What is homocysteine ? Homocyteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis and several neurodegenerative diseases., In diabetics, homocysteine adds a significant burden, especially in those with poorly controlled blood glucose. Homocysteine levels below 6 umol/L are to be ideal. and moderate risk begins when levels are between 9 - 13 umol/L/. Levels above 13 are associated with and may be seen in kidney diseases.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 CONNECTION WITH NATURE
"A good friend is cheaper than therapy." --unknown
One way to be in touch with the natural world is by honoring a plant. I relate this to hugging a tree. I love to hug trees. It is paying tribute to an old friend. Another form of meditation for me is to sit in silence with my own body and mind next to a plant or tree. It could be just for 5 minutes
Today we will learn how to make a flower essence.
The tools you will need are--
1. cornmeal
2. a clear glass bowl (5" in diameter and 3 inches deep)
3. clean fresh water
4. two sharp stones (I prefer to use my crystals)
5. muslin cloth, 4-6 inch square
6. small funnel
7. grain alcohol- like gin or vodka; NO rubbing alcohol
8. Small dark brown or cobalt blue bottles (1 or 2 oz. size) I obtain mine from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/
Choose the flower you want to work with--
1. What flower do you want to make an essence from?
2. What flower are you drawn to?
3. What flower to you want to become acquainted with?
I am drawn to the Mint Family- like bugle weed, lemon balm, peppermint...
4. Pick it from your garden or from along the road side as long as you are least two feet away from the road.
5. Give thanks and praise to the Earth Mother for the flower. One way to do this is to sprinkle some cornmeal on the plant/flower you choose. You may want to give thanks in another way which is fine. Just give thanks- never take without giving thanks to Earth Mother.
Capture the essence--
1. Fill glass bowl with water to about 1 inch from top
2. Place bowl on the ground near the plant you have chosen
3. Using the stones gently cut the bloom from the stem and allow it to fall onto the bowl of water
4. DO NOT touch the flower as this will disturb its purity
5. If the blossom is small, use several.
6. You may want to do this on the night of a full moon.
7 Allow to stand undisturbed three to four hours or overnight.
8. Pour water from the blossom bowl into small bottles half full of the alcohol, using muslin to strain.
The rest is your plant journey... an energizing experience with you and the plant blossom. The plant/flower has a verbal message. I didn't understand at first when I did this, but I certainly do now. When a mentor told me to ask the plant to receive its blessing--I didn't understand. You may not understand either, but always trust your intuition. If at any time this does not feel right, then stop.
It is hard to express what it feels like when you make a plant essence or even a tincture or even mixing different loose herbs for a patient’s illness, I feel lighter.
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 FLAX
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid." LUKE 23:53(King James Version)
Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name: Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.
Most people consider Flax to be used for bowel issues (laxative) and to reduce cholesterol. I doubt you thought it is a flowering plant. I utilize Flax to help with colitis (I.B.S.), osteoarthritis and eczema. It is effective against autoimmune disorders, as well as multiple sclerosis and cancer. The studies of Flax include reduction in the bad cholsterol (LDL), reducing post eating glucose levels (called post prandial) and decreasing markers of inflammation (CRP, ESR). Why is it used in heart disease? Its high content of Alpha Linolenic Acids has made the ancient Flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a type of plant-derived Omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish like Salmon. Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in Flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease. The available forms of Flax in capsules, oil, powder and even soft gel. Some use the seeds and use 2 1/2 teaspoons ground twice a day. Every individual has a different dose. IMPORTANCE: Flax seed oil is not the same as Flax seeds. Flax seed oil is a concentrated source of ALA, which has been questioned for its potential association of increasing prostate cancer risk.
Until tomorrow...
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 LOW CARBOHYDRATES DIETS ( LIFESTYLES)
More and more individuals are adhering to a low carbohydrate lifestyle. Dr Robert C. Atkins would be very happy to know that. He was the Father of Low Carbohydrate Lifestyles. Since the introduction of the Atkins Diet in the 1970’s and resurgence in the 1990’s , the low carbo liefstyle is ever more popular There is no shortage of these diets- Paleo, Sugar Busters, Mediterranean, and Keto Diet. More fat is not bad for your health. More fat makes you feel more full for an extended period of time. WE do know that simple sugars are bad. Dr Atkins stated that many years ago
When choosing a low carbohydrate lifestyle I think you need to pay attention to the type of protein and fat you are consuming., We do know the Atkins was high in fat ( maybe not always the best fat ) There are better sources of fat other than the animal fat You can get fat from nuts , seeds and avocados ( You may not want to eat avocados if you are Blood Type O, as avocados are inflammatory for that blood type - Eat Right for Your Blood Type- Peter D’Adamo.
As I have always believed there is no diet good for everyone I like to look at many factors- the individual’s blood type, their BMI, their Ig G Food Allergies, and their blood work. Sometimes I feel people should eat everything in moderation. I do know this- simple ( white ) carbohydrates as bread, pasta, white rice, cakes , cookies and white potatoes are bad. These convert to simple sugars You should try to consume little to no processed foods. The processed foods are full of chemicals and dyes.
The Mediterranean diet is rated top for weight loss and to maintain on a consistent basis. It is good for the heart and diabetic patients. Try not to do fad diets Try to follow the above and you will see how good you feel You will also see the benefits in intermittent fasting
Be informed about what you eat
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 WHEN TO WEAR A MASK
Where do you wear a mask these days ? COVID numbers are on the rise This was included in an article by Dr Jeremy Faust , an ER physician who has never had COVID. It is a small minority if you never have had COVID
1. Airplanes, most of the time (with exceptions for eating and drinking)
2. Other public transport, such as the New York City subway
3. Rideshares such as Uber and Lyft (he rolls down the window if he's snacking or sipping coffee)
4. Stuffy public bathrooms ( Dr Jeremy Faust( an ER physician ) wore his mask when he went to the bathroom at the US Open, where the restroom was "indoors, crowded, and kind of gross.") Faust told Insider he also brought his mask to restaurants "just for the restroom" because they tend to be tiny spaces without much air movement
5. The pharmacy because "that's literally where sick people go to pick up Paxlovid"
6. The hospital, though he makes exceptions when he wants to say hello to a patient with his whole face or emphasize a point
7. At home, when members of his family are sick with illnesses like COVID
"Putting on a mask in some crowded settings but not others is not a contradiction, nor is it virtue signaling, nor an exercise in futility; It is harm reduction," Faust said in his post. "Taking this measure (and upping my hand hygiene game) continues to help me avoid the sheer inconvenience of getting sick, to say nothing of any misery or health risks I may face."
He said he wouldn't feel "cheated by the universe" if he did catch the virus as a result of taking some more risks recently, such as going for a two-hour meal indoors with friends while in New York, where he said there was "no mask in sight."
Recent research does suggest that COVID-19 infection risks rise the longer you are exposed to someone who's sick with the virus, meaning he'd probably be more likely to get COVID-19 from a friend than a stranger at the US Open.
This was an interesting read
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 FRUITS AND PARASITES
You must cleanse your fruit before consuming I was listening to a podcast about fruits and parasites. These top fruits had increased risk for parasites. It shocked me as I grow at least two of these fruits on my property.
These fruits— grapes, strawberries, mulberries, cherries and contain a significant number of parasites What you are consuming may not just be fruit pulp Grapes are rick in vitamins and amino acids They are closely packed together to the gaps bewteen them are breeding ground for a number of parasites. One such bug is the scale bug which pierces the skin of a grape. So wash throughly
Strawberries contain numerous insect eggs. When these ripen, they emit a certain scent to attract insect to lay eggs on them The most common are the aphids, white flies and nematodes When washing strawberries always soak in saltwater first to kill the insects. I found this terrifying as I pick my strawberries right from the garden and consume
Do you pop a cherry in your mouth without thinking about parasites I know I do Of at least ten cherries at least one contains maggots The parasite inside is the larvae of the cherry fruit fly I have learned to soak my cherries in saltwater . Then there is the mulberries which I also pick straight from my mulberry tree These are sour, sweet and very juicy These are closely packed together and can be a host of parasites
So wash your fruits in salt water and kill the parasites Check before buying in a store and before consuming
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 31, 2023 LION'S MANE
Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) impacts quality of life, leading to feelings of frustration, social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. People with hearing loss experience difficulties with verbal communication. ARHI is prevalent amount senior citizens. The etiology includes genetic defects, environmental influences, and other factors including noise, ototoxic overexposure, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to slow the degeneration of SGNs ( spinal ganglion neurons ) . Lion’s mane (HE; Hericium erinaceus, Hericiaceae) is a culinary mushroom that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatopreotective effects
The authors conclude that HE mycelia treatment may prevent hearing loss, especially for high frequencies and speech recognition. Additionally, HE may increase serum concentrations of NGF. Changes were only observed in patients diagnosed with hearing impairment aged ≥ 65 years.
Lion’s Mane has been used in treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with excellent results and has published studies This is the first study I read about this mushroom for hearing loss I utilize Paul Stametts’s Lion Mane from Host Defense
The study was published in the American Botanical Council Herbalgram
Chan YC, Lin TC, Chen CC, et al. Effects of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus on elderly hearing-impaired patients: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Funct Foods. October 2022;97:105220. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105220.