SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 KETTLE FOR NETTLES

"Really being present to the people we care about fills our lives with bliss."

I love this quote. Do you feel blissful when you are present with people you care about? You should be. I wouldn't say I am blissful with every single individual that I care about, especially if the feeling of caring is not mutual. But it is a wonderful feeling to be blissful. It extends the word "grateful". I have much gratitude for all that life has given me.

When you are unhappy in something you are doing, find the best way to stop doing it.
It does change your outlook on life.



"Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolution: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
Sephaniah 2:9 (KJV)

So it is indeed nettles that is mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible. It is also mentioned in the New World Testament of the Bible, as well as Revised Standard Version of the Bible according to Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants.

I want to discuss nettles for the treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. I personally have used nettle seeds with wild flower honey for colds and flu-like symptoms, as well as allergies. It has been written that the Italians use stinging nettles and elderberry for herpes zoster (shingles). The Russians use it for constipation, hepatitis and jaundice. The Algerians mix powdered nettles with powdered jasmine for gonorrhea. And the French use nettle root steeped in vinegar for tumors of the feet or spleen and steeped in honey for tumors of the lung. This all sounds like song lyrics from Cole Porter or even Noel Coward.

It is thought that b-sitosterol found in nettle root, saw palmetto and pumpkin seeds reduce prostate size. Nettle root has been extensively studied for mild cases of prostate inflammation. I have used nettle root for prostatitis. Nettle root can be taken in any form. I think it makes an excellent tea if you add wild flower honey. Both French and German studies have concluded that nettle root is an effective treatment for mild prostate inflammation. And right they are!

Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. The plant has many stinging hairs on its leaves and stems.


Stinging nettle is a dioecious herbaceous perennial, 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft) tall in the summer and dying down to the ground in winter. It has widely spreading rhizomes and stolons, which are bright yellow as are the roots. The soft green leaves are 3 to 15 cm (1 to 6 in) long and are borne oppositely on an erect wiry green stem. The leaves have a strongly serrated margin, a cordate base and an acuminate tip with a terminal leaf tooth longer than adjacent laterals. It bears small greenish or brownish numerous flowers in dense axillary inflorescences. The hair of the plant becomes stiff and can cause a sting. This mixture of chemical compounds cause a painful sting or paresthesia from which the species derives its common name, as well as the colloquial names burn nettle, burn weed, burn hazel. The pain and itching from a nettle sting can last from only a few minutes to as long as a week. I have been pricked by a nettle and it hurt for 3 days.

The two common species of nettle are U. dioica subsp. gracilis (Ait.) Selander (American stinging nettle) in North America and U. dioica subsp. holosericea (Nutt.) Thorne (hairy nettle). North America.


Although I am discussing nettles as a treatment for BPH, a clinical trial has shown that the juice is diuretic in patients with congestive heart failure.

Urtication, or flogging with nettles, is the process of deliberately applying stinging nettles to the skin in order to provoke inflammation. An agent thus used is known as a rubefacient (something that causes redness). This is done as a folk remedy for rheumatism, providing temporary relief from pain.I have never used nettles for this purpose. Nettle extracts can be used to treat arthritis, anemia, hay fever, kidney problems, and pain.

Nettle leaf is an herb that has a long tradition of use as an adjuvant remedy in the treatment of arthritis in Germany. Nettle leaf extract contains active compounds that reduce TNF-α and other inflammatory cytokines. Nettle is used in hair shampoos to control dandruff and is said to make hair more glossy. In Ithaca I bought an herbal shampoo that contained nettles.

Fresh nettle is used in folk remedies to stop bleeding because of its high Vitamin K content. Meanwhile, in dry U. dioica, the Vitamin K is practically non-existent and so is used as a blood thinner.

Stinging nettle has a flavor similar to spinach when cooked and is rich in vitamins A, C, D, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium. The young leaves are edible and make a very good pot-herb. The leaves are also dried and may then be used to make a tisane, as can also be done with the nettle's flowers.

What is a tisane ? You probably have had a tisane at least once in your life. It is an impressive word. A herbal tea, tisane, or ptisan is a herbal infusion made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). Camellia is green tea.

Two nettles photographs and dry nettle tea.

Until tomorrow...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 A TREE BARK

"What helps US to go forward is that WE stay receptive. Believe that anything can happen."

Thanks Karen

Do you want to move forward in life? Are you stuck in life? Is life on cruise control? I want to think that everyone wants to move forward in life. I have moved forward not only educationally and in my GOD chosen profession, but more importantly spiritually and emotionally. I do believe that anything can happen if you want it to.

You must balance your life. This is not a new concept. The Buddhist teachings as well as other Eastern philosophies have stressed the need for a balanced life for centuries. Do you have a balanced life? Direct your attention to achieving satisfaction and happiness through prayer and meditation, as well as a conscious awareness of the moment being experienced. There is an intersting Navajo teaching called " horzho". This refers to a balanced approach to work, family, friends and the surrounding environment. It is said and I do believe that individual happiness will be achieved when an appropriate degree of balance is achieved in your daily life.

Those who practice healthcare have high physical and psychological demands on their daily routine. As a healthcare professional, I want to be involved in my family, friends, jobs, hobbies and my community.

From my readings and personal beliefs let me summarize some personal and work strategies:

PERSONAL:
1. Make time to cultivate relaxation time
2. Daily meditation
3. Find a hobby
4. Participate in sports and exercise
5. Have a sense of humor
6. Eat a healthy lifestyle. Avoid simple sugar
WORK:
1. Avoid small irritations at the office
2. Avoid aggravating individuals
3. Be efficient at work
4. Understand what is important in your daily work life
5. Set personal boundaries for what you will and will not do at home and work


Yesterday we briefly discussed two herbs for enlarged prostate - saw palmetto and pumpkin seeds
In 2008(Complement Ther Med 2008 June; 16(3) 147-154 ) Saw Palmento (Serenoa repens) was studied for its safety. The authors concluded that there is no evidence that saw palmetto extract at a dose of 160 mg twice a day for 1 year.

Another beenficial herb for BPH is the African Plum.
The Pygeum africanum (African plum) tree is a tall evergreen of the family Rosaceae found in central and southern Africa. Its bark has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Traditional African healers have used the bark to treat bladder and urination disorders, particularly symptoms associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. Historically, the bark was powdered and used to make a tea, which was taken by mouth for these conditions.

The majority of trials conducted since the 1970s report improvements in BPH symptoms including frequency of nighttime urination, urine flow rate, and left over urine volume, with the administration of Pygeum africanum bark extract. This research has led some credibility to the common use of this agent in Europe for BPH. The herb is less commonly used in the United States where prescription drugs or the herb saw palmetto is more commonly used. There is drug herb interaction using this herb with conventional drugs as proscar and advodart.

I have seen Pygeum reduce urinary symptoms. Numerous human studies have not concluded that pygeum reduces prostate size. I feel that saw palmetto is better for reducing prostate size.
I prefer to use Pygeum for initial cases of BPH. I have recommended it to patients who have had prostate surgery. The patients do report beneficial results.

THE TOP PHOTOGRAPH IS THE PYGEUM AFRICUM FLOWER

THE BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH IS THE PYGEUM AFRICUM LEAVES


I will get a good photograph of the actual plum tree.

Until tomorrow....

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 A DIFFICULTY

"Physical strength is determined by what we can carry; spiritual strength by what we can bear."



Remember, when one door closes another one opens.
A dear friend of mine is going through a difficult time. All of us have had a least one difficult time in our lives! Loss of a loved one, loss of a job, end of a relationship, various health difficulties--

Reflect on a difficulty: How have I treated this difficulty so far? How have I suffered by my own response and reaction to it? What should I let go of? What has to be accepted? What lesson might I learn from the difficulty? What is the hidden value or positive from this situation? I know that GOD does not put anything in our path that we cannot handle. You must believe in this. You must meditate to allow yourself to get on a higher plane of being.

I love music. I love lyrics to many many songs. I feel every emotion can be heard in a song--happiness, sadness, joy, anger, grief.
There is a song sung by Charles Azanavour called "You Got to Learn" I have also heard the infamous Nina Simone sing these lyrics. Read them and relate. Do NOT relate by comparing the lyrics to your given situation.

YOU GOT TO LEARN
You've got to learn to show a happy face
Although you're full of misery
You mustn't show a trace of sadness
Never look for sympathy

You've got to learn although it's very hard
The way of pocketing your pride
Sometimes face humiliation
While you were burning up inside
Facing reality is often hard to do
When it seems happiness is gone

You've got to learn to hide your tears
And tell your heart life must go on

You've got to learn to leave the table
When love's no longer being served
To show everybody that you're able
To leave without saying a word

You've got to learn to hide your sorrow
And go on living as before
What good is thinking of tomorrow
Who knows what it may have in store

You've got to learn to be much stronger
At times your head must rule your heart

You've got to learn from hard experience
And listen to advice
And sometimes pay the price
And learn to live with a broken heart



In regard to men's health, I do not think I have discussed prostate disease. Many men will be surprised to learn that herbs can help correct prostate enlargement. Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), this is the most common problem with the prostate. In fact, it is so common that roughly half of North American men between the ages of 40 and 60 are plagued by it. Standard medical opinion points to only two solutions: surgery or hormone therapy, but neither is appealing.

In 2005, an estimated $4.5 billion was spent on prostate surgery in the United States alone. But after about five years most men find, to their dismay, that the surgery needs to be repeated. Hormone therapy, which uses drug treatments to inhibit the hormones testosterone and prolactin, also carries undesirable side effects, including possible impotence.

Before we discuss the helpful herbs, let's first consider the prostate. Do you know where your prostate is? (for those men reading this blog) This small gland, which is located next to the bladder, is made of muscle, gland and connective tissue. The thin fluid that it secretes helps carry sperm down the urethra, the same tube that transports urine from the bladder. Since the urethra passes right through the prostate, when the prostate enlarges, it pinches the tube and causes urine retention. This also creates an urge to urinate more often since the bladder never fully empties. The uncomfortable result can be an inability to void, false starts, dribbling and burning pain.

Since there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, it is easy to understand why so many men let prostate problems go untreated at first. They don't even know something is wrong until the urethra is blocked and the problem can no longer be ignored! The longer we live as men we will develop BPH, and more important develop Prostate Cancer. Today, we are not going to discuss cancer.

The severity of symptoms doesn't necessarily tell you the extent of enlargement, but a doctor's examination will. You need to be examined by a doctor because problems such as an obstruction in the urinary tube, a bacterial infection and bladder or prostate cancer need to be ruled out. Most men are not well-informed about the health of their prostates. Studies show that most men don't have regular physicals and that of those who do, less than half have their prostate checked. It is essential when seeing an internist that he checks the prostate with a digital exam and a PSA (serum prostate specific antigen) blood test. Have the blood drawn before the doctor examines your prostate. A digital exam can sometimes give a falsely elevated PSA due to rectal finger manipulation.

The most common cause of prostate enlargement is changes in hormone levels. As a man ages, his testosterone levels begin to fall. At the same time, his levels of the "female" hormones prolactin, estrogen, LH and FSH rise. This dramatic hormonal shift results in many body changes, such as weight gain, changes in fat distribution and a decrease in muscle strength. Even the testosterone itself changes. An especially potent form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) begins to dominate. Unfortunately, DHT can cause prostate cells to multiply excessively; four to six times the normal amount of DHT is found in most enlarged prostates.

Can environmental pollutants effect the prostate? While DHT increases with age, a number of environmental pollutants (the chemicals dioxin, polyhalogenated biphenyls, and hexachlorobenzene) also make this hormone accumulate in the prostate.

Many herbs have been used to treat BPH. Unfortunately herbs have difficulty finding their way into mainstream medicine. I feel it is unlikely that herbs will ever be used instead of conventional therapies for BPH. It is so important that you be informed of such herbs. Over the next few days I will discuss all of these herbs. I want to discuss briefly two herbs--saw palmetto and pumpkin seeds.


The results of a recent study suggest that the “administrations of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil are clinically safe and may be effective as complementary and alternative medicine treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia.” However, although concomitant treatment with pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil resulted in greater improvement in IPSS, QoL, and PSA levels, it did not result in a statistically significant improvement relative to treatment with either product alone. The mechanism of action of pumpkin seed oil is well known, i.e., it inhibits 5-α-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Various mechanisms of action have been suggested for saw palmetto oil, including an inhibitory effect on nuclear estrogen receptor, cyclooxygenase, 5-α-reductase, and 5-lipoxygenase. The authors suggest that additional studies be conducted with a larger number of subjects and a longer observation period
I will continue to discuss saw palmetto and other herbs

Top photograph: Nina Simone
Middle photograph : unique photograph of saw palmetto
Bottom photograph: Pumpkin seeds

Until tomorrow....

Wait ... I have great news .. Read the below: A Top Cardiologist Reveals the Best Supplements for Your Heart

A Top Cardiologist Reveals the Best Supplements for Your Heart
Put your hand on your heart. How’s it doing in there? For too many women, the answer is, "Not so good." Despite the fact that we try to eat right, exercise and watch our weight, heart disease is still the number-one killer of women in America.

What are we doing wrong? For one thing, we’re not getting enough of the nutrients that our hearts need to stay healthy. "Much of our food is depleted of life-sustaining vitamins and minerals," explained integrative cardiologist Patrick M. Fratellone, MD. "That’s why many people can benefit from specific supplements -- whether their goal is to prevent heart disease or to minimize harm from the particular cardiovascular risk factors they already have."

Here’s how the various heart-healthy supplements work... and the protocols Dr. Fratellone typically recommends based on patients’ particular risk factors. Important: Check with your doctor before beginning any supplement regimen. Some supplements can interact with other supplements or medications and/or cause side effects for people with certain medical conditions.

HOW THE HEART HELPERS WORK

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the energy generator of all cells, enhances the heart’s pumping ability. Caution: CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, helps prevent the formation of homocysteine, an amino acid that damages artery linings. Caution: Avoid folic acid supplementation if you have a history of cancer.

Hawthorn, an herb, may strengthen heart contractions and reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Caution: Don’t use hawthorn if you have low blood pressure or take a beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker medication.

L-carnitine, an amino acid, increases the heart’s pumping action... and may facilitate weight loss by increasing metabolism. Caution: Don’t use L-carnitine if you have kidney disease.

L-taurine, another amino acid, dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow and helps reduce blood pressure. Caution: L-taurine may not be appropriate if you take diuretic medication or have stomach ulcers.

Magnesium regulates blood pressure and heart rate. Caution: Don’t take magnesium if your blood pressure is already low.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, increase HDL (good) cholesterol... decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides... slow plaque buildup in arteries... reduce the risk for arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)... and reduce blood pressure.

Vitamin B-12 inhibits harmful homocysteine formation.

Vitamin D-3 helps prevent inflammation... reduces heart attack and stroke risk in people with high blood pressure... and may protect against heart failure.

Next step: To make use of the information above, you need to know which specific nutrients are most beneficial for you -- and that depends on your personal health status.

TO PREVENT HEART PROBLEMS...

Below is Dr. Fratellone’s heart-protecting supplement protocol (to be taken daily, continuing indefinitely) for the typical perimenopausal or postmenopausal woman who has not been diagnosed with any condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Ask your doctor if you should take any or all of these five supplements. If you take a multivitamin, check which of the nutrients below your multi already provides.

Preventive protocol...

CoQ10 -- 100 mg daily.
Magnesium -- 350 mg daily.
Omega-3s (in the form of fish oil) -- 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily of combined EPA and DHA, the most beneficial components.
Vitamin B-12 -- 1,000 micrograms (mcg) daily.
Vitamin D-3 -- 1,000 international units (IU) daily.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY AT RISK...

You may benefit from additional protection if you have a condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Dr. Fratellone said that it is generally advisable to continue taking the five supplements above, though in some cases, a higher dosage is appropriate (as detailed below)... and to consider additional supplements (observing the aforementioned cautions), depending on an individual’s particular health problem.

Ask your doctor about modifying your regimen as follows if you have...

Atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmia

Hawthorn (extract ratio 1:2) -- 20 drops mixed with water three times daily.
Magnesium -- increase to 500 mg daily.
Omega-3s -- increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
Congestive heart failure

Hawthorn (extract ratio 1:2) -- 20 drops mixed with water three times daily.
Vitamin D-3 -- increase to 2,000 IU daily.
Coronary artery disease

Folic acid -- 1,000 mcg daily.
L-carnitine -- 1,000 mg three times daily.
L-taurine -- 500 mg three time daily.
Omega-3s -- increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
Diabetes

CoQ10 -- increase to 100 mg three times daily.
L-carnitine -- 1,000 mg three times daily.
Magnesium -- increase to 500 mg daily.
Excess weight (body mass index of 25 or higher)

L-carnitine -- 1,000 mg three times daily.
High blood pressure

L-taurine -- 500 mg three times daily.
Magnesium -- increase to 500 mg daily.
Omega-3s -- increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
Vitamin D-3 -- increase to 2,000 IU daily.
High cholesterol

CoQ10 -- increase to 100 mg three times daily.
L-taurine -- 500 mg three times daily.
Omega-3s -- increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
High homocysteine

Folic acid -- 1,000 mcg daily.
High triglycerides

CoQ10 -- increase to 100 mg twice daily.
Omega-3s -- increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
Source: Patrick M. Fratellone, MD, is an integrative cardiologist and executive medical director of Fratellone Medical Associates, and an attending physician at St. Luke’s Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital, all in New York City. A former chief of medicine and director of cardiology at the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine, he also has hosted the radio show House Calls with Dr. Fratellone on WWRL 1600 and is the coauthor of You’re on the Air with Dr. Fratellone: Answers to Questions Most Frequently Asked About Supplements and Herbs for the Heart (iUniverse). www.FratelloneMedical.com