FEBRUARY 28, 2012 MEET THE NETTLE PLANTS

"IMPOSSIBLE is a world only to be found in the dictionary of fools."

Nothing is impossible. Anything in this world is possible. It may not be on your time line and terms, but it is possible. Examples are gong back to school to take a course for credit or elective, doing a new hobby, or even starting to date . Better yet --getting married

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. One of the courses I took at the New York Botanical Gardens after I finished my Botanical Medicine Program was Botanical Latin. In college I not only studied Latin, but was a teaching assistant for first and second year Latin students. When I think back I do not know how I did that, but it was NOT IMPOSSIBLE. I remember studying with my college friend, Marianne in her grandfather's house where she lived. Anyway, the 4 week botanical Latin course at the NY Botanical Gardens (http://www.nybg.org/) was great. 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.

In our herbal closet at home Rick and I have a pound of stinging nettles. I use it regularly as a tea for environmental allergies, cough and upper respiratory tract infections. I think it tastes great as a tea. For those who are not used to herbal tea add some raspberry leaf tea and a bit of wild flower honey. Nettles is also used for urinary tract infections. I usually combine nettles with one drop of juniper essential oil. For those who do not like tea, stinging nettles is found in a product I use often during pre-allergy and allergy season. It is called Natural D-Hist. This is available at http://www.longevitynutritionals.com/

Until tomorrow..

FEBRUARY 27, 2012 GLUTEN INTOLERANCE

"Adopt to circumstances in order to make progress."

When we adopt to changes in circumstances in order to move forward, this is called progress. How many of us are stuck in a situation? Many of us are in limbo or on cruise control. Whether this involves a relationship, a job, or an illness. Many of us are stuck in our old habits. I am one of those individuals. When I get resentful or feel hurt, I tend to shut down. I would rather say no to everything or not speak at all. This is not good. I do this because I am at a loss. I also do not want to say something that I may regret in the future. So I stay quiet. At least now in these quiet times, I pray and meditate to change. Change and progress do happen. I have to be willing.

Sometimes a change happens in conventional medicine that is mind blowing. For instance, just the other day in the Annals of Internal Medicine (http://www.annals.org/) under the Ideas and Opinions section there was an article entitled, "NonCeliac Gluten sensitivity: Sense or Sensibility." Sounds like the title of a movie. Perhaps those who only need statistics and double blind studies should be called the Iron Lady.

This is how the article opens... "Recent studies support the evidence of a new condition, nonceliac gluten sensitivity, which manifests as intestinal and extra intestinal symptoms that improve or disappear after gluten withdrawal in individuals with normal small bowel mucosa and negative results on serum transglutaminase and endomysial antibody testing."

A new condition... this must be a misprint. This has been known for a long long time. I doubt the writers of this article see many gluten sensitive patients if they think this is a new condition. The article then goes on to say, "Although the clinical value of this concept is under debate, the prevalence of of nonceliac gluten sensitivity in the general population is supposed to be many times higher than that of celiac disease."

Well of course it is. In the same way that insulin resistance and the pre diabetes population is a much larger group than the actual diabetics. This is called talking to the patient and studying your own practice group.

I believe that more than 80% of the population is nonceliac gluten sensitive. The symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence all disappear if you remove gluten. If the symptoms do not disappear, then remove milk/dairy and ask the patient how he/she feels. You do not need double blind studies. Remove the gluten from the patient's diet and watch them improve.

It is also not a disease limited to the gut. The first sign of gluten sensitivity could be a neurological one. There are more than 100 papers in well respected journals that discuss the extra intestinal symptoms such as arthritis, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, hepatitis and diabetes with gluten. Celiac has a genetic component whereas this new term nonceliac gluten sensitivity does not have a genetic HLA gene. Studies suggest celiac disease affects 1% of the general population. I believe nonceliac gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance prevalence is much higher.

I believe that gluten intolerance or nonceliac gluten sensitivity is characterized by the activation of an innate stress response unlike celiac's immune pathway.

Although I am a cardiologist, I am foremost an internist. I am an integrative internist who looks at the person as a whole, not by a system The doctor should be like The Artist. Medicine is a form of art.

Although the photographs are all men with bloating, women suffer from bloating. Men do not admit they are bloated whereas women do!

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 25 - 26, 2012 A PEA IS NOT ALWAYS A PEA

"Find something that stirs your soul."

"Tell yourself you are excellent at what it is."

"You have reconciliation that you are achieving a life long dream in what you are doing."

"You must take daily action, not REACTION."

So this is my daily mantra. I love what I do. I do not know exactly what I do except that I give to the best of my ability to the people in my life. This is my G.O.D. given profession. I wonder why G.O.D. has placed poisonous plants on Earth Mother. It must be for a reason... not to kill humans but to do some sort of protection.

I am fascinated by plants. I am in awe of nature. I found this out when I was young, but today I am well read and astute about plants. I am one of many who love plants. There are many including my mentors who absolutely put my mind at peace and leave me speechless - these special people are Aviva Romm, 7 song, Tieraona Lowdog, David Winston, Chanchal Cabrera, Cascade Anderson Geller, Rosemary Gladstar and many others.

I must find a lecture or book on Poisonous plants. There are not many within the United States, but there are some. One poisonous plant, Abrus precatorius grows in Africa and Asia and even in subtropical areas of the world and has many different names. Some of the names it is known as include: Jequirity, Deadly Crab's eye, Rosary Pea, John Crow Bead, Indian Licorice, Ruti, Jumbie bea, Akar Saga, Giddee Giddee and the Precatory bean. The pea from this plant is called by other names in different countries of the world. The vine winds through tropical jungles and wraps around trees and shrubs.

I found something interesting about one of the names-- Weather Plant. Professor Joseph Nowack studied and believed this plant could tell us the weather. If the feathery leaves pointed upwards it would be a fine day. If the leaves pointed downward,there would be rain and thunderstorms. It was never proved, but its seeds by far are the deadliest of all. On the vine are the small but pale violet flowers from which pods emerge. Within the pods are these shiny jewel like seeds. The seeds are deadly. These seeds are used as beads for jewelry and even in percussion instruments, but when ingested they are deadly. Most of the seeds are red and black, but there are white varieties. In jewelry making a prick of the needle stringing the beans can be deadly. It is still known as a symbol of love in China where its name is xiang si dou.

The seeds contain the toxin abrin. The toxin is a dimer consisting of two protein subunits appropriately called A and B. The protein found in Castor beans called ricin is toxic, but abrin is more toxic . Ingesting the seed as a whole should cause no problems if it is not chewed . The whole seed will pass through the gastrointestinal tract. One chewed the pea will certainly kill a human. Diagnosis of ingestion is high fever, excessive salivation, colic, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Convulsive seizures will occur before death ensues.

Although the seeds are toxoc, there are benefits to drinking tea made from the leaves of this plant. The plant has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. The oil from the plant is claimed to be an aphrodisiac. The seeds after mitigation are used for a variety of illnesses in the Indian System of Medicine.

I find this "pea" fascinating. Further study is needed! The best way to study this pea is to study different cultures around the world.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 24, 2012 THE CATEPILLAR AND THE MUSHROOM

"JUST BEING YOURSELF, BEING WHO YOU ARE, IS A SUCCESSFUL REBELLION." - UNKNOWN

Just be who you are. You need not try to be someone else. Do not try to be someone else. It is hard enough just being you. Why would I want to be someone else. Well, to tell you the truth I would love the skills of Fred Astaire's dancing feet, the brains of Albert Einstein, and the looks of Charles Boyer, Leonardo DiCaprio and the debonair Louis Jordan. In reality I am ME. A little bit of my mother love, my Nanny's stories, my Aunt Katie's sewing skills and pranks, my Poppy's cooking (NOT) and my father's brashness. Again in reality I am just ME.

Can picking mushrooms in the field or forest can be deadly? Of course picking mushrooms without some knowledge can be deadly. The Roman Emperor, Claudius 41 - 54 BC died under mysterious situations. A modern day review of his symptoms revealed that he died of muscarine, a deadly toxin found in mushrooms.

My favorite mushroom story is the poison caused by the polka dot mushroom found in Alice and Wonderland. The Caterpillar smoking a pipe on the mushroom is my favorite. It appears as if he if high while sitting on that mushroom. This is called the Fly Mushroom. It is reddish orange with white spots. You have seen it in other fairy tales and even on some needlepoint canvases I have done. The way Alice felt as she nibbled on the mushroom was mild compared to those who eat a bit more. Dizziness, delirium and intoxication followed by death and coma is eminent from ingestion of the Fly Mushroom.

There are many other species of deadly mushrooms. The Magic Mushrooms from the Psilocybe group. Those individuals who came of age in the 1960's might remember these. Then there is Inky Cap, False Morel, and Cortinarius

Have fun reading about Mushrooms

So this a great hobby is finding mushrooms in the field. This would be to identify them only. There should be a fun hobby, NOT a deadly one Sot here is no tasting

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 23, 2012 IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT

"EACH DAY IS A NEW START. EACH MOMENT IS A BEGINNING."

For me it is 'a day at a time'. There was a point in my life when I first entered a twelve step program that I had to take 'a moment at a time'. It always reminds me of the song, It Only Takes a Moment from Hello Dolly. (Broadway - Carol Channing and film version Barbra Streisand). I start each day with a positive mantra or a reading from a Daily Reflection book. This is followed by meditation. It has changed my life. I used to start with counting breaths: 4-7-8 (deep breath in on a count of 4, hold the breath for a count of 7, and exhale the breath on a count of 8).

After so many years, I slowly began to go deeper into my meditation and spirituality and didn't need to count. I only return to counting if 'the committee' in my mind is running wild. This is rare now, but I am human so it does sometimes happen. As comfortable as I was with getting married to the man of my life I needed to count my breaths that day--not because I was nervous but because the committee was active in my mind.

SO YOU SPRAINED YOUR ANKLE... OR YOU HAVE A BRUISE.

It only takes a moment to get a Hamamelis virginia compress. What is that? This is a Witch Hazel compress. I feel witch hazel is under utilized today. It is known for the fragrant yellow flowers grown in the United States. Properties of this herb include: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent. I know my dad used it for sprains and soreness after driving his 18 wheeler to Albany for deliveries for Rabinowe and Company. Use it externally for cuts and bruises and as a compress for sprains, phlebitis, sunburn and hot swollen joints.

For a real preparation in the wilderness: put 25 grams of the bark in 1 pint of water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Dip a cloth in the cool decoction, wring and apply to area. It is a great soothing agent. Collection and use of the bark on this manner is called wild crafting.

Witch hazel has even been used in hemorrhoid preparations.

Until tomorrow..

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 FRIENDHSHIP

"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest... it's about who came and never left your side."

I feel this is your best friend. The person who has been there through all the good and bad times. The person who listens to your deepest emotions and your greatest triumphs. A best friend is the person you are closest to emotionally without romantic attachments. I definitely consider my husband my best friend but we have romantic attachments so my best friend is someone I have known for 17 years. We could spend the whole day together-- which hasn't happened in a long time due to our schedules. In the past we could get on the phone and talk about the day we had. I can laugh, cry, or yell with or at.

Not everyone has a best friend, nor should they. Best friend relationships cannot be forced, but need to come naturally as the result of two people who really bond. My best friend, Patrick and I became instantly bound to each other as we had a lot in common. Best friend relationships can last for a long time, or they can end. I know mine will not end as it has endured. He was the babysitter for my children for two summers. He taught them to dance, swim and even act.

Another best friend and referred to as man's best friend is your pet. Today is a special day as our King Charles named Spencer is celebrating his 5th birthday. He is a special dog. We are happy he is part of our family. We are also happy our family includes our 16 year old Maltese, Grant and 9 year old Amazon Green Parrot.

Another best friend could be one of your favorites herbs. One of my best friend herbs is Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). This is a common wild plant that you probably have seen growing in your lawn. You cut it because you thought is was a weed. Yarrow has many uses. I definitely would include Yarrow in your herbal first aid kit. It is great for early stages of fever, dust allergies, rhinitis, hay fever and sinusitis. I use yarrow before I use an antibiotic for sinusitis. It also is used for spontaneous bruising after a full hematological (blood) work up. It has been shown to prevent clots (thrombosis). Yarrow, Hawthorne and Linden combined are good for high blood pressure. Just a tip: I would rather use hibiscus and artichoke for high blood pressure.

Used in a warm bath, it can relieve aches and pains. I often add it with marshmellow, meadow sweet and catnip for digestive issues.

Get a tincture and leave in the medicine cabinet.

Until tomorrow...

Happy Birthday Spencer

FEBRUARY 21, 2012 TURN A PAGE, CLOSE A BOOK-- TREAT A BURN

"There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book"

With the turn of every page, there is a new beginning. With every closing of a book or a chapter in your life, there is a new beginning. The natural ups and downs of life can either generate greater personal growth or create personal fears. In the past for me, it created personal fears. Today, it is all about personal growth. If you live with a lot of fear you will not like change. My whole philosophy in medicine is change, but I know that change often creates more fear. We all must grow up and face the fear. Some of the fear is painful.

As a physician, I try to address both the medical and psychosocial side of the problem. This is my g.o.d. chosen profession. I have turned the pages and closed the book on old friends and family. I am not a recluse. Sometimes life is just life. I moved on spiritually. I have realized that I cannot control people, places and things. Life is not a struggle but an experience. If you feel life is a struggle then you must let go of the control and stop fighting with everybody. Let life just happen. I can only live life fully by not attempting to control it. Life is continuously changing. I go with the flow. Yes there are ups and downs, and defeats and triumphs. For the last decade I have been doing it with another - now my husband. I am blessed in this lifetime to have someone who cares about me as much as I care about him. Life is good...

A burn is an injury to the tissue of the body caused by a chemical, radiation or electricity., Serous burns must always be seen by a doctor. Minor burns can be seen by a nurse or can be treated without medical attention.

There are many treatments some of which you never heard of. I love the folklore remedies like crushed blueberries, honey, or a raw potato applied directly to the burn for instant relief. The most common is to immerse the area in cool water for 10 minutes. You then can use drops of St. John's wort.

The herbs that can be used include aloe vera, marigold tincture (which is calendula) and even echinacea tincture. Some essential oils that may be used are lavender and geranium oil in a liter of cooled water that was first boiled. The homeopathic remedies have the #1 product that most people are used to. This is arnica. Urtica and hypericum and even aconite can be used. The one Bach remedy that should be used to calm the nerves is Rescue Remedy.

I was recently sent an email about using egg whites for burns. In my research I have never seen this in the scientific literature. For me it doesn't have to be in scientific literature, but I found it in no herbal, homeopathic or flower essence textbook either. The directions are to spread the egg white over the burned area after it has been cooled in cold (not freezing) water. This was due to the collagen in the egg whites.

I would rather do the other remedies which I am comfortable with and not try egg whites just yet.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 20, 2012 TAKE DOWN THE WALLS

"Knowing we have relationships/marriages we truly care about and we are accepted as we are is a remarkable reward."

At some point in my growth it began to get quieter inside. I began to take a deeper seat within myself and it just happened. What I am describing is taking down the walls. These are the defense mechanisms we use to hide the emotions within ourselves. These defense mechanisms are within all of us. I was aware of them, yet I was completely overwhelmed by the constant barrage of people, places, things, the committee and life happenings. First thing is I got sober. That alone is not the answer. The answer is working a program. I know many individuals who also have gotten sober, but have not worked the twelve steps. I do not dwell on this as it is none of my business. I only pray for them.

I began to sit in the witness box of my consciousness. As I sat there I began to realize that I am completely independent of what I was witnessing. There was a way through: To work on myself in every aspect I have ever known. You can call this enlightenment or divine intervention. I call it a progress within a life process that is continually changing. I gradually became accustomed to living safely within the confines of my body and state of mind. Slowly, I began to see myself with someone who loves me as much as I love him. "I 've Grown Accustomed to His Face." I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this man. I want equality for all. Marriage doesn't change the love but a different level of consciousness is now achieved. I am happily married.

When there are cracks, we work to patch them up. Communication is the key. We have always decorated our walls and our home with the memories of our past experiences, when single and when together, and always with our dreams for the future. In other words we are decorating our home with thoughts.

Light in our home is the utmost importance. Do you have light in your home?

We love candles, but today that is not the only light. Our light shines from within each of us. We are not living in darkness, fear and doubt. Darkness only takes a toll on our health, both physically and mentally. The very thought of morning sunshine through all the windows is so overwhelming. Rick and I have used the sunshine in our hobbies - he is a flower designer (one of many talents), me growing herbs and together we are beekeepers. So fresh flowers (by my personal floral designer) and plants are very important.

Find the light within yourself!

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 17, 2012 HOUSE PLANTS

"Each day is a new start. Each moment is a new beginning."

This is so true. So why not make a new start by finding a hobby. It will certainly boost your self esteem. Make it rewarding. Make it fun. Do it alone. Last night, Rick was changing a plant in the terrarium. The glass enclosure is doing so well. I am pretty sure he would avoid putting poisonous plants in the terrariums. But I did notice he planted the carnivorous pitcher plants that were given to us.

Be careful of this next hobby or your family's house plants...

Do you have house plants? Do you grow a specific species of plants? I know someone in Rhode island who is fascinated and grows Bonsai. Caring for a bonsai is an all -consuming hobby in its own right, but it is a true art form. The same could be said for those who grow orchids. I was a member of the Manhattan Orchid Society when it was on W58 th Street some years ago.

Did you ever think you could have a dangerous or poisonous house plant within your House or apartment? Think again. During the Christmas holiday we are all fascinated by the Poinsettia. When I was a child my mother always cautioned us to watch the dogs as the plant was poisonous. The sap of the plant is mildly irritating.

A House plant that I and many others grow is the Peace Lily. It is a South American plant with simple white flowers. It resembles the Calla lilies. Remember: "The calla lilies are in bloom again."

In 2005 and 2007 more people called poison control about the hazards of this plant. Can you imagine that! The plant, like others contains calcium oxalate crystals that can bring on skin irritation, burning of the mouth, nausea and difficulty swallowing. I can't imagine an adult going over to the plant and taking a bite of a leaf. But there are children and animals that might. The other plant that contain calcium oxalates is the Philodendron. Ingestion of the leaves could lead to severe abdominals pain.

Other plants I find interesting which can lead to medical emergencies are the following:

1. Dumb Cane

2. Pencil Cactus

3. Ficus Tree

4. Christmas Cherry

The idea of any hobby is truly getting to know your hobby. I want your hobby to be happy, joyous and free. I never want it to be harmful or deadly.
Left to right photographs: Dumb Cane, Peace Lily, Poinsetta, and Philodendron.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 16, 2012 COLLOIDAL SILVER

"Feelings change, --memories don't." - Joel Alexander

As I go through life, my feelings change through the years. I believe all of us have a change in feelings as time goes on. Memories are there forever. They are captured on video, photographs, letters, but most of all they are captured and kept in our hearts always. I have fond memories of my childhood, track meets at Lincoln High School, countries I have visited, my parents and grandparents and much more. I have new memories of my first date with Rick. I remember taking my children to the Central Park Zoo, their first Broadway play and playing board games. Remember board games? My feelings are my feelings. Some of my feelings range from happiness to sadness, to grief, to anger, to peace, and to serenity. Feel your feelings. Where in your body do you feel your feelings? Write down some of your fondest memories. These are Golden or Platinum or Silver memories ...

All living things exist in a colloidal state. An important concept for medicine used as the body must convert it from crystalline form to colloidal form. Have you ever heard of colloidal silver? The chances are good that you haven't. I never heard it discussed in my medical school basic core curriculum nor in any residency including Infectious Disease training. Surely not in Cardiology.

Silver is a powerful antibiotic which has been used for thousands of years. There has never been a harmful side effect, except using too much colloidal silver can change the color of your skin. You might start looking like the Tin Man from the 1939 Wizard of Oz. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew that if their plates, drinking vessels are utensils were made of silver there was a less chance of acquiring an infection. Those individuals that used silver during the 14th century bubonic plague had a higher chance of survival. Thus, the phrase, "Born with a silver spoon in your mouth" was used.

Prior to antibiotic discovery, colloidal silver used used to treat many infections. There are reports of its use on the battlefield during the Civil War. The colloidal silver works as a catalyst disabling the enzyme of oxygen metabolism for all viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Once the discovery of antibiotics came along, colloidal silver use diminished and almost disappeared from use. I started to use oral colloidal silver when working the late Robert Atkins, MD for the atypical bacteria. Dr. Atkins and others at that time referred to these bacteria as 'sleath bacteria.' I used it frequently for infections with the mycoplasma, chlamydia and legionella 'atypical' bacteria.

I have used and continue to use colloidal silver for many infections including parasites, sinus infections, rashes, shingles, Lyme disease, other spirochete disease. HIV and even cancer. It is not the cure all, but neither are antibiotics. We have many resistant strains due to overuse and abuse of the more powerful antibiotics. There are also herbal antibiotics like garlic, honey, ginger , yarrow and many more.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 PLENTY - A GOOD READ

"The WORLD is the place of soul making."

---John Keats

I have learned respect through my life. I respect my elders. I respect the children. I respect all. I respect the G.O.D. of my understanding out of all forms of existence. I know that the G.O.D. of my understanding has created both animate and inanimate objects as stated by George Washington Carver. During my prayer and meditation I can communicate with the G.O.D. of my understanding. I also can converse with the trees, plants, insects and the animals. I can! I truly can because I respect nature. Burbank stated that nature is the manuscript of G.O.D. (good orderly direction)

I respect adventurists. Rick and I would love to go on an adventure. When Alisa Smith and JB MacKinnon were stranded in the Canadian wilderness, they used what they had to survive and make a feast. They truly lived on the land around them. Although their book, PLENTY was published in 2007, I decided to reread it over the last three weeks. You may ask why I would reread a book? I reread the book as I couldn't appreciate the adventure in the wilderness the first time I read it. I hadn't finished my botanical medicine training. It reminded me of Michael Pollan's book, Omnivore's Dilemma.

What amazed me is that they did very well living on the resources around them. These two stepped outside the box of the dreary supermarket, the processed foods, and the industry of food. Their 100 mile diet turned out to be fun.

We all want fun out of life. Maybe your fun is nothing like what you will read, but I bet you would change your mind if you actually did something like they did. PLENTY is about eating locally and thinking globally.

The line under the title, PLENTY states:

ONE MAN, ONE WOMAN AND A RAUCOUS YEAR OF EATING LOCALLY.

What more could you ask for

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 14, 2012 THE HERB OF WISDOM

"Wisdom...requires patience, persistence, curiosity and hard work. These are precisely the same requisites for growing ginseng."

Bob Beyfuss, American Ginseng Production in the 21st Century

What is wisdom? The definition is a deep understanding and realization of people, places and things, which results in an ability to apply perception, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. What does this mean? We all have wisdom. It involves the control of one's emotions. This is the hard part. Our emotions are philosophically also called passions. We all have emotions. Emotional states are anger, greed and lust. Some call these the deadly sins.

Wisdom can be measured using the following criteria:

1. A wise person has self knowledge

2. A wise person is sincere and direct with others

3. Others ask wise people for advice

4. A wise person's actions are consistent with his/her beliefs

The benefits of ginseng are known worldwide. Ginseng is used to treat many diseases. There are different types of ginseng - Siberian, Korean, American and Panax (Asian ginseng). The ginseng root can lower blood pressure, and sugar. This can help an individual avoid having heart failure and complications of diabetes. I love Panax ginseng in a formula to help with adrenal fatigue. I also love to add Rhodiola to the formula. The best way to take ginseng is through ingestion of tea . When I am tired I feel ginseng helps with my stamina. I know gym rats who use it-- it does enhance the endurance during training.

If you do not know ginseng is a very popular herb as is green tea. The problem is that the source is limited. A lot more limited than green tea. If more and more people begin to take ginseng, the source might just run out.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 13, 2012 THE GUT AND THE HEART

"True spiritual growth and deep personal transformation is coming to peace with pain."

No one likes to change. It causes fear which can be related in the body as pain. No expansion or evolution can take place without change. Let's face it-- periods of change are not always comfortable. I have faced my disturbances, and I have come to realize there is a layer of pain deep in the core of my heart. I spent the first 30 years avoiding that deep seated pain. In the last 17 1/2 years I have learned and I am still learning to change. Your entire personality is built upon your ways of thinking, acting, and believing. These were developed to avoid the pain.

Today since I think, act and believe differently I have come to terms with much of my inner core pain. Do you have inner pain that is deep seated? Of course you do. We all do! When you finally deal with the pain at its deepest level, this is where real growth takes place. Since the pain is at the core of the heart, it radiates outwards and affects everything you do. It come out as physical pain but in actuality it is the emotional pain deep seated and hidden by our thoughts and emotions. This is the pain I have come to terms with and continue to work through it on a daily basis.

The above can be summed up by this quote :

"The intellect is powerless to express thought without the aid of the of the heart." - Henry David Thoreau

As a cardiologist I am concerned with diseases of the heart. I want to prevent the occurrence of the #1 cause of death in the United States. I am also concerned with the emotional heart. The heart is a muscle. The heart is also an extremely sensitive sensory organ whose domain is that of feeling. All emotions affect the heart. The basic emotions like sadness and happiness form other complex emotional states such as jealousy, love and anger .

The heart has its own electrical circuits. These natural oscillators respond to stimuli. The three most important biological oscillators are the heart, gastrointestinal tract and the brain. I always discuss the "gut". The gut is the small intestines. There is a major connection between the "gut" and the brain and the"gut" and the heart. In order to have a healthy body you must have a clean colon. I am NOT talking about the large intestines, but in reality the small intestines- The functions of the small intestines are:

1. absorption

2. make Vitamin D3

3. make 90% of the "happy" neurotransmitter called serotonin

More tomorrow...

Photograph: #1 A large gluten free , dairy free, sugar free and soy free cupcake with 50 smaller cupcakes. Made by http://www.jennifersway.org/ for our wedding February 11, 2012

FEBRUARY 11, 2012 I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY

"The highest spiritual path is life itself." PMF

Today I know how to live a daily life. It is a fresh liberating experience. We all have many choices. I have only one choice in life to make: To be happy or not to be happy. That is my choice each day, each hour. It is not a choice about my career, or who I may marry. It is not even about if I want to seek the g.o.d. of my understanding. I have made a choice to be happy and now life has become clear. I am happy within.

But today I will make a choice that is very easy for me. I want to get married to Frederick E Byrd, Jr (known as Rick). It is simple really. Now that I can get legally married - why not? I have decided that I am going to be happy, and from today on I will be a happy married man, not a single man. It will be for the rest of my life. I am now enlightened. This is unconditional happiness combined with unconditional love.


Same sex marriage became legal in New York on July 24, 2011 under the Marriage Equality Act. It does not have a residency restriction, as some other states, but does allow religious organizations to decline to officiate same sex wedding ceremonies. So we are not getting married in a church or place of worship. Does it really matter? NO. The bill passed the senate vote by 33-29. There are five other states that currently permit same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont as well as the District of Columbia. Now New York is #6, and it looks like California will be #7.

In 1964 My Fair Lady graced the screen with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. With music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, included the song "Get Me to The Church on Time."

Here is my version




Patrick and Rick

There's just a few more hours left
That's all the time we got
A few more hours
Before we tie the knot (8pm exactly)

We're getting married in the evening
Ding Dong, The bells are gonna chime
Pull out the stopper
Let's have a whopper
But get us to the hall on time

I got ta be there in the evening
Spruced up and lookin' in my prime
Friends and family, come and kiss us
Show how you'll love me
But get us to the hall on time.



Until tomorrow...



Photograph: Christmas 2011. The couple on the left (Rick and Patrick) will be married today, while the couple on the right (Donald and Evan) were married late in 2011.. Note the happiness!

FEBRUARY 9, 2012 HERBS FOR THE SKIN

"Lift up thine eyes and look from the place where you are." Genesis 13:14, 15

People ask what is my belief and how does G.O.D fit into my beliefs. This is a personal question, but I will tell you this. Prayer and meditation are wonderful and have enlightened my life a hundred times. I do not pray for material things. I pray for peace, serenity, health and happiness. I am not a victim. I am a survivor. I try to the best of my ability to keep myself in good company. I do not want to be surrounded by negative energy. I want to remain positive every day to the best of my ability. I am rich in spirits. I do not care about the words rich or poor. I am rich in life. Are you rich in life?

I recently saw a patient with eczema. I started by asking the patient about her dietary lifestyle. In most individuals a skin problem like eczema is allergy related. Most of the time it is an environmental allergen like detergent, certain clothes, and body sprays. I jump right in and start to ask about their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus as well as their snacks.

Are your snacks high in sugar? Do you 'pick' between meals? Do you eat a lot of carbohydrates like pasta, crackers and bread?

I would suggest an Ig G Food test for delayed hypersensitivity. This may be paid for by your insurance and even if not, I would suggest getting the test. Many laboratories do this test, especially Neuroscience and Metametrix. It is difficult to stop eating these foods if it is not seen in writing that the patient may be allergic or sensitive to the food. Once the allergens are stopped you will be surprised how the eczema lessens.

I also try some herbs which I consider traditional for skin ailments as burdock, calendula, yellow dock, sarsaparilla and dandelion. All except calendula are also liver detoxifiers. I also rely on dermatologists to help me find the exact skin condition. Is it psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis ? I do know that a change in dietary lifestyle will alleviate any of those conditions. The problem is most other doctros would give a steroid for a skin condition. I do not !

You can buy 2 ounces of a skin salve. You can get it from Flower Power on East 9th in NYC or on any of the great herbal sites like http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ or http://www.gaiaherbs.com/

Now add the following to the salve:

1. 1/2 teaspoon of these herbal tinctures:

Pau d' arco

Goldenseal

Barberry

2. 8 drops of the following essential oils

Chamomille

Tea Tree Oil

Stir all together into the salve. It will be semi-liquid and apply throughout the day.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY10, 2012 FISH KEEPING

"The earth which is spread out like a map around me is but the lining of my inmost soul exposed." - Henry David Thoreau

In The Secret Teachings of Plants, by Stephen Harrod Buhner (who also wrote Healing Lyme) you will find some of the greatest poems and quotes concerning nature. In Chapter 14, 'Reading the Text of the World, ' I got the feeling that the G.O.D. of my understanding is found in all forms of existence. I have always known this. Open your eyes and take a look around. The trees, plants, animals, and lets not forget the bees. Luther Burbank summed it up in this one sentence, "Nature is the manuscript of God."

This is a journey. A journey I have been awaiting my entire life. I want to be one with nature. We all have this bond within us. Meditate and pray. You will find your connection with nature. That connection is then with your higher power. You can call your higher power anything you wish. Eighteen years ago, when I first entered a twelve step program, I called Central Park my Higher Power. I used to sit, watch, listen and meditate in the Park by the lake. I watched turtles, frogs, fish and even saw an eagle while sitting there. It was a reflective time for me. I do not have the time to do this today, but I still meditate outdoors. I meditate with my back to the west facing east. I do not know why I do it , but I feel it is right for me. Find your place among the outdoors.

I have had an aquarium of fish since I was 10 years old. Fish, unlike cats, dogs and hamsters are self sufficient. Well, my Gracie, my Amazon Green Parrot is also self sufficient. I have kept fresh water fish, salt water fish and brackish water fish. Today most modern aquariums come with the necessary filtration system to keep the fish alive. This is a hobby that is animal-loving, meticulous, meditative, independent and even nurturing.

Keeping fish is not new to this century. In ancient times about 2000 years ago the Chinese kept karp and koi. Amazing ponds were filled with koi. It wasn't until Robert Warrington in 1805 discovered the cycling of water necessary to keep fish alive. The Great Exposition of London in 1851 displayed fish in cast iron framed aquariums. This is a hobby that needs patience. You can set up the aquarium in 24 hours, but cannot put the fish in until the pH and the needs of all fish or plants are in balance. I have had as small as 5 gallon aquariums to 110 gallon aquariums.

Fish are soothing for the peaceful mind. In my office, I have a 55 gallon aquarium behind me. The patients can sit in my office for hours ( although insurance does not allow that) It is calming for the nerves. I have a tank of Parrot Fish. There is an old book which is quite helpful in setting up an aquarium. It is Stuart Thraves' " Setting Up a Tropical Aquarium " I would suggest starting with a small 10 gallon aquarium. I used to start with guppies which are easy to keep. These guppies are also easy to breed ( which is another hobby- breeding fish.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 8, 2012 HAS YOUR ALUMINUM LEVEL BEEN CHECKED LATELY?

"One should view their spiritual work as learning to live without stress, problems, fears or drama " - P Fratellone MD RH

I feel following a spiritual growth path is the highest path for an individual to take. It is not an easy path. It is life on life's terms. I feel that stress only happens when you resist life's events. I roll with the punches. Life is like a roller coaster - with ups and downs. You must create no resistance- which means neither pushing life away nor pulling it toward you. I live in the present. I am simply present. I now witness life and experience the events that life has to offer. I have learned not to resist the amazing force we call 'LIFE'. I no longer let the tension build. I do not want it to affect my mind, body and spiritual heart.

Almost all store-bought deodorants are laced with aluminum. While aluminum is not a heavy metal, it has been found to be toxic. Because aluminum permeates our air,water, and soil, small amounts are present in our food, the average person consumes between three and ten milligrams of aluminum a day. Only recently has research revealed that aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body. Aluminum is a popular metal used to make cookware, cooking utensils, and foil. I have also found aluminum in the coils of coffee makers. Excessive use of antacids is the most common cause of aluminum toxicity along with deodorants. Mylanta, Maalox, Amphojel, and many others have a high aluminum hydroxide content. Many over-the-counter drugs used for inflammation and pain contain aluminum, including Arthritis Pain Formula and Bufferin

Several douche preparations, including Massengil and Summer's Eve, contain aluminum. It is also an additive in most baking powders and is sometimes evident in drinking water. Have your water checked today. (http://www.e-watertest.com/)

Many symptoms of aluminum toxicity are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastro-intestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances,and memory loss, softening of the bones, and weak, aching muscles. Research suggests that a chronic calcium deficiency may change the way in which the body uses minerals. Bone loss and increased intestinal absorption of aluminum and silicon combine to form compounds that accumulate in the cerebral cortex of the brain. These compounds prevent impulses from being carried to or from the brain.

An accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties. Autopsies performed on Alzheimer's victims revealed that four times the normal amount of aluminum had accumulated in the nerve cells in the brain. This suggests that long-term accumulation of aluminum in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease as well as some reports for Parkinson's disease.

Because aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, toxic amount of aluminum may impair kidney function. Working in aluminum smelting plants for long periods can lead to dizziness, impaired coordination, and losses of balance and energy.

Accumulations of aluminum in the brain was cited as a possible cause for these symptoms as well. Aluminum is also used in food processing (pickles and relishes, in particular) , beer (especially when in aluminum cans), bleached flour, table salt, tobacco smoke, cram of tartar, Parmesan and grated cheeses, aluminum salts, and canned goods. I do a serum ( blood) test level for aluminum as well as a 6 hour provocative metal challenge from Doctor's Data. (http://www.doctorsdata.com/)

So let's face the music. We live in a toxic world. We cannot change everything we do to avoid aluminum. You can change your deodorant, but you do not want to smell. I have an answer for perspiration. I do not sweat a lot, so I am not worried if I use the natural deodorants like Tom's and Crystal. Sweat is odorless but the smell occurs when it comes in contact with bacteria. Use chamomile or coriander for the bacteria overgrowth problem.

I have a better solution. Below is the formula for a natural deodorant.

Natural deodorant:

1. 2 ounces of witch hazel

2. 5 drops of each of the following: sage, lavender and coriander essential oils

Combine #1 and #2 together. Place in a spray bottle. Shake well before spraying under your arms. It works...

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 7, 2012 FUNGAL TREATMENT

"He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything." - Arabian Proverb

Hope - In the real essence of the word it means to me going beyond. Beyond what? Going beyond past where you are right now. Yes you should always be in the moment or in your current state. But going beyond yourself means there are no limitations. No more boundaries. I have learned to go beyond my boundaries, restrictions and limitations. I have done this with prayer and meditation. "Beyond hope" is infinite in all directions - east, west, north and south.

Go beyond your own limits. This will require change. Change is fearful to many but worth it in every sense of the word. Don't analyze everything. I used to do that always. Now, I just let it happen. When it comes to health I am not only talking about physical health. I am talking about emotional, mental and psychological health. This is very important. The psychosocial aspects of one's life play just as important a role as the medical aspects. All are intertwined.

The fungal nail and skin infections are difficult to treat and extremely annoying. The first step is changing your dietary lifestyle. This means trying to the best of your ability to stop breads and cow's dairy. In reality it is a yeast free diet which can be difficult for some individuals. The fungus that causes ringworm can affect scalp, hands, feet et al. On the feet it is called Athlete's Foot. There are many types of fungal infections.

Of course there are conventional medications for fungal infections. These medications can be toxic to the liver, so unless absolutely needed I avoid this class of drugs. I would rather use herbs.

Some of the best antifungal herbs are jewelweed, yellow dock, lichen usnea, black walnut and pau d'arco.

The herbs that are high in essential oils are also anti fungals. You probably have heard of tea tree oil. Others that are beneficial are oregano, eucalyptus, lavender and myrrh. I also find it beneficial to add peppermint oil for the itching associated with the fungal infections.

Even though a yeast free diet includes avoiding the ingestion of vinegar products, I am suggesting an herbal salve with herbal vinegar and/or a bentonite clay dusting powder to dry out the moist environment. The moist environment allows the fungal infection to thrive. If your foot is raw from the fungal infections, the herbal vinegar will sting, so you might mix it with the oil of lavender

Recipe for Anti fungal Vinegar

1. 4 ounces of herbal vinegar ( example: oregano vinegar)

2. 2 tablespoons of pau d'arco

3. 1/4 teaspoon of lavender essential oil or tea tree oil

4. 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil

Combine the ingredients and apply daily to the area with cotton balls or compressed soaks

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 4-5, 2012 BERBERINE

"Life's too short. Don't waste it being angry. Live in JOY"- Karen Miletic

How true! Why live in anger? Actually the anger is really fear. Who wants to be fearful? Not I.

Anger and resentment will only lead to disease. There have been studies linking anger/resentments to a variety of cancers and even heart disease. I truly believe that. I see patients every day. Those who are angry and cannot let it go often develop a disease. Why do we hold on to anger? There are some that love the drama connected to some of their anger. Some cannot let go of the past. You must who in the moment. Not in the past nor in the future. Learn to meditate to let go of the anger and resentment.

One of the best plant alkaloids is berberine. I have been using berberine for many health conditions for years. You might have encountered berberine in the wild. I remember building a fort with my brother and friends in "the Lot". The lot was an empty area at the end of our street. There were many weeds in this area. One day I broke off a stem of a plant and there was a yellow liquid. This was berberine. I used it on a cut/laceration. I intuitively knew it would work. It did!

There are three well known herbs that contain berberine. These are Oregon grape, Barberry and Goldenseal. In addition to fighting infection and boosting immune health, there are studies that have used berberine for heart disease and diabetes. I love the herbs I use for diabetes. These are Rosemary, Cinnamon, Bitter Melon, and Fenugreek. Now I add Berberine. It acts like the well known conventional drug, Metformin (also known as glucophage).

You want to find out the source of the berberine. It should be organic. Which plant/herb is it derived from? What country is it coming from? I recommend the following herbal sources: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/, http://www.frontierherbs.com/ and http://www.gaiaherbs.com/

Berberine found in goldenseal is sometimes used for prophylaxis for malaria. I recently saw a patient who had to take anti malarial drugs as he was going to South Africa. He did not tolerate the malarone well. Malarone is a combination of two drugs which must be taken 2 days before the trip, during the trip and 7 days after returning. Next time we will use goldenseal as the berberine can be used as a prophylaxis against malaria. The side effects of malarone can ruin your trip!

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 3 2012 DO YOU FILE TAXES ON YOUR HOBBY?

"GIVING IS THE DIRECT PATHWAY TO HAPPINESS."

This may be true, however I would rather say the following, "Giving is the direct way to happiness if you also give to yourself." I will admit that I am a giver. It almost destroyed my life years ago. I gave and gave with expectations. I only got disappointed. I even got disappointed when I gave as a volunteer not so long ago. I have learned through prayer, meditation and self honestly that I am most content when I give to whom I wish --without expectations.

I happen to be reading my American Bee Journal this month when I saw the article entitled, "Are you hobby or a business?" The question was interesting. I am a beekeeper. I do not make my main living out of beekeeping, so it is not my business. I do not have to file Sole Proprietorship (Schedule C), Partnership (1065) or even Corporation (1120)

I do not sell my honey. It is for my own consumption. I give it away. As I read I found out that if I have a sideline or hobbyist activity with income, then I have the choice to file as a small business or a hobby. I never even thought of this. If I ever wanted to be like CC Miller, MD who left medicine to become a beekeeper it would be different. In his 1915 book, " Fifty Years Among the Bees" it didn't mention filing any forms. Rick acquired the original text (not paperback) for me. He had sales of honey from his home, from the local farmers market and he even rented hives for pollination. He was not a major beekeeper as the other Miller bee family. He was a diverse doctor, not unlike myself who enjoyed the activity of bees.

I did read that if I file as a hobby (since I might sell my honey in the future but I doubt it), I would be in the 25% bracket and I do not itemize. So if my profit from honey sales was $5,000 per year and my expenses were $1,000 I would have to pay taxes on the net profit of $4,000. This would include federal tax, state tax and social security tax. All together I think I would be paying 45% of my sales in taxes. I did not actually figure the number out but I think it is right.

So, I have made it easy. I am a hobbyist at heart. I do not want to sell my honey from my girls at this point in my life. What the future holds may be different. No expectations, so no disappointments. I love my girls. I am worried about them this winter. So far it seems like a mild winter, but one never knows. It is not like I can ferry over to Fire island at any time. There are ferry schedules which are sparse in the winter. I will be happy when Rick and I begin setting up our hives in the NYC schools. We can then watch our girls throughout he winter more closely. The placement of the hives on Fire Island was a gamble we will not know the outcome of until April.

Until tomorrow...