JULY 19, 2022 FATIGUE

When you are tired all the time you need to get some blood tests ! The possibilities are a lot. It could be your thyroid, your hormones levels, vitamin deficiencies, and even a reactivation of the EBV

Do you have trouble focusing? You may be experiencing the signs of iron deficiency. This common condition can leave you feeling run down and drained. Maybe you are not eating enough of protein especially red meat. If you are vegetarian, you need to look into iron deficiency

Some symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue but also pale skin, brittle nails, and even headaches. Both shortness of breath and dizziness can also be signs of iron deficiency.

If you get your levels checked and your iron levels are low, you can change that. You might not want to eat red meat which is totally understandable. Then you must consume nuts and seeds, and certain grains that can help iron

Two natural remedies is to consume 1 tsp of black strap molasses every other day to increase iron. You can also drink a herbal tea containing yellow dock. Yellow dock increases iron absorption Dark leafy greens also contain iron. You might to take an iron supplements. Be aware that iron supplements will turn your stool color to black and some cause constipation.

Until tomorrow…

JULY 18, 2022 SUMMER INSECT BITES

Insect bites and stings are very common in the summer. Some may cause discomfort, unless you suffer from a severe allergic reaction. The best course of treatment is to soothe the pain and reduce swelling. Of course, you could get the stinger out. The stinging insect ( as the honeybee) inject the toxin through a stinger at the tail end of the abdomen. The reaction is usually local, but if occurs in the mouth or buccal mucosa of the cheek can be a problem. Yellow jackets and wasps have stingers and their sting does hurt more than a honeybee

When I arrived home from Savannah my bees were mostly out of the hive due to the humidity. I opened the hive
I got stung a lot but honeybee will die shortly afterwards. I did mind getting bit on my face twice. My hands got bit, as did my neck and feet. The sting is felt but I was only worried about my eye, since I do not wear a face covering. All turned out fine.


Some quick remedies:

A. FOLK REMEDIES
1. Some old folk remedies are to use the juice of a cucumber, onion or radish to sooth the pain
2. Bathe in baking soda and water if stung all over the body
3. Compress with apple cider vinegar and /or lemon juice
4. I use fresh garlic on the wound

B. HERBAL REMEDIES
1. Marigold petal on a bee bite ( I should have thought of this this weekend- as marigold plants are in the front of the house)
2. Cover the bite with a macerated plantain leaf ( usually not always available in Fire Island, but can be found upstate)
3. Witch hazel is great , but not effective on bee stings, but better on mosquito bites

C. HOMEOPATHY
1, Apis can be used once the stinger is removed. Vincent removed all of my stingers. He was amazed at the size of the stinger.
2. Hypericum can be used with great results

To make an insect bite oil:

1. 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil
2. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Combine and place directly on the bite. Rick and I will make some since we are opening the hive next weekend for close friends who love bees. I would love both of them to consider hives in their upstate home. Store the bottle in a glass bottle with a tight lid. Glass bottles better than plastic.

To make a bite/sting poultice

1. 1 tablespoon of echinacea root tincture
2. 1 tablespoon of distilled water
3. 1/2 tsp of lavender essential oil
4. 1 tablespoon of clay

combine the mixture and then add to the clay. Stir slowly till all absorbed. The paste should be tacky enough to stick to the skin. Apply directly to the bite and store in a glass container in a cool place.

Until tomorrow

JULY 14, 2022 THE RIGHT JUICES

For the last year I have consumed Blueberry Juice from Weyman’s every day. I love it. I can’t describe how good I feel, and I love the taste. America has been on a juice craze for the last 10 years. The consumption of the celery juice has more than tripled due to Anthony Williams’ best seller , The Medical Medium (and his other books) I advocate celery juice for EBV ( Epstein Barr Virus) infection. For the last two years due to the COVID pandemic (and the use of vaccinations/boosters) there has been an increase in the reactivation of EBV in most individuals. Celery juice must be consumed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Please consult the Medical Medium (or one of his practitioners) I have found that celery juice can reduce your blood pressure.

The other two juices that reduce blood pressure are beet and pomegranate . Beetroot is rich in nitrates which the body converts to nitric oxide which dilates (relaxes) blood vessels. In addition, beetroot is rich in fiber and contains potassium. Pomegranate juice also contains potassium which lowers blood pressure. Because of a healthy conscious America, you can find both juices in your local grocery store.

Until tomorrow…

JULY 13, 2022 FOODS THAT LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

As a cardiologist I am always interested in ways to lower blood pressure naturally. I use many herbs and supplements to lower blood pressure as hawthorn, magnesium, globe artichoke, L-carnitine and much more. But there are foods that can also lower your blood pressure.

The herb, Allium sativum known as Garlic from the Lily Family has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure. The mechanism is hypothesized to be by relaxing the smooth muscle that line the blood vessels. By doing this, garlic reduces resistance to blood flow thus lowering blood pressure. Years ago, two dear friends/colleagues’ naturopathic doctors, Dr Peter Bonjourno and Pina LoGuidace published a review article on The Health Benefits of Allium.

In addition to garlic, the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids has been studied to lower blood pressure. For those that do not want to take more supplements, you can eat more fish. These fatty acids reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. The fatty acids also increase the good cholesterol- the high-density lipoprotein (HDL ) For men, the HDL should be > 40 and for women, > 50

Lastly, the next two can be addictive- red wine and dark chocolate. You must consume these in small- moderate levels. Red wine contains resveratrol which dilates blood vessels thus lowering BP This substance also inhibits the formation of bad cholesterol called the lower density lipoproteins ( LDL). The polyphenols and flavonoids in dark chocolate ( not milk chocolate) have been studied to reduce blood pressure.

So now your diet just changed with the consumption of garlic, red wine, dark chocolate and fish. Sounds like a nice Italian dinner

Until tomorrow…

JULY 12, 2022 MAGNESIUM

This is one supplement that is essential for good health. Magnesium is needed for good sleep, nerve function and even for regulating your own bowel function. There are ways to tell if you are magnesium deficient.

We all feel tired . This could be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Getting more magnesium is easy ( you could always get an intravenous drip at our offices in NYC or CT ) There are many foods that contain magnesium as leafy greens, nuts and seeds and even whole grains

The most common complaint I hear that I hear from patients is leg cramps or leg twitching. Magnesium helps to regulate nerve impulses. It also helps anxiety if the twitching is due to your stress levels. The next most common complaint that points to magnesium deficiency are headaches and migraines. Although there are causes of both—you must think of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is essential in over 200 biochemical reactions in the body and has been linked to both headaches and migraines. Personally, I love herbs for migraines as peppermint, butterbur, and Jamaican dogwood.

Lastly some individuals use magnesium to help get a better night’s sleep. Sleep is very important and underrated We should be discussing sleep more often. Magnesium, calcium and B6 are great for a proper night’s sleep. Of note, 1 teaspoon of raw honey increases one’s own melatonin production—so try honey before bed

Until tomorrow…

JULY 11, 2022 CABBAGE

Cabbage is not talked about a lot Cabbage is an underappreciated vegetable with a reputation for a strong smell and a pedestrian taste. Which is a pity because cabbage has a lot to offer in terms of health, nutrition, and flavor. I was not fond of cabbage as a child. As an adult I am becoming accustomed to having cabbage. I remember many of my patients on the cabbage soup diet to lose weight.

The plant’s scientific name is Brassica oleracea. It’s related to other cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts, that belong to the same Brassica plant species

.I recommend many of these vegetables in patients with cancer as this group of vegetables contain indole 3 carbinol ( DIM) which is used in the treatment of certain cancers

Broth made with cabbage was used to treat various cancers, as well as to alleviate diarrhea, ulcers, gout, and headaches. There are different types of cabbage- green, red, Chinese and savoy cabbage. Red cabbage is also slightly more nutrient-dense — its dark color indicates that it’s full of phytochemicals and antioxidants particularly anthocyanins. Other phytochemicals include flavinoids , indoles, ascorbic acid, carotenes, and tocopherol. So, cabbage is nutritious as well as containing many anti-oxidants.

Think of cabbage as a superfood with all of its antioxidant power

Until tomorrow…

JULY 7, 2022 DECREASE YOIUR APPETITE

We all want to decrease our appetite. When we are stressed with life we either tend to eat more or eat less. I think there are a fair number of individuals who eat more. You can eat health foods, but sometimes the volume is much higher when we are stressed.

There are conventional appetite suppressants or weight loss drugs on the market. I sometimes use them to quick start a new problem or if the individual is obese. Some of these drugs are Qsymia, Belviq and even Contrave. I tend to use Qsymia more frequently. There is also an injectable called Ozempic which is intended for non-insulin dependent or Type 2 diabetics. I also use some supplements to decrease appetite as alpha lipoic acid, gymnema, chromium and vanadyl sulfate. There are some foods that act as natural supplements as apples, oats, chia seeds and even dark chocolate (due its content of polyphenols.)

To aid in helping your body decrease your appetite there are some lifestyle changes that are very important. These are simple changes as eating more protein in your day, drinking more water in your day and even exercise can decrease hunger temporarily .

You must eat more slowly and mindfully. Make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep is vital to healing the body.

Until tomorrow…

JULY 6, 2022 VERBENA

This is not a herb you hear a lot about. Lemon verbena ( Aloysia citriodora) is used as a culinary spice, has an essential oil and used in perfumes. It also has some medical properties which is used for nervous health as a nervine. Immune booster and even weight loss management. I have used it with skullcap, and chamomile for restlessness and anxiety. I find it to be a very calming herb. I plant this herb in my garden to attract beneficial insects to add to my garden ecosystem.

I love this herb as a tea and also added to a salad. I even have tasted lemon verbena cookies and cakes The whole plant can be used but the leaves are used the most. This herb has both internal and external use.

The historical perspective of all herbs has always fascinated me. This herb in the 17th century reached Europe through the Spanish colonies. It Europe I can imagine that royalty used for fragrance for their baths and perfume soaks. From Europe it spread across the world

Until tomorrow…