MARCH 23, 2022 MAD HONEY

As a beekeeper and a Board member of the American Apitherapy Society I have never encountered mad honey. I have been involved in a discussion about it and ready about it.

Mad honey is not produced in the United States. It is a real honey and can land you in a hospital with dizziness, tingling and altered state of mind. Thank goodness it is not found in the USA. It is produced is areas of the world where mountain laurel, rhododendron and azelas grow. This is found int he Himalayan cliffs. The above species contain a toxin called grayanotoxin, of which so called andromedatoxins are a sub group. Symptoms of grayanotoxins poisoning include nausea, severe sweating, vomiting, dizziness and a drop in blood pressure can occur.

A Rhododendron species, Pentanthera have grayanotoxin in their nectar. In the Balck Sea area, the R.ponticum and R luteum are the man culprits. I read a paper in 2010, where a Turkish man ingesting 2 tablespoons of some honey causing a traffic accident Recently a USA from Seattle had irregular heart beats, loss of muscle control and drop in blood pressure after ingesting raw honey. His symptoms lasted for 24 hours. You never can be sure when ingesting raw honey. I have never had a problem ingesting any type of raw honey

Interestingly the nectar’s toxin has no effect on honeybees. One spoonful of mad honey can cause mental impairment and central nervous system symptoms as headache, tingling of extremities and difficulties in breathing and circulation

Of note , mad honey has been used against the Roman troops led by General Pompey by the Persian army. The Persian army knowing the effects of mad honey had pots of the sweet honey laid out for the Romans to eat. You can imagine what happened. The Roman troops became disorientated and were defeated by the Persians. How clkever

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 17, 2022 GREEN TEA

Green Tea, also known as Camellia sinensis. Did you know that tea is consumed only second to water for enjoyment and for health. There are numerous articles to support the benefits of green tea for a variety of cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases. There are four varieties of tea that have these antioxidant properties- green, black, oolong and white. America now consumes more green tea but it is basically consumed in China, Japan and some countries in the Middle East. What is it about green tea that makes it so beneficial? It is the letters EGCC, one of the four major flavonoids in the tea and the most effective. There are studies to support green tea consumption to help atherosclerosis. One study documented that the incidence is 36% less in people who consume green tea. However when you review the studies and publish your own paper as I have, the amount of consumption to get this benefit is high. One would have to consume 30-40 cups of green tea per day. Unless you are bathroom-bound, I do think this is practical. There is a study that stated after observing those who do and those who do not consume green tea that one cup of green reduces total cholesterol. In 2004, at the Scientific Sessions, a paper was presented using green tea for severe cardiac arrhythmia.
Today there are hundreds of papers on the research of green tea

The variety of cancers that green tea has been used for varies from bladder to breast. There are also studies on its use in colo-rectal, esophageal, lung and bone cancer. You must remember that any HERB IS A DRUG. Please consult with your doctor about using herbs especially if you are on any medication.

Eliot Cowan wrote a book entitled Plant Spirit Medicine, which I highly recommend.

Until tomorrow…Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

MARCH 16, 2022 KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones can be made of oxalates, uric acid and of course, calcium.
The physiology is sometimes difficult to understand and even to convey to a patient. When calcium is taken with foods that are high in oxalates, oxalic acid in the intestine combines with calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that are eliminated in the stool. This form of oxalate cannot be absorbed into the body. When calcium is low in the diet, oxalic acid is soluble in the liquid portion of the contents of the intestine (called chyme) and is readily absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream. If oxalic acid is very high in the blood being filtered by the kidney, it may combine with calcium to form crystals that may block urine flow and cause severe pain.

These crystals cannot only cause problems with the kidneys. These crystals may also form in the bones, joints, blood vessels, lungs, and even the brain Oxalate crystals may cause damage to various tissues. The sharp crystals may cause damage due to their physical structure and may also increase inflammation.

The pain during the passage of a kidney stone is dreaded by those that have a predisposition to stones. It is extremely painful. Female patients compare it to childbearing. In many cases strong pain killers as morphine are needed.

I have used a hot compresses applied to the kidney region. I have asked a patient to sip hot chamomile tea. The idea is to promote diuresis ( urination) but only when the acute stage of pain has passed.
Remember those yellow flowers along roadsides called Dandelion. I utilize Taraxacum officinale ( Dandelion) in good quantities. One to two tablespoons of dandelion tincture in one liter of warm-hot water. Continue to drink. This is a very effective method. Sometimes the stone doesn't pass and requires surgical or some type of intervention by the urologist.

Many ask, can I take something to dissolve the stones. There are many natural remedies other than conventional ultrasound baths ( lithotrpsy) BUT i do not use those methods. Breaking a stone with herbs, if used, might pass smaller stones and those might lodge. I see many remedies on the Internet using Kidney Flushes. I would consult a health care practitioner familiar with those flushes. I do like detoxification but it cannot be done by everyone.
A member of the bedstraw family ( Rubiaceae) has been used with some success.
Rubia is a genus of the madder family Rubiaceae, which contains about 60 species of perennial scrambling or climbing herbs and sub-shrubs A. The genus and its best known species are also known as Madder, Rubia tinctorum (also known as Common Madder . I have not used Common Madder, but I am sure I will get the opportunity. Herbalists whom have used Common Madder warn the patient about the unpleasant taste. Many prescribe 20 drops three times a day. The root does contain a red pigment, so patients should expect their urine to turn red. It was once used as a dye for the trousers, or pants of the French soldiers. If you do not warn the patient about the urine color change, they might think he/she is bleeding. I could not find how this herb works. Some have suggested that it causes spasmolysis of the ureter ( connects the kidney to the bladder) . This spasm would allow the stone to pass.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 15, 2022 PLASTIC AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

For years I have stated ‘ WE live in a toxic environment’ Whether its from metals, processed foods, antibiotic injected foods, or plastics — it is all toxic to our bodies.

A study last year led by Antonio Ragusa studied microplastics. Plastics were found in placentas from normal vaginal deliveries. Microplastics ( MP) are used commercially and have been found in marine life and in intestines,. This study found that microplastics found in placentas can cause local toxicity by inducing immune response. This is a critical study and should not be taken lightly. We already expose infants to microplastics by using plastic bottles rather than glass bottles when feeding early in life.

In 2021 we found that some bacteria can become resistant to certain antibiotics when exposed to microplastics. The resistance was found to be 30 times more resistant when exposed to these microplastics.

Microplastic pollution is a real threat and is a growing topic. I would suggest to view scholar.google for more information. I always test environmental toxins in an individual with chronic disease . I use Great Plains laboratory for testing

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 14, 2022 SOT

What is SOT ? SOT is Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy.

Supportive oligonucleotide therapy is an advanced, personalised form of cancer treatment that disrupts how cancer cells replicate or survive. Specifically, SOTs use a modified specific type of RNA, known as short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), that binds to a specific gene, essential for survival or replication of cancer cells. SOTs target cancer cells in the body, preventing cancer from growing or spreading. SOT is also used in our practice for Lyme Disease and related Tick Infections in addition to cancer

A newly published study by RGCC scientists has found that cancer patients treated with the highly targeted supportive oligonucleotide therapy (SOT) showed benefits in 77% of cases.
 
SOT is an advanced, personalized form of cancer treatment that disrupts how cancer cells replicate or survive. RGCC scientists have found that cancer patients treated with the highly targeted SOT showed benefits in 77% of cases. A new paper published in the in vivo journal finds evidence that SOTs effectively target and kill cancer cells on their own or in tandem with other therapies.

Our research team are optimistic about the impact of their findings. “We showed that the use of SOTs in cancer can be very beneficial for patients.” Furthermore, “siRNA molecules are safe and specific on targeting, therefore can be used in cases where other drugs cannot.”

Some cancers appeared to respond better to treatment with SOTs, results suggest. The team found a higher response in patients with leukaemia (100%), prostate cancer (95.00%), colorectal cancer (88.00%), and breast cancer (81.00%). No adverse side effects were noted in the paper, which suggests that patients of any age well tolerate SOT treatment.

You most discuss SOT with your health care practitioner.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 10, 2022 CHELATION

Chelation has been around for many years. In 1955, EDTA, the chelator was made by a USA pharmaceutical company. It was used in the Unoted States. There are peer review journal articles to support chelation. The TACT trial ( Trial to Acssess Chelation Therapy) was done and good evidence was found. Yet still not approved by the FDA and neither paid for by insurance. It is used for treatment of heavy metal intoxication as well as heart disease.

The concept behind chelation works is simple. Heart disease is caused by the hardening of the arteries, which is caused by a calcium/limescale build-up. This mainly comes from the hardness of our water supply over the years. And hard water is everywhere! Cholesterol is not the problem. To treat this condition we need to decalcify the vascular system. To accomplish this safely and effectively we simply increase the intake of organic acids into the body. Sometimes oral chelation is used. One is called CitriChel

With CitriChel the use of citric and ascorbic acid are used Acid dissolves calcium in vitro, and scientific evidence with over 80 years of data points to the fact that this is exactly what happens during chelation therapy. Bottom line, unless you have a congenital heart defect, your condition is most likely caused by calcium/limescale in your arteries. I have not used CitriChel as of yet

Arterial plaque is composed of calcium, cholesterol and other trace substances. The calcium acts as glue holding it all together. The citrate ion in CitriChel chelates calcium ions in arterial plaque forming calcium citrate complexes in the blood. This softens the plaque allowing for easy removal by the bloodstream. When you remove the calcium from plaque the rest washes away. The chelating action works similar to how vinegar cleans limescale from a coffee maker. It is that simple. I am more familiar using EDTA IV or or DMSA as chelators

There are many benefits to IV chelation in addition to removing plaque. This treatment also acts as a vasodilator and anticoagulant. Meaning it dilates the arteries and acts as a blood thinner, preventing blood clots. These same effects are typically induced by drugs with dangerous side effects.

IV Chelation is done at both my NYC office as well as the office in Fairfield Connecticut. Call 212 421 3202 or 203 717 1339 for a chelation consult for your heart disease or heavy metal toxicity.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 9, 2022 YOUR MEMORY

A sharp memory is invaluable, and if it starts to fade can be devastating. I certainly would be. I do memory games as scrabble, ‘ word find’ and luminosity on the computer daily.

Common memory malfunctions are part of being human and happen to us all from time-to-time, but what if your memory issues go beyond occasional forgetfulness? There are things to do as memory games mentioned above and herbs/supplements

While declining memory is not always a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s and can be a normal part of aging, it’s good to notice more significant changes in your memory functioning and keep track of how often it’s happening. I feel this is very important. Yes, we all misplace our keys, our glasses and sometimes our wallet. For this I learned years ago to have a central bowl to put keys, glasses, phone and wallet in as soon as I come in my front door.

Reading is so important Can you remember what you are reading. I highlight important words in an article or book to see if I can recall them when I put down the book.

If you are having difficulty remembering to take vitamins and/or supplements you can set a timer on your watch ( or another reminder) You can put in a medicine daily dispenser with days of the week

I would start doing memory exercises and start certain supplements for the brain/memory as bacopa, phosphatidylcholine, vinpocetine and / or Prevagen (from the jellyfish)

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 8, 2022 GREEN AND HOUSE WITCH

As you read this title you probably are thinking…” Has he flipped his head” I assure you I have not. But I have read these two important books for any herbalist and lover of plants and herbs Arin Murphy- Hiscock wrote both ‘The Green Witch “and The House Witch “Most of you will enjoy the Green Witch as it is the complete guide to the natural magic of herbs, flowers, essential oils and more.

The book discusses each solstice and meditation that accompanies it. It discusses the importance of the Zodiac signs and meeting the sun. In addition, it teaches and educates you on walking or finding the Green Path in your life

I do feel that if each individual spends more time living closely to the Earth— we would be better individuals. I also know that using herbs in your life changes how you view plants in your area. It educates you to use more herbs in your life.

Herbs , plants and flowers have changed my life in more ways that I could ever imagined. I encourage you to learn about plants. Grow plants are see the magic. This is the time of the year to start preparing your seedlings.

Until tomorrow…