MONDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2011 REIKI, REIKI , REIKI

"WHEN YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE AUTHOR OF YOUR OWN LIFE STORY, YOU ARE FREE TO CREATE A MASTERPIECE."

It is so true that you are the author of your own life. Think about what you would write in your autobiography. Would you want it to be masterpiece like a Dali or Van Gogh if a painting--or a Bronte or Hemingway if a book? You control the fate of your masterpiece in choosing what you will or will not write. I have said to myself, "Should I write a book about Patrick Michael Fratellone?" I have written an outline. What would my masterpiece convey? What would this masterpiece say that isn't already known? Throughout my 12 step program I have divulged at my own will much--if not all of my life. It has been said, so, shall it be written? The answer is No, not at this time in my life. The exercise of writing an outline for your own autobiography can be very worthwhile. I recommend it to everyone--including YOU. I feel this sketch outline can give you a different perspective on your life. Try it!

We all need to have some form of relaxation. Reiki is for healing. This simple hands on approach is a totally effective method for relaxation, stress release, pain relief and even to restore vitality. Reiki is like the herbal category called Adaptogens. I have seen most if not all ailments be treated with Reiki. The question is this: Do you need to be treated with Reiki by a health care practitioner or should you learn about Reiki to 'heal thyself'? This healing will support you in liberating your mind from old issues and uncover the innate resources within yourself. This is really what I am saying: We all have the ability to heal our own self. This must sound odd to some of you as when you think of healing you think of a doctor, nurse, et al. In early 2001 when life was bumpy (despite the fact that I was sober 7 years at that time) I needed assistance. I needed to ask for help. I was utilizing my sponsor, my therapy sessions and my meetings, but I needed something more. I wanted to read something profound. My best friend, Patrick suggested Conversations With God. I had already read that book and was very impressed so I went to Barnes and Noble in search of something similar to help me.

I actually did not know what I was searching for among the shelves. I wanted a step by step guide to health. I wanted someone to put step by step instructions on paper. I think I was just tired of doing all the work. I wanted it written. I was aware and acknowledged that something had to be done. I just didn't accept the fact that I needed more help. I even changed my sponsor. I thought I was fixed or cured. I was living on east 51st Street. Divine intervention happened in Barnes and Noble on east 53rd Street and 3rd Avenue that day. A young woman came up to me. She asked if I needed help as she saw me rummaging through the self help section of the bookstore. She handed me a thin paperback book called The Ultimate Reiki Touch. I thanked her and took the book. I quickly glanced at the book and decided it wasn't for me. All of us have done this at one point in a bookstore. I immediately went to the biography section and bought the newest biography of Audrey Hepburn. While I waited in line to pay for Audrey, a woman in front of me held a book tightly in her hands. It was The Ultimate Reiki Touch. I left the line and went back to get my own copy of the paperback. I will admit it took some time to open the book. I know it was fear. Life has never been the same since.

By January 2002 I devoted myself to exercises outlined in the book. I used this guide as a part of my meditation. At that time I was still reluctant to meditate more than 15 minutes twice a week. The book outlined a simple program for a complicated doctor. I had learned to keep it simple before, so I started again to keep it simple. I remained true to the simplicity of the Reiki practice. I began to feel the energy within and my presence. I didn't truly gain confidence in the practice of Reiki self healing until I became committed. I began to realize that my own hands can heal others as well as heal myself. I began to feel the warmth of my hands. For me commitment and acceptance are the same--interchangeable like fear and change. I began to realize I was searching for love in another person, a materialistic item or in anything other than myself. I began to realize that LOVE is limitless, indescribable and whole. I followed my own instincts. Love went beyond fear and doubt. I took the children on a vacation with just me. I was fine when I ended a job, and even more so when I ended a relationship. Yes it took courage, but it took a BELIEF too.

Did one book change my life ? The answer is NO. It was the beginning of a long journey which still has not ended. I do not want the journey to end. This journey has led me to places where I never thought I would go. The book changed my perspective on life. Find the right book for you. It might be a book by Deepak Chopra or Aleta St. James. It might be the Bible.

The Key is Self Empowerment.

Until tomorrow...

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2011 A MASQUERADE BALL YOU DO NOT WANT TO ATTEND

"A TRUE FRIEND LIVES IN YOUR HEART LIKE A PART OF YOURSELF"

- Deepak Chopra

I love this definition of a true friend. I have said before that if your life partner is your best friend you have been blessed. I have been blessed. Other than your own life partner, do you have a true friend that you believe is part of you? Did you ever not speak to a true friend in a long time and the next time you speak it is as if you never stopped talking? True friends can finish each others sentences. True friends are individuals you can call no matter what time of the night and you know he/she will be there for you. We all have friends, but how many are 'true friends'? Friends come and go, but true friends last forever. True friends become part of your family. True friends have seen you at the best times and the worst times. Your worst times seem not to be that bad with a true friend by your side.

Christopher's Columbus crew from 1451-1506 contracted a disease... The French call it "The disease of Naples"

John Gunbeck wrote, "...a disease so cruel, so distressing, so appalling that until now nothing so horrifying, nothing more terrible or disgusting has ever been known to earth."

In 1503, Girolamo Fracastro named the disease after a fictitious shepherd who cursed the God Apollo and was afflicted with a new disease by the angered god ...

Al Capone died of this disease...

Leo Tolstoy had this disease as a teenager, but treated it with arsenic...

There are rumors that Henry VIII, Vincent Van Gogh and Adolf Hitler suffered from this disease...

New York City has reported an increase in the number of cases of this disease...

THE DISEASE IS CALLED SYPHILIS.

Syphilis has been called the "Great Imitator" or the " Great Masquerader". There is enormous variation in the symptoms giving rise to the two names above. There are three distinct stages of the disease. The first stage, the chancre stage is the earliest clinical sign of the disease. This is a painless lesion usually on the shaft of the penis, but it doesn't have to be on the shaft. After initial contact, the responsible "bug" Treponema pallidum penetrates the mucous membranes. Within hours the Treponema enters the lymph and blood system to cause a systemic reaction. This is long before any other signs appear. In anywhere from 3 - 90 days, the chancre- the painless ulcer appears. I have seen the chancre occur on the lips and the fingers in addition to the penis shaft. If untreated the chancre will disappear in 4 - 8 weeks leaving a scar. Syphilis can be spread by touching or kissing or having oral, anal or vaginal intercourse a person with an active sore.

The second stage develops in 2 - 12 weeks. I have seen 2 cases where the secondary stage appeared 12 months later. Although this is rare it can occur. Patients will present with headache, sore throat, and mild muscle aches. In the past five years, as the Medical Director in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, I saw more cases of syphilis and other sexually transmitted disease than I have in all my training years. I have three theories. One theory is that gay men have stopped using condoms since they feel that HIV can be treated or 'cured'. Second theory is that a sector of gay men indulge in promiscuous sexual behavior. Third is that many addictions are more common among homosexual versus heterosexual individuals.

I saw an individual with a trunk body rash. He denied any high risk sexual activity. He actually claimed to not have had sex for one year. I gave him antibiotics. I saw the patient four weeks later. He claimed that I had missed the diagnosis of syphilis. How can I even assume he had syphilis if he had been celibate for one year?

After the secondary stage there is a latent or silent period. There are no symptoms of any infection during this phase. In this early latent stage the individual can transmit the disease to others. In the third stage of syphilis the patient is no longer able to transmit the disease to others (4 years after initial contact). Tertiary syphilis afflicts the cardiovascular and nervous systems (especially the brain).

So where are we today? Is syphilis eliminated? The answer is NO. The incidence of syphilis fell from 72 per 100,000 in 1940 to 20 per 100,000 in 1990. In 2004 the incidence was 2.7 per 100,000 . In the last 3 years there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of syphilis. The best way to prevent infection is to advocate sex education and the use of condoms. The history of syphilis (like HIV) indicates discrimination against those with a differing lifestyle. There is a bias that syphilis only occurs in the urban poor, the uneducated, those with little medical care and those with alternate lifestyles. As a society WE NEED TO MOVE ON from such misconceptions.

Education is the key to understanding....

Until tomorrow...

Photograph: Charlie Chaplin portraying Adolf Hitler in ' The Great Dictator '

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2011 POISONED SO SWEETLY

"Never let what you can't do GET in the way of what you CAN do!"

Profound? Not really. Each of us gets stuck on the things we cannot do and it does get in the way of the things we can do. I used to fixate on subjects that I thought I could do nothing about. For example, the health care reform or the disappearing bee population. I began to realize that I couldn't change the problem in a day or even a week. But I could do something even though small, which would allow me to get the things done that I could do something about. I called Washington DC to be on a committee for Health Care Reform. I received a call from Congressman Price. Mission accomplished. As far as saving the Bee Population it was a little more difficult. I alone cannot save the Bee Population. I can be a voice by joining local bee associations which I have done. I could also be a beekeeper. After reading and attending bee keeping courses, this will be a reality starting May 2011.

Finally, the amount of sugar packets in diet and non diet soda is known to the American public. In the NYC subway system, posters are plastered inside the cars regarding how many packets of sugar are in soda, diet ice tea, breads etc. Although you may have not heard, millions of Americans are destroying their bodies by consuming diet soda. The main sweetener in diet soda is aspartame. It is marketed as Nutrasweet or Equal. It is the BLUE packets. Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. It was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet and since 2009, it also has been sold under the brand name AminoSweet. It was first synthesized in 1965 and the patent expired in 1992. There are some people who are genetically and or metabolically susceptible to the dangers of aspartame. Many do not know that aspartame is the culprit behind many of their health concerns. Imagine BEING POISONED SO SWEETLY.

Aspartame was originally approved for use in dry foods in 1974 by then FDA Commissioner Alexander Schmidt after review by the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Searle had submitted 168 studies on aspartame, including seven animal studies that were considered crucial by the FDA. Today there is still a medical controversy regarding its use. The safety of aspartame has been studied extensively since its discovery with research that includes animal studies, clinical and epidemiological research, and post-marketing surveillance, with aspartame being one of the most rigorously tested food ingredients to date. I can tell you that when I ask a patient to stop ingesting aspartame, their physical and mental symptoms get better. I have no scientific proof, only clinical (patient) proof. In my limited medical experience of 17 years, I have seen patients with a multitude of symptoms get better when they stop the ingestion of Aspartame. You make your own conclusion!

I have seen people literally get better when they stop drinking diet soda. Those cramps, vision and hearing problems, memory loss and being overweight can be a result of consuming too much diet soda. STOP! If you are sick with anything and consume diet soda do this -- Stop drinking diet sodas. It is one of those other addictions you have. Before you grab your next soda, think about the medical downward spiral you are entering. Diet soda with aspartame interferes with your calcium absorption, your acid base balance, your kidney function and your glucose. First of all do not have any diet soda in the refrigerator. The first step is to remove the diet soda from your house. The next step is either you or the household shopper stop buying it. If these are done there is no way that the diet soda is in front of you. When you go out, think before ordering your next loaded machine gun or diet soda. There is a childhood obesity epidemic in the United States and diet soda is one of the major contributing factors.

Read the labels for contents of aspartame. If it contains aspartame, put the product back on the shelves. Let's start this movement - NO ASPARTAME!

Until tomorrow...

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2011 JIGSAW PUZZLE PIECES

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to spend time with your friends and family or on your own. It does not matter if you are working on simple large piece puzzles or if you are taking on a 3,000 piece monster. The art of jigsaw puzzles is a fulfilling and fun hobby. Anyone can do it. It sounds childish, but it allows the individual to concentrate, think and 'fit in' just as the interlocking pieces fit in. My mother, brother and I loved doing jigsaw puzzles on the dining room table. I remember after finishing a puzzle, we glued, shellacked and framed each one. For years the Apollo 11 Astronauts hung in the upstairs hall with the date July 20, 1969.

I have discovered a great website for puzzles. You can purchase puzzles or even submit a photo for them to customize into your own jigsaw puzzle. Check out this website http://www.justjigsawpuzzles.com/

I do suggest jigsaw puzzles to my older patients. It is a great way to stimulate the mind. First it allows for recognition of all straight or border pieces. It stimulates the mind with color. It engages the mind to find pieces. It also allows the individual to give back. I tell most of my patients to frame the puzzles and take them to a nursing home so the nursing home can hang them up in the recreation room.

An older man told me this one month after I told him to start 'putting together' jigsaw puzzles. He said, "I started doing them again with my 2 year old grandson. I do love them and can spend way too long doing them. I hope I do not get addicted to them." I said, "Mr S, I could think of a lot worse addictions than this one!" He laughed.

There are jigsaw puzzles of famous paintings. I bought one of my favorite artist, Salvador Dali. Last year Rick's parents, Nancy and Fred and I put together a puzzle of the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz.

I have even found puzzles of bees and herbs!!! I will save them for the rainy nights on Fire Island.

Until tomorrow...

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2011 MORUS RUBRA

"Life is NOT about being right; it's about allowing ourselves to BE who WE are and ACCEPTING others as they are."

It is not about being right or wrong. It is about accepting ourselves and others for who and what they are. I used to think I was always right. Boy, was I wrong. Even if I am right now, I would never admit to it. It is great to finally accept me for who and what I am. I am an individual in recovery foremost, followed by a father, life-partner, friend, and physician. I put physician last because that is NOT the most important aspect of my life. It is a G.O.D. chosen profession. I love my position in the medical community. I would not say I love being a doctor, but instead I love being the doctor I have become. Are you accepting of others? Do you accept yourself for who you are? I think it is hard to accept others if you cannot accept yourself!

The war on cancer treatments continues... In June 2010 the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center conducted a research study on black raspberries. The study concluded that multiple different berry species were almost equally able to inhibit esophageal cancer in rats. We do know that berries contain anthocyanins and ellagitannins. These compounds possess anti cancer and antioxidant activity. Many of the dark colored fruits and vegetables have the strongest anti-cancer activity.

Berries may be small in size but they pack an enormous cancer preventing ability. There are studies on most all berry species. As far back as the year 2000 we knew that berries prevented cancer. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry studied black raspberries and blackberries. These berries are the best source of antioxidants when compared to strawberries and red raspberries. Blackberries (I call them Mulberries--they look like a little brain) have more tumor prevention properties than blueberries. Blueberries are potent but no longer at the top of the list in 2011. In 2007 The Mayo Clinic website boasted that blueberries contained more effective antioxidants than strawberries and cherries. This was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Berries have phytochemicals and phytonutrients called polyphenols. These polyphenols have remarkable anti-cancer abilities. Polyphenols are fond in stems, roots and leaves of certain herbs like green tea. They are also in theobroma (chocolate), olives and legumes. Red wine also contains a polyphenol called resveratrol.

I grew up knowing the red and purple mulberries (Morus rubra). My grandmother Nanny introduced me to a large purple/red mulberry bush growing in a vacant lot near my home. The block I lived on was Empire Street in Yonkers, New York. It connected Kimball Ave with Yonkers Avenue. At the top of my street (or highest elevation for Empire Street ) was my house. Number ninety four. The vacant lot with the berry bush was at the end of the street that met Yonkers Avenue and was filled with weeds, plants, rodents, and insects, along with one large mulberry bush. I was on the way back from Food Fair with Nanny when she pointed out the bush one day. She was a coupon addict. She and my Poppy used to spend nights cutting out coupons from the local paper. After cutting them up, my Poppy used to file them in a box. I always loved to walk with her and help with anything she was doing because she always told stories and taught me new things. No matter what I was doing, there was always time for a walk with her. She was legally blind in one eye. She would point out a flower or herb and reminisce about when she was young on 2 Elizabeth Street in Little Italy NYC.

Her mother, my Great Grandma Rose knew even more about plants and herbs. They all came from Italy and had little money for doctors. Folks from Italy and other countries had to learn to take care of themselves. My own mother knew these secrets of herbs and the amazing potential of berries. When she was first married to my dad, they lived on the other side of Yonkers and their landlady was an old 'witch doctor' always brewing herbs and making jams, jellies and drinks from berry bushes.

I always picked mulberries from the bush in that lot as a child. I had to be careful for the berries always stained my shirts and my white Keds sneakers. One day I came home ill after playing in the empty lot with my street pals and my brother. I had eaten some unripe mulberries which caused a violent upset stomach and nervousness. This stomachache last 24 hours. It taught me a valuable lesson. Ask questions and read more before you taste a berry. I only remember once when my Nanny picked those berries and gave them to my grandfather, my Poppy. He tried to make a mulberry pie. Poppy was not a baker, but a real Italian chef gifted in preparing pasta, sausage and soups.

Medicinal properties of the mulberry include it as a remedy for tapeworms. Mulberry can also be used as a laxative using the root bark as well as the fruits.

I miss those childhood days with Nanny and Poppy

Until tomorrow...

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2011 HOLY BATS

I have found that being in love with plants and flowers makes me keen to learn about other species. One of these species are the Honeybees. Another is a mammal which in the past I have not been fond of for a variety of reasons. BATS. My childhood misconceptions about bats are still alive and well. I became further frightened of bats when studying on the Caribbean islands of Grenada, St Vincents and Barbados. Puerto Rico is also home to many species of bats. I remember studying biochemistry on a hot night in the hills of Grenada while living off campus. When a bat entered the common living room, the ensuing commotion was explosive with an added tropic flavor. Hands flew to cover our hair and bodies hit the ground. I 'knew' too well that these conniving sightless creatures meant to entangle themselves in my hair! (I had MORE HAIR then).

Through reading and research I now see bats in a new light. Grenadians and others view bats as diseased creatures deserving little if any respect. Even on the streets in town I could still see kids swinging sticks to hit bats under the streetlights. I have found that Puerto Rico has fewer bats species than Grenada, Cuba, Jamaica and the other islands. Jamaica, which is smaller than Puerto Rico has 21 species as compared to Puerto Rico's 13 species. Due to urban development and disappearing lands (replacing fields and pastures with buildings) bats are disappearing. There are associations now protecting Puerto Rico's bat population. One organization, CDK (Citizens of the Karst) has purchased 110 acres known as Mata de Platano Reserve which contains Cueva Culebrones (Cave of the Boas). It is this cave where 300,000 bats reside. You can rest assured that I will not enter that cave! This Fruit Bat ( Brachyphylla cavernarum) is a forager not so different from our Honeybees. Bats are needed to pollinate flowers so we have fruit and crops.

It is striking that Bats are the only native land mammal to have survived the colonization of Puerto Rico (and other islands). Thank goodness there are more than 700,000 bats on Puerto Rico with 75% being of the Jamaican long tongued bats.

Why talk about bats? Populations of bats are declining in New York State and other areas, like Cherry Grove Fire Island. We need bats. The bats of Fire Island do not forage for nectar as our honeybees. Bats on Fire Island like the Little Brown Myotis eat mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can ruin any barbecue or outing in the Sunken Forest. We islanders are contributing to their decline by eliminating trees and using pesticides to kill their food (mosquitoes). I am delighted that naturalist, horticulturist, landscaper, and beekeeper Todd Erickson is on board assisting bat populations. He will help you build a bat house. Yes, I said a Bat House. Be part of something to help the natural ecosystem. Todd suggests checking out the Bat Conversation web site.

Top photograph: Little Brown Bat of Fire Island

Bottom: Fruit Bat from one of the Caribbean islands

Until tomorrow...

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2011 El YUNQUE RAIN FOREST

"It takes courage to grow up and BEcome who you really are." e.e. cummings

I have grown up a lot in the last sixteen years and eight months of sobriety. I thought I had grown up during my medical school days. That was just the beginning. When I began to see my potential in doing my G.O.D. chosen profession, the possibilities in front of me were amazing. Beyond my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever be this happy. I took a beating during my childhood and high school years from the taunts, harassment and laughter of others. I look back today not with shame but the courage that I withstood what I did. It takes a lot of courage. It takes a sense of will. Individuals can beat your soul down till there is nothing left. But there was a glimmer of hope even in those desperate years of addiction. I had a faith, but I didn't know where to turn. Now that I have faith, prayer, and meditation anything is possible. It becomes even more profound when you have a partner, children and family who support your every endeavour.

Puerto Rico is a country of great resources, both physical and spiritual. The natural beauty of this island is enhanced by the different cultural and ethnic groups found within her land. In 1876, when the island was still a Spanish colony, King Alfonso XII proclaimed that the forest of Crown Reserve would be regulated and protected. It is one of the earliest known forest reserves to exist in the Western Hemisphere. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed this 5,116 acres to be the "Luquillo Forest Reserve" which today is known as El Yunque Rainforest. Ever since I read Rosita Arvigo's book on the rainforest in Belize, I have been entrigued by all rainforests. I have decided that with the time left in my lifetime I want to visit Botanical Gardens and Rain Forests throughout the world. So my love of plants continues to evolve.

Both Rick and I are blessed to be able to share this experience with nature. I am in awe of the variety of plants that have managed to grow with the copious amounts of rainfall and winds near the top. Rick and I walked nearly 2 miles in the rainforest. We found out why it is a rainforest as we would have been soaked to the gills if not for our trusty raincoats. I bought them earlier at a gift store prior to entering the El Yunque. I have a new found love and respect for all plant species as well as other wildlife. During each month, the rainforest displays new flowers of different plant species. So I wasn't disappointed when we saw the Zephyr Lily or Rain Lily. I found it similar to the English Water Crocus. It is a member of the family Lilaceae.

Before we decided to go to Puerto Rico, I started to read about some of the plants and wildlife we would see in the rainforest. There are poisonous plants, trees and shrubs on many Caribbean islands, and Puerto Rico is no exception. We were assured that the poisonous species are not near the recreational areas. The one plant we were in search of is the Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella). It is found only on the island's coastal plain. It exudes a milky juice that can cause burns, swelling and even temporary blindness. Maybe it is a good thing that we never found the plant. This plant can be found in Florida too. In Spanish it is referred to as manzanilla ("little apple"). It is the apple of death. Eating this apple can be fatal.

We also found a Stinging Neetle species, Urera chlorocarpa. This is called the Ortiga or Sagebud. The thorns are large. I wouldn't want to get stung by these prickly needles. We also saw The Cabbage Tree (Andira enermis). There are many names for this tree. Of interest to me was the fact that the tree's wood is not only used for lumber. The smooth gray bark has some narcotic, laxative and vermifuge properties. Another magical and mystical plant! Another word for vermifuge is anthelmintics or antihelminthics. These drugs expel parasitic worms (helminths) from the body. Another herb that has the same action is Wormwood (Artesmesia).

There are many insects throughout the rainforest. Snails are large and abundant. Spider webs are all over. Every species of lizard in all colors abound. We didn't get to see the Puerto Rican Parrot almost extinct int he 1970's. If it weren't for the United States Forest Reserve we wouldn't have any Puerto Rican Parrots left. It was appropriate that on the bus ride to El Yunque I was needle pointing two parrot canvases.

Top photograph: Manchineel

Second photograph: Puerto Rico's Lily (Zephyr Lily)

More rainforest tomorrow...

MONDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2011 UVA WHAT?

"The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in WEllness are WE."

A very clever quote. Social isolation refers to a lack of contact with members of one's species. In humans, it may be caused by a pervasive withdrawal or avoidance of social contact or communication.

When it comes to physical illness, B H Bruummett says, "The magnitude of risk associated with isolation is comparable with that of cigarette soothing and other medical and psychosocial factors. It is still unclear why social ties and relationships are protective of health, but study after study reveals that those individuals that isolate are more likely to get an illness. However, our understanding of how and why social isolation is risky for health—or conversely—how and why social ties and relationships are protective of health, still remains quite limited."

Brummett studied isolation and found that isolated individuals report fewer interactions with others, fewer sources of psychological/emotional and instrumental support, and lower levels of religious activity. The obvious question is whether adjusting for one or more of these factors reduces the association of social relationships/isolation with health, and which factors constitute the active ingredient in social isolation producing its deleterious effects on health. The crucial letters in WEllness are WE. Interaction with other individuals , whether in a relationship or not is preventative medicine. Individuals who are in a marriage or partnership are less likely to get ill. However those individuals in an unhealthy marriage or partnership will get ill.

So, if you are single, have many social relationships, and if you are married/partnered make sure you are happy to avoid getting ill.

The botanical, Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is used primarily to treat urinary tract infections. It acts as an antiseptic and is most effective in an alkaline environment. Although capsules are effective, I prefer the tincture. I use 1 teaspoon two to three times a day during acute UTI's. After the symptoms subside I use D-mannose (active ingredient: cranberry). There are many active ingredients in this botanical. Some are ursolic acid (which acts like a diuretic), tannins, resins and phenolic acid.

The class of berberines can be used for urinary tract infections. These include Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and Oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium). Both are antibacterial and inhibit bacteria from adhering. The main constituent for both is berberine. I feel that Goldenseal is overused. Most individuals when they feel ill will go a local health food store and buy echinacea and goldenseal. I use more Oregon grape root in lung, sinus and mouth infections rather than for urinary tract infections. I prefer adding the Oregon grape tincture 1 dropperful to a cup of simmering ginger tea.

So the next time you are wandering in a forest look for:

Top picture: Oregon grape root

Middle picture: Goldenseal

Bottom picture: Uva ursi

Until tomorrow...

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2011 CRANBERRY AND UTI'S

How many times do you hear that a man has a urinary tract infection? Very few times. How many times do you hear that a female has a urinary tract infection (UTI)? Many times. There are some predisposing factors for UTI's. These are history of kidney stones, urinary tract structural anatomy abnormalities, poor vaginal flora, genetic factors, procedures on the urinary tract and an underlying medical condition. In 9 out of 10 patients, one of the previous predisposing factors exist. I have seen other predisposing factors. These include poor fluid intake, lack of voiding after intercourse, certain soaps, and delayed voiding habits. The greatest other factor is overuse of antibiotics for the treatment of these UTI's.

I usually send patients after 3 repeated UTI's to a urologist. Post menopausal females suffering with a UTI usually have reduced bladder tone, post void residual, bladder or uterine prolapse and/or sometimes a uropathogen causing it.

For UTI prevention I recommend voiding after intercourse, ingesting cranberry juice, increasing the fluid intake, and always voiding upon urge. Some doctors feel there is no evidence indicating the benefits of cranberry in prevention of UTI's. There are studies documenting prevention in comparison to placebo. Cranberry has also been shown to reduce the ability of E.coli to adhere to the lining of the bladder and urethra. I utilize D-mannose (available at http://www.longevitynutritionals.com/) This is the polysaccharide found in cranberries. For acute UTI 1/2 to 1 tsp twice to three times a day and for maintenance for all females over 60 years old is 1 tsp once a day.
Reminder: Drink unsweetened cranberry juice

Until tomorrow...

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2011 WHAT IS QUILLING

"My hobbies are cooking and gardening, especially growing orchids. I love soccer, my husband and I support a British team called Chelsea, and I also enjoy tennis. We have 3 cats."-- Juliet Mills

"My hobbies are painting, crafts, and I like golfing."- Nancy Kerrigan

DO YOU HAVE A HOBBY? Hobbies boost your self esteem. If you have an addictive personality, your hobbies can get addictive. I have more than one hobby. Mine include needlepoint, beekeeping, growing orchids, knitting and card making. As part of my card making, I have incorporated paper filigree to the front of my cards. It takes patience, time and being meticulous. These are some of my hobby personality traits.

Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is wound around a quill to create a basic coil shape. The paper is glued at the tip and the coil shape, and these shaped coils are arranged to form flowers, leaves, and various ornamental patterns similar to ironwork.

I am considered a quiller. I am an individual attracted to the art of quilling. Rick and I received a Valentine's Card by our friend, Carol. She is also a card maker who can be considered a quiller since all the hearts on the front of her card were quilled. Quilling can be combined with other techniques such as embroidery or painting. I will start to incorporate quilling into my needlework.

Historically quilling is not new. During the Renaissance, both the French and Italian nuns and monks used quilling to decorate religious items and book covers.

In the 18th century the 'ladies who lunch' (not Elaine Stritch) used quilling as an art form. These women were not 'ladies who lunch' but called 'gentle ladies of quality'. These ladies felt that quilling did not tax their mind like knitting or embroidery did. In 2007, Paula Bower wrote The History of Paper Filigree, which I encourage new quillers to read.

Today it is easy to quill. You will need a quilling set which includes the tools to curl your paper in addition to an assortment of quilling paper. You can find quilling paper in more than 250 colors and sizes. Depending on your art project you can pick acid-free, graduated or two tone quilling papers.

Try quilling...and have fun

Until tomorrow...

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2011 CURCUMA LONGA

"Through the power of G.O.D. within US, WE are stronger than any of OUR circumstances."

G.O.D. is personal. For me it is not religious. It is spiritual. G.O.D. for me is Good Orderly Direction. I love the pomp and circumstance of religions. I was an altar boy at St. Johns Church. I love the wardrobe. However, I do not need to go to a place of worship to pray or meditate. Do I still go into a church now and then? Yes, of course I do. I light candles for my parents and grandparents. I will also walk into a synagogue and pray sometimes. With prayer, meditation, and the belief in a power greater than myself, I can overcome any circumstance.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in United States and the risk of developing the disease increases significantly with age. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. One herb has emerged as an anti-cancer agent. It is Tumeric (Curcuma longa). There are many herbal preparations that have been studied in cancer prevention. Reishi, licorice and saw palmetto have been used for prostate cancer. Some use a combination of cancer inhibiting herbs. These herbs include ginkgo biloba, ashwaganda, triphalia, boswellia and eleuthrococcus.

The American Cancer Society has published results which are alarming. One out of every 3 women and one out of every 2 men develop cancer during their lives.

This should alert the population that other alternatives are needed to combat cancer. Some of these alternatives involve the use of herbs. Curcuma has more than 200 studies to support its use in cancer prevention. Although the NACCM is not currently studying curcuma there are many mechanisms of this herb that have yielded results in combating a wide variety of cancers. These cancer include breast, uterus, cervix and the GI tract.

In Sept 2010, CA Clark et al. studied curcuma inhibiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a major culinary spice of India and other Asian countries, and has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-coagulative, and anti-hepatotoxic properties. Curcumin's anti-cancer effects are exerted upon numerous biochemical pathways involved in carcinogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), metastasis, and angiogenesis. It suppresses growth of several tumor cell lines, including T-cell leukemia and colon cancer lines.

There are many uses for curcuma in the treatment of other disease. I use curcuma for osteoarthritis, duodenal ulcers and Alzheimer's disease.

Until tomorrow...

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2011 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

"Letting go of the past and not worrying about the future is a small price to pay for all the happiness to be found in the present."

Living in the now is my motto. I can glance at the past for a few brief minutes, but I do not live in the past. I remember the past to smile, and sometimes to cry. Many memories of the past are happy and some of them are sad. Some of them I cannot even remember. The ones I cannot remember were at times when I was not present for anyone including myself. I used to live in the future. What if.... Maybe if I were richer... Maybe if I got the new job... I would fantasize about the future and what my life would be if I didn't.... Today, no more living in the future. Those expectations usually if not always brought me disappointment. I would rather get surprised once in a while without having so many expectations.

For those patients with a chronic, slowly progressing disease like Multiple Sclerosis, I must tell them the same thing about living in the now. More than 250,000 Americans are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) annually with women being affected slightly more than men. For some reason I have seen more men in my practice with MS. The most common initial symptom is sudden lost of vision in one eye or tingling or numbness in an extremity. There are other symptoms such as mental changes, slurred speech and difficulty holding their urine, but symptoms vary from patient to patient. Symptoms can disappear in weeks or months. There are some patients who do not have another attack for years. I have seen one patient who had an attack at 26 and did not have his second symptom until he was age 52.

While the care of a neurologist and conventional therapies are needed, there are some other tests that need to be done in patients with MS. I am not a MS specialist. The cause is still unknown. It has been postulated that MS is an autoimmune disease. Others feel it is caused by a virus. I do believe that the cause is multi-factorial. I believe that all the hypothesis are viable. I know that if treatment is started early for a newly diagnosed patient, can be quite effective. Other testing that I feel should be done is heavy metal testing, environmental testing, and food allergy testing--especially gluten sensitivities. This was research by Roger MacDougall who was affected by MS and bound to a wheelchair. His condition slowly improved when he eliminated all gluten from his diet.

A different dietary lifestyle must be sought. In 1948, Dr Roy Swank believed that a diet low in animal fat can arrest the progression and symptoms of the disease. I have seen a slower progression in patients whom follow the Swank protocol. Newer dietary lifestyles have been used since 1948 with better results, however these are basically all derived from the Swank protocol. Unfortunately, this compassionate doctor died in 2008. http://www.swankmsdiet.org/

The recommendations of the Swank protocol are as follows:
1. Saturated fat intake no more than 10 grams(1/2 ounce daily)
2. A daily intake of 40-50 grams of polyunsaturated fats (I suggest much lower and margarine, and hydrogenated oils are strictly forbidden)
3. One teaspoon to one tablespoon of cod liver oil daily
4. Normal protein intake (6-10 ounces daily- try leaner protein)
5. Intake of fish 3-4 times a week (no tuna, swordfish or crustaceans)

In addition to serum and provocative 6 hour urine testing, I recommend a IgG RAST serum allergy test. The conventional testing of all scans should be done with the guidance of a neurologist.

In my practice I utilize many supplements. These supplements can be powder, capsule and/or intravenous routes of administration. Good multi-vitamin and mineral formulas are essential.
I use both tumeric (Curcuma longa ) and Gingko biloba in MS patients. There are interesting relavent studies regarding these herbs. Serum levels of Vitamin D should be measured and high supplementation may be needed. I also use many oils as well as alpha lipoic acid.

At this point it is very difficult to know with any certainty which supplements, in what dosages, and in what combination(s) would be helpful for multiple sclerosis, if at all. We also have little idea how these supplements interact with medicines currently used for multiple sclerosis. My aim is to give the patient an alternative or integrative approach to treatment.

Until tomorrow..

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2011 AN HERBALIST VIEW ON CHOCOLATE

"Where there is great love, there are always miracles. "

Love can occur between two individuals regardless of sex. It is a shame that there are some individuals who do not believe this. If this was felt by all we would certainly legalize gay marriage in New York. It is so true that with love follows great miracles. Everyone needs love. Love is when you have a partner who supports you in every endeavor. I am always in awe of couples regardless of sexual orientation who have shared many years together. My grandparents were married for 65 years. Many of my older patients have been married more than 45 years. Last year Arnold and Nine passed away. They were married for 72 years. Gay individuals do not need a marriage certificate to stay together but it would be nice to have the same rights as all individuals.

THOUGHTS ON LOVE...

I will love you on the days when you are perfect in my eyes, and on the days when I wonder why you do the things you do.

I will love you when you are the strong center that calms me, and when you want to rest in the comfort of my embrace.

I will love you when you are confident and proud of everything that you stand for, and when you need me to remind you how far you have come, and that there is no limit to how far you can go...

Now and forever, come what may, just as you are ...I Will Always Love You.

Sauer's Herbal Cures comments on chocolate but behind the chocolate lurks the subject of vanilla. Thomas Jefferson's Cook Book by Marie Kimball strays from chocolate and discusses vanilla. This books postdates the life of the 3rd President of the United States. Perhaps it does not mention chocolate because in 1791 Mr. Jefferson made a comment about the lack of vanilla in Philadelphia in 1791. He set off to find vanilla pods, while many were returning from the Caribbean with cacao pods.

Vanilla although interesting, is not quite as interesting as chocolate. In Mexico most of the vanilla is consumed with chocolate. I believe that the reason why vanilla was not discussed or collected as much was due to the expense of collecting the pods. The vanilla was collected from wild plants which were unpredictable as a crop.

Historically Sauer proclaimed the kernel as the only edible part of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). This is not true as the pulp of the pod can also be eaten although it is not as tasty. Sauer states, "Cocoa has a temperate faculty for easing sharp humors, for sweetening a sour stomach, for attenuating thick, mucusy fluxes, for refreshing the spirit and for quieting diarrhea." He goes on to say "...chocolate should not be consumed daily, lest it thicken the blood."
He mentions nothing of the cardiovascular benefits.

A recent study used chocolate for constipation in children (Herbalgram, American Botanical Council) The 'easing sharp humors' is my favorite line from Sauer's description. He also discusses chocolate consumed as a drink. This is still done in some cultures. He talks about the thickening of the blood. He feels since most will sip chocolate drink while sitting, it will have no benefit.

He did describe chocolate as invigorating to the spirit and strengthening for the heart. This is as close as he gets to describing any cardiovascular benefits. From his lengthy poetic description, most of the today's benefit of chocolate can be inferred. I do not understand why a sad melancholic person should avoid chocolate because it thickens the blood. He stated that consumption will lead to even greater melancholy.

If you are a bit blue or melancholic, have the one piece of dark chocolate . Savor the taste. Feel the limbs awaken. Feel the heart strengthen. You are feeding an emotional void.

But remember, ONLY ONE TINY PIECE.

Until tomorrow.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2010 MORE THEOBROMA

"Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." Baron Justus von Liebig

"What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate." - Katherine Hepburn

Who doesn't love chocolate? Some say it is better than love and sex. I wouldn't go that far, but it does have medicinal benefits. It is difficult for me to chose my favorite actress. I had the pleasure of knowing Kate so she takes the lead. She loved her chocolate. It seemed to do her well. Many famous writers and painters had their addictions. Some used heroin, morphine and cocaine. Chocolate is no exception. I have met many chocolate addicts. Chocolate can be as addictive as alcohol.

Please choose your addiction wisely!

There books written about many herbs. Some of these are:
Opium, A History
Ginseng: The Divine Root
Garlic
Coffee
and most important: The History of Chocolate.

Botany has changed my life. Two other botany books I recently acquired are Plants of Love: The History of Aphrodisiacs and Murder, Magic and Medicine. Chocolate is discussed in these books as well as in Baron Ernst von Bibra's, Plant Intoxicants.

Flavinoids, potent antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, are also found in significant amounts in cocoa , chocolate (Theobroma cacao), red wine, and tea. Researchers have found that consumption of foods containing flavonoids can lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular disease, and lessen the risk of strokes.

In 2005, Herbalgram, the journal of the American Botanical Council published an article entitled, "The Health Benefits of Chocolate" that explored the role of chocolate in reducing hypertension (high blood pressure) among different cultures around the world. Here is an excerpt:
"The anti hypertensive role of chocolate is a relatively recent finding. In the early 1980s, Norman Hollenberg, a Harvard physician, discovered papers of Dr. B.H. Kean, who worked among the Kuna Indians on the San Blas Islands off the southern end of Central America. Dr. Kean had noted remarkably low rates of hypertension among aging Kuna adults. Dr. Hollenberg, who was involved in hypertension research and its genetic aspects, decided to see whether the Kuna Indians were still experiencing low rates of hypertension. Instead of finding a protective blood pressure gene, Dr. Hollenberg found an environmental effect: the Kuna Indians who left the San Blas Islands and resettled in Panama City had rates of hypertension comparable with other Indians and, more importantly, rising rates with aging. Dietary changes appeared to be responsible for the findings. For example, as Dr. Hollenberg noted, the more traditional Kuna diet included very lightly processed flavonoid-rich cocoa, consumed five times a day, whereas those living in Panama City drank several cups of highly processed cocoa."

Other studies have been conducted on the cardiovascular benefits of chocolate. One study researched the vasodilation effect of chocolate. It concluded, " The results demonstrated that the consumption of dark chocolate "markedly improves coronary vasodilation," which indicates an increase in the bioavailability of nitric oxide and a decrease in platelet reactivity. Furthermore, the improvement in coronary vasomotion and decrease in platelet adhesion after dark chocolate consumption coincided with an increase in serum epicatechin concentrations. These findings are evidence that epicatechin is a probable and likely dominant mediator of improved coronary vasomotion, along with procyanidins. This study was also reviewed by and published in the Herbalgam.

From my readings and studies on chocolate, there is no doubt that consumption will be a benefit in cardiovascular disease. How much, what type and duration of benefit still needs to be determined. Most authors of chocolate studies agree that the clinical effects of cocoa on cardiovascular disease should be investigated further.

Until tomorrow...

MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2011 HAPPY THEOBROMA DAY

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand."

"You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without."

Every time he makes me smile, I want to grab the entire sky with all its stars and put it in the palm of his hands. That is exactly how I feel not only today but almost every day. I cannot say every day because relationships are not perfect. Today is a big day for roses, cards and of course chocolate. As a child in grammar school we gave 'hearts' with different sayings to the girl sweetheart in our class. I wanted to give one to Andrew, my best friend but I gave one to Joanne. I recall that my first girlfriend was my next door neighbor, Lori. Over the years I have had relationships, but reflecting back I see that I was not being fair to myself. I Am What I Am. I know that my Higher Power loves me and I love him.

When it is legal I want to marry the man I cannot live without---Rick. Love is always waking up with the same person next to you--and I smile. Love is sharing intimate moments, sharing times with our families, and being there when times are rough. Each of us have had major surgical operations, family deaths, and tender moments. I know in my heart that he will be there for me when I take my last breath. It is very comforting. We all need to love someone and we all need to be loved. Make this a special day for the individual you love. Always love yourself first. Rick and I took a Chocolate class together for a Valentine's Gift. It is a gift to share learning with your partner.

Suggestion: Take a class with your loved one...Share...

How many of you knew that chocolate grows on a tree/shrub? The well known cocoa from which chocolate is prepared comes from a cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The tree is named by Linnaeus who was very fond of chocolate and named the tree, "food of the Gods." I have never seen a chocolate tree. It grows in Mexico, Guatemala, India and now is planted in Africa. One of my dreams or hopes is to be photographed next to a Theobroma tree/shrub. A fellow herbalist who saw the tree at the Botanical Gardens in Rio de Janeiro described it as 'not what I thought it would be'.

Botanically it is interesting that the numerous small flowers grow directly from the twigs and branches, instead of from the leaves or petioles like most plants. More interesting is that the kernels, the actual cacao beans are encased in a soft white pulp which changes color as the plant grows. This pulp is edible. Its taste is described as similar to a gooseberry. The kernels which are made into chocolate are bitter in taste.

Theobroma only grows 20 degrees north or south of the equator. 50% of the world production of cacao comes from the Ivory Coast and Brazil. Historically chocolate was first encountered by Christopher Columbus but he didn't seem smitten with the idea of bringing it back to Spain. What a mistake he made!

In 1519, Cortez (who founded Montezuma) tasted cacao for the first time. He was impressed and brought it back to Spain. The Spaniards then brought chocolate to Europe and the rest is history. Coffee experienced more personal conflicts from person to person, whereas chocolate never had that problem. Most people tasted it and liked it, but its popularity grew slowly over the years. Chocolate was drunk in many of the European countries.

I am not a connoisseur of chocolate. I know individuals who can tell the difference between Caracas cocoa and Trinidad cocoa. I can distinguish between semi sweet (62%) and extra dark (82%) chocolate.

There are four types of chocolate: Criollo, Columbia, Forastero and Trinitamo.

All types of chocolate contain chemical compounds that can be used medicinally. Four compounds available in the plant kingdom are Terpenes, Alkaloids, Phenolics, and Flavinoids. Chocolate has theobromine and caffeine which are Alkaloids. Chocolate also has major flavinoid properties. The Phenolics and the Flavinoids have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Theobromine is the most important component of cocoa.

Until tomorrow...Medical benefits of chocolate

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2010 DO YOU TRUST DEVIL'S CLAW

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved" - J. Macdonald

There are some who would disagree with this quote. How can you trust someone else when you cannot trust yourself? This is the better question. It is said that the man who trusts in G.O.D. (good orderly direction) is the man who can be trusted. We all have been given a gift-- ourselves. In my opinion, if we listen to our intuition and instincts, our lives would be better. I try to pay attention to the gift of trusting myself. There were times in the past when I didn't pay attention to my own instincts. Take out a coin from your pocket. Examine the coin. Read the words on it: In God We Trust. Meditation allows one to listen to the voice within. You will learn by listening, trusting and following through with your actions.

Basil King said this, "When you cannot trust God, you cannot trust anything; and when you cannot trust anything you get the condition of the world as it is today."

For today, trust no one except YOURSELF. It is a step in the right direction

Would you trust a plant that is named Devil's Claw? Harpagophytum procumbens, also called grapple plant, wood spider and most commonly Devil's Claw is a plant of the sesame family and native to Africa. It got its name from the peculiar appearance of its hooked fruit. In researching this plant I could not find it in James Duke's Medicinal Plants of the Bible nor in Sauer's Herbal Cures. The plant's large tuberous roots are used medicinally. I have used Devil's Claw to reduce pain and fever in children. Historically, European colonists brought Devil's Claw home where it was used to treat arthritis. And they were right. The German E commissions approves the use of Devil's Claw for arthritis.

Studies have found that taking devil's claw for several months substantially reduces pain and improves physical functioning of people with osteoarthritis. A 4-month study including 122 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis, examined the effects of devil's claw root powder on pain. The devil's claw supplement reduced pain and improved functional ability as effectively as standard doses of a leading European medication for osteoarthritis.

Another study found that devil's claw supplementation was effective in patients with rheumatic diseases (arthritis and low back pain). Seventy-five patients with hip or knee arthritis were given 2,400 mg of devil's claw daily (corresponding to 50 mg of harpagosides) for 12 weeks. The dosage provided a significant reduction of pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Only 2 cases of possible adverse drug reactions were reported (complaints of indigestion and a sensation of fullness). The study patients receiving Devil's Claw had fewer side effects and required less pain reducing medication throughout the study.

Since the NCCAM is studying this herb, I am hopeful that more will be revealed about it.

Above are two photos of Devil's Claw. Notice the plant close to the ground and the horns on the flower, resembling a devil.

Until tomorrow...