AUGUST 17, 2022 YARROW

Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium) is definitely an Earth plant being cold and dry which would counter hot and moist conditions for which it is used. It grows in my garden yellow. The red and white are also represented in yarrow indicating an influence on the base chakra and the nervous system

It is an invader in almost any garden so be careful . It grows quite happily in my garden and loves competition pushing its rhizomes through the roots of other plants.

It has both external and internal uses. It is good for cuts and wounds especially where there is blood loss. For internal use I use it for inflammation and internal bleeding especially with the female reproductive system. I feel is has some effect on pain due to the blood congestion. Notice the plant with red color running in streaks up the stem and presence of hairs on the plant

It is a fascinating plant

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 16, 2022 OSHA ROOT

Osha root is not commonly discussed Its other names are Bear Root, Loveroot, and Bear Medicine Its botanical name is Ligusticum porter

It is not common to find this plant in the Northeastern areas. It has affinity for the southern Rocky Mountains . Many tribes of native Americans could not do without this plant. It was seen as a purifying agent, and to help babies breathe

I have used this herb as a powerful anti viral agent. It is great for colds, flu, upper respiratory infections and although I haven’t used it to treat tuberculosis ( it has been used for TB in the literature )

On reading about this herb in different books, it has been used to treat many different ailments. The essential oils of this plant are bitter. It is excellent for lung and throat infections. I compare this herb to Self Heal as well as Lungwort. It is great for the lungs as it broch dilates the lungs. I have seen it used for rheumatism and digestive disorders.

It should be part of your herbal first aid kit

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 15, 2022 LEMON BALM

One of my favorite mint herbs is Lemon Balm, known botanically as Melissa officinalis. It is also known as Bee Balm and Cure All. When you rub the leaves together which is identical to mint- you known it is lemon balm from the lemon scent. I grow lemon balm is pots in my garden.

Lemon balm contains essential oils as citral, linalol and geraniol. It also has volatile oils .

The actions of Lemon Balm are as a carminative, anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic and has a sedative effect I use it to promote sweating and as an anti-viral agent. It is great for patients with herpes simplex I and II as well as for varicella zoster (Shingles) I combine it with Bugleweed and Motherwort to treat patients with hyperthyroidism. It is contraindicated for patients with an underactive thyroid

The monoterpenes in lemon balm act on the central nervous system causing a calming effect. This makes it an excellent anti-anxiety herb and calming herb

Get your Lemon Balm tea at Botanical Bounty - fair trade organic company Call 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 11, 2022 HERBS

Herbs used for the liver and digestive tracts can be divided into categories. This categorization was unheard of when I studied medicines. I feel it is a better way to breakdown the role of the liver and the medicines or plants that can be used. This classification was used when I learned Botanical Medicine. The six categories are:
1. Aromatic bitters
2. Cholagogues
3. General liver tonic
4. Constitutional tonics
5. Liver 'purgatives'
6. Simple bitters

Credit for my learning goes to 7Song ( colleague/friend/mentor - Northeast School of Botanical Medicine Ithaca NY ) I have his teaching of hepatic herbs very useful in my medical practice. There are many symptoms of liver ailments. I can apply my knowledge of different herbs in these categories to the individual’s particular ailment. For example, for the alcoholic or drug addict who has abused their liver for so many years, I would consider milk thistle, artichoke, turmeric and chicory. These are the herbs I think of for detoxifying.

When the liver really needs to purge toxins and needs a good 'kickstart' I would use Mayapple or Poke, but would use caution as I have seen some of these remedies ' back fire'

The more knowledge you have about your patient, both medically, socially, psychologically and financially - the better the choice can be made. It always helps me in choosing the specific herb. I am intuitive about this.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 10, 2022 DEMUCLENT FOODS

As an herbalist I will define the word demulcent. It is used to describe any substance that soothes inflamed mucosa. Many herbs /foods have a demulcent effects as fenugreek, flax and ghee (clarified butter

Some of these demulcent foods have been studied These include Green Bananas/plantains, bone broth, cabbage juice and ginger Ginger is a widely used culinary herb but has many excellent health benefits due to the active ingredient—gingerol.

Other demulcent herbs include black pepper, peppermint and tumeric .

As a beekeeper, i need to put honey as a excellent demulcent. Its medicinal effect on wound healing is excellent. It is great for infections and digestive issues It is not any honey The honey studied was honey from the manuka flowers ( Leptospermum scoparium ) - as it had the highest level of antibiotic activity. This was studied in New Zealand ( the origin of Manuka honey ) You can understand why this is a very expensive honey to buy- It also has a strong inhibitory effect of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) I use propolis and mastic gum for H. pylori infections

Studies were done with ulcerative colitis patients . This manuka honey had 100 % compared to other sugars studied

I must mention other demulcents as Umeboshi plums ( from China ) , wheatgrass juice and the use of traditional Indian spices.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 8, 2022 COMMON COLD TONIC

Many of my patients are getting flu like symptoms. Some of these are patients who got COVID despite whether they were vaccinated and even boosted. You get a headache, aches, and the usual flu like symptoms—nasal inflammation, sore throat, cough, lethargy

I got the tonic for you

1. 8 teabags Echinacea Plus from Traditional Medicinals

2. 1 1/2 pint of spring water

3. 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

4. 1 tablespoon of chopped licorice root

5. 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla flavoring

Boil the water. Add the licorice root , cover and simmer on low heat for 3 minutes. Pour ( but do not strain ) into a teapot. Add the teabags Cover and steep for 20 minutes Strain and reheat, Add the lemon juice and vanilla flavoring

Drink very warm You feel better in 1 day

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 4, 2022 WEIGHT LOSS AND CALORIES

WE all want to lose weight. Most of us need 5-10 lbs off . Yet you want to eat and not starve yourself. There are foods to eat that are low in calories that fill you up You must look at calories. When it comes to losing weight, calories are the most important factor. Even if you don’t count calories, it’s still helpful to be aware of how many calories are in the foods and beverages you consume

There are a number of foods with low calories that are filling.

The first two examples are nuts/seeds and vegetables. I always turn to a nut butter or nuts/seeds to fill me up when hungry ( especially as a snack after dinner) while reading or stitching

Another good example is fruit Fruits like apples, pears, oranges, melons, and berries are full of water and fiber so they’ll fill you up with fewer calories than other foods will. Plus fruits contain antioxidants which may have health benefits as well! You can’t go wrong with fruits

I know many nutritionists that suggest popcorn. I am not a fan of popcorn unless I am going to waterpik my teeth after ingesting. The kernels and popcorn can get caught in your teeth YOU must waterpik according to dental hygienist, Sandra Senzon ( Tooth Fairy )

Hummus is also suggested

Eating less is a simple weight loss strategy, Lets eat right

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 3, 2022 COMFREY

Comfrey is a herb that for a variety of reasons has been downplayed over the years. Some herbalists do not use it at all. I have never been afraid to use comfrey Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is an attractive ornamental plant used in gardening and medicine. It is called knitbone or boneset, referring to the bone-like growth of its roots. It is believed it heals bones

Comfrey is used as an ornamental plant in the garden It has beautiful clusters of flowers The flowers of comfrey bloom in late spring to early winter. Depending on the variety, it may have purple, creamy yellow, or white blossoms

Comfrey has many medicinal uses.

Generally, comfrey is mostly used for:

• Skin sores and irritations, wounds, eczema, sunburn
• Insect bites, sting, bedsores
• Sprains and broken bones, fractures
• Joint and muscle pain
• Contusions
• Chest congestion
• Heavy menses
• Gout
• Mouth and gum diseases

I have seen an elderly German gentleman with a catheter in place use comfrey through the urinary catheter to stop the bleeding from the bladder.

Although comfrey was ingested traditionally, recent studies discovered its toxicity. Take it as a precaution and avoid taking comfrey orally. THIS IS WHY MOST INDIVIDUALS DO NOT USE COMFREY

Until tomorrow…