MAY 16, 2023 SETTING UP A BEEHIVE : BEE KEEPING

Setting up a beehive is relatively easy after my beekeeping courses and reading beekeeping books: Beekeeping for Dummies and The Backyard Beekeeper. Being a good neighbor includes doing as little all I can to reduce the honeybee/neighbor interaction. Placing the beehive in the southeast position is best. I want it away from my neighbors as to allow the bees a more constant flight pattern for both coming and going from the hive. I have been beekeeping for more than 15 years, I am also proud and privileged to be the Present of the American Apitherapy Society.

People's reaction to bees and beekeeping in unpredictable. Education is needed. A few in the community are excited and enthusiastic, some may not even care, and there are some who strongly object for one reason or another. A little talk will go a long way. Some may be allergic and that might be their main concern. Unlike wasps, yellow jackets, and bumblebees, honeybees hardly sting unless seriously provoked. The honeybees of today are more docile than twenty years ago. Italian honeybees are very docile. It is true that a few people will have a life threatening reaction from a bee sting, but the percentage is very low. I will always have an EpiPen in my habitat. If anyone has a serious allergy to an insect bite, that individual should have their own EpiPen/ Auvi-Q. The typical bee sting is a slight red reaction at the bite site with some itching two to three days afterwards. This can happen with any insect bite. I am more concerned over spider bites than any bee sting. Since I want to have a real relationship with my bees I have placed their hive not in direct sunlight, and always have a water supply near by I have a Koi pond in the back which the bees love

Warning signs can be posted for your neighbor's protection. These signs are not to scare anyone but to notify them. Signs may also inform people in the community about saving the environment.

All of us have temperaments including the neighbor who doesn't understand, and so do the bees. I have learned to examine the bees on warm sunny days and never in the cold rain. I will be gentle opening the cover. Bees should remain docile especially if smoked. If I get stung I will feel bad, as within 48 hours or less the bee that stung me will die. I have been taught to always keep my bee suit clean especially after a sting . I didn't understand the logic at first, but I have learned that venom left on the suit after a sting could be a warning sign for the colony of bees that I am a threat and cause other bees to sting. Honeybees will not deliberately sting you unless you are provoking them while they are foraging or try to kill them.

I will always be there for my bees and my neighbors. Not only are bees needed in our community but this is a way for many flowering plants to continue to flourish since bees are the major pollinators on Earth.

It is also a way to give back to Mother Earth.

Just think of this--free honey for your neighbors as long as you protect the bees with enough honey for the winter months.

If you inclined to find out about apitherapy join me May 19-21, 2023 at the American Apitherapy Society Conference in New Jersey www.apitherapy.org

Until tomorrow…

MAY 15, 2023 JACARANDA

This weekend while planting the front garden I planted Columbine, and Foxglove. I am looking at the multiple buds on the Clematis My neighbor mentioned if I have ever seen a Jacaranda Tree. As a matter of fact I said '“ I have.” She asked “ Where ? “ I answered , “ West Hollywood , California

I recalled several streets were lined with flowering Jacarandas. This flowering plant has 49 species and belongs to the Family Bignoniaceae. I have never seen Jacaranda in other states. These trees are native to tropical and subtropical regions in South America, Central America, Mexico and Caribbean. In California when you see the blooming trees it is a sign of spring. So since I did not know anything about these trees I decided to do some research.

The flowers on this tree are conspicuous large panicles. Each flower has five-lobed blue to purple blue corolla. I hear there are also some species with white flowers.

There is even a city named The Jacaranda City-- it is in South Africa. The city is Pretoria. There are an enormous amount of Jacarandas lining the streets and in parks and gardens. It can be seen by plane or in the distant hills as blue/purple colors. It must be radiant.When the trees are in bloom it is a not only a sign of spring, but also a sign of year end exams in the University. It is said that if a Jacaranda blossom falls are your head you will pass all your examinations

In Southern California these trees were imported by horticulturalist, Kate Sessions

Until tomorrow…

MAY 11, 2023 C L A

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) sometimes known as Tonilin has been used for weight reduction for some time. As with most supplements/vitamins or herbs we need more studies. Of course, I would love to see double blind placebo studies but it is not always possible financially to do this. More than 10 years ago in the journal Nutrition a study was published using 63 individuals with body mass index from 24 - 35 who received 1.7 grams of CLA or a placebo of salad oil in 200 cc of milk twice a day for two weeks. CLA was beneficial in reducing obesity


Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are a family of at least 28  isomers  of linoleic acid  found mainly in meat and dairy products derived from cud chewing mammals called ruminants. As the name implies, the double bonds of CLAs are conjugated, with only one single bond between them.  In 1979, researchers from the University of Wisconsin applied a beef extract to mice skin. The mice were then exposed to a strong carcinogen. When the researchers counted the number of tumors that had developed by the mice 16 weeks later, they found to their surprise, that the mice exposed to the beef extract had 20% fewer tumors. The identity of this anti carcinogen was not discovered until almost a decade later, in 1987. Michael Pariza, the scientist who discovered CLA, later remarked that "few anti carcinogens, and certainly no other known fatty acids, are as effective as CLA in inhibiting carcinogenesis in these models. I have even researched the use of CLA in inflammatory bowel disease."

I have seen CLA work in those with high to very high BMI (body mass index). For those individuals who want to lose a little weight (5-15 lbs) I have seen little results. The two groups were evaluated for body composition, including total body weight, BMI, total fat mass, fat percentage, subcutaneous fat, and waist to hip ratio. As long as those individuals were being evaluated for the above, plasma glucose, total cholesterol, (TC) triglycerides (TG)  low density lipoprotein ( LDL) and high density lipoprotein ( HDL) were also monitored. Today patients would rather take Ozempic, Mountjaro or Wegovy and NOT change their dietary lifestyle

Females with a BMI greater than 27 did the best as far as weight loss. There was no significant change in the lipid panel. I expected this, as in the past CLA has never been used to reduce the cholesterol panel.

The research concluded that the supplementation of CLA for twelve weeks yielded lower obesity indices for the obese patients.

Take CLA and other supplements and change your dietary lifestyle

Until tomorrow…

MAY 10, 2023 GLUCOSE

WE all know that glucose is another name for sugar. Every morning I listen to a podcast called Feel Better Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee. Although I am older we have the same philosophy. His podcasts are engaging and real. His guest this morning was Jessie Inchauspe. She is the author of the book Glucose Revolution. and the Glucose Goddess Method The book discusses how sugar affects your mood and stress. It also affects your hormones. She has reviewed all the literature as well as discussed her 4 week plan on social media. She recruited volunteers. I say volunteers as these are not patients as she is not a medical doctor. After listening to her podcast she should be a doctor., She knows more than most of the conventional endocrinologists I know. She knows a lot about food and what spikes your blood sugar

She broke down the science in her discussion with Dr Chatterjee on the podcast She made it simple for patients She wants to educate and empower people. She discusses why glucose is our body’s favorite energy source. She communicated so well on this podcast I forwarded it to many forwarded I know . She discussed why eating a vegetable first on a dinner plate before protein is best. Then eat the protein and save the complex carbo/simple carb ( if it on your plate ) for last, This way you are full by the time it comes to the carbohydrates and you will theoretically eat less Excess sugar or starch rich food causes blood sugar spikes which affects your whole day.

I encourage you to listen to the Podcast and buy her latest book about sugar, The Glucose Goddess Method. You will love it !!

Until tomorrow…

MAY 9, 2023 CHOLESTEROL

You need a certain amount of cholesterol for your body to function properly. This waxy substance is made in the liver. As Americans we are obsessed with our cholesterol and bad cholesterol, called low density lipoprotein (LDL) I am concerned about these numbers but more concerned about triglycerides and good cholesterol, called high density lipoprotein ( HDL )

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. It is abundant in plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables. Whole grains like brown rice and oats are also good sources. Try to increase the amount of soluble fiber you consume, which has been shown to lower LDL levels.

When it comes to fat you must watch . Of these, trans fats are the worst and should always be avoided. Polyunsaturated fats are good in moderation, as are saturated fats and monounsaturated fats. The key is to avoid partially hydrogenated oil and trans fats at all times

Exercise, exercise, exercise. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to increase your heart health. It can help you with weight loss, keep your blood pressure under control, and lower your chance of having a heart attack or other cardiac event. The American Heart Association recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. I tell patients 30 minutes 4 x a week can decrease cardiovascular mortality by 38 %

Watch the amount of alcohol you rink. Although red wine can be good for increasing HDL, too much alcohol is not good. There are recommendations by the AHA about drinking wine.

Decrease stress levels in your life., This can be accomplished by meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, acupuncture and finding a creative hobby. You must watch your weight by decreasing the amount of refined carbohydrates in your diet.

All of the above is a way to keep your LDL lower and your HDL higher.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 8, 2022 EDIBLE FLOWERS

This weekend I was at a wedding where on the main dinner plate were orchid flowers. My son-in-law ate the orchid flower This reminded me of the many flowers that you can eat . Edible flowers always add a third dimension not only to the dinner plate but to the herbal garden.  I think people still have the notion that, "vegetables are for eating and flowers are for looking at." This is not true.

There are two flowers that are always edible. These are nasturtiums and violas. Some people call the violas by their common name - Johnny jump ups (Viola tricolor). If these are edible so are pansies and violets.

As a child I remember my grandparents often picked the zucchini flowers. Either it was breaded and eaten or even stuffed with cheese and eaten. This was a ritual in my Poppy's garden as soon as the flowers bloomed. Today it is considered a delicacy.  There are many edible flowers. Even if the list below is edible you must always know if your neighbor sprayed them with any pesticides before you pick them.
Some edibles are :
Artichoke (flower bud) , Broccoli (flower buds), Cauliflower (flower buds), Caper (flower buds),Chamomile (for tea), Cannabis (flowers or buds), Chives (flowers or buds), Chrysanthemum (flower), Citrus blossoms (lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit), Clover (Trifolium), Daisies (Bellis perennis quills), Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale leaves, roots, flowers, petals, buds), Daylilies (Hemerocallis buds, flowers, petals), Elderflower (blossoms for drink), Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Jasmine (for tea),Lilac (salads), Moringa oleifera, Nasturtium (blossoms and seeds), Osmanthus fragrans (flower), Pansies (Viola x Wittrockiana flowers, petals), Pot Marigolds (Calendula officinalis petals with white heel removed), Roses (Rosa petals with white heel removed, rose hips), Sesbania grandiflora (flower), Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus buds, petals, seeds), Violet ('leaf and flowers in salads, candied flowers for pastry decoration') and Zucchini blossoms (blossoms)

Until tomorrow…

MAY 4, 2023 YUNG PUEBLO

If you are not familiar with Yung Pueblo— you ought to be . He is a poet, meditator and speaker. I relate to him as we both are in recovery .

Diego Perez is the poet and philosopher behind the pen name Yung Pueblo. The name Yung Pueblo means 'young people' and it serves to remind him of his Ecuadorian roots, his experiences in activism and that the collective of humanity is in the midst of important growth.

As I was reading his book “ Lighter” I reflected on my book “ The Doctor’s Confession” ( under the pen name Michael Fredericks, MD ) He discusses so many topics but when he discussed radical honesty I read with an intense feeling. He writes “ The path of lies leads to two primary manifestations - anxiety and anger “ This is so true. As an addict you begin to believe your lies and you forget who you told what . It is the tangled web we weave as addicts By beginning to tell the truth is the beginning of true inner harmony

I would suggest to start reading books by Yung Pueblo. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves

Buy a copy of “ LIGHTER “ Read it with a nice cup of your favorite tea. Embrace the words. Ponder, think and reflect

Until tomorrow…

MAY 3, 2023 HOW DO HERBS TASTE ?

In my years as an herbalist I have found that the worse tasting herbs are the most effective. There are at least ten (10) different tastes from herbs. Some of these tastes are bitter, sour, pungent, spicy, acrid, sweet, salty and bland.

There are three different energetics for the bitter tasting herbs. The bitter tasting energetics are alkaloidal, non alkaloidal and fragrant. The non alkaloids can be hot/dry or cold/dry. It does get confusing.

I think it is important that when you are using an herb you describe the taste to the practitioner. If you take many herbs you will be able to differentiate between the tastes. The bitter herbs regardless of the energetics, are bitter. Some of these herbs are Oregon grape root, barberry, coffee (all alkaloid), artichoke, motherwort (cold/dry nonalkaloid), tumeric (warm/dry) and wormwood, black walnut (fragrant). All of these bitter herbs can be used to treat/support the gastrointestinal system.

The sour herbs can be true sour or astringent. The energetics of true sour are cool/dry whereas the energetics for astringent are neutral/dry. The true sour herbs can be wild blueberry, schisandra and raspberry leaf. Examples of astringent herbs are witch hazel and bayberry. I love the true sour herb taste. I like sour.

The pungent herbs are the second most disliked herbs after bitter tasting herbs. The pungent herbs can have energetics of hot/dry or cold/dry. Examples are garlic, cayenne, and ginger (hot/dry) and echinacea, eucalyptus (cold/dry).

The spicy herbs are my second favorite after sour. The spicy tasting herbs have warm/dry energetics. Examples are the culinary herbs basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, and bergamot. This is an easy category to remember. Most of us who cook even a little and are Italian have used these herbs.

The acrid herbs have energetic of cold/dry. Examples are lobelia, vervain, kava and black cohash.

The sweet tasting herbs have warm/slightly moist energetic. The examples are stevia, astragalus, and licorice. Not a bad tasting group. Used as immune tonics.

The salty tasting herbs are either true salty (energetic cool/dry) or mineral salt (energetic cool/dry). An example of true salty is glasswort. I have not used this herb and have very little information on this class. The cool/slight dry mineral salt tasting group encompasses nettles (used extensively for allergies), horsetail (used extensively to grow my hair) and dandelion (as a diuretic).

The last tasting category is bland slippery with energetics of cool/moist. These are the moistener herbs like slippery elm, marshmallow, and comfrey. I used these herbs in helping with Irritable Bowel Disease. I also add meadowsweet (which is not bland slippery) but sweet.

Most of this information has been derived from the herbal courses in Black Mountain, North Carolina at the Medicines from the Earth Conferences in the last fifteen years. Through the years I am becoming more familiar with the different herbal tastes.

Often a patient will ask, "What does it taste like?" I think it is important to be honest with the patient if you have tasted the herb. I also find it important as an RH to taste as many different herbs as I can.

Until tomorrow...