FEBRUARY 7, 2022 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

For those patients with a chronic, slowly progressing disease like Multiple Sclerosis, I must tell them the same thing about living in the now. More than 250,000 Americans are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) annually with women being affected slightly more than men. For some reason I have seen more men in my practice with MS. The most common initial symptom is sudden loss of vision in one eye or tingling or numbness in an extremity. There are other symptoms such as mental changes, slurred speech and difficulty holding their urine, but symptoms vary from patient to patient. Symptoms can disappear in weeks or months. There are some patients who do not have another attack for years. I have seen one patient who had an attack at 26 and did not have his second symptom until he was age 52.

While the care of a neurologist and conventional therapies are needed, there are some other tests that need to be done in patients with MS. I am not a MS specialist. The cause is still unknown. It has been postulated that MS is an autoimmune disease. Others feel it is caused by a virus. I do believe that the cause is multi-factorial. I believe that all the hypothesis are viable. I know that if treatment is started early for a newly diagnosed patient, can be quite effective. Other testing that I feel should be done is heavy metal testing, environmental testing, and food allergy testing--especially gluten sensitivities. This was research by Roger MacDougall who was affected by MS and bound to a wheelchair. His condition slowly improved when he eliminated all gluten from his diet.

A different dietary lifestyle must be sought. In 1948, Dr Roy Swank believed that a diet low in animal fat can arrest the progression and symptoms of the disease. I have seen a slower progression in patients whom follow the Swank protocol. Newer dietary lifestyles have been used since 1948 with better results, however these are basically all derived from the Swank protocol. Unfortunately, this compassionate doctor died in 2008. http://www.swankmsdiet.org/

The recommendations of the Swank protocol are as follows:
1. Saturated fat intake no more than 10 grams(1/2 ounce daily)
2. A daily intake of 40-50 grams of polyunsaturated fats (I suggest much lower and margarine, and hydrogenated oils are strictly forbidden)
3. One teaspoon to one tablespoon of cod liver oil daily
4. Normal protein intake (6-10 ounces daily- try leaner protein)
5. Intake of fish 3-4 times a week (no tuna, swordfish or crustaceans)

In addition to serum and provocative 6 hour urine testing, I recommend a IgG RAST serum allergy test. The conventional testing of all scans should be done with the guidance of a neurologist.

In my practice I utilize many supplements/ medication. These supplements can be powder, capsule and/or intravenous routes of administration. Good multi-vitamin and mineral formulas are essential.
I use both tumeric (Curcuma longa ) and Gingko biloba in MS patients. There are interesting relavent studies regarding these herbs. I use low dose naltrexone at 1.0 - 6.0 mg There are excellent studies using LDN in patients with MS. In addition if not allergic to honeybees there is evidence of benefits to bee venom. ( BVT)

At this point it is very difficult to know with any certainty which supplements, in what dosages, and in what combination(s) would be helpful for multiple sclerosis, if at all. We also have little idea how these supplements interact with medicines currently used for multiple sclerosis. My aim is to give the patient an alternative or integrative approach to treatment.

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 ALUMINUM

Aluminum is toxic

Almost all store-bought deodorants are laced with aluminum. While aluminum is not a heavy metal, it has been found to be toxic. Because aluminum permeates our air, water, and soil, small amounts are present in our food, the average person consumes between three and ten milligrams of aluminum a day. Only recently has research revealed that aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body. Aluminum is a popular metal used to make cookware, cooking utensils, and foil. I have also found aluminum in the coils of coffee makers. Excessive use of antacids is the most common cause of aluminum toxicity along with deodorants. Mylanta, Maalox, Amphojel, and many others have a high aluminum hydroxide content. Many over-the-counter drugs used for inflammation and pain contain aluminum, including Arthritis Pain Formula and Bufferin

Several douche preparations, including Massengil and Summer's Eve, contain aluminum. It is also an additive in most baking powders and is sometimes evident in drinking water. Have your water checked today. (http://www.e-watertest.com/)

Many symptoms of aluminum toxicity are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastro-intestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances, and memory loss, softening of the bones, and weak, aching muscles. Research suggests that a chronic calcium deficiency may change the way in which the body uses minerals. Bone loss and increased intestinal absorption of aluminum and silicon combine to form compounds that accumulate in the cerebral cortex of the brain. These compounds prevent impulses from being carried to or from the brain.

An accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties. Autopsies performed on Alzheimer's victims revealed that four times the normal amount of aluminum had accumulated in the nerve cells in the brain. This suggests that long-term accumulation of aluminum in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease as well as some reports for Parkinson's disease.

Because aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, toxic amount of aluminum may impair kidney function. Working in aluminum smelting plants for long periods can lead to dizziness, impaired coordination, and losses of balance and energy.

Accumulations of aluminum in the brain was cited as a possible cause for these symptoms as well. Aluminum is also used in food processing (pickles and relishes, in particular) , beer (especially when in aluminum cans), bleached flour, table salt, tobacco smoke, cream of tartar, Parmesan and grated cheeses, aluminum salts, and canned goods. I do a serum ( blood) test level for aluminum as well as a 6 hour provocative metal challenge from Doctor's Data. (http://www.doctorsdata.com/)

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 ECZEMA

I recently saw a patient with eczema. I started by asking the patient about her dietary lifestyle. In most individuals a skin problem like eczema is allergy related. Most of the time it is an environmental allergen like detergent, certain clothes, and body sprays. I jump right in and start to ask about their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus as well as their snacks.

Are your snacks high in sugar? Do you 'pick' between meals? Do you eat a lot of carbohydrates like pasta, crackers and bread?

I would suggest an Ig G Food test for delayed hypersensitivity. This may be paid for by your insurance and even if not, I would suggest getting the test. Many laboratories do this test, especially Biotek .

It is difficult to stop eating these foods if it is not seen in writing that the patient may be allergic or sensitive to the food. Once the allergens are stopped you will be surprised how the eczema lessens.

I also try some herbs which I consider traditional for skin ailments as burdock, calendula, yellow dock, sarsaparilla and dandelion. All except calendula are also liver detoxifiers. I also rely on dermatologists to help me find the exact skin condition. Is it psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis? I do know that a change in dietary lifestyle will alleviate any of those conditions. The problem is most other doctors would give a steroid for a skin condition. I do not!

You can buy 2 ounces of a skin salve. You can get it from Flower Power on East 9th in NYC or on any of the great herbal sites like http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ or http://www.gaiaherbs.com/

Now add the following to the salve:

1. 1/2 teaspoon of these herbal tinctures:

Pau d' arco

Goldenseal

Barberry

2. 8 drops of the following essential oils

Chamomille

Tea Tree Oil

Stir all together into the salve. It will be semi-liquid and apply throughout the day.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 1, 2022 WHY YOU SHOULD BUY BEESWAX CANDLES

Do you love candles ? I do and I have always bought beeswax candles. NOW i make my own beeswax candles using the wax from my own beehives.

I love the peace and serenity when sitting watching the candle burn. Not all candles are created equal. Somew candles are made with harmful ingredients that turn toxic BEESWAX candles are non-toxic and require no additives Paraffin candles pollute the air whereas beeswax DO NOT

There are even studies to show that beeswax candles emit negative ions when bur ed. These negative ions are said to help clean the air. The other reasons are that bee candles have a natural gentle scent whereas some candles are scented which may cause allergies. I know many patients that are chemically sensitive and react to scented candles

Since beeswax has a higher melting point that other candles, the beeswax candles burn more slowly and last much longer. Candles made of beeswax are almost completely drip free

I know that when I burn a beeswax candles ( most of time I burn my own) I feel confident I am NOT adding toxins to the air

NOW BUY YOUR BEESWAX CANDLES TODAY FROM BOTANICAL BOUNTY AT 212 723 1823

Until tomorrow

JANUARY 31, 2022 NATTOKINASE

What food do you think can clean the blood and keep your bones strong? You probably have never heard of it, but it is called Natto. Natto is Japanese. It is the accounterment to rice made of fermented soybeans. It is the rage, at least in New York City. The word actually means "meat of the farm". I will tell you this: the protein in natto is higher than that found in eggs and its cholesterol content is almost zero. I am not opposed to whole eggs (yolk and white) as long as you do not eat bread nor potatoes with it. Once you add carbohydrates with eggs your cholesterol will go up.

Back to natto... I would rather you use natto which uses the whole soybean rather than processed tofu. I do not recommend tofu. You get a lot of fiber from natto --another plus for your diet. Natto is made by packing the soybeans into straw. The bacteria in the straw ferment the soybeans. The bacteria from natto is a good friendly bacterium as it increases lactic acid bacteria in the human small intestines. Yeah --this helps to resolve slow bowel movements. Derived from natto is the enzyme nattokinase which has been studied to clean the blood. It acts as a blood thinner. There are many Japanese studies documenting this aspect of the enzyme. It has also been found that nattokinase activates another enzyme, urokinase that melts clots. By having thinner blood you are preventing strokes, heart attacks, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

I consume nattokinase as a capsule every day (about 50 - 100 units). Another vitamin called Vitamin K2 is created by fermentation and has been shown to strengthen bones. Most of the nattokinase products contain Vitamin K2. You can get more vitamin K2 by eating natto 3 - 5 times per week or more. At first I did not like the smell of natto as a food source. I was told not to heat it as it will deactivate the enzyme I want - the nattokinase. Make it into a fried dumpling. By this method you will not lose the effects of the nattokinase nor the Vitamin K. I never eat natto alone . I combine it with yams, onions and Japanese pickles. You may ask - why Japanese pickles ? These pickles also contain lactic acid bacteria--more benefit to the GI tract. If you are one of those individual who take coumadin (warfarin) be careful as this conventional drug weakness the effect of Vitamin K2 which is needed for the healthy bones.

Call Botanical Bounty for your NATTO 646 723 18123

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 27, 2022 MELISSA

For centuries, the herb Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used medicinally. I have grown this herb every year in pots on the patio. I received a plant of Lemon Balm from a patient, Diane P. about 10 years ago, and have grown it ever since. It is one of my favorite herbs. When I was looking to buy a house in Connecticut, I looked at the yard to see what plants/herbs were growing. In this one house was Lemon Balm, Milkweed and Lily of the Valley I bought the house It grows wild in some areas. The plant is in Mint Family. Its leaves look like spearmint or peppermint. If you rub the leaves together you get the scent of lemon, which is so refreshing. The plant yields very little essential oil. So if you find it - it is expensive. Most of the commercial Melissa oil is mixed with other lemon oils.

Lemon Balm has been used for a variety of conditions. Lemon balm has traditionally been used orally to treat insomnia, anxiety, gastric conditions, hypertension and even hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease) I have used both lemon balm and bugle weed for the hyperactive thyroid. I use tincture of lemon balm to treat mouth ulcers also known as canker sores. I remember my mother used to put gentian violet on my canker sores when I was a child. I didn't mind the taste, but I didn't like the tooth staining and gum staining. I do not think it is still used for canker sores, since there are other herbal alternatives. Studies have combined dandelion, St John's wort and Calendula for colitis with some success.

To calm the nerves I would suggest a soothing bath with the following:

1. 3 drops of melissa

2. 2 drops of chamomille

3. 2 drops of bergamot

Put all three in 1 teaspoon ( 5ml) of sweet almond oil. Add this to your bath and relax

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 26, 2022 PINE POLLEN

Pine pollen is a very underrated herb. I was introduced to pine pollen by my friend/colleague , Steve ( Stavros) Sietos ( You can follow Stavros on Instagram- urbanherbalistnyc) Pollen can be derived from many trees, flowering plants and even grasses. It can be used to assist and support many diseases. Pine pollen is a bit different It can be derived from many Pine trees as Scot’s pine, Baltic pine and Chinese red pine.

There are many potential health benefits. One of the major benefits is that it can increase the level of testosterone. I use different aromatase inhibitors to block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Some of these including the bioflavonoid, chrysin, pomegranate seeds and even red clover. With the addition of pine pollen, the testosterone levels increase dramatically.

With todays pandemic, pine pollen has shown to have antiviral benefits. Pine pollen has a substance called Arabinogalactan . Pine pollen can also reduce free radical damage in the organs of the body. Thus, making it a great antioxidant. I have used it with other herbs as Devil’s Claw and Sarsaparilla for arthritis.

You CANNOT consume it straight from the tree. It has to be prepared for consumption. I prefer to use pine pollen as a tincture I do as 1:6 strength, then evaporate four parts thus making the 1:2 tincture. I find this method of consumption to be the best

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 24, 2022 HAPPY HONEY

During this pandemic many individuals have become more anxious and depressed. It is understandable. I have been trying to think of a formula I could concoct which is easy for you to make at home. I decided to use powdered herbs, honey and raw pollen. The first two ingredients are easy for me since I can easily use my own honey from my beehives. The powdered formula consists of:

1. 1 part chamomile powder

2. 1 part lavender powder

3. I part skullcap powder

4. I part ashwagandha powder

   You will need 1 cup of raw honey and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of raw pollen. Go easy of the lavender as more lavender makes the formula a bit bitter

   You will need to mix 6 teaspoons of thew powdered formula with 1 cup of raw honey and the raw pollen

   Now you can enjoy1-3 teaspoons daily. Keep in a cool, dry area

   Until tomorrow…