SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 WITCHY HERBS

"DO NOT LET LIFE DISCOURAGE YOU; EVERYONE WHO GOT WHERE HE/SHE IS HAD TO BEGIN WHERE HE/SHE WAS." -R.L.EVANS

Life can discourage anyone. Does life discourage you? I had to begin somewhere to allow me to get where I am today. I love that. It seems logical and makes sense.

Why should you let life discourage you? Be grateful for what you have. I think it is important to make a pro and con list of your life. What is good? and What is bad? Everyone had to go through something in their life to get where they are today. Some had to go through more than others. During the late 1980's and early 1990's AIDS epidemic, many of my friends died. I lost about 15 - 20 young men friends. Some were older than me and were my mentors. One of my father's cousins, Anthony died during that time. He introduced me to his group of friends back then. Not one of them are alive today. How sad to lose such young talented men!

We all have had loss. Loss of a loved one, a parent, a pet, and even a job. The loss has taught me to treat life as fragile, special and priveledged. I do not take life for granted. I see too many patients who are suffering. Some of those who suffer are the most peaceful and serene. They have treated life with love and affection. Nine years ago tomorrow, I had a large loss. I lost patients, friends, and firemen during the 9/11/01 tragedy. I do not want to discuss it tomorrow, as there will be much coverage. I only ask you to say an extra prayer before sunrise tomorrow. Be grateful and happy that you have gone through what you have gone through. Be at peace. If you have an addiction, remember your worst sober day can never compare to the days you were not sober.


For the last few days I have discussed liver disease herbs . I have discussed many of the common cholagogues such as goldenseal, turtlehead, artichoke, barberry, dandelion, yellow dock, and figwort. I did not discuss vervain or blue vervain.

Blue Vervain is edible and medicinal. Vervain had many uses in Native American culture as food and medicine. The seeds are edible when roasted and are ground into a powder and used as a piñole (an Indian flour). The leaves and roots of Blue Vervain are a valuable alternative medicine used as an anti-diarrheal, analgesic, anti-helmintic, antiperiodic, astringent, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary. It is useful in intermittent fevers, ulcers, pleurisy, scrofula, gravel, easing pain in the bowels and expelling worms. I have never used vervain for parasites. I prefer wormwood (artesmesia), black walnut oil and cloves.

Verbena (verbenas or vervains) is a genus in the family Verbenaceae. It contains about 250 species of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants. The majority of the species are native to the New World from Canada south to southern Chile, but some are also native in the Old World, mainly in Europe. These include Common Vervain (V. officinalis) and V. supina.

I wish there was a book of historical use of these herbs. There is not one book, but many references. Vervain was believed to possess magical and aphrodisiac properties and was once widely used in various rites and incantations associated with witchcraft and sorcery. According to legend, vervain was used on the Mount of Calvary to staunch Christ's wounds. Roman soldiers carried vervain to protect them in battle. Vervain is not mentioned in Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible.

I find it intriguing to discuss herbs in witchcraft. There are many herbs used in witchcraft.
Herbs that are used in the Wiccan religion have ruling planets and a ruling element, a gender, and usually an overseeing god or goddess. Many of the common kitchen herbs are used in different Wiccan ways. Common uses are for spell casting, for incense burning, or for baths and oils (much like aromatherapy). Using herbs with the Wicca religion is generally viewed as what is called "Green Witchcraft". Wiccans who primarily use herbs are also termed "Green Witches". Most herbs typically have an "essence". This essence, combined with the belief of the person will radiate throughout the herb's use. There are wonderful books on the Wiccan religion, especially Path of the Green Man.

Basil (Mars, Fire, Masculine) Usually used in love or wealth settings, you can use this in a bath to free an old love from your heart or to bring a new love in. Used in purification rituals and makes a good exorcism incense. Basil has the essence of "fidelity". This is a great herb for ALL GAY MEN.

Bay Leaves (Sun, Fire, Masculine) This herb is used in vision and clairvoyance potions for wisdom. It has several different functions such as warding off evil when carried and can be scattered on the floor and swept away for protection or scattered for an exorcism. It is good to add to a cleansing bath or tea
It is powerful in love spells, especially in attracting masculine energies.

Camellia (Moon, Water, Feminine) Camellia flowers are used to show thankfulness or to bring riches into the life. You can place fresh blooms in water to bring prosperity to the altar during a ritual.

Caraway (Mercury, Air, Masculine) Caraway seeds used in spells will ensure faithfulness and used in cooking will invoke lust for the eater. Carry caraway for protection against harmful spirits or spells.

Catnip (Venus, Water, Feminine) Used obviously in animal spells for increasing the bond with the animal and for healing uses. You can use catnip to bring on psychic talent during meditation and as a relaxing tea. Love magic uses catnip by burning the dry leaves.


Since the dawn of man, humans have looked to their natural surroundings for food, shelter and medicinal treatment. Wiccans take this one step further by utilizing the powers inherent in herbs, crystals and stones for use in magic spells and divination rituals. Yes, I am a physician discussing these topics. There is an interest by many people. I respect other's beliefs. Do I actually practice Wicca? NO I practice spirituality through the 11th Step in AA: Prayer and Meditation. Here is a list of herbs commonly used in the practice of Wicca.

Angelica root: Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the blood, this herb is used in magic to build creative feminine energy. Balm of Gilead Buds: The resin from these buds (extracted by letting them soak in olive oil for a couple of weeks) can be used in matters of necromancy, divination and concentration. In love spells, it does well to reunite separated lovers.

Belladonna: Caution needs to be used with this herb as it is poisonous. You shouldn't allow it to come in contact with your skin and definitely keep it away from the mouth and eyes. If you do ingest it, make a trip to the hospital as people have died from consuming belladonna. STAY AWAY FROM THIS HERB.

Blackthorn berries: This herb (berry, technically) works wonders in protection spells but its controlling powers can also be used to do harm upon others through control. It can be ingested, especially when used to infuse a drink, and is known to help with sleep troubles and inflammations.

Blue Mallow Flowers: This herb was used in Mayday celebrations. In magic, it can be used in love and water spells. Putting it under a pillow can help with dream work and since this doesn't have a scent won't bother you to have so close to your head.

Enough of Witchcraft Herbs...
WITCHCRAFT
Those fingers in my hair.
That sly come hither stare
that strips my conscience bare
it's witchcraft.
And I've got no defense for it.
The heat is too intense for it.
What good would commonsense for it do?
'Cause it's witchcraft!Wicked witchcraft.
And although I know it's strictly taboo
when you arouse the need in me
my heart says "yes indeed" in me
Proceed with what you're lead in 'me to!
It's such an ancient pitch
but one I wouldn't switch'
Cause there's no nicer witch than you!

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 23, 2010 GREAT TEACHERS AND HERBS

"Life's most difficult challenges are our greatest teachers and an opportunity for growth"
--unknown


How profound to think that life's challenges can be our teachers. But it does make sense. I have turned my difficult challenges/obstacles into positives because I have learned from these experiences. I never considered those obstacles to be my teachers at the time. If I think of it in this regard, I have had some of the greatest teachers in the world.

When I think of great teachers or mentors I have had, I think of Dr Robert Atkins, Dr. Andrew Weil, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Neary, Mr. Lombardo, Mr Sette, Ms. Greopler, Ms. Tom, Professor Laser, Professor Fuytima, and Dr. N Goldberg. Some of these were grade school and middle school teachers, one is a doctor from London, two are high school teachers and two are famous doctors. Rick has also been a teacher for me... a real honest, tell it like it is teacher for me. My children have been teachers for me. AA has been a teacher. Students I have taught over the years have been great teachers for me. Now, as I ponder here and write, my life HAS BEEN a great teacher. I never thought of it in this way. I would have loved to have Oscar Wilde and Sir William Osler to have been my teachers. Of course through their writings, they are. I am blessed.

A blog follower/friend handed me the following quote. She thought of me while reading the daily blogs. In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer - Albert Camus I read it once, twice and then again-yes, that is me. Thanks Catherine.

So in the same mode, I had a great teacher this weekend. Not the conventional teacher in a rigid , cold classroom. Is there anything conventional about herbalists? Am I conventional? Well if you are a follower you know I am far from the conventional minded person. I am always open to new challenges, new ideas and new aspects of medicine.

Yesterday I talked about 3 herbs: ragweed, eyebright and lobelia. In the past blogs I have discussed gastrointestinal health. In late March (30th and 31st) I discussed Natural Therapies for Your Gut and Herbs for Your Gut, respectively. We also discussed food allergies in early March. Actually all of March is about your gut - It is about IBS- Irratible Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a group of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that share a variety of lower abdominal symptoms. These include pain, cramping, bloating, gassiness and either diarrhea/constipation or both. Symptoms typically occur after a meal or during stressful situations. The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to various stimuli, so stress, diet, pharmaceuticals, hormones and any other irritant may aggravate the colon’s tendency to contract. There are many treatment options, including the prescribing either antispasmodic drugs or bulk-producing agents. In either case, the practitioner’s sympathetic approach plays a major role in treatment.

Conventional treatments focus on relieving symptoms, but the integrative approach we use at Fratellone Medical Associates addresses the causes of various gastrointestinal disorders. As with many conditions, nutrition plays a large role. Food allergies can cause or aggravate most GI disorders and must be addressed to provide lasting relief.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is also known as spastic colon or nervous indigestion. IBS is one of the most common disorders that doctors see. Yet in retrospect it one of the diseases that patients are not comfortable talking about because they feel that the signs and symptoms may be embarrassing.

Some of the symptoms are:

Abdominal cramping
Bloating and gas
Diarrhea, constipation or both

As many as one in five Americans has IBS. One you learn to control the symptoms after some various testing is done, the patient improves. Although IBS symptoms can indicate more serious intestinal diseases, like Ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s Disease, or regional enteritis; IBS doesn’t cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue that increase your risk for colorectal cancer.

Other diseases sometimes associated with IBS include:
1. Lactose Intolerance
2. Diverticular Disease
3. Candidiasis
4. Celiac Disease

So, today I will discuss three herbs used for your gut. I will not discuss herbs for constipation until later in the week. I want to discuss the herbs that can be used for both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), which is Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis.

So let's begin with Cat-Nip. Nepeta cataria (also known as catnip, catswort or catmint) is a plant in the Lamiaceae family. Remember also in the Mint Family is Spearmint, Peppermint and Lemon Balm.

Nepeta cataria is mostly used as a recreational substance for feline enjoyment. Roughly two out of every three cats will be affected by the plant. The leaves and the flowers can be used. It is used a gastric nervine, which means it is used for a person with nervousness and some stomach problems. Well, then half of the New York City population should be on Catnip. It can be used as a tea or tincture. It can be combined with other herbs. It will not stop your bleeding if you have Crohn's or Ulcerative colitis but is recommended for IBS.

The second herb is Chamomile. I know you know this herb, as many of you use is to fall asleep. I have tried it with little success as I was buying it in the supermarket. If you are also, you will need 4 teabags to get a decent night sleep. Yes I said, 4 TEABAGS.

Chamomile or Camomile meaning , "earth-apple" from χαμαί chamai "on the ground" and μῆλον mēlon "apple", for their applelike scent, is a common name for several daisy-like plants. These plants are best known for their ability to be made into a tea which is commonly used to help with sleep and can be served with either honey or lemon. Chrysin, a specific flavonoid found in chamomile, has been shown to be anxiolytic in animals and is believed to be at least partially responsible for chamomile's reputation as a sleep aid. Chamomile is the national flower of Russia. It is known to reduce stress. The flora labeled "chamomile", all of the family AsteraceaeMatricaria recutita (syn. M. chamomilla), German or blue chamomile, commonly used in tea. There is a Roman type of this herb, which is another herb and family.

A similar herb to Chamomile is Pineapple weed.
I never heard of Pineapple weed until it was discussed by my great teacher, 7song Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineapple weed and disc mayweed is an annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. It is in the family Asteraceae. I do not think the name discoidea is correct as in class it was named Matricaria matricaiodes. I found to be listed as the later as discussed in school.
The flowers exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia.
The difference between using catnip or chamomile for an irritable gut is that catnip is a gastric nervine and can be used for IBS. Catnip does not have anti-inflammatory properties, whereas Chamomile does have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore if I have a young patient with Crohn's or Ulcerative colitis, I would use German Chamomile instead of Catnip.

I could go on writing except I want to discuss the third herb tomorrow. It is Filipendula ulmaria. You will have to read tomorrow for the common name.

Top photograph: Pineapple Weed
Middle photograph: Chamomile
Bottom photograph: Catnip
Until tomorrow...