APRIL 20, 2023 FATIGUE

There are many causes of fatigue individuals I see within my practice. Fatigue can be caused by an underactive thyroid, chronic Epstein Barr Infection ( especially when reactivated due to COVID in the past three years) food allergies, heavy metal intoxication and even food allergies. There are many integrative treatments for fatigue once you find out the underlying cause. There are one group of herbs called adaptogens which I use regularly. In the American Botanical Council HerbalGram an article appeared which I found interesting

“Disease-related fatigue is a primary feeling of fatigue caused by a disease itself or its treatment. For fatigue reduction, many patients are given alternative and complementary treatments. A widely used therapy for fatigue is ginseng (Panax spp., Araliaceae), which has two major subgroups — Asian ginseng (P. ginseng) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius). Around 40 compounds have been identified from ginseng that offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and antiaging effects. Recently, the efficacy of ginseng supplements on disease-related fatigue have been published but with conflicting results. As such, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize and pool the available data to determine the overall effects of ginseng supplements on disease-related fatigue.

I found the results interesting to read At the conclusion, based on the results, the authors conclude that ginseng supplementation has a moderate benefit for reducing disease-related fatigue among patients with various diseases, especially cancer. The authors suggest that the associated mechanisms may relate to ginseng’s role in enhancing energy metabolism and reducing lactic acid accumulation. The authors suggest that lactic acid leads to fatigue, but lactate is not actually the cause of muscle fatigue and is instead a preferred energy source. “ Reprinted from ABC’s Herbalgram I use many adaptogenic herbs for fatigue I usually test for cortisol salivary levels and then determine the treatment options

Zhu J, Xu X, Zhang X, et al. Efficacy of ginseng supplements on disease-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). July 1, 2022;101(26):e29767. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029767.

Until tomorrow…

APRIL 19, 2023 HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATER

There are many health problems when we get dehydrated from not drinking enough water. The problems can be migraines, fatigue and weight gain. We are supposed to drink 1/2 of body weight in fluid ounces in water. This could be too much for some individuals, yet a few glasses of water can add benefit.

More water can boost your skin and hair health. When hydrated our skin looks radiant and even gives a glow. Water plumps your body’s cell so there will be less wrinkles if you hydrate. If you also hydrated you will have less joint pain When you don’t drink enough water , the cartilage in your joints can start to break down. This is especially important as we age.

One organ that needs hydration continuously is your kidneys. Every day your kidneys filter 200 quarts of blood to produce two quarts of urine. You need water for this. One of the best ways to prevent kidney damage is to drink water.

The most important aspect of drinking water in addition to the above is to detoxify your body We get toxins from the air we breath, the food we eat and the products we use. The world is toxic. YOU MUST DRINK WATER TO DETOXIFY

Until tomorrow…

APRIL 18, 2023 COFFEE

Why do we drink coffee? Is it a habit or do people like the taste . Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Coffee is a drink that has been around for more than 500 years. Millions of people drink it every day. I do .

Coffee does have medicinal benefits. Generally it can do the following

Improves Brain Health

• Helps Fight Depression

• Prevents Diabetes

• Boosts Energy Levels

• Improves Heart Health

• May Reduce Risk Of Cancer

For me, my memory is very important. I want to practice till my 80’s I want to continue to read and learn and do needlework I need my memory Coffee is a great way to improve cognitive function and memory and reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Coffee isn’t just good for your physical energy levels – it’s also great for your brain health! A study showed that coffee drinkers had a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Another study showed that caffeine could improve long-term memory performance. The lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory formation.

There are studies on its effect to help lower blood sugar, and reduce the risk of cancer. Anything should be done in moderation My one to two cups a day is good me and might be for you

Until tomorrow…

APRIL 17, 2023 BEE PSYCHOLOGY

I am always excited to read a new book on Honeybees. A book was released last month which I find fascinating and interesting Stephen Buchmann has studied bees for 40 years. I wish I was doing this. In his recent book “ What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees, “ he draws from his own research and dozens of other studies to paint a remarkable picture of bee behavior and psychology.

Honeybees are fascinating insects. You will be suprised what you can learn from these pollinators. The book inspires you to study bees or read more about honeybees

From an article in The Guardian , “ Buchmann is part of a small but growing group of scientists doing what he calls “fringe” research seeking to understand the full emotional capacity of bees. His research has radically changed the way he relates to the insects – not only does he now avoid killing them in his house, he has also significantly reduced lethal and insensitive treatment of specimens for his research.

I urge you iu\f you like honeybees to read this book

ALSO A REMINDER

May 19-21, 2023 THE AMERICAN APITHERAPY SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING IN PARSIPPANY NEW JERSEY

REGISTER AT

WWW.APITHERAPY.ORG

APRIL 13, 2023 APHRODISIACS

Most of the studies and research on aphrodisiacs have been done involving men and these compounds. I do not find that surprising at all There are a few herbs that can increase libido, energy, and arousal in both men and women, without scientists knowing for sure what the exact mechanisms behind them are.

The amino acid arginine has been proven to help with erectile dysfunction, but some studies suggest it may also improve sexual satisfaction in both men and women. Arginine is a hormone precursor as well as a building block for nitric oxide. It also increases blood flow. It is a natural viagra or cialis I rather use the precursor to arginine which is citrulline

There are many herbs that have been used for an aphrodisiac. These are honrey goat weed, damiana and tribulus. Puncture vine or Bindii (Tribulus terrestris) leaves and flowers. A small study found there may be aphrodisiac effects in both men and women, although it doesn’t seem to be from an increase in testosterone, but rather from the steroidal glycoside saponins furostanol and spirostanol. I have used this herb with success in both men and women.

Another herb I have used is Maca ( Lepidium meyenii) root is one of the few plants that have been tested on both men and women, with varying results. It seems to be effective against the phycological impacts of sexual dysfunction in men and women, such as depression and anxiety, and it might also increase fertility.

I feel we do not know all the mechanism of these herbs acting as an aphrodisiac. I will say that different combinations work for different individuals. I have used many herbs combined with success.

For those that like technology there is the Alma Duo technology. This is a low level shock wave treatment ( benign to the patient ) to increase blood flow. We have been successful with the protol which is two treatments /per week x 3 weeks.

Until tomorrow…

APRIL 12, 2023 SCOTCH BROOM

Among some of the plants which is blossoming in my Black Rock Gardens from last year is Broom. From the family Fabaceae, Cytiscus Scoparius is also called Scotch Broom, butcher's broom, and even sweet broom. It is a perennial shrub with thick stems. I have seen it in various colors, but mine is covered in golden-yellow flowers. It is magnificent. I have seen many other varieties on Fire Island through the years

Our herbal fore father, Culpepper considered it to be good for dropsy, black jaundice (Weil's disease) sciatica and gout. The blossoms were used for making a salve to cure gout, and King Henry VIII ( known to have serious gout) drank the flower-water to counteract his excessive eating and drinking.

I use Scotch broom as anti arrhythmic herb for rhythm disturbances of the heart, especially atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia. I think the herb Broom I use is Sarothamnus scoparis, but must ask one of my mentors if there is a difference. I know that the broom family has always been known to have cardiac properties. It contains no glycosides so does not belong to the foxglove family (as digoxin). It does contain an alkaloid called sparteine as well as genistein and sarothamin. All three slow the conduction. Upon studying this herb there is a familiarity to quinine. I have seen mid wives use broom in delivery as it causes uterine contractions. For me, it is non toxic. I have never had a problem with dosing broom at high levels. I use it with Motherwort, Hawthorn and Night Blooming Cactus. It is effective for atrial arrhythmias as atrial tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.

Until tomorrow…

APRIL 11, 2023 GOLDENSEAL

Do you know anything about the plant Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)? It is known asone of the oldest American Indian medicinal plants. I relate to Goldenseal. Unfortunately, by 1910 Goldenseal was the  most common item in the American herbal medicine chest and was being picked to extinction. Its most active ingredient is Berberine. There are several plants/herbs that have berberine. Goldenseal is still the most popular herbal among consumers. It is rare in the Midwestern United States according to Matthew Wood's book The Book of Herbal Wisdom. There are many conditions for which goldenseal is used. Some of them include gastrointestinal ukcers, mouth ulcers, sore throat, bladder infections, pruritis, boils, eczema and many other skin disorders. Since the herb is considered endangered I try to utilize it very little in clinical practice. The delivery of goldenseal is varied as dried root, tincture, powdered, capsules, and fluid extract.

To grow goldenseal:

Step 1 — Site Preparation: Begin with a humus-rich soil under natural shade or a man-made canopy. The general soil preparation is the use of lime to create a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.0.


Step 2 — Propagation: Goldenseal can be best started from rhizome pieces planted in the fall. Plant two to three inches deep. Be patient. It can take three to five years to grow harvestable roots from rhizomes, longer with other propagation methods.


Step 3 — Mulch: Keep the area around goldenseal weed-free and use hardwood bark chips or leaf humus. Rake back the mulch to one to two inches before the plants emerge in spring.


Step 4 — Harvest: Divide the plants or harvest the roots in fall when fully mature.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 10, 2023 MEMORY

I know the longer I practice (this is the beginning of my 29 th year) I will begin to lose my elder population. It is sad, as my older patients have put their trust in me.  Despite both conventional and integrative therapies, many patients’ memory is worsening.

We all misplace our keys. We all sometimes walk in a room and forget why we even went in the room. I find the more stress an individual is undergoing, the more forgetful he/she will get. I encourage my older patients to do word retrieval games, seek the word games, math problem solving and basic jigsaw puzzles. I also want a central bowl when you walk in the door to place all your pocket belongings- your keys, Metrocard, change, bills et al.

Recent studies have shown that patients on the conventional drug, Aricept (Donepezil) scored higher on the Mini Mental State Examiantion than did patients who discontinued the drug. In addition those taking Aricepot scored lower on the Activities of Daily Living Scale which means they had less impairment. I use this drug in combination with herbs/supplements. I do find that older patients sometimes get gastrointestinal upset from Aricept. This is why I utilize an integrative approach to memory loss.

It is not easy to find studies on botanicals for memory loss. It is easier to find studies of vitamin/supplements like acetyl L carnitine, phosphotidylserine, phosphotidylcholine and omega 3, 6 9 fish oils.

Culpepper referred to this plant as 'a great binder' In older times, herbalists used to believe that the planets of our solar system governed the plants. Periwinkle (Vinca major and Vinca minor) were said to be governed by the planet Venus. Both have similar herbal properties. These plants have helped cancer patients with two medicines, vinblastine and vincristine. One of the other major uses of vinpocetine is for memory. According to Matthew Wood in Earthwise Herbal, Lord Bacon  believed that a cramp in the leg could be cured by wrapping periwinkle vine around the leg. I have seen herbalists use periwinkle for heavy menstrual bleeding, ulcers, skin disorders, and even vertigo. I have not used Periwinkle species as much as I should with the exception of the substance vinpocetine being present in many memory formulas. I use 20mg capsules twice a day.

The other herbs in Memory formulas include ginkgo, garlic and huperzine.

Even the glowing jellyfish has a substance called Prevagen which has gained popularity in helping memory. Bacopa at 300 mg twice a day is another herb I use for memory

Until tomorrow…