JULY 20, 2023 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

As you know as a beekeeper , bee venom can be very useful for some diseases.

Some quick remedies for your insect bite

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
2. Cover the bite with a macerated plantain leaf
3. Witch hazel is great , but not effective on bee stings, but better on mosquito bites

C. HOMEOPATHY
1,  Apis 30 C ( from Boiron ) can be used once the stinger is removed.
2. Hypericum ( 30 C ) can also 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 are 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 beconite 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 19, 2023 VITAMIN A

Very few of us today take separate Vitamin A. It is commonly in most of our multivitamins  and definitely present in Cod Liver Oil. Vitamin A deficiency can result in blindness and dryness of the eyes. The drying can result in corneal ulcers and infection. 

Also the lack of Vitamin A can result in squamous metaplasia. This is where there is a normal protection that is gone. The protection of these ciliated mucous membranes is absent in certain areas leading to squamous metaplasia which will then lead to cancer,

Vitamin A also has the distinction of being the anti infective vitamin. It is very useful in lung disorders as COPD ( emphysema, bronchitis and pneumonia)

As with the other fat soluble vitamins ( D, E and K) over dosage can lead to problems. I know a physician that prescribes it five days on and three days off. This is a good practice. The overdosage of vitamin A ( hypervitaminosis A) can present with band like headaches, nose bleeds, and even chapped lips.

There are some pediatricians who believe that Vitamin A protects children against otitis media ( middle ear infection)

Make sure your multi vitamin has Vitamin A. If not you can take an extra 10,000 IU without any adverse effects.

Until tomorrow...

JULY 18, 2023 VEGETARIANS

I feel vegetarians always get a bad rap. Most carnivores have little good to say about a vegetarian diet. Carnivores always say that a vegetarian diet does not provide the sufficient amounts of protein and other essential minerals. This simply is NOT true. Vegetarian foods do contain amino acids (also found in meats). If you consume a wide variety of plant based food you will be just fine. You must consume whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and sprouts to get the protein you need. So you do not have to eat meat.

We must respect all types of eaters. Those who make unkind remarks to vegetarians are either ignorant or not well informed. This comes from someone who is NOT a vegetarian. I lean towards vegetarianism, but love quality eggs and fish. I do know that vegetarians eat more carbohydrates. This IS A PROBLEM. During my college and medical school years I was a vegetarian. I did eat more carbohydrates at that time in my life. It used to drive my family crazy that I would not eat meat.

Which contains more calcium - a cup of milk or a 1/4 cup of sesame seeds? The sesame seeds contain almost double the amount of calcium (580 mg compared to 288 mg respectively). The question is if cow's milk is healthy! Many Americans have a sensitivity or allergy to cow's dairy.

It always comes back to the plants! Plant foods contain a wide variety of phytochemicals that act to prevent free radical damage. Lignans found in plants act as phytoestrogens. They are estrogen like and can protect you against a variety of cancers. Research reveals that sesame seed lignans enhance the antioxidant effect of Vitamin E. I think this is important since Vitamin E is another topic that has a bad rap. The lignans in sesame seeds have been shown to protect against liver disease, heart disease and cancer in a variety of research studies.

I admire vegetarians who are really knowledgeable. There is always is a good discussion regarding soy protein. I love eating the many cruciferous vegetables whether or not I am a true vegetarian. These cruciferous vegetables should be part of every dietary lifestyle. These include kale, broccoli, wild broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, mustard greens , turnip root and so much more. Start to eat those cruciferous greens. Even though radishes, watercress and garden cress are not in the cruciferous family eat these too!

What is about the cruciferous vegetables that makes them beneficial? They have all vitamins , minerals and also contain fiber. You need to break the cell wall to release the essential compound glucosolinate.

Until tomorrow

JULY 17, 2023 MALE HERBALS

There are many male health  issues. Some men worry about some more than others. In the younger male, there is acne; in the teenage/young adult years there is possible a hydrocele, herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. In ages 30-40 there is possibly testicular carcinoma, hair loss, and erection difficulties. As men age there is prostate issues, impotence, ejaculatory problems, incontinence and vitality issues.

I do not think these change whether you are gay or straight, but I will say that in general gay men take care of themselves a lot better when it comes to the general appearance.
There are many medications to be used therapeutically . There are also many herbs that can be used. Some of these categories include adaptogens, antimicrobial, aphrodisiacs, diuretics, detoxifying, nervines and stimulants.

What intrigued me over the years is the many more applications there are in herbals versus conventional medicines. . In herbal medicine there are compresses, hair rinses, salves, teas, and tinctures. In conventional medicine, there only seems to be the 'pill' or tablet. How many times have you gone to your doctor and you received a Rx or prescription ? I bet, countless times. How many times have you gone to your doctor and received a poultice, syrup of essential oil remedy ? Probably not too often.

Here are some general tips which I find important for the male patient:

1. Know the male anatomy and how it works
2. Find a health care provider you are comfortable with
3. Practice dietary and exercise lifestyle changes
4. Know how to release daily pressures/
5. Avoid anger and resentment which only will lead to disease
6. Get better sleep
7. Improve communication skills with your partner
8. Always keep the sexual practices new and inventive
9. Relax when urinating or defecating
10 Get a hobby

One tea blend I often recommend for the male from ages 40 - 60 with anxiety issues is a combination of oat straw, lemon balm, skullcap and blue vervain. I sometimes use chamomile but since it is used in a lot of anxiety/nervine teas i want to be new , creative and different.

Now that I over 60, I started to make a tea for my prostate which contains raspberry, oat straw, nettles, and dandelion.

Until tomorrow....

JULY 13, 2023 BEETROOT

A recent study published revealed that Beetroot ( Beta vulgaris).  It is also known as the table beet, garden beet or red beet. I know it simply at the beet. Although there are many varieties of beets, the version, Beta vulgaris is the most common known.This study showed that beets  improved running performance in fit men and women.

 Why is this ? Beetroot contains nitrates which has shown to increase running performance. It was a small double blind trial of 11 fit men and women. Runners ingested 200 grams of beetroot with 500mg of nitrates.

It was concluded that ingestion of whole beetroot which is nitrate rich improved running performance. There has always been a conflict whether nitrate containing foods are not good for running or exercise, this is the exact opposite outcome.

So what should you runners do ?

For those seeking performance benefits - obtain nitrates from whole vegetables such as beetroot.

Until tomorrow...

JULY 12, 2023 ANORECTAL COMPLAINTS

ANORECTAL COMPLAINTS are frequently encountered in many doctor's office. Mine is no exception. Most of these complaints can be managed in the office. Some do need further testing, and some do require other health care providers. The most common diagnosis is hemorrhoids or anal fissures. These can occur in both men and women. Other complaints are anorectal abscesses, rectal prolapse, anal masses/rectal carcinoma and even fistulas. Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV) is not only associated cervical carcinoma but has been associated with rectal carcinoma as well .These must be seen by a surgeon.

A detailed history needs to be taken. There might be some questions you might not be comfortable answering, but you should answer. First of all you should feel comfortable to ask your doctor anything. If you are a gay male, you might be more comfortable with a gay male physician. You should be able to discuss your sexual practices. The physician should be comfortable in asking a heterosexual individuals or couples about anal sexual activity It is very common among heterosexuals but no one discusses this entity. I always ask these questions. I always ask about dietary habits ( ex: I ask what the patient eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner) I ask about alcohol use. I ask about intake of fiber, salads, use of enemas, and intake of nuts/seeds.

I ask about travel history as anal problems, especially itching can be the first sign of a parasite. This is especially common in pin worms and whip worms. In order to fully exam the anal area the patient should be placed in prone jackknife or left lateral knee to chest position. This is called the Simm position. This is best way for any physician to examine the anal area.

Yes inspection, palpation and examination of the anal area is neither pleasant for you or the doctor but it should be done

For the simple hemorrhoid, there are anesthetic preparations, lidocaine derivatives and even calcium channel blockers as .2% ointment or diltizem 2% gel) I often utilize sitz baths, witch hazel and a homeopathic haemorrhoid cream

For any anal rectal problems please consult your physician .

Until tomorrow...

JULY 11, 2023 ALLERGIES

More patients are suffering with allergies this year than every before ! The pollen counts continue to rise It is estimated that by the year 2030, 50 % of individuals will be affected with allergies.

Yoiu need to read a new book on allergies. It is called Allergies: How Our Immune System Reacts to a Changing World It discusses the history of allergies I find the book fascinating since it is not written by a medical doctor. It is thorough and well researched I have learned a lot from reading the book It is written by Professor Theresa MacPhail It is all about our environment and how it has changed over the last 200 years.

We live in a toxic world It is toxic from the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink. It is very hard to be healthy in this world We can help by checking different toxins you may have been exposed to

Until tomorrow

JULY 10, 2023 STOP THE PAIN WITH BOSWELLIA

Who doesn't suffer from aches and pains ? We all do at one time in our life. Whether it is a neck sprain, a back ache or some muscle inflammation. For most of America it is so easy to buy over-the-counter (OTC) remedies as Motrin, Naprosyn or Alleve. For others it is easier to call their doctor and get a prescription for another non steroidal, as Meloxicam (also known as Mobic).  There is an easier approach. First is to change to an anti-inflammatory diet. This includes few, if any processed carbohydrates, as breads and pastas. It has less high glycemic (high sugar) fruits and vegetables. It also means less red meat. This is not a diet but rather a dietary lifestyle.

The second step is to start to exercise a little more. Move those muscles. Walk to work or walk to the nearest train station. If you drive to work, then walk outside during your lunch break if weather is permitting. It means stop being a couch potato at your work desk. It means you need to be motivated. This is a lifestyle change.

The third step is to investigate supplements and herbs that are used against inflammation . These might include Omega 3 fish oils, Primrose oils, MSM, Proteolytic enzymes , and Cetylmyistolate. The herbs that might be helpful for your aches and pains include Ginger, Turmeric and Boswellia. You might be saying Boswellia what? It is a common herb that many do not use because few know anything about it. There is lots of information on Boswellia. Boswellia serata is derived from a tree that grows in a dry climate such as in India. An exudate in the plant is called Oleogum resin . This resin is used in Ayurvedic medicine where it is called Salai Guggal.

Boswellia does reduce joint pain and swelling. It is a non-steroidal. I feel it especially works on joint flexibility. The acids within the compound are great for protecting the joint connective tissue. There are no side effects from Boswellia. It is catching on as the studies now indicate that this herb is great for arthritis.  Studies did compare Boswellia to a well known anti inflammatory called Ketoprofen. Boswellia was found to improve blood supply to the affected areas which is vital. It has been used in rheumatoid arthritis. This past Monday I saw a woman with new onset mild rheumatoid arthritis.  She already has been prescribed steroids and now Plaquenil. There was no discussion from the rheumatologist as to decrease the patients gluten products. Since she did feel better off gluten ( 80% of all autoimmune diseases do better without gluten), Boswellia would be an excellent choice for such a patient with no side effects or interactions with her conventional methods.  The action of Boswellia is similar to non steroidal anti inflammatory conventional drugs.

So wouldn't you rather take an herb rather than a drug? I know I would and I DO! Oh yes, I forget the most important aspect of Boswellia versus a non steroidal. The non steroidals as Motrin and Alleve are prone to cause gastric ulcer bleeding.

Until tomorrow…