MARCH 9, 2023 THANK YOU
Tomorrow a milestone is achieved. On March 10, 2010 , I started writing this blog. I started writing a daily blog ( 7 days a week) It was in response to another individual writing a blog. I don’t know if their blog still exists. Yet as Bette Midler states and many other, “ I’m still here. “
It is a habit— a reflection of me and my character. I enjoy educating on the blog and teaching students in Naturopathic Medicine and Oriental Medicine.
I have written about diseaes, herbs and many other topics. On Fridays at the beginning of writing the blog I wrote about hobbies. Each of the hobbies I wrote about I have done. I continually do needlepoint. That hobby is now a mini side business where I sell needlepoint at Mongers Market in Bridgeport CT on Sundays as well as on a online store www.oldacquaintances.com
Most of all I want to thank you— the reader . I am deeply grateful and humble for your comments
Until tomorrow
MARCH 8, 2023 PINEAPPLES
Who doesn’t love a piece of pineapple ? Its sweet and has health benefits The pineapple plant, Ananas comosus, is a fairly short shrub, seldom growing as high as five feet. Contrary to popular belief, pineapples don’t grow on trees; they are actually part of the bromeliad family. Who knew !
Pineapples are a type of berry fruit called a collective or multiple fruit. Like most fruits, pineapple is rich in vitamins, fiber, minerals, and phytonutrients — specifically vitamins C and A (the latter as carotene), folate, potassium, and manganese. It’s also a source of simple and complex carbohydrates, in the form of natural sugars and fiber, respectively. While pineapple is fairly high in sugar, it’s also 86% water and low on the glycemic index. So this is what you get in a pineapple: 82.5 kcal calories and the following
21.6 g carbohydrates
16.3 g sugars
2.31 g fiber
180 mg potassium
78.9 mg vitamin C
Pineapples are anti inflammatory, anti cancer and has good gut benefits If you have a latex allergy there can be a cross reaction with pineapples so please be careful Sometimes a pineapple can irritate the mucous membranes in some patients
All in all this is a beneficial fruit to add to your dietary lifestyle
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 7, 2023 REMOVE THE FOOD --MAYBE ?
The removal of inflaming or offending foods is the key in patients who are allergic, but this is one approach. My other approach is to take the HERBAL approach.
Two MUSTS are probiotcs (friendly bacteria) and glutamine. I prefer powder form as the irritated gut needs soft repair and restoring abilities. It is a lot easier with a powder versus capsules or tablets.
I have been taught to use an antimicrobial tea (per many conferences at either Southwest Botanical Conference in Tempe AZ or the Medicine of the Earth conference in Asheville NC)
This tea consists of :
1. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice )
2. Matricaria recutia (Chamomile)
3. Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
4. Organum vulgare (Majoram)
I would mix equal parts of the above herbs (about 2-4 oz) and drink 1-2 cups per /day. The first two herbs, chamomile and licorice help rebuild the digestive mucosa and reduce the frequency and intensity of the GERD. There is an herb called Hamamelis that tightens the lower esophageal sphincter. This is one of the digestive barks. Of all the major systems in the body, I feel there are more herbs that can alleviate problems of the digestive system. I often utilize Weiss's Herbal Medicine text among others to mix/match herbs that I frequently use. There are simple demulcents for esophagitis (a precursor to GERD). These herbs can be used as teas or syrups. These are Althea, Ulmus and Symphytum.
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 6,2023 BEAR ROOT
This American native herb is found in upland meadows in the south Rocky Mountains It has been used for a variety of purposes. Some burned it as an incense against evil spirits and dangerous pathogens. The native Americans chewed it for endurance
It is used specifically against viral infections, colds sore throat and upper congestion Its botanical name is Ligusticum porter It is called Osha Root I feel that Osha root is the best herbs for the lungs I love to use it with Horehound and Elecampne
Until tomorrow…
MARCH 2, 2023 ST JOHNS WORT
The herb St Johns Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) is used in many clinical herbalists practice. It is used for depression. I use the homeopathic Hypericum for neuropathy in patients with diabetes or in a patient having post neuralgia symptoms from herpes or shingles. It also has a long history of traditional use to treat bacterial and viral infections, respiratory distress, skin wounds, peptic ulcers, and inflammation.
Of note there are many warnings in using St. Johns Wort when a patienmt is on some conventional medication. As an integrative physician/herbalist I know many herb-interactions but I rarely see them. An article appeared int he American Botanical Council HerbalGram which peaked my interest The active ingredients of St Johns Wort are hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids. I was interested in the study to determine which active ingredient interacts with pharmaceutical drugs. Hyperforin was identified as the major compound in SJW interacting with pharmaceuticals. The interaction had to do with the enzyme CYP3A4. I determine which medication a patient can take based on doing a genetic test called Kashi. This test is a cheek swab to determine a patient’s Apo E gene, MTHFR genes and 7 CYP genes. The CYP genes can be fast, normal, intermediate or rapid metabolizers.
The authors conclude that SJW extracts with low hyperforin content (≤ 1 mg of hyperforin daily) are safe and recommended It was stated more studies need to be conducted. I would like to see more studies. I would also like to see herbs that interact with coumadin ( warfarin )
Original article published in : Nicolussi S, Drewe J, Butterweck V, Meyer zu Schwabedissen HE. Clinical relevance of St. John's wort drug interactions revisited. Br J Pharmacol. March 2020;177(6):1212-1226. doi: 10.111/bph.14936