SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 DANDELION
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has been used for centuries in herbal remedies and is FULL of health benefits:
Supports healthy digestion
Detoxifies the liver
Boosts immunity
Rich in vitamins like A, C, K, and minerals like iron and potassium
As a young child I remember my grandparents picking dandelion leaves. I recall saying why are they picking these leaves. It is a weed. Yes that may be true, but it i a herb that medicinal benefits These leaves were cut up and added to the salad. The salad growing up was Iceberg Lettuce which I hardly eat these days
Historically dandelion was used to treat anemia to warts. In traditional Chinese medicine the root and leaves are used in a tonic to eliminate toxins and enhance digestion ( as dandelion is a bitter)
It may have an anti cancer effect. Herbal books discuss its blood thinning effect but I have never seen that as a side effect
I usually combine dandelion with milk thiste to imprve sugar sensitivity
Until tomorrow.
SEPTEMBER 26 , 2024 FRUITS
I especially enjoy summer fruits . I do not eat many fruits in the winter months Fruits are beneficial to your health. It’s no secret that fruits are a key part of a healthy diet. They’re full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and provide various health benefits. However, not all fruits are created equal. In fact, some fruits out there offer no real health benefits or, at the very least, don’t provide much nutritional value
There are many fruits with benefits Most fruits are a good source of fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion. They also contain many key vitamins, including vitamin A and B-complex and vitamins like folate and niacin. And many fruits are also rich in antioxidants that help protect against heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.
Yesterday while food shopping I bought fruits .I added all different berries to my cart- blueberries, raspberries and strawberries I usually buy more in the summer I then added bananas . Bananas, one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, offer no real benefits for your health and well-being. Not only are bananas seemingly low in nutritional value, but hig in sugar
I love dates Are dates beneficial ? Dates certainly shouldn’t be the first choice that comes to mind. Although sweet and succulent, dates are deceiving as although they may look like fruit; they offer little vitamins and minerals. Sure, they provide dietary fiber, potassium, and some B vitamins like thiamin and riboflavin, but they also contain a whopping 66 grams of sugar per 100 grams I rather have fresh figs I tried growing a turkey fig tree in Black Rock CT with much difficulty
I hope you all enjoyed my first week back
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 25 2024 MORE IN HONEY
As the American Apitherapy Society conference is approaching this weekend in Chicago , I wanted to discuss honey. Honey is packed with an array of health benefits that is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and healing compounds It is not only to sweeten your herbal teas
Honey is used to aid in the digestive process Raw honey’s impact on digestive health is noteworthy. Its prebiotic nature nurtures beneficial bacteria in the gut, essential for healthy digestion and overall well-being. These prebiotics in raw honey not only aid in digestion but also help in the absorption of nutrients, Honey forms a protective barrier against stomach acids. Therefore can be used as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease
There are many peer review journal articles on the benefit of honey for wound healing Raw honey is a natural guardian against bacteria and fungi, owing to its unique composition. The secret lies in its ability to produce hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process. This component acts as a mild antiseptic, making raw honey an excellent natural option for treating minor wounds and infections.
We all need a good imune system to fight off free radical damage to our bodies whic cause chronic disease. Raw honey is a powerhouse for enhancing the immune system. Its rich array of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, plays a crucial role in combating oxidative stress and inflammation
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 GARLIC
Garlic is a staple in any kitchen, especially in mine growing up in an Italian American household. Not only did garlic add an aroma to the pasta and any food it also has a wide array of health benefits.
Garlic boosts your immune system and fights off infection I used garlic and mullein oil to help my children’s childhood ear infections. Garlic has powerful anti bacterial , anti fungal and anti microbial properties. It helps reduces the severity and duration of the illness. The ost powerful anti oxidant in Garlic is Allicin. Garlic’s botanical name is Allium sativum from the Lily family Other pants in the Lily family are chives and onions
Garlic is useful for its cardioprotective benefits. Studies have shown that garlic can lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. I recommend regular consumption of garlic - by adding it to your cooking. It has been studied o reduce e ability to build up plaque in your arteries. So I see no downside to your consumption of garlic in your dietary lifestyle.
It also contains dietary fiber which helps your digestive process. It also contains probiotic compounds to balance the healthy bacteria in your gut thus helping an unbalance called dysbiosis. Although I use the resin from the mastica tree for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, I also use garlic
Add garlic to your daily regimen Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 THYROID
The thyroid, is a small gland located in the neck, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and overall health. Certain foods can effect your thyroid function whether causing hypothyroidism ( underactive) or hyperthyroidism ( overactive )
Some of these foods are commin that we might eat every day Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain goitrogens, substances that can interfere with thyroid hormone production. When these vegetables are consumed in large amounts, particularly in their raw form, they can lead to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, a condition known as goiter. I never tell patients to eliminate them but to reduce them
One food group that affects autoimmune thyroiditis also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is is gluten. Gluten is a protein found in barley rye oats and wheat and many other grains The blood test that reveals you have autoimmune thyroiditis is thyroid peroxidase antibodies , TPO To reduce the antibodies you must decrease or elinininate gluten You also must see a health cae practitioner to prescribe low dose naltrexone.
Coffee can also affec your thyroid Coffee, especially when consumed in large quantities, can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication. Caffeine has a stimulant effect that can exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia. For those taking thyroid hormone replacement therapy, it’s advisable to wait at least an hour after medication before drinking coffee.
Diet is a pivotal point to changing your health
Until tomorrow…
JULY 25, 2024 RAW HONEY
Raw honey, treasured for centuries, offers more than just sweetness. This natural wonder, derived from the hard work of bees, is packed with an array of health benefits. Rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and healing compounds, raw honey stands out as a multifaceted food
As a beekeeper and apitherapist I use all products of the hive medicinally—-honey, propolis, bee pollen , royal jelly and bee venom
Raw honey’s impact on digestive health is noteworthy. Its prebiotic nature nurtures beneficial bacteria in the gut, essential for healthy digestion and overall well-being. These prebiotics in raw honey not only aid in digestion but also help in the absorption of nutrients. I use raw honey for gastritis, esophagitis , healing ulcers, and reflux
Raw honey is a natural guardian against bacteria and fungi, owing to its unique composition. The secret lies in its ability to produce hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process. This component acts as a mild antiseptic, making raw honey an excellent natural option for treating minor wounds and infections. There are published studies on raw honey for wound healing
Raw honey is a powerhouse for enhancing the immune system. Its rich array of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, plays a crucial role in combating oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key factors in immune health. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases
There is no down side to having raw honey It increases your melatonin production so it is good for sleep. It is a great energy source. It also good for diabetics as it will not increase your glucose Raw honey, despite its natural sweetness, has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, making it a healthier alternative. Its sugars are absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
So have one teaspoon per day Last year I produced over 100 pounds of honey from my hives. I thank my bees. Without bees , we would have a third less of vital food. Support your local beekeeper and the American Apitherapy Society ( www.apitherapy.org )
Until tomorrow…