water, simmered for thirty minutes.
One to two cups per day.


Until tomorrow...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 RESPIRATORY HERBS

During these times it is important to keep our lungs and sinuses clear and clean . Herbal medicine has always played a role in the treatment and support of the respiratory system. Herbal teas, herbal cough drops and tinctures are most commonly used. When there is inflammation of the respiratory organs I usually treat it with mucilaginous agents. These act as soothing agents. Another name is demulcent. The demulcent effect is largely due to the mucilage contained in these drugs or herbs.

One of the best known demulcents is Marsh Mellow (Althaea offinalis)
This herb has been used for more than 2,000 years as both a food and a medicine. The Romans, Chinese, Egyptians, and Syrians used marshmallow as a source of food, while the Arabs made poultices from its leaves and applied them to the skin to reduce inflammation. Both the root and leaves contain a gummy substance called mucilage. When mixed with water, it forms a slick gel that is used to coat the throat and stomach to reduce irritation. It is also applied topically to soothe chapped skin.

Very few scientific studies have looked at the effects of marshmallow in humans. Most of its suggested uses come from a long history of use in traditional healing systems.
Some of the diseases marshmallow has been used for are Asthma, Bronchitis, Common cold/sore throat, Cough, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; indigestion; stomach ulcers and skin inflammation.

Marshmallow originally grew in salty soils but now thrives in moist, uncultivated ground. It is found in southern and western Europe, western Asia, and the northeastern region of North America. Its fleshy, upright stems reach a height of 3 - 4 feet. The pale yellow roots are tapered, long, and thick, with a tough yet flexible exterior. The short-stemmed leaves are round, with irregularly toothed margins and three to five lobes. A soft and velvety down covers the leaves and stem. The flowers have five reddish-white petals. The whole plant, especially the root, is filled with mild mucilage.
The leaves and roots of marshmallow are used for medicinal purposes.

Dried Marshmallow leaves can be used in infusions, fluid extracts, and tinctures. Marshmallow roots are available dried, peeled, or unpeeled in extracts (dry and fluid), tinctures, capsules, ointments/creams, and cough syrups. There are different doses based on which part of the part you are using. I prefer to use the tea below or the cough syrup.

Leaf tea: 2 - 5 tsp of dried leaf in 5 ounces hot (not boiling) water, two to three times per day
Root tea: 2 - 5 tsp. dried powdered root in 5 ounces hot water; let soak for an hour. Drink two to three times per day.
Leaf tincture: 1 - 2 tsp (1:5 in 25% ethanol), two to three times daily
Root infusion or cold-water maceration (2 - 5%): 5 ounces (1-2 tsp) taken to soothe cough and sore throat
Capsules: 2 - 6g per day
Marshmallow cough syrup (from root): 2 - 10g per single dose (this contains sugar so those with high sugar should seek medical approval.)
Ointment or cream: 5 - 10% drug in ointment or cream base

Call Botanical Bounty for your Marsh Mallow tea today 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 THE APITHERAPY WAY TO HEALTH

I am a beekeeper and also an apitherapist. What does this mean ? An apitherapist can be an individual who has a certificate in Medicinal Use of Apitherapy ( Bee Hive) products from the American Apitherapy Society ( www.apitherapy.org ) I am the Vice President of this organization. It sole prupose is toi educate individuals about apitherapy products- bee pollen, propolis, bee bread, royal jelly, honey and bee venom. Yesterday I did a webnar with live demonstration of using bee venom on myself.

Bee venom has pother names all over the world. It can be referred to as apis mellifera, apitoxin, apis venenum and much more. There have been good studies on the use of bee venom for some medical conditions. The bee venom can be administered using a live bee or injected ( from a bottle of apitoxin) Bee venom contains mellitin, adolapin and apamine as well as many oither componets. All together these components act as anti inflammatory and anti oxidants

The diseases that can be dealt with dee venom are multiple sclerosis, arthritis, herpes zoster, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and much more.

There are documented studies citing the benefits of bee venom. An individual deciding on using bee venom should discuss with an apitherapist. The decision to start will depend on many factors in the patient’s history. Every patient should support their local beekeeper as well as join the AAS ( American Apitherapy Society)

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 A FORGOTTEN HERB

I feel this herb is not used a lot. I use it a lot with much success It is Mullein (Verbascum). It is a mucilagous herb . The mullein flower contains saponin and some volatile oils. I like mullein flowers because when collected and cultivated they can be used also as an expectorant. So it is a flower with two properties - muculent and expectorant. It is used in many cough preparations. I have seen it combined with ginger as well. Mullein is often referred to as Verbascum Thapsus, The family is Scrophulariaceae. This is the same family as foxglove (digitalis). Other names might include Aaron’s Rod, Lady’s Foxglove, Donkey’s Ears, Bunny’s Ears, Candlewick, Feltwort, Flannel Leaf, and Jacob’s Staff. To be honest I have only heard it used as either Lady's Foxglove or Donkey's Ears. I thought this herb would be mentioned in Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible, but it did not appear.

Mullein is a biennial that grows upright to 6 feet tall. The furry leaves form rosettes that alternate and overlap each other. Mullein leaves are large, grayish-green, and lance shaped. Bright yellow flowers bloom along the single spike that comes from the center of the plant. Each flower has five petals. You have probably seen it along roadsides or construction areas. I first saw this plant on the roadsides in Ithaca, New York. Leaves are harvested in the late spring to summer. The uses of mullein are quite long. I have only used it for bronchitis, earaches, and as a cough expectorant. Its uses have been in anemia , arthritis, asthma, colds, earache, hay fever, hemorrhoids, tonsillitis and many other respiratory diseases. Mullein soothes, lubricates, and tones the respiratory system and aides in expectoration by stimulating fluid production. Mullein is sometimes used with other herbs such as white horehound, lobelia, elder, and red clover. The iridoid glycosides stimulate secretion of uric acid from the kidneys.

Mullein as seen below can be used as a tea, as an oil, as a compress and freshly chopped herb.

1. Mullein leaves and/or flowers for infusion tea for respiratory disorders

2. Mullein infused oil from flowers for ear infections, hemorrhoids, and skin disorders

3. Mullein leaf poultice applied to topical boils, sores, ulcers and tumors

4. Mullein tea from fresh chopped leaves filtered through a coffee filter provide a variety of vitamins and other nutrients

5. Mullein compress to relieve swelling

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 HEART HEALTHY FOODS

People are always asking me— are there heart healthy foods ? Most know I worked with the late Robert C Atkins. MD - many individuals did not know that Dr Atkins was a cardiology trained at Roosevelt Hospital ( now Mount Sinai West ) He used his high protein , high fat low carbohydrate on all patients not excluding heart patients. His diet has been revitalized as the Keto diet and his low carbohydrate has never waned.

There are definite HEART healthy foods. These are

1. Leafy Green Vegetables

2. Whole Grains ( if gluten free have quionoa, brown rice, teff, millet and amarinth )

3. Berries

4. Avocados

5. Fatty Fish and Fish Oil

6. Walnuts

7. Beans

If you include these heart-healthy foods as part of a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help keep your heart in good shape and minimize your risk of heart issues Leafy green are full on B vitamins and great antioxidants. The berries are low glycemic and chock full of antioxidants. Walnuts have an abundance of omega 3. Include these in your weekly dietary lifestyle change

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 SLEEP TONIC

Do you difficulty falling asleep ? It is estimated that 10-30% of individuals have difficulty falling sleep or staying asleep Are you one of these individuals ? AWAKE no more There is a herbal tea infusion that can help

This infusion can easily be made- It is a lemon- ginger tea with raw honey. First of all raw honey increases your own melatonin production

Both ginger ( Zingiber officinale) and lemon ( Citrus limon) help aid in digestion. This calms the stomach before sleep. This combination helps nausea, reduce nasal congestion ( especially at bedtime) and even aids in relief from constipation.

The compound gingerol found in ginger boosts anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties. We know that chronic inflammation leads to chronic disease , so ginger can lessen your chance of developing chronic conditions

So before bed tonight have your ginger-lemon tea with raw honey

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 VITAMIN C

The recommended daily intake for vitamin C is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men

While it’s commonly advised to get your vitamin C intake from foods, many people turn to supplements to meet their needs I use oral vitamin C regularly in my practice as well as intravenous Vitamin C. I recommended 2,000 mg of liposomal Vitamin C as a COVID preventative

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they can promote a state known as oxidative stress, which has been linked to many chronic diseases. Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. It is even better if you get a intravenous C infusion

I have used Vitamin C to help reduce blood pressure. More importantly it can reduce your risk for heart disease  An analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after 10 years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take a vitamin C supplement.

Interestingly, another analysis of 15 studies found that consuming vitamin C from foods — not supplements — was linked to a lower risk of heart disease. I don’t understand why more conventional or allopathic doctors don’t prescribe it

Until tomorrow…