DECEMBER 11, 2023 WHEATGRASS

Do you drink wheatgrass ? I did many years ago and then I stopped. I thought it was a fad/ It is not Some people still drink wheatgrass. I will start again I need a juicer

Wheatgrass is a nutrient-rich type of young grass in the wheat family, touted for its concentrated vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes. Its rise to fame in health and wellness circles is attributed to its purported health benefits, ranging from improved digestion to detoxification. This vibrant green ingredient, often consumed as a fresh juice or dry powder, has roots in health movements dating back to the 1930s and remains a staple in modern diets

The role of wheatgrass in immune function is often celebrated thanks to its high concentrations of vitamin C and E, both of which are known to fortify the immune system. Vitamin C stimulates the production and function of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections, while vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals.

I love wheatgrass for digestion It aids in digestion as it contains many enzymes It also contains amino acids. This means that they can help to regulate the immune response, ensuring that it is neither too aggressive nor too weak. I love wheatgrass for autoimmune disease and allergies.

There are so many other benefits. Try wheatgass

DECEMBER 7, 2023 NETTLES

I love the plant, Urtica dioica. It is known by many names . Some names are common nettles, stinging nettles, or greater nettle. These plants are weedy perennials and are common in North America, Europe Asia and even Africa. These plants are from the family Urticaceae. The Latin word for nettle is urtica. The medical term for painful or intense hives is called Urticaria.

The tiny fine hairs on some of the nettle plants deliver a sting. Thus, the name Stinging Nettles. These hairs are like fine hypodermic needle injections. Ouch!!!

Two compounds that are delivered with its sting are tartaric acid and oxalic acid. Both are irritating to the skin. These compounds are also found in some fruits and vegetables. There is a tiny amount of formic acid which is found in bee and ant venom.

What I find odd is that the relief for the stings comes from the sap of the crushed leaves. In the United States we have it easy with the stinging nettles. One of the most potent nettle plants are the Tree Nettles from Australia and New Zealand. This plant also called Ongaonga, can cause blistering, a severe rash and intense stings. Animals that come in contact with this plant often die.

I use this plant for many ailments The leaf I use for upper respiratory problems, cough and allergies. The root for men with prostate disease and other genitourinary problems

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 6, 2023 COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

Colo rectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States.The lifetime risk in developing colon cancer is 1 in 20 or 5.1 %
There are many causes of developing colon cancer. There will be reports of a high red meat diet to a diet high in fat. Whatever you know, there is something you do not know

a published in August 2012 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition an inverse relationship was studied and investigated on low magnesium to higher risk of Colo rectal carcinoma.

It was a large study population. The conclusion supports the hypothesis that higher intakes of dietary magnesium are associated with a lower risk of Colo rectal tumors.

In the last year i have seen younger patients getting colorectal cancer. It is not genetic. I believe it is from the environment. It is from the food they eat, the water they drink and the air they breathe It is toxicity from mold, plastics , pesticides and chemicals. We test for these environmental factors in our practices

We need to explore the magnesium rich foods that may be cancer preventing

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 5, 2023 BLADDER ISSUES

As I get older, my patients get older. One common complaint of the older female patient is frequent urination. In medicine since the 19th century this is termed interstitial cystitis. Most of the time there is no underlying pathology ( disease) and NO urinary tract infection detectable. I have had a pleasant woman describe her condition as 'the nervous bladder' condition. Psychosocial stress, anxiety and depression do play a role. There are signs and symptoms:

1. no evidence of urinary tract infection
2. frequent urination; progressive as the years go on
3. suprapubic pain
4. chronic pelvic pain
5. blood in the urine ( hematuria) sometimes
6. pain in the urethra, relieved when competed urination

I have not seen any conventional treatment work completely. Whether you try amitriptyline ( an anti depressant), intravescicular treatment with DMSO or even have a surgical treatment ( hydrodistention) , I do not see significant improvement in all patients. So what do you do ? Some women seek other forms of medical treatment. Some try acupuncture, massage, and herbal or botanical treatment. I feel if conventional medicine does not offer a solid treatment, or the treatment does not agree with you --you have the right to seek other means. After all this is your body. Let's go back to Mother Earth.
The botanical treatment for interstitial cystitis is beyond my wildest dreams. There are five or six therapeutic goals for treating IC with herbs or botanicals

1. Soothe the inflammation
2. Relieve pain
3. Relieve inflammation
4. Relieve stress
5. Improve bladder circulation
6. Improve bladder tone
For each of the above, there is a botanical activity. Respectively, these are
1. mucilage for soothing
2. spasmolytic or analgesic for pain
3. anti inflammatory for inflammation
4. anxiolytic for anxiety
5. lymphagogue for bladder circulation and
6. astringent tonics for bladder tone

Until tomorrow…

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 HERBS FOR MEN

For the male individual there are certain herbal remedies to ward off the problem of decreased sex drive DO NOT stop your medications without talking to your doctor and doing it properly. It would be great if men would take the time to read, research and brew a cup of Damiana tea, but in today's ever popular quick fix world this will not happen. If a man cannot take the time to really date what makes him likely to boil water for a cup of tea? The quick fix is in a herbal capsule

1. Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium) - this herb has been used in Asia for thousands of years with great success. It boosts libido, and even treats erectile dysfunction. Is is easier to get cialis or Viagra? Sure it is but look at the side effect profile and the cost! Horny goat weed dilates blood vessels, increases sensitivity in nerve ending (of the penile vessels) and raises adrenaline levels. This is what one needs. A natural approach...

There are others like

Tribulus, Panax Ginseng, and Damiana.

There is also Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) - this herb is named for the Malaysian god known for sexual prowess. In this culture it is used as a daily tonic and for longevity. Maybe you should find some...

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 YOUR HERBAL CLOSET

As winter approaches you need to have your herbal closet ready for the New Year
Some of us want to have antibiotics in the medicine cabinet--just in case. I feel everyone should have a home healing medicine cabinet. There can be an Ayurvedic medicine cabinet, a Chinese herbal medicine cabinet, an aromatherapy medicine cabinet and finally, my expertise, a western herbal medicine cabinet. There are two shelves in my hall closet filled with tinctures and dried herbs. My herbal closet ( or a shelf in my new kitchen ) has the following herbs (and a lot more):

1. Elder - for cough/sore throats

2. Meadowsweet - for indigestion

3. Stinging nettles - for sinus congestion

4. Valerian - for stress

5. Skullcap - for tension

6. Echinacea - for cold/flu and congestion

7. Chamomile - for nervous stomach and sleep

There is another type of medicine cabinet that has passed on from generation to generation even within your family. This is the traditional home or Folklore Remedy Medicine cabinet or "Kitchen cabinet"

1. Garlic - fresh garlic should be in every household. This is great for intestinal infections

2. Wild flower honey - As a beekeeper I find this essential. It is great for the flu. Great for sore throats, and can be applied to cuts and scrapes. Or get honeybeeMD by Patrick at Botanical Bounty ( while supplies last )

3. Celery - For those individuals with always feeling he/she has to go to urinate. This is called cystitis. You can use fresh celery or celery seeds. A colleague uses celery for headaches.

4. Cabbage leaves - great to apply to infected hair follicles, boils or carbuncles. The cabbage draws out the infection. Place a gauze pad over the fresh cabbage leaves over the wound. Cabbage can be crushed and applied as poultice to a hot swollen joint. Useful for the gouty joints too.

5. Cinnamon sticks - It is very useful for the

Until tomorrow

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 BLADDER HERBS

There are other herbs for soothing inflammation of the bladder. Hollyhock is just one herb. Some prefer Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) and the other is Marshmallow ( Althea
officinalis )

To relieve pain the botanical must have spasmolytic and/or analgesic properties. The herbt hat is most commonly prescribed is Kava kava ( Piper methysticum ) Most of us know Kava kava as an anxiolytic, so if there is truth that interstitial cystitis (IC) has a psychoneurogenic component then I could see this herb having benefit. I have used an average on 2 ml of Kava three times a day for IC. I have also used Lobelia ( Lobelia inflata) Most health care practitioner use loeblia for nicotine cessation, but even this is debatable.

A hot topic in the last 10 years is the use of Marijuana ( Cannabis sativa) Marijuana is legal for medicinal use in 15 states. These states are Alaska ( 1998), Arizona (2010)
California ( 1996), Colorado (2000), DC (2010), Hawaii (2000), Maine (1999), Michigan (2008)) Montana (2004) Nevada (2000), New Jersey (2010), New Mexico (2007) Oregon (1998), Rhode Island ( 2006) Vermont (2004) and Washington (1998) and now many more Each state has its own regulations, amount used, type of plant species and for what purpose.
In recent years I have attended various lectures of Cannibis. I find the arguments for its use to be interesting and not without debate. I am more interested in psychedelics for healing and trauma

I have seen one herbalist use Rupturewort ( Herniaria glabra) The name alone frightens me. I have seen this in the Botanical Gardens. I have never seen it flower The nursery industry calls it Green Carpet and well they should. This lovely bright green creeper spreads effortlessly in all directions filling up to two feet per plant. I think you will agree that if you have lots of land with rocks and maybe a stream, it would look beautiful.

Until tomorrow

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 CANCER PREVENTING FOODS

We all must protect ourselves against cancer, whether there is a family history of not. The environment causes cancer. The air we breathe, type food we eat and the water we drink are all risk factors for cancer. Keep eating fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Please be careful for the fish that contains mercury. This are tuna, sushi and swordfish. See www.vitalchoice.com for a full list of healthy fish. Two superstar heart disease protectors in these foods may also help fight cancer. Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may be more powerful than we knew.

Found in fatty fish and certain nuts and seeds, omega-3 fatty acids help protect your heart. Studies show they help maintain brain function. Experts are also looking at how well omega-3 fatty acids can protect against age-related mental decline, eye diseases, arthritis, and others conditions.
Some experts think omega-3s may help protect against cancer. "Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce inflammation in the body. And a variety of cancers have been linked to chronic inflammation," says Sarah Rafat, RD, a senior dietitian at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I utilize mroe than 4 grams ( 4,000 mg ) of EPA for most patients.

Cancers with a link to inflammation include:
1. Colorectal
2. Liver
3. Lung
4. Prostate

Omega-3s also seem to restrict tumor cell growth, and may cause cancer cells to self-destruct.  Diet and cancer studies show mixed results. Some suggest that a diet that's rich in omega-3s can protect you against certain cancers. Other studies show no benefit.

There's not enough proof to conclude that loading up on fatty fish or taking fish oil capsules will slow down or reverse your condition if you already have cancer. But several studies do suggest that a diet rich in omega-3s helps some cancer patients tolerate chemotherapy better. Fatty acids from fish may also help patients maintain weight and muscle mass. Expert suggestions: The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fatty fish a week. If you don't eat fish, you can get omega-3s from canola oil and flax. Talk to your doctor before you start taking supplements. There is a link between high levels of omega-3s in the blood and an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Many fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are rich in antioxidants lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, some eye diseases, and various forms of cancer. Getting a single antioxidant from a pill, such as vitamin C or beta carotene, isn’t as protective as food. Some cancer institutions state that antioxidants may even increase the risk of certain cancers. Experts also worry that high doses of antioxidants may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy. I disagree with some of their statement

What we know so far: "I tell our patients to focus on food" "Foods contain a mix of many different antioxidants, along with other nutrients and fiber. The more colorful your diet is the better, since antioxidants and other phytochemicals are often what give fruits and vegetables their color."

Until tomorrow…