MARCH 22, 2012 GERD HERBAL PROTOCOL

"Sometimes finding the answer is as easy as taking a break and stepping back from the situation."

Thanks Karen

We all have to do this once in a while. When I do not know the answer I always step back , ponder, think what I might have done or what I will do, and then tackle the problem. The answer to most of my problems is communication. Getting the exact message across is key. Communication is key. Something I frequently take a step back and re think is friendships. As I get older, I find that there are fewer friends that I want to spend time with. My tolerance is shorter. I know this is not really true, so I must do one thing--Meditate and Pray.

The removal of inflaming or offending foods is the key in patients who are allergic, but this is one approach. My other approach is to take the HERBAL approach.

Two MUSTS are probiotcs (friendly bacteria) and glutamine. I prefer powder form as the irritated gut needs soft repair and restoring abilities. It is a lot easier with a powder versus capsules or tablets.

I have been taught to use an antimicrobial tea (per many conferences at either Southwest Botanical Conference in Tempe AZ or the Medicine of the Earth conference in Asheville NC)

This tea consists of :

1. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

2. Matricaria recutia (Chamomile)

3. Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

4. Organum vulgare (Majoram)

I would mix equal parts of the above herbs (about 2-4 oz) and drink 1-2 cups per /day. The first two herbs, chamomile and licorice help rebuild the digestive mucosa and reduce the frequency and intensity of the GERD. There is an herb called Hamamelis that tightens the lower esophageal sphincter. This is one of the digestive barks. Of all the major systems in the body, I feel there are more herbs that can alleviate problems of the digestive system. I often utilize Weiss's Herbal Medicine text among others to mix/match herbs that I frequently use. There are simple demulcents for esophagitis (a precursor to GERD). These herbs can be used as teas or syrups. These are Althea, Ulmus and Symphytum.

Until tomorrow...

DECEMBER 24, 2011 ULMUS FULVA

"Enjoy the journey , you are here for a reason."

The journey has been rewarding. Sometimes not as happy as I would like, but it is not me controlling the situation. In the last seventeen years of sobriety at times I have felt like I was on a roller coaster. I have been challenged . Or is life but a ball of twisted yarn?

I know the reason I am here on Mother Earth. I am here as a messenger of the healing arts. I am healer, more than a doctor. I am Red Star Man. Thank you, Amanda. More to come on this topic. I believe in the old fashioned way of healing. Not only the blood work, the prescriptions, and modern scans, but the holding of a patent's hand. The intimate touch when a patient starts to cry. The discussion of their children and grandchildren and their life thirty or forty years ago. This is medicine.

So my journey has been very rewarding.

The inner bark of a small tree is a extremely useful remedy for most inflammation especially the digestive tract. It is usually sold as a powder. It is Ulmus fulva, known as Slippery Elm. I usually combine is with other digestive teas as chamomilla, meadowsweet, and catnip. I use it for indigestion, stomach ulcers, food allergies, bloating, and diarrhea. You can use slippery elm combined with a powdered probiotic in water. I would not suggest putting slippery elm and the probiotic in milk or juice.

It is a soothing herb with mucilagious properties. I would use 1 teaspoon in water three times a day for digestive issue. If in the city, go to Flower Power on East 9th street or order it online at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Until tomorrow...

OCTOBER 17, 2011 DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

"YOUR honest word is one of the most precious and powerful possessions."

"Honesty is always the best policy." I can still feel those words of my father penetrating my ears. He also said, "Bullshit walks, money talks." He was part of a unique breed of men. I do agree that honestly is the way to go. But I must say you must be honest with yourself first. Honest enough with yourself not to blame others for your faults. I see many patients who at one time or another have blamed their upbringing and parents for some of their traits. Let it go-- whether your parents are dead or alive. Parents do the best they are capable of doing. Own up to the fact that you are an adult now. We all make mistakes. Be honest. Admit your own faults. As a parent I have tried to the best of my ability to do the right thing. Perhaps I was not as attentive as I could have been, but I always did my best for my children. As children get older, they need to reflect on what was really the truth and what was not.

Be honest. It is a precious gift to be honest.

Various types of digestive aids have been used throughout history. As we get older we sometimes need these digestive enzymes to help with our absorption of nutrients. Digestive aids should be consumed just prior to or upon initiation of meals. The historical use of digestive aids go back to ancient times throughout most of the world, especially Europe and the Middle East. Some of the best known digestive aids are herbs known as bitters. There are many herbs that are bitters. Some of these include dandelion, wild lettuce, milk thistle, chicory, gentian and artichoke leaf (not the bulb which I use to decrease cholesterol).

Consuming digestive aids just prior to a meal helps with the production of salivary enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and bile as well as other enzymes in the mouth, pancreas and stomach. I utilize the pancreatic enzymes from either animal or plant sources. Some individuals prefer the bovine or porcine only. Little research has been done on the exact amount of each particular enzyme needed to assist digestion. I prefer to use plant derived protease enzymes. I use papain, which is derived from papaya, and bromelain derived from pineapple stems. These are proteases which break down proteins and have no ability at all to break down fats or carbohydrates.

Other digestive aids that help with the breakdown of lipids are bile products. Bile supplementation sometimes is needed in assisting a patient with digestion issues. There are also several plants called choleretics and cholagogues that are useful in stimulating the release of your body's own bile during digestion. These are artichoke leaf, dandelion root, barberry, peppermint and even milk thistle.

Find the right digestive enzyme for you.

Until tomorrow..

AUGUST 31, 2011 STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE

"God is life. God is life in action. The best way to say, "I love you God" is to live life doing your best. The best way to say, "Thank you God," is by letting go of the past and living in the present moment, right here and now. Whatever life takes away from you, let it go. When you surrender and let go of the past, you allow yourself to be fully alive in the moment. Letting go of the past means you can enjoy the dream that is happening right now." - Don Miguel Ruiz

This statement is by Shaman Don Miguel Ruiz . It comes from his heart. I am passing this on to you from my heart. I want you to pass it on to someone else. Have a blessed day.

Did you ever look at your own tongue? One of the first things I learned as a medical student was to ask a patient to stick out their tongue while placing a wooden blade on their tongue down so I could see their uvula, tonsils, and pharynx. I never liked looking at the tongue. Some were red, others were coated with their last meal, some have a white coating and some have ridges. The tongue assists in chewing, swallowing and speaking. The small projections on the tongue are called papillae. Between the papillae are the taste buds.

I have found that conventional physicians know little about the tongue. Over the years I have learned about the 'mysterious tongue'. Traditional Chinese practitioners are the best health care practitioners for tongue diagnosis. They specialize in acupuncture and botanical medicine. Dentists also observe the tongue. There are even a few books on tongue diagnosis. A simple one is by Victor Zeines, DDS.

In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tongue diagnosis is part of every exam. These practitioners use the terms "chi" (pronounced chee), yin and yang. TCM practitioners believe disease is caused by "six excesses" and "seven emotions". I have not mastered TCM at this point in my career. I feel it is a complex field that takes time, dedication and patience. But when I view a patient's tongue I can get a feel for what is going on in their body.

For example I saw a tongue today that had a thick non removable whitish covering. It was not the typical yeast infection on the tongue called Candida. If not caused by Candida the whitish tongue can be caused by parasites, anemia, malnourishment or kidney disorders. In this patient I know it is the body releasing toxins. I also see this type of tongue in patients with unbalanced hormones or adrenal fatigue.

Think of the variety of colors of the tongue:

1. Pale

2. Gray or brownish-gray

3. Slightly red

4. Crimson red

5. Yellowish-greenish

6. Purple

7. Black

The coating of the tongue can also be varied. No one said Tongue Diagnosis would be easy.

As a registered herbalist I do have favorite herbs for improving and maintaining digestion. Some of these are marshmellow, catnip, golden seal, comfrey root, pepperment and my favorite, angelica. Oh yes I forgot meadowsweet and slippery elm.

I would suggest reading Your Tongue Never Lies by Victor Zeines, DDS. To purchase a copy, visit natdent.com

Until tomorrow...