JUNE 29, 2012 ST LUKES GARDEN

SILENCE IS A SOURCE OF GREAT STRENGTH'

  - Lao Tzu

Who is Lao Tzu ? Have you ever heard of him. You should read his books and learn his quotes. These life quotes have helped me in the worst of times. The quotes have made me think about life. The quotes have made me smile, and sometimes cry. It's hard to pin down a biography of Lao Tzu (570-490 BC). There are numerous legends about him. Many believe he never existed at all, while historians can point to several possible historical identities for him. Regardless, the legends give the book an endearing, human face. They all place him in Luoyang , the ancient capital of China. There are great stories about Lao Tzu and Confucius
The most famous legends are of how he came to write the Tao and of his meeting with Confucius . There were many great spiritual leaders around the 6th century B.C.E. . Greece had Plato and Socrates; India had the Buddha and China had Confucius and Lao Tzu. Born in Ch'u (present-day Henan Province), Lao Tzu (), which literally means "old master", is also sometimes referred to as Lao Tan or Li Er.
Lao Tzu  was appointed Keeper of the Imperial Archives by the King of Zhou in Luoyang. He studied the archive's books avidly and his insight grew. Hearing of Lao Tzu's wisdom, Confucius travelled to meet him. Confucius put a lot of emphasis on traditional rituals, customs and rites.
Confucius asked Lao Tzu about performing rites and rituals. Lao Tzu replied: "The bones of the people you are talking about have long since turned to dust!

Read his writings and his quotes !

I have learned to much in my short lifetime. I am a grateful man. I was reading as usual, but I came across a reading that made me feel more grateful. It made me think that life is aglow with a blaze

' Through the ups and downs of the cycles of your life
and the seasons of the year,
Remember to poke aside the charred wood, trusting that no matter how advanced the destruction, there will always be one ember yet aglow.


When you find it , tend it with love and hope.
Feed it with your breath,
Dress it with the tender twigs of fresh fuel.
There is always an ember.
Sooner or later it will catch fire. '

This always reminds me of hope. It reminds  me when you feel that all is lost, it is that you have merely released that which has served its purpose. This allows you to proceed unhampered in your journey. This morning I placed on my neck a " blue lapiz, " on a rope cloth black chain. By the end of the day it was not arond my neck. I found it within my dark blue shirt. I knew the stone had done its service. I will wear it no more. I mentioned it to Rick. I felt it absorbed all the 'bad' energy of the day. I need to cleanse. Then I thought and thought.  I thought about the source of the stone and who bestowed it in my hands. After the day, I did my mind searching. I found out that the individual had died today who gave it to me. I am blessed to have had the stone protect me for so long. I will always keep the stone. I will cherish the stone, but I will not wear the stone. It has done its good.

Do you remember your backyard as a child? I called it my backyard. I think this a New York thing. There is a place in New York City you must visit. It is your day to find a piece of  PEACE  and quiet. I will visit the Lotus Garden this Sunday. It will a great time to start the first day of the new month. Rick and I could also go and visit The St Luke's Garden on Hudson Street. I love this garden .( It is between Barrow and Grove Street) I have been there before.. I know it is open on the weekends. Of course it is open 1 - 4pm, the same time I want to go to the Lotus Garden. I have choices. I love the fact that I have choices today.
This little quiant garden function as a backyard to some of the most beauitful nineteenth century bropwnstones in the city. They may not be the best example of NYC brownstones, but to me I love the garden and those houses. I often wonder who lived in those homes, and who lives there now.
I love going to the garden in the fall, so I have made up my mind.

Find the peace and quiet of New York ---

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 28, 2012 THE LIMA BEAN

" Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly. " - Mae West

There are many things to me that are worth doing. The ones I enjoy I do to slowly like needle crafting, reading and my G.O.D. given profession--practicing medicine. I do this blog slowly trying to educate, express and exemplify what I feel about life.  The constant practice of learning has been worth doing for me as long as I can remember. I continually learn on a daily basis.

Do everything slowly so you have the tiome to enjoy what you are doing .


Do you remember 7th grade biology class? I do. I was mesmerized with the idea of science. I knew I would be from an early age., I was always fascinated with plants, insects and the human body. I put together models of the human body as a child. I was also fascinated with photosynthesis and the growing of a lima bean in a cut milk carton container. I never thought I would be writing about the lima bean. Phaseolus lunatus is a legume. It is grown for its seed, which is eaten as a vegetable. It is commonly known as the lima bean or butter bean.

  REMEMBER:  It is not a common vegetable that is consumed. There would be fewer fruits and vegetables without the efforts of the honeybee.

There are two types of lima beans: 1. the pole type and 2. the bush type. The pole lima is thr growing vine type and grow to 10 ft in length, while the bush type grows to only about 2 ft in length.

Most of the commercial grown lima beans are of the bush type. I cannto recall if my 7th grade teacher, MNr Sette ever told us the difference. The flowers are usually white to cream colored. Inb the US we grow the green limas for the fresh market and the dry ones. For the green limas for the fresh market , there are 6 states that we rely on. These are California, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The top state for the dry limas is California.

There is nutritonal value in lima beans as in other legumes. They are a good soiurcve for fiber, and virtually a fat free source of high quality protein. Lima beans contain soluble fiber, which helps regulate the blood sugar levels, and even lowers cholesterol. Lima beans also prevents constipation and suppotrs thos eindividuals with iriitable bowel disease. Lima beans are of great valuie due to their conytent of trace minerals. These minerals are molybdenum, manganese, iron, copper,m phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. There is also thiamine and folate in lima beans. One cooked cup of lima beans is 216.00 calories with 14.6 grams of protein.
Unlike most other beans lima beans secrete an abundance of nectar. Therefore, honeybees love the lima bean flowers. The nectar is colorless and has a sugar concentration of 42 % - 59%. This is secreted freely the day the petals unfold and very enticing for the Honeybee. In 1949, Pellet wrote in The Hive and the Honey Bee called the honey white gold with a good flavor but granulates quickly. There is also another book, American Honey Plants described the honey as almost water white with fine flavour.

I have never tested lima bean honey, but after this research I will start my search. I am also going to search for both of the books above as I feel they add to my collection ( another hobby) . Many other authorities have concluded like Pellet that the honey is fine tasting but does granulate quickly. It has been compared to white clover honey which I have tasted.

George Ayers in the American Bee Journal wrote a fine article about The Lima Bean which inspired me to write about lima beans. It also brought back memories of my childhood.  His conclusion which is striking and relevant is that if hiney bees are important in the pollination of lima beans, why is there very few articles on lima beans.

In this regard, why isn't the United States government spending research dollars to find out why the honeybee popualtion is declining. Remember without honey bees there will be less than a third of fruits, legumes and vegetables.

Save the bees.

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 27, 2012 THE COSMETIC INDUSTRY

" All the art of living lies in the fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Henry Ellis

Two concepts I have elarnbed through the years. There are many people, places and things that I had to let go of when I first entered a twelve step program. There were also many things I wanted to hold on to for a very long time. This was just upon entering a twelve step program. In these eighteen years I have had to let go again. Many of these were individuals and concepts or ideas. I wanted to hold on to some of those individuals or at least what I learned from them. I have learned a lot from the experience I have had and yet to have. It has shaped the 'new' me.  This is truly the finest line of letting go and holding on. It is often difficult especially when it comes to love partners, family and friends. I have to realize in all cases that I am a human being that also has feelings., I didn't want to be a door mat for some any longer. I have a voice. I have a soul and most importantly I have a heart.



What is the largest organ in the human body? If you answered the colon or the liver , you are wrong. The largest organ in terms of surface area and weight is THE SKIN, which is the most overlooked. Our skin is a fluid barrier, a major source of sensory input, a temperature controller, ands a contributor in the immune system.
Do you take care of your skin? First of all hydration is the first key point. You must drink water every day - about 8 glasses of 8 oz of water/day. There are many stressors to the human skin. These ar environmental . By this I mean the weather, the sun and the pollution. We live in a toxic world. Many illnesses first manifest their problem on the skin. This is especially true of some internal cancers. This is also apparaent when we discuss candida overgrowth. 
It is said but 1 in 5 Americans wil develop skin cancer. Is this due to lack of vitamin because of skin sun screeners or not enough and you are spending too much time in the sun. We do knwo that melanoma is on the rise in the last decade by 20-30%.
The fastest growing industry is the cosmetoic industry. This is not only for the women, but equally for the men. More cosmetic products for men are now on the shelves. Did you know that by age 50, the average female will spend at least 250,000 on hair and facial products. Look what some individuals pay for their hair color and hair cuts. It can be a bit outrageous, but we are a country of ' how we look on the outside.' If we ingest supplements/herbs and vitamins for the inner self, we should start helping the outer beauty with vitamins. So this is what the cosmetic industry is doing. Cosmeceuticals are products that have some medicinal benefits depending on what you put into the product. Organic and natural are different labels. The word natural follows no standard ands has no regualtory agency, as the word , organic does.
Manyh skin products use the word anti oxidants, or anti aging. Be wary of these labels. What actually is in the product. One of the first doctors who made a skin care line was Dr. Perricone. I believe he was the first to add Vitamion C or absorbic acid to his products. It has been shown that skin products with absorbic acid revealed an incerase in skin density, this having a protective effect. There are many cosmetic companies now using soy in their products as soy contains phytosterols which are potent anti - oxidants.

The one herb that has been recently added to skin products is Feverfew. This is most commonly asssociated with migraine prevention and arthritis. Feverfew does have anti-inflammatory and anti oxidant potential. It is effective in reducing the redness of the skin. Feverfew is part of the daisy family. One plant I always utilize in skin conditions is the pot marigold also known as Calendula.
One of the most studied and researched plants is Camella sinensis, also known as Green tea. tea is consumed only second to water in most countries. Today I am delighted that more Americans are consuming herbal teas, espeically Green, Oolong, White and Black tea. The polyphenoal in green tea, especially, EGCG inhibits colagenase activity and increases collagen formation.
Studies have shown that topical green tea applied to the face  inhibits ultraviolet-induced erythema and decreased DNA sun damage to the skin. You probably have seen green tea or EGCG added to the most expensive cosmetic products.
You also may start to see the following herbs added to some skin products. These include
Punica granatum, commonly known as Pomegranate, Coffea arabica, known as the Coffeeberry and Euterpe oleracea, known as the Acai berry.

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 26, 2012 SAIL AWAY BUT NOT OUR BEES

" I 'm not afraid of storms for I'm learning how to sail my ship "  Louisa May Alcott


Did you ever see any version of the film, Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott. It was a great movie. We all have been through storms in our lives. These are the down moments. What do you do when there is a down moment ? Do you sink ? Do you get up and start all over again? Do you even try ? The down moments are there to teach us for the future about how to navigate through life. The down moments for me are tools to guide me through my life. It allows me hopefully not to make the same mistakes. I am beginning cynical as I get older. I do not tolerate stupidity. I never tolerate lying and cheating. I have been taken for many times, but each time I learn a different lesson. Now as I get older I do not make those same mistakes. If I do, I know I have trusted again, because that is me. I am human. I know one of character defects is that I trust too much. I must be more careful in this department of my life.

I cannot tolerate some of the government actions especially when it comes to killing., I am not even talking about war. I am talking about their action to use a pesticide, Clothianidin. What makes me laugh is the government knows that this pesticide kills honeybees. I wonder if it is being sprayed on the White House lawn and killing their honeybee hive. I doubt it.
In the next week, the EPA is expected to issue a decision on the pesticide Clothianidin — which scientists believe is a major factor in this alarming decline in U.S honey bee populations, known as Colony Collapse Disorder.  Since 2006, one third of U.S honey bee populations have been dying off yearly. One third. Every year. That's a terrible rate of species destruction on its own, but it's also a serious threat to our food supply. Honey bees play a crucial role by pollinating 71 of the 100 most common crops, which account for 90% of the world's food supply. If you do not have honeybees you will be missing one third of your fruits and vegetables on your dinner plate.
Do you care ?

More than 125,000 CREDO Activists joined the Pesticide Action Network and other groups this March in urging the EPA to suspend its approval of Clothianidin. The EPA is about to respond, but if the agency doesn't actually act, it likely won't review Clothianidin again until 2018 — and by then it could be too late for the bees.
Tell the EPA: Bee die-offs are an emergency. Ban the pesticide that's killing bees.


While the causes of Colony Collapse disorder are complex, studies are increasingly pointing to the role played by pesticides like Clothianidin. Sure there might be other causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) but pesticides are a major one. The bees can get varroa mites, but this is not the major cause. Weather changes like last year might starve your bees. I know, the gay females of Fire Island stopped the spraying of mosquitoes for many years and including this year as there was a link to breast cancer. Believe it or not whether they knew it or not, they saved the dying bat population of Fire Island. I do not think any of them had a clue about the bats. The brown bat lives on those mosquitoes. If you kill the mosquitoes, you kill the food supply for the New York Brown Bat.
So this isn't new NEWS as ...
In March 2012, the Huff Post ran an article which stated  Beekeepers and some scientists say the chemicals known as neonicotinoids are lethal to bees and weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to pathogens. They say it could contribute to colony collapse disorder, in which all the adult honey bees in a colony suddenly disappear or die. The disorder continues to decimate hives in the U.S. and overseas. Since it was recognized in 2006, the disease has destroyed colonies at a rate of about 30 percent a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before that, losses were about 15 percent a year from a variety of pests and diseases.
Beekeepers annually replace those hives.

Chothianidin is produced by the German corporation Bayer CropScience, it is used as a treatment on crop seeds, including corn and canola, and works by expressing itself in the plants' pollen and nectar. Not coincidentally, these are some of honey bees' favorite sources of food.

Shockingly, Clothianidin was approved without any independent study verifying its safety.The Pesticide was conditionally approved for use in 2003, and then fully approved by the EPA in 2010, on the basis of only one test conducted by Bayer, which EPA scientists later said was unsound and not sufficient to be the grounds for unconditional approval of the pesticide. Clothianidin has already been banned in France, Italy, Slovenia, and Germany — the home of Bayer — but it continues to be applied to over 100 million acres here in the U.S., at the peril of bees and our ability to produce foods like apples, blueberries, almonds, pumpkins and dozens of other vital crops. For the EPA to take action and suspend the use of Clothianidin it must declare bee die-offs to be an "imminent hazard." And with massive continuing die-offs of the species that is a cornerstone of our crop production, it's clear that is the case.

For too long, the EPA has turned a blind eye to the problem, trusting a sham study by pesticide makers over the mounting evidence that Clothianidin is not safe for our food system. It's time for the EPA to ban Clothianidin and save the bees.

Be proactive and let your voice be heard !!! Thank you , Christan

Clothianidin Pesticide Harms Honeybees And Must Be Banned

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 25, 2012 WHEN WAS YOUR TESTOSTERONE LEVEL CHECKED LAST /

" Cheer up, the worst is yet to come."

How many of you walk through life with impending doom and constantly worrying ? I was one of those people. I was always comfortable with failure and negativity when I was not sober. I loved loathing in my panic and negative thoughts. NOT ANY MORE ! I find it challenging to deal with success. I have to be ON all the time, but it does not bother me anymore. I am more comfortable in my life and success than I have ever been in my life.  I never think of the progress I have made. Others see it, I do not ! I go through life working the my 12 steps, meditation and prayer and do just fine. It is only when I reflect on my life during my sober anniversary, do I say, "Wow- was that really me. I recently relived my story while reading " Ninety Days," by Bill Gregg. It brought me back or as I would say it " keeps me Green." He also wrote " Portrait of an Addict."  I( try on a daily basis to banish all negative thoughts and move forward with faith. I am a very grateful man.

Having children changes everything. For me it did change everything. With it came a responsibility. Not every man , let alone gay men ever get to experience this responsibility.  It also changes my testosterone level according to a published study in PNAS  on September 27, 2011. It was postulated that fathers with children have lower testosterone levels than men without children. It wasn't clear whether fatherhood lowers testosterone or men with lower testosterone are less likely to become fathers.

As men we need to know our testosterone levels, It is not about your maleness or your sexual libido. It is about that lower free testosterone is a risk factor for heart disease. Recently a reputable heart journal dispelled the myth that the low total testosterone is the risk factor for heart disease. It is the free testosterone that is the risk factor.

So ask your doctor to check your total and free testosterone as well as your prostate specific antigen. The later is important if you a candidate to start hormonal therapy. I am on the fence about testosterone. I do know that anabolic steroids have been abused . There are serious side effects as enlargement of the prostate, prostate cancer, and anger/ agitation . Yet testosterone is needed if the man is depressed and has a low libido ( or sex drive ) It doesn't always to be given in intramuscular shots. It can be given orally or administered by rubbing cream ( androgel or compounded testosterone) into the skin.

There is also another answer. The answer is to block the aromatase enzyme that converts your testosterone to the female hormones as estrone, progesterone and lutenizing hormone. Some of these natural aromatase inhibitors include chrysin and quercitin ( both of which are bio-flavinoids) and pomegranate seeds.

All in all, testosterone is an incredibly important hormone for health, longevity, and vitality – in both men and women. Leading a Primal life, free of excessive stress and peppered with smart, intense workouts, full of healthy animal fats and plenty of vitamin D, should be enough to promote adequate amounts of testosterone coursing through your veins


Have your testosterone level checked. Ask your doctor...

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 23-24, 2012 PRIDE, COURAGE AND MARRIAGE

" Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year you find a better man."
       - Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was a man of all seasons. By that I mean he was more than one of the Funding Farthers of this Country. He was a writer, diplomat and an inventor. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals and the Franklin Stove.  There are many quotes from Mr Franklin that might be familar to you. two of those quotes are the following:
" Well done is better than well said. "  and " Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."

I chose the first quote as it is Gay Pride Weekend in New York City. This weekend is often associated with craziness, drug/alcohol use and ilicit sex. Since his quote ended with each year you find a new man I thought appropiate for Gay Pride. I do not think he meant every year you find a better man. It meant every year you find the better man in YOU.  It always seems that someone will ask a gay man if someone is gay ? It happens very often. I do have my own personal 'gaydar' but I cannot ascertain whether the commonly asked question if Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, Hugh Jackman or even Keanu Reeves is gay? I simply do not know.The most recent asked question was If Oprah Winfrey is gay ? I do not know. I do now that Alan Cumming and Ruppert Everett are gay because both men are 'out'  Better yet what about historical figures.
So was Benjamin Franklin, founding father of our country gay ?
It seems unlikely that Benjamin Franklin was homosexual, but you cant always judge a book by its cover so its would it be easy to just say he was and get on with your life but given his voluminous and often bawdy and suggestive correspondence with a score of women during his long life, as well as his early fathering of an illegitimate child (William Franklin). While it does appear that Franklin's decades-long marriage to Deborah Read may have been more a devoted friendship and practical partnership than a union of much passion, this fact alone provides little by which to draw or support broader conclusions about Franklin's sexuality, while much evidence argues for his heterosexual inclinations. Now , Thomas Jefferson may be another story. So has the inclinations of Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Montgomery Clift, Barbara Stanywick, and Anthony Perkins. Who cares ? These are individuals who have contributed their lives to their profession - the art of making movies.

 Gay Pride Weekend is NOT about drugs, sex, alcohol and men/women. It is about acknowledgment of a movement that began in 1969 at Stonewall Inn.  It is the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall. There are some facts about The Gay Pride March which is sometimes called a 'parade' It only requires a permit from the city, but groups like Heritage of pride consider it a March. The first annual march was called The Christopher Street Liberation Day. It costs $70,000 to produce this Gay Pride March. The first mayor to take to the streets for the march was Ed Koch. All mayors to date appear in the march/parade but many get booed. I have attended the March for many years. I have even marched in the parade.
If you never have been to a parade/March you should. You do not have to be gay to watch the parade/march. http://www.nycpride.org/events is the website to find all about the Events of This Weekend and the Pride March. It is the first parade that will feature the legal Gay Marriage. This is something I am proud of, as many of our friends. I finally got to be legally married to a man I love more than he will ever know--his name is Rick.
The Grand Marshall this year is none other than diva, Cyndi Lauper. I can tell you she is not gay, but has done so much for gay men and women, She has a husband and son. She travels round the world helping gay youth. She should be the Grand Marshall and be proud . After all we wouldn't have a residence for young gay youth if not for her. It is the True Colors Residence. Look it up and donate.
Often I am asked what books do I read ? I read everything from the History to Chocolate to the Bill Gregg's Portrait of an Addict. I just finished his Ninety Days in one night last night. It was true to home for me ! In between are bee books, herb books, and more history books, Yes I read books on Actors. I also read gay literature from Edmund White, Andrew Holleran and others. I am a constant contributor of the gay magazine, Instinct since its conception more than 10 years ago. I am proud to be one of their health writers. The two books above are important for young gay men and women.

Enjoy the day.

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 22, 2012 A NEW HOBBY: MAKING SEA MOSS DRINKS

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A brilliant man and superb author/writer. This statement describes that no one can help  others without first helping himself/herself. A caring , beautiful woman known throughout the world asked this. " Why did God give you two hands.?" The person she asked did not know at that time in his life. She said this, " God gave you two hands for this reason. One to help others , and the other to help yourself." That individual was me in 1990s in the CCU of a New York City Hospital. The most beautiful woman who directed the question to  me was Audrey Hepburn. She visiting a friend in the CCU while on a UNICEF tour. I have never forgotten that day nor her face and the warmth of her hands. To this day, I will cherish that advice. It was the beginning of a new life for me, but I did not know what was in store for me for the future. I try to the best of my ability to continually help patients, but I could not do that unless I continually help myself in all disciplines of life.

Have you ever tried sea moss? When I was studying medicine in the Caribbean especially in St. Vincents and Barbados i was introduced to Irish Sea Moss drinks. At first they tasted not so bad, and as i drank more and more on sunny days to ease my heat exhaustion, they began to taste better. My first ones was at the Nutmeg Cafe in Grenada. I then had a priest make me one on the island Petit St Vincents.
Seaweed is effective against many health conditions. Sea Moss is effective against varicose veins, halitosis ( bad - foul smelling breath) inflammation and dysentery. Irish sea moss has also been used as an emollient. It has been used to prevent cholesterol formation, and to decrease blood pressure ( hypertension) It is used in the island for many bladder conditions. Sea moss provides the most magnificent healing properties from cancer and radiation poison. This is due to the high iodine content. Therefore it can be used to treat an under active (hypothyroid) condition.
Sea moss is also an excellent source of magnesium and sodium in addition to the iodine.



SEA MOSS DRINK RECIPE:



2 oz. dried sea moss (available at Caribbean markets )
Juice of ½ lime
2 ½ cups water, divided
4 cups evaporated milk ( can use almond or unsweetened soy)
½ sugar ( I use agave)
2 tsp. Angostura Bitters

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place sea moss in a bowl with the lime juice and ½ cup of the water. Allow to soak overnight.
2. Drain, place in a saucepan with 2 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the sea moss looks like a wad of jelly. Remove the pan from the heat and cool.
3. Place the seam moss mixture in a blender with the evaporated milk and sugar. Puree for 1 minute, or until smooth. Add the bitters and serve over crushed ice.

Until tomorrow....

JUNE 21, 2012 SOBER ANNIVERSARY

In July or August 1994 I attended a sober anniversary meeting. I didn't know what to expect.  I recently overheard a comment from someone who said “Sobriety anniversary? Who would ever want to celebrate being sober?” I asked my sponsor at the time, why do people celebrate every year  as they get sober ? He said, wait and you will find out.  I always want to celebrate my sober anniversary. To me it is more important than my umbilical cord or biological birthday. As far as I am concerned it is the single most accomplishment  that I am most happy with. I am not saying that graduating different levels of education are not important. These accomplishments are also proud moments. For me my biological/birth and my sober birth are in the same month- JUNE. June for the longest time kept me frozen. It was the month that I performed CPR on my mother thirty years ago. It held me in guilt for a long time. June is also the month my parents were wed. Unfortunately they never celebrated their twenty five anniversary together, but  now in a better place without suffering they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. I truly miss both of them ! It was difficult for my father to understand why anyone would destroy themselves with an addiction. But it happens . I am not unique. Anyone who is not in a twelve step program does not understand the importance of another year of sobriety.
.
As an addict in recovery, I can speak for many people that sobriety anniversaries are extremely important. They are major accomplishments! I cannot express the utter amazement I experience every passing year of continued sobriety. As my anniversary month was approaching I began to reflect on the past eighteen years. I am proud of myself for the work I have done. It was NOT just stopping the addicted substance. It was working the twelve steps of a recovery program. It has been utilizing all the steps in my daily life.  I have many friends for whom I initially started the program with. I was 2 years sober when I met Patrick. We are truly best friends. My best friend will be celebrating twenty years in the Fall.

Sobriety birthdays are an event that is nothing like a regular birthday: it's not something we dread as we get older, but rather it's another year of freedom from addiction. Another 365 days of rebuilding our lives and going from complete self-loathing to find meaning and purpose. I have found meaning in my life and the life around me. I am peace. I have a purpose. Last night, one minute after midnight a card was by my side of the bed. In it was a anniversary card with a blue 18th (XVIII ) coin. It was from Rick. I am a grateful man


For me happiness could be the first spring rain. Happiness is spending time doing nothing with a loved one. Happiness is saving the bee population and using its hive products to heal individuals. Propolis is one of  those bee products that have been used for million of years. There have always been bees and there have always been beekeepers. Propolis is a sticky resin which seeps from the buds of certain trees. The bees gather propolis, and it is sometimes called " bee glue" The worker bees ( which are always females) take the resinous material and add salivary secretions and wax flakes to it and use the be propolis is two ways. First, they use the bee propolis to reinforce their wooden hives boxes, and second it is used to protect the hive from bacterial and viral infections. Every part of the hive which is made from bees are used. This includes the bee propolis, the bee wax, the bee pollen, the royal jelly, and course the honey.
Propolis consists of 55% resinous compounds and balsams, 30% beeswax, 10% aromatic oils and 5% bee pollen. Propolis is not as simple as it sounds on paper. It is a complex structure which contains potent terpenes and benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic and phenol acids. It is very high in flavinoids which as humans we find very helpful as an anti oxidant. Most plants which contains medicines contain flavinoids.

Save the bees !

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 20, 2012 YOU WANT VITAMIN C?

“If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.”
― Mark Twain

“The best fiction is far more true than any journalism.”
― William Faulkner

In the five years I have chosen not to read the newspaper on a daily basis. I do not read The Daily News, The Wall Street Journal or Newsday. I do read the New York Times on selective days. I read it on Tuesday for the Science Times, Friday for the weekend events in New York City and Sunday for the Arts and Leisure section as well as Book Reviews. I do not want to read about politics, wars, and murders. I enjoy the Science Section as a true biologist and botanist. Yesterday, honeybees made the paper again in an article titled , " As Swarms Startle New York, Officer on Bee Beat Stays Busy." It was great to read that there are multiple bee swarms within the New York City metropolitan area. This means that there are more NYC beekeepers than are registered. This means individuals are taking beekeeping seriously. There were 3 reported honeybee swarms within one week.
In addition there were articles on topics that I blog about on a readily basis. There was an Observatory article on the carnivorous plant, the Pitcher Plant. There was a claim about the herb, Ginseng relieving fatigue. The quip discussed a randomized double blind trial on 290 cancer patients with promising results.
An article , Personal Best on the benefits of exercise, as well as fatigue as a symptom for patients who take the statin class of drugs which are used to lower cholesterol. The most amazing article was that HIV patients on retro viral therapy are getting heart attacks at younger ages.
So in this case, reading the Science Times on Tuesdays can inform and reinforce the benefits of herbs, the importance of bees, and new discoveries on old topics.

The bright colored round orange fruit that grows in the Rain forest has the highest concentration  of  Vitamin C according to some recent studies. This fruit is called the Kamu. Compared to when I grew up , the orange was the fruit that moms pushed at the breakfast table. Oranges  provided 500 to 4,000 parts per million Vitamin C or ascorbic acid. The Kamu provides 21,000 to 500,000 parts per million ascorbic acid. So do you want an Orange or a kamu for your next breakfast ? The kamu provides 30 times more ascorbic acid, 3 times more niacin, twice as much as riboflavin and 50% more phosphorous.

For the local communities, Kamu or camu camu is highly profitable as the Westerners want it. Ethobotanists feel that it is more worth more than cutting the forest and raising cattle, Now there is a good change for once in the environment.
The fruits mature at the high water or flooding seasons in the Amazon. many a local use canoe to wild harvest there fruits along the banks of the rivers. How clever ! In Peri, ice cream and other drinks are made from the camu (Kamu) fruit )
Try the Camu . Start with 1/2 teaspoon twice a day, and if you have a cold increase to 1 teaspoon twice a day.
I can guarantee your cold will be much better in hours !

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 19, 2012 SO YOU WANT TO BE A VEGETARIAN ?

"The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and elevating them to art." - William Morris

I received this card from my friends Marius and Tracie. The written words after the quote inside the card  state, " You certainly did that ! " I sat and thought about Mr Morris' quote. To the best of my ability I try to lead a happy life. I do take interest in the small things life has to offer.Examples are the sun, the plants, the insects and of course, the people in the world. More importantly I have taken an active role in the environment or Earth Mother. I genuinely care about people As individuals we can make a difference !

I am involved in a movement,. There are many movements int he world. One in which I am asked lots of questions about is the movement into veganism.  So you want to be a vegetarian ? What is the reason ? It is an ethical position you are taking on animal rights and the environment? Is it a spiritual or religious reason? Or are you merely experimenting with the many benefits that following a plant based diet has to offer ? Regardless of the reason you must understand some basic rules of DO and DO NOTS. This movement should be done without guilt. During my college and medical schools days I was a semi vegan. I only ate fish. No eggs, no cheese and definitely No animal products. I do not remember what inspired me to do this. I know now it would be the environment or reading Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore Dilemma that would inspire me. Some vegans do not eat bee products. This is something I do not understand and await a good answer from a solid vegan,

Whatever the reason you must think of your cravings for food. Cravings can be powerful and you must learn to deal with them. You have a carving for something that is not vegan. Focus your mind and eye on the food. Where is this feeling coming from? Are you angry? Are you sad? What is the feeling? Most of us do not feel enough. Sure we feel pain if we hurt our body. For example you are upset with another individual--where is the pain coming from ? Do you feel a knot in your stomach, you your palm become sweaty ?  So you want that piece of delicious cheese - you better have an alternative of cut carrots and celery real close to you to shift the craving in your mind,

I heard this...Any movement into veganism must be filled conscious of the body's fundamental needs, stated Christopher Hassett. He wrote a great article in the East Villager . It is known that poor vegan diets are deficient in B12 and omega 3 fatty acids. These both are real important in long term mental and physical health. I have two major suggestions:
1. Hemp and 2. Chia seeds. Hemp is non-dairy vegan and one of the best, quality sources of plant based nutrition. Two thirds of its nutrients are deemed essential. Now that's cool. Hemp contains EFA's ( esssential fatty acid) and omega 3 and 6 int he balanced 1:3 ratio. We as humans DO NOT make essential fatty acids, We have to acquire them from food. They are needed for energy production, brain health function and overall skin and digestive health,.  The two super omegas - SDA and GLA are not found in other nut sources as flax, pumpkin, sunflower and soy. So try hemp today. You also will get magnesium, iron, potassium, fiber and Vitamin E.
The second great source of omega 3 is is Chia seeds. It is high in alpha-linolenic acid. Do not grind these seeds Eat them just the way they are. I put them in a nut mix called Dr Frat;'s Nut Mix sold in Longevity Nutritionals. ( www.longevitynutritionals.com. I know many athletes who eats lots of Chia seeds. These seeds are highly hydrophilic which means they absorb lots of water. The seeds are a great enhancer in hydrating our body. There are great studies on the benefits of chia seeds for diabetics. These seeds can help you lose weight as so will feel full eating them.

So try Chia seeds

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 18, 2012 BEE HAPPY AND BEE CONTENT

Life in abundance comes only through great love.” Elbert Hubbard

“Love is the immortal flow of energy that nourishes, extends and preserves. Its eternal goal is life.” Smiley Blanton

" It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success can be recognized "


Love was as in abundance this past weekend. My cup flowed over. It was one of these weekend when the miracle was there. Rick, Alyssa , Gregory and I have spent weekends together many times. This was different. It was Rick's first real or legal Father's Day. It was my birthday as well as Father's Day. We truly are a family and this weekend was best example. We laughed, cried, worked, played and sunned together. We watched movies. We had a birthday dinner with friends, Evan and Donald. I went to a 12 step meeting to announce my upcoming 18th sober anniversary.  Regardless of the errors I have made in the past, I have been making healthy choices with integrity. From the moment I made choices with integrity, my recovery began to take form. It has continued for almost 18 years. I do not think I made correct choices until I was 8 years sober. I had a reawakening with my G.O.D., prayer and meditation.  Today I am my authentic self with flaws and all. I am not perfect and never want to be perfect. I continually want progress. We all witnessed the miracle of life among honeybees. Gregory and Alyssa watched on as Rick and I hived our some 200,000 bees. It was a blessing that during the Friday night ride in the car to Sayville  and more importantly on the ferry that none of the bees escaped. What a ferry scandal would have occurred if the bees had escaped ! On  Saturday, my 39th birthday ( I only wish ) I had the privilege to unpack, and hive our bees with Rick, Alyssa and Gregory .


Why are we beekeepers ? Why does it matter ?  It matters to me. I want to do something about a crisis that is happening as we speak. If you don't have honeybees you will be eating less fruit and vegetables on your dinner plate ! Bees are making headlines these days, and not in a positive way. Colony collapse disorder has cut through honeybee populations, with some beekeepers reportedly losing up to 90 percent of their stock in recent years. European bee populations are also declining, and so are some species of North American bumblebee. That data is often interpreted to mean that all of the world's 20,000 bee species are in danger, and that we may be in the midst of a "global pollinator crisis." But there's little data to back up those claims, scientists say. In May 2012, Scientific American published an article entitled: Hive and Seek: Domestic Honeybees Keep Disappearing, but Are Their Wild Cousins in Trouble, Too? I found the article very interesting !
So if you find bees interesting and you want to help--YOU CAN. You can join .thehoneybeeconservatory.org .

You can take action today and help make our world a healthier place for bees. Here are things that you can do to save our bees:

1. Plant a bee-friendly garden. Flowers – especially ones native to your area – help feed bees and other valuable pollinators. Native plants also oftentimes require less water and fertilizer than non-native plants. You will be doing a huge favor to native species of bees, who have adapted over thousands of years to feed off these plants.
2.  Start a honeybee hive. You can directly impact the health of your local ecosystem by starting a honeybee hive. Plus, you get the added benefits of bee products such as honey, beeswax, as well as the satisfaction and joy derived from working with a hive. Contact your local beekeeping club for more information. Rick and I did a beekeeping course at http://www.honeybeeslives.org/  You can also do a beekeeping course at the New York Botanical Gardens. (http://www.nybg.org/)

3. Sponsor a Hive. If you can’t start your own hive or would like to help increase the number of hives, why not help fund new hive installations? The Honeybee Conservancy is working with Bee Native to install stocked honeybee hives and provide beekeeping training to American Indian communities across the U.S. On the http://www.thehoneybeeconservatory.org/ you can find out how to sponsor a hive.

On Sunday, I observed Rick sitting in the back of The Little Red House staring at the hive. He watched as bees came and went. He happened to catch me at another hour watching the same back hive as well as the front hive. I was very content with our progress and hiving our 200,000 bees. Thanks goes to Grai and Chris from bringing them down from Upstate. I only hope and pray that no Fire Island resident takes their own anger out on innocent honeybees !
For the first time in a long time did I find Fire Island peaceful. I was with my loved ones. I was doing something we wanted to do. Fire Island Drama was no where in site - how blissful ! I got to see friends we wanted to see. I felt no obligation. I got two solo early morning meditations on the beach. I even had an outdoor screening of Lucille Ball's , MAME with Rick, Francesca, Alyssa, Grant and Spencer.

I am a most grateful man.

Until tomorrow....

JUNE 16- 17, 2012 AUTHENTIC LIFE

" Human beings figure out somewhat more of their true direction, not by the high stars, but by stubbing their toes on things stuck in the mud they are slogging through." - Carolyn Gratton

I have stubbed my toes plenty in my years. Most of the toe stubbing was done when in the dark, deep in the mud  with my character defects astray. It took some years to get out of the mud. When I emerged I wasn't that pretty monarch butterfly I had hoped. I emerged in the same month as my birth month - June . It was not the same year as my birth month --I emerged in 1994. At the beginning of the year, actually the first day of the first month I attended a wake/funeral of my beloved Uncle Joe.
I had to practice true humility. I had to strip away the false notions about myself  and the situations I woudl face in order to deal with what is real. During these lost 18 years I suffered many losses. It has taken great strengths, lots of meetings, and discussions with my sponsor(s) to get where I am today.
I had to be simple. I could not get swept away by others agendas. I had to take care of me and my own agenda. I had also to take away any thoughts I what life should be at the begining of my sober life. Now some 18 years later ( short of 5 days) I only stub my toes accidentally. I am NOT deep in mud. I am awake, I acknowledge and I accept. I have a grateful life. I am happy. I am joyous and I am free. It would be a lie to tell you that thgis occurs on an every day basis. It does not. But the worst day today is so much better than those days in the mud.

Within days of my birth- was Father's Day June 19th 1960. I was a gift to my father. My brother was a gift to my parents on Mother's Day one year later. Father's Day in the United States is on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children's lives. Its origins may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in 1907.
In my years I have celebrated my birthdate on Father';s Day - 7 times, the last being 2002. That was also the last birthday/father's day I would have with my dad. Our last father's day was June 2005. Next year, 2013, Father's Day and my birthday will be again on the same day.
This year, my husband, Rick will be celebrating Father's Day with me. He can truly say, legally that he is a step-father this year. This brings tears to my eyes.

In order to grow, you must forgive, I am blessed with the ability to forgive others for the pain they have caused me. I can forgive family, friends, and past 'love' relationships.In my practice I see many who have not forgiven their parents. Given who my parents were, where they came from, and the forces they were up against in the late 1950 and 1960's, I know they were doing their best they could. I have compassion and understanding for the parents they were. How could I not ? I am their son. I also loved them then and  even today. Every circumstance between a child and their parents is different !

I have been fortunate to have one surrogate father. He was born in Black Cats, Virginia. I met him more than 10 years ago. The night after I met him, I was his medical attending in Roosevelt Hospital as banana pudding caused an allergic reaction. We got to know each other for the next 6 weeks as he traveled from hospital to hospital with a new medical condition.
His name is Frederick E Byrd, Sr. He has a rough year, but the coming months are looking splendid. We look forward to his arrival with his wife, Nancy at La Guardia Airport in the next few months. I am a grateful man.

In 18 years of this jounrey I have turned my breathing to transform negative energy into love. I have perfomed rituals of forgiveness thus releasing my resentments. There was a time in a special unit that I wrote in large letters on large colored construction paper my resentments. I then put them in the flames of a burning log. What relief -

I have learned that I can say anything to anybody, good or bad as long as I put these three words after what I say - the three little words are not I love you, but instead Bless their heart. For example, He is such a negative person, bless his heart. Or the Fire Island community has some members with screws loose,--bless their hearts.

See I am smiling ...

JUNE 15, 2012 PEACE AND QUIET IN NYC

" The world consists of power struggles between competing values. The resolution of the power struggles will determine the very makeup of the universe..." - Larry Graham

I see many power struggles. It is between the Democrats and the Republicans.  It is between the insurance companies and the doctors. It is between husbands and wives. It is between religions. It is between pharmaceutical companies  and patients. Unfortunately it is between human and human, and man's technology against Earth Mother. Do you worry about the environment. ? Do you see what is happening to the world and its surrounding nature. ?

I do not want a power struggle to determine the outcome of the environment or Earth Mother. Yet, for the grace of G.O.D.  ( good orderly direction) I do not have to worry about it every minute. I will not live in the future. I will however participate to do my part to prevent this destruction. I do it by caring for my plants, insects, and most of all, other human beings.

It is Friday. Have you ever thought of a quiet place to go and sit . There are plenty of those places. Yes, even here in New York City. I could name a few right now as the Botanical Gardens, 40th Street Terrace, Robert Wagner Jr Memorial Park, The Lighthouse on Roosevelt Island or Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Central Park alone has a multitude of places.

Wait you want a cup of tea. Well I have just the place for you. The Inn at Irving Place on the east side has the socialization of tea for you. It is called Lady Mendl's Tea Salon. It is at 56 Irving Place and 17th Street.  I haven't been there in some time but I believe it is still open. Check out http://www.ladymendls.com/  I know you must have a reservation and it does cost some money. Make this a special Friday tea.
I love English films. I love the Brits. I studied in England for ten years. I loved it when as a surgical resident, the surgeons would break for a 4 pm afternoon tea. I feel like my afternoon tea was with Rupert Everett, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. It was a great way to sit quietly and sometimes even chat. Usually no one said anything but enjoyed the afternoon tea. As an American I wanted to talk, but I quickly learned this was quiet time.

Make your day or someone you love - their day by sitting in this 1834 townhouse in Gramercy Park for afternoon tea. You can even stroll around Gramercy Park after day.

Ok, you are broke as most New Yorkers. You want flowers, and water and goldfish. Across town and up at 97th Street between Broadway and West End Ave is a garden. It is called the Lotus Garden. http://www.lotusgarden.org/  It is open on Sundays from 1 pm - 4 pm It is only open on Sundays. It is twenty feet above a 97th Street atop a busy parking garage. What happens when you combine an activist with a plant lover ? You get a fragrant LOTUS GARDEN. Kudos to Mark Greenwald and Carrie Maher. This is a terrific way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I will make this visit a priority on my next Sunday afternoon after Father's Day.  I have heard there are a lot of fragrant herbs and cherry trees. Do not be disappointed about this but there are no Lotus Plants.

You can close your eyes and see them if you really try---

Until tomorrow....

JUNE 14 2012 - VITA-MEAT-A-ASH-WA-GAN-DA

" Tears are not the pain. They are the healing ' - Dr Annette Goodheart

We all have cried sometime in our lives. Sometimes tears can be painful in certain situations. Pain from falling down the stairs, or falling off your bicycle. Pain can also be the tears of losing a loved one. It is hard or difficult to lose someone you love. The person could be present on this Earth but you have lost him/her or the person could be gone. He/She could have died. These are tears of healing. Healing you,  the person who is left here is so important. I have learned this in some difficult times.


I am sure you remember the I Love Lucy episode when she does a commercial for Vitameatavegamen. It is so funny. Google it . By the end of the skit - she is tipsy from the alcohol content and ' Are you unpoopular "
I have substituted Vitrameatavegemin for Ashwaganda.( Withania somnifera )

Hello friends.
I'm your VitameataASHWAGANDA boy
Are you tired, run-down, listless?
Do you poop out at parties?
Are you unpopular?
The answer to all your problems is in this little bottle.
Vitameatavegamin. I propose withania somnifera
Yes, Vitameatavegamin withania contains

No Vitamins
No Meat
NoVegetables
and No Minerals.
It is an herb


Yes, with Vitameataashwaganda, you can spoon your way to health
All you do is take a great big tablespoonful after every meal.
Mmmmmmm.....
It's so tasty, too!
Tastes just like candy!

So why don't you join all the thousands of happy peppy people and get a great big bottle of ASHWAGANDA tomorrow!

That's ASH -WA- GAN -DA ( WINK!)

Ashwaganda is an adaptogen. It has many properties. It is anti-inflammatory, an anti oxidant, a hypoglycemic agent as well as an immune supportive herb. There are many botanical adaptogens. Most of what I have learned about adaptogens comes from David Winston, RH lectures and his books. He loves adaptogens as much as I do. He is the father of adaptogen use. The uses of this herb are many ranging from asthma, arthritis to adrenal support, cancer and failure to thrive in children.
The best asset of this herb is that it improves and conserves adaptive energy.
With all the stress in this world and your every day life, your adrenal glands are truly "pooping' out. You have adrenal fatigue. For those of you that do not know this - the adrenal gland is on top of each kidney. It releases the stress hormones for your life. After much usage of this gland and its hormones it begins to get tired and poop out. This is called Adrenal Fatigue.
The good news is that you can take ashwaganda. There are clinical trials and studies to support the use of this herb for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders as well as Parkinson's disease.
I love it as it increases my stamina. I do not think I need more stamina than I have but a little extra is always good. I find it terrific fort memory and cognition. There are studies for this herb for energy.

Try it!
You will like it !

Until tomorrow

JUNE 13, 2012 NOT SO WICKED INSECTS

" To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.”  - William H Walton



Grudges serve no purpose in life. It is holding on to a resentment and anger, which will eventually lead to you being ill. As we hold on to resentments/anger we unbalance our throat chakra. This imbalance in the throat chakra will lead to confrontational issues as well imbalances in our thyroid. The thyroid gland is essential for balancing the metabolic rate of the body, body temperature and overall well-being. By the way, the thyroid gland is located in the neck- mid line. For some reason I had a large number of cases of thyroidits ( which I feel is common as it is associated with gluten) and thyroid cancers. In the last 2 months I have made the diagnosis of thyroid cancer in 4 patients. I recommended thyroid scans on these patients after the history/physical exam. These ultrasounds led to a fine needle aspiration. The pathology of these cases were all thyroid cancer.

Was there some anger/.resentment in these individuals ? Did this anger and resentment lead to a cancer ?  In reviewing data, there seems to be a increased incidence of cancer in individuals who are angry.

“When you hold a grudge, you want someone else’s sorrow to reflect your level of hurt but the two rarely meet.”  ― Steve Maraboli  Life, the Truth, and Being Free

I love Mr Maraboli's book. The quote is so appropriate when you re-read it more than 5 times.
Why hold on to grudges ? Life is too short. Knowing me , this is one of my character defects I have been working on- letting go of resentments. I pray and meditate for these to be lifted. I send prayers to individuals whom I hold the resentment/grudge in hoping of letting go. I write a gratitude list at night before bed. Mostly I wish no one harm despite what he/she has done to me in the past. I want good karma. I might say hello to those or choose not to. Usually I do as a hello as it is a good practice . I am practicing humility and humbleness. Ella Peterson (Judy Holiday) in " Bells Are Ringing"  with Dean Martin did it on a subway car and the results were remarkable. You see watching old movies can be of a benefit. Saying hello causes no harm




When a bee stings, it injects a barbed stinger and a venom sac into the skin. Immediate removal of the stinger and the venom sac can prevent further pain and swelling. The best method for removing the stinger is to scrape the stinger out with a credit card or longish fingernail. If you try to pull the stinger out, you will likely break the sac, releasing more venom and making the sting feel worse. And remember, hands off! Although you may want to scratch the sting, this can increase swelling (and therefore pain), as well as increase your chances of infection. Treat your bee sting at home with these natural remedies. I utilize all disciplines of medicine - ayurveda, homeopathy, botanical, folk remedies and even flower essences.,
If you know you are allergic to bee stings you should always carry a Epi Pen.

Folklore Treatments:
1. Honey: Folk lore says that if you’re stung by a bee, treat it with honey! Why not use the bee's honey to treat a sting. It does make sense. There are great studies on Australian Manuka honey for wound infections.  Honey’s antibacterial properties will prevent the sting from getting infected.

2. Baking soda: Bee stings contain formic acid, so applying a paste of alkaline baking soda and water helps to neutralize the sting and its side effects. (If you’re suffering from a wasp sting, which is more alkaline, apply vinegar, which contains acetic acid, to the sting instead.)
3. Toothpaste: Although it might sting at first, applying toothpaste to the stung area can help neutralize the pain. Like baking soda, toothpaste contains alkaline ingredients that neutralize the venom in the sting.

4. Meat tenderizer: This kitchen-cupboard cure contains an ingredient called papain that breaks down the proteins found in bee venom.

5. Ice: This cheap and easy natural remedy numbs the pain and reduces swelling. Although it seems like the most simple, it’s probably the most effective—and you’re probably more likely to find ice than the other remedies if you’re on-the-go!

6. Juice of onion and cucumber - can be applied to sting or bite ; I have never used this remedy but does sound soothing especially the cucumber


Botanical / Herbal remedies:
1. Pot Marigold ( Calendula ssp ):  Applying calendula cream to the stung area can reduce swelling and itching. Because calendula has antiseptic properties, it can also help prevent infection.

2., The leaves of wormwood and sage can be macerated and applied to bee strings as well as spider stings

3. Plantain ( Plantago major ) the leaves of his plant are the most useful; Know what the plant looks like It probably grows in your backyard and you think it is a weed. Weeds are plants which contain medicinal properties

4. Witch hazel - this is great for stings but I reserve for more mosquito bites than bee stings

Essential Oils:

1. Oil of lavender - can be applied to reduce swelling; All of these shoudl be in your first aid kit.

2. Tea tree oil - 1 drop on the bite can be rubbed in; takes the pain and  swelling away

3. Eucalyptus - dilute three drops of this oil in a cup of water and apply to exposed area. If the bite is near the eyes-- DO NOT USE

For now these are enough remedies. You should have a herbal first aid kit handy at all times. I know Rick and I making one up for Gregory as he will be in Belize at the primate Research Lab and Belize Zoo for the next 3 months. He will need most of the above remedies

Until tomorrow...,