JUNE 12, 2012 I AM NOT TELLING A LIE- POISON IVY IS NOT POISONOUS

" Always tell the truth, that way you don't have to remember what you said. " Mark Twain

Did Mark always tell the truth ? He wrote as Samuel Clemens so writing as another name--is that a lie
Lying may refer to:

Lie — a deliberate untruth.
Lying (position) — a horizontal position
Lying (film) — a 2006 film
Lying (song) — a song by Australian band
 
Do you lie ? I used to and I can now admit it. It was as a child- those little white lies and when not in recovery I told many lies. Today, I try to the best of my ability not to lie. I am also intolerant of those who do lie. There are some signs of lying. Some come in the way of expressions. Body Language of Lies: Look for these signs and expressions. Not everyone will have them. Since I am in contact daily with individuals I have been quite perceptive in asking questions after I look the patient over. I also shake each patient's hand to see if dry or with sweat. I want to feel their hands for signs of anxiety, dry or cold hands.
• Physical expression will be limited and stiff, with few arm and hand movements. Hand, arm and leg movement are toward their own body the liar takes up less space.
• A person who is lying to you will avoid making eye contact.
• Hands touching their face, throat & mouth. Touching or scratching the nose or behind their ear. Not likely to touch his chest/heart with an open hand.
There are also emotional gestures.
• Timing and duration of emotional gestures and emotions are off a normal pace. The display of emotion is delayed, stays longer it would naturally, then stops suddenly.
• Timing is off between emotions gestures/expressions and words. Example: Someone says "I love it!" when receiving a gift, and then smile after making that statement, rather then at the same time the statement is made.
• Gestures/expressions don’t match the verbal statement, such as frowning when saying “I love you.”
• Expressions are limited to mouth movements when someone is faking emotions (like happy, surprised, sad, awe, )instead of the whole face. For example; when someone smiles naturally their whole face is involved: jaw/cheek movement, eyes and forehead push down, etc.




Poison ivy, oak and sumac are NOT poisonous plants. I think everyone has had one of the 'poisons' at least once in their life. I know I have had it more than once when I was a child.  The danger is the contact with the allergen called urushiolir. I have seen patients allergic to only one, but generally if allergic to one you are allergic to all three.
After being exposed the rash and itching can last from a few hours to days. It sometimes can spread. It sometimes really needs a Rx from the medical doctor for steroids, but only in extreme cases.
There are even some who have said to build up immunity by eating small amounts of the plant. You can try this, but I can also tell you of a case of poison oak of the throat from eating one. It was painful to swallow and did require some steroid use to ease the swelling

So if you are gardening  or just exploring in the woods and notice you have touched one of these plants, get home and do the following, Wash the oil off with soap and water immediately  it should be cold water.

There are over the counter medications (OCT)  however as an herbalist I know prefer the other plants that can help or alleviate the pain and rashes. For those that MUST always have a large supply of calamine lotion nearby , the one plant that is very useful is Plantain. No ,I do not mean a banana.

Fresh plantain poultice is always helpful. During the Earth Medicine conference at the Temple of the Green Clovers, two herbalists told stories about the use of plantain. One was for an infection at the site of a cancer skin removal. The other was from wasp stings. Native North American Indians used plantain as the chief remedy for rattlesnake bites.

The plantain is one of the nine herbs invoked in the Anglo Saxon Nine Herbs Charm intended for treatment of poison and infection thorough the preparation of the nine herbs, according to Breverton's Complete Herbal ( which is based on Culpeper's The English Physician and Compleat Herball of 1653)

It was later used for rabid dog bites.

The Nine Herbs  Charm is an Old English charm recorded in the 10th century in the Lacnunga manuscript The charm is intended for treatment of poison and infection through the preparation of nine herbs. The numbers nine and three are mentioned frequently within the charm and are significant numbers in Germanic paganism and later Germanic folklore.
The charm refers to nine herbs:
Mugwort
Betony
Stune -Lamb's Cress
Plantain
Chamomile
Nettles
Crab-apple,
Thyme
Fennel

At the end of the charm, prose instructions are given to take the above mentioned herbs, crush them to dust, and to mix them with old soap and apple juice. Further instructions are given to make a paste from water and ashes, boil fennel into the paste, bathe it with beaten egg - both before and after the prepared salve is applied. Further, the charm directs the reader to sing the charm three times over each of the herbs as well as the apple before they are prepared, into the mouth of the wounded, both of their ears, and over the wound itself prior to the application of the salve.

I would stick to the Plantain ( Plantago major ) for poison ivy. It is much simpler but I was interested in the Nine Herbs Charm.
The other herb for the poison ivy is " Jewelweed"  I love jewelweed if available. I have had much success with aloe and comfrey as a spray. I even used peppermint essential oil - 1 -2 drops in 6 oz of water. Put in a spray bottle. I sprayed this over the rashes and there was great relief

Garden all you want. Try to stay out of the woods as best you can

Until tomorrow...
Top two photographs: Plantago major

Bottom two photographs: Poison Ivy: Photo credit : 7song

JUNE 11, 2012 KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES'

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. ~Henry David Thoreau

The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923


There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed. ~Mohandas K. Gandhi


We live in a toxic environment. If I listen to everything I read I wouldn't eat, drink or breathe the air. You have to pick and chose your battles. Eating is easy- go organic or as organic as you can be. Drink filtered water. For the air- I do not know what to say- use a mask.
I can say You can get involved with an environmental project. If you visit Fire Island at anytime, make a complaint that there is no recycling on that strip of land off Long Island. If you see someone has the room for a bee hive on top of their roof or building--make a suggestion. If your children go to a school that has a vacant roof- make a suggestion to the principal or school board. Plant flowers for the bees.
Be pro active !!!






If Rick and I could keep bees in the city, why shouldn't the Waldorf-Astoria ? And that's what is happening . The most famous hotel in NYC for tourists and a stop over for many US Presidents is now keeping bees. I do think the Hotel del Coronado has had more US President stays than the Waldorf ! I am proud to be part of the bee movement. We have been keeping bees for our third year. As we travel into the city by tram every day we notice the buildings that  could use some hives. We are happy that the New School will have its bees this week on Roosevelt Island. It is a thrill for us.

It gives back to our environment. It is the right thing to do. It is not only in these NYC hotels as the Waldorf-Astoria. Hotels in Boston and Washington DC are also keeping bees. It is also in Paris and I am sure in London.

It is thrilling to watch a hive from a hotel room. I am sure the New School students will watch from the terrace windows as we install the hives. These students will be able to watch bees go to and forth the areas of the island picking up pollen , water and nectar, and bring it back to their hives.

New York City’s board of health voted in March 2010 to lift a ban against beekeeping, legalizing the hives of hundreds of residents who have tended bees in defiance of the law. This  unanimous vote amends the health code to allow residents to keep hives of Apis mellifera, the common, non aggressive honeybee. Beekeepers will be required to register with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and to adhere to appropriate practices. That means they must be able to control bee swarms and ensure that the hives do not interfere with pedestrians or neighbors.

Members of various associations were thrilled with this law and now they can also rejoice at the fact that others like famous NYC Hotels are catching on. I would check on these associations for courses and information  Gotham City Honey Cooperative and the  New York City Beekeeping Meetup. Also check at http://www.honeybeeslives.org/  with Chris Harper and Grai. There is also a courses at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. Check out http://www.nybg.org/

The Fratellone-Byrd Bee Library is abound with bee books. Most of the books are of Basic Beekeeping but some are on honey, and Honey Bee Democracy. Our favorite is The Beekeeper's Lament and the Queen Must Die. My favorite is a gift from Rick, Fifty Years Among the Bees ( First Edition) from the 1930's written by physician-beekeeper C.C. Miller.

We recommend two documentaries that you will sit in amazement. The documentary “Vanishing of the Bees” takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee. You can purchase this for $12.95 on Dr Mercola web site. The other is   Queen of the Sun: What Are The Bees Telling Us?.  You know there is a movement happened right here in NYC when Whole Foods does screenings of this movie in their various locations.

This is a movement. Join the movement and be part of no matter where you live.

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 10, 2012 MY MOTHER'S ANNIVERSARY

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. - Abraham Lincoln

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. - Washington Irving

I was 6 days shy of 22 years old when my mother died.  It is so long ago June 10, 1982-- 30 years ago. In actuality she was in a coma and respiratory dependent on June 5, 1982. My father had decided to disconnect life support on June 10. I felt nothing on my 22nd birthday. My mom was not there. Birthdays were always special in our home. To the best of my dad's ability he tried to cheer me up but it was a void that has never left my heart. I didn't have time for her to be my best friend. We did go to Westbury Music Fair to see Sergio Franchi/Pat Cooper on June 3rd. She did not feel that well that night. On the way home to Yonkers in my light green Grand Prix I told her about my sexuality. I didn't know how to say the word' gay' so I stated that I cross the double line when it comes to my sexuality. She understood and nothing further was spoken, except she said, " I will always love you no matter what and to make sure I was always happy." Both my parents attended my May 1982 college graduation. In retrospect my mother knew something would happen to her. Only days before her death she went to the local bank and changed the beneficiary on both her checking/savings and safety deposit box. How ironic ? Or was it.

If not for my father persistence I would have never started medical school in the summer of 1982. I was broken-hearted. I had a going away party in Lake Grove NY at the home of my Aunt Susie and Uncle Gep. It was a bitter sweet good bye. I knew my dad would be fine, but I was so sad for Nanny and Poppy as they had buried their children before them.  I have come to realize in years of practice that the loss of a child at any age is a burden on the parents. My father and 'my angel mother' attended my medical school graduation four years later at the United Nations.

I danced only a few steps with my Nanny at my first wedding but not to the traditional mother-son song of

'Mr Wonderful'   I chose Barry Manilow's " Can't Smile Without You." I recall she wore a blue dress and was sitting with her brothers/sisters in her wheelchair.  My father, brother and I braved it for my Nanny and Poppy. My Poppy became silent shedding tears while he cooked and gardened.  My grandmother lived for six more years, dying the year my daughter was born in 1988. Only my father and grandfather held both my son and daughter.

During these years I have had 'surrogate' mothers- Aunt Mary, Aunt MaryAnn , Barbara and Nancy. I truly know now that she would be proud of my accomplishments.  I tell her everything. Today, I am going to the cemetery as I have not been there in a long time.  With Rick by my side I will have lunch with her. There is so much to catch up on. Rick and I honored our parents, both living and deceased at our very spiritual wedding this February 11, 2012. I have a new sets of parents today, Fred and Nancy. It is not coincidental that Rick's mother, Nancy was born on the same day as my mother, July 21st.

My mother has always been with me during these years. She has been my guardian angel. She was my Higher Power along with the 12 step rooms when I first started sobriety in June 1994 as I didn't have a sponsor nor a spiritual practice at that time. Now as I pray and meditate daily, I can see my mother, Vincetta ( Vinnie ) as I close my eyes.

The photo above is the Needle point canvas I am finishing for my mother. She was a great crafter- sewing, stitchery and hobbies. She was a great card player- " May I," and loved Backgammon. She loved clowns She collected them for my brother. The watch in the canvas tells me that a son's love for his mother is endless. It knows NO time.  This clown upon opening his cloak is displaying my mother's charms from her charm bracelet. Charm bracelets were very popular in the 1940's - 1970's. I didn't know what to do with these charms. I knew I would never sell them. When finished, this clown will be framed with many memories to hang on our walls.

The top left photo is my mother on her wedding day; The top right photo is my mother at her communion or her brothers. My great aunt Katie is standing next to my mother (left), her brother Gaspar ( my uncle Sonny) and to his side is my great Uncle Mike. I know that this must be her communion as Aunt Katie was her godmother and Uncle Mike her godfather.

Until tomorrow....

JUNE 9, 2012 SAVE EARTH MOTHER- STOP ANTIBIOTIC USE

" Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance."

The 3 A's summarize this up: Awareness, Acknowledgment and Acceptance. You must have acceptance. There is no meaning to awareness and acknowledgment without acceptance. I have no expectations of anyone . This includes my husband, my children and family/friends. I do not want to get disappointed. We all have been disappointed at different tines i our lives., Why should we? Isn't life hard enough these days. I rather be surprised  WITHOUT expectations, and have some surprises left in my life.

I wanted to be accepted my whole life. I am glad I do not have to be at this age and pint in my life. I wanted to be accepted into the 'cool' group in high school instead of the 'nerd or smart'; group. Last year I was initiated into the Temple of the Green Clovers by Rosemary Gladstar and this year by Cascade Geller. I was thrilled to sit and tell stories of herbs in my life with strangers. I felt exhilarated and had a 'chill-fuzzy' feeling,

In the last 5 years I wanted to accepted into a small gay community in Cherry Grove Fire Island. Prior to that in The Pines in Fire Island. I really thought or expected that if I was active and part of I would be or rather Rick and I would be in the last five years. It was a disappointment in our fundraising medical efforts, not in the dollars but in the old staunch nothing change attitude in ol' and I mean ol' Cherry Grove Community. No one even wants to recycle. What are people thinking ? Earth Mother can do no more. This planet is in trouble. It goes the same with beekeeping. What are people thinking ? Without bees there will no crops and food to eat. Yet people cannot accept a honeybee hive.

How serene I feel today. Tonight Rick and I ( more Rick than I as he does all the cooking, planning and setting up) to meet our daughter's future in-laws. I have no expectations. I am What I am and Rick is what he is. It dies feel ' Birdcage' or 'La Cage' but we are confident and have no expectations.

The word antiseptic is derived from the Greeks. It means against 'sepsis or putrefaction.' I love the second word It feels so medical. It is usually used in combination with topical substances used on living tissue that work against bacteria.
There are many bacteria in the world. As a doctor I buy into the germ theory first theorized by Louis Pasteur. You may remember that the novels of Charles Dickens depict the era of poor housing, and sanitation in Oliver Twist and other novels.
As physicians we use too many antibiotics in this world. We are creating strains that are resistant to most antibiotics. We have methicilin resistant staphylococcus aureus called MRSA. We have other resistant strains. We need to closely examine what we are doing as physicians. In ancient times there were no antibiotics and plants were used as medicines. This is known in Ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Prior to Alexander Fleming's penicillin, the most common antibiotic was colloidal silver.
Lets go back further with the use of plants. A yellow alkaloid found in many plants is a useful antiseptic and antibiotic. This is called Berberine. I believe and know that berberine can help MRSA in nursing homes and hospitals.
Some of the plants that have this berberine compound include Goldenseal, Oregon grape root, and Barberry.
I use all three above for the streptococcal and staphylococcal infections.
Dr Cindy L. Jones wrote a great book I recommend for most individuals to read called The Antibiotic Alternative. The other book I recommend to read is the Herbal Antibiotic by Stephen Buhner. Both are fascinating to me

Let's get real America and start using plants. Plants will save Earth Mother !


Photo Credit: Patrick F - Black Mountains, Echinaecea with Butterfly, Ceremony- at Temple of Green Clovers
Until tomorrow...

JUNE 8, 2012 ART, ART, ART

" It is more important to listen to artists than to politicians. I think that art is really one of these revolutionary forces in the world." - Victor Pinchuk - The New Yorker


I couldn't agree more. Medicine is an art. Art is the highest form of art. It is the artist's expression of the world as they see it. You may not always like different forms of art. The idea is to see as much art in this world as you can. In order to see art, you have to attend either art openings at galleries or visit museums. This is a self-esteemable hobby. It allows you to open up yourself to sculptures, different forms of paintings and photography and much more. You will never know about art unless you expose yourself to art. Artists are more important than politicians, but I do not discuss politics, sex nor religion. I have learned my lesson many years ago. Everything I write is my opinion and not opinion of others.

In the last 15 years, Rick and I have exposed ourselves to different forms of art. We attend gallery openings when invited, look in the New York Times for interesting exhibits and go to exhibitions at various  art museums. We visited the Philadelphia Museum to attend the Picasso Exhibit. Years ago after I attended my dad's reunion for the USS Monterey at the Seaport Museum in Philadelphia . Afterwards I went to the Salvatore Dali exhibit  I recently combined a conference in St Petersburg with a visit to the Salvador Dali Museum. As you can tell, I love Dali.

During this week we visited the art gallery opening of LOVE OR FEAR. We had the privilege and honor to attend the VIP opening of three female artists, one of which we know very well. These artists are --our dear friend, Francesca Galliani , and two unknown artists to us- Nona Hendrix and Gina Raphaela. Check their art at http://www.catmchelsea.com/

I was amazed and inspired by all three forms of their different artwork. I am partial to Francesca's work as I love her expression of the body. This exhibit was her expression of the female body which was actually provocative and new for me. I would love to see her male work. One particular piece above was meditative and serene for me. For me this piece ( see above- guess which one I loved the best-) expressed culture of the world- both Italian and Asian. It also for me had mankind toward the left walking. Walking where ...unknown as to me mankind is just walking. It represents to me a loss of purpose for man. He walks and walks. This piece allows me to think. Think about life and traditions. There are some traditions we should go back to..  as herbal therapy . There are spiritual beliefs we need to bring  back to our life. This piece was very spiritual to me and allows me to look into the artist, Ms Galliani with a different light

Visit galleries and museums. Make it part of your life. It can be very inspiring. It is a great HOBBY

Until tomorrow...

JUNE 7, 2012 HPV IN MEN

" Choose the road less traveled and choose it often. This choice makes all the difference."

After this past weekend at the " Medicines from the Earth " I realized I took the road less traveled. I was among herbalists. Although I am a practicing herbalist ,  I am also a medical physician. I choose the road less traveled, but the choice made all the difference in my life. For one it made me happy. It also made me realize that medicine is limited in what it offers. On the other hand, herbs have their limitations. I know the difference. I did choose a road less traveled, but I know I have made the right decision. I fell in love with nature all over again, as if I was that 9 year old " pre- med/vet student' studying plants, insects and animals. Just look around- the medical community is being overhauled as I write.Always choose what is in your heart....you will never be wrong..

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can cause warts. This is the benign condition caused by this virus. There are some HPV viruses associated with pre cancerous and cancer. It accounts for cervical cancer in women. This is always discussed when HPV is the topic, especially HPV 16 and HPV 18.  Genital warts are mostly caused by HPV 6 and HPV 11. These lesions can be found int he public area,. between  he thighs, and inside the vagina and anal canal. Many individuals who get genital HPV will clear the virus without a problem. However the longer the virus remains int he body, the higher the risk of developing an associated cancer.  Teresa Boardwine RH (registered herbalist)  presented an excellent lecture on HPV with its herbal treatment. There is so much a patient can do for their HPV.

Remember this: In Western Medicine there is  NO CURE for HPV infection. 

Since HPV is not readily discussed in men, as much as women I wanted to present some facts.

Anal cancer is a rare disease in the general population. Among gay and HIV positive gay men the incidence of anal cancer is significantly higher. More than 2,250 men will be diagnosed with anal cancer this year.  It is also increasing annually. In the general population the incidence is two out of every 100,000, however in gay men ( with and without HIV positivity) the incidence is 40 out of every 100,000. This is 80 anal cancers per 100,000. This is high. Women fear Human Papilloma Virus that causes cervical cancer. As a gay men we should fear other strains of Human Papilloma Virus that cause anal cancer. Gay men get HPV through both protected and unprotected anal intercourse and through skin to skin contact. In 2009 the GHMC published GHMC Treatment Issues of anal cancer. There were alarming statistics among men who have sex with men (MSM) both with socioeconomic and cultural differences.. The one way to protect yourself is wear a condom and know your sexual partner. As men we can ask your doctor to perform an anal pap. This is very similar to the cervical Pap for women. Studies suggest anal paps every 3 years. Also you need to do some research as not all centers do anal paps. Needless to say that regular anal paps are an important part of staying healthy in addition to safe sexual practices. Both the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association have similar studies that state homosexual behavior in men increases the risk of anal cancer. If you have a history of receptive anal intercourse you are at a higher risk. Smoking also puts you at a higher risk. Another risk factor for developing anal cancer is the use of recreational drugs anally. Using 'crystal meth or ecstasy in the rectum can lead to higher rates of anal cell dysplasia which can lead to anal cancer. From the onset of the HIV epidemic, the recreational drug, ' amyl nitrate or 'poppers' were linked to disease. I feel that ' poppers ''rush' increase your inhibition and anal intercourse is more likely to happen.

Are there preventive measures ? Besides the safe sex and anal paps, you can always clean up your dietary habits.You should only have a colonscopy if you have a positive anal pap or there is a suggestion of other gastrointestinal issues as constipation, bloating, and/or diarrhea.  For those that consume higher sugar in simple carbohydrates , as bread pasta, etc you increase your likelihood of diabetes and obesity. Both are these diseases are  epidemic. Both lead to a diminished immune system.  Also cancers feed on 'sugar' - the acidic environment hypothesis. Eat less carbohydrates and more fruits and vegetables. Eat those green leafy vegetables. Take an above adequate multivitamin. Always hydrate yourself with water. Exercise at least 3 times a week.
Herbal treatments for  HPV( female and male ) in the future

Until tomorrow....

JUNE 6, 2012 TURNING 50 & YOUR PROSTATE

 

You are not 50, You are 49.95, plus tax!

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age Happy 20th anniversary of your 30th  Birthday Before man landed on the moon in 1969, before the 1964 New York World's Fair and after Disneyland opened in California in 1955, an event took place in Virginia.Nancy Walker Byrd and Frederick Byrd, Sr gave birth to Michael Clay Byrd on June 6, 1962. He would be younger brother to Frederick E Byrd, Jr and grandchild to Mary (Gaga) Walker and Clayton Walker, and  Grace and Jethro Byrd. For the first 40 years, Michael lived in Virginia and North Carolina. For the last ten years he has lived in West Hollywood, California. When you live to far from the East Coast, your family is compromised of friends. Michael has had the good fortune of having wonderful, compassionate/loving and generous friends. He is gregarious and hilarious. His laugh can be infectious He has a pleasurable job with a great boss. He drives a new 2012 vehicle and owns a condo in West Hollywood . Not many people can say they could even walk to work, but he can. ( Rick and I would have to walk over water or the 59th Street Bridge to get to work) He is loved by so many, especially me - his brother-in-law for more than 10 years. He has been there for Rick and I when he didn't have the time, or in all of America's people- the extra money. I have been trying to find him a partner for the last 8 years. He is healthier due to Longevity Nutritionals (www.longevitynutritionals.com  )  and Kaiser in Los Angeles. The above is an ad for  Cupid, Match and eHarmony On this half-a-century mark, I would say this: "One Cannot Help being old, but one can resist being aged." and also  "There are three things that grow more precious with age: old wood to burn ( only if were colder in California), old books to read ( do you have any?) and old friends and family to enjoy ( you have both of these) Health , serenity and happiness on your day. You are in our thoughts. As men age, we must worry about our prostate gland. There are foods to enhance the prostate gland health, as well as your overall health. The longer, men live, the gland will enlarge, urine will begin to slow down , and there is chance of developing prostate cancer. Your diet to help your gland should be of steamed vegetables and moderate protein ( not necessarily animal protein ) Freshly squeezed lemon or lime in warm ( not cold) water should be your daily drink. Alcohol, sugar and caffeine can aggravate the prostate. As I am over 50, there are two additions to my diet which include pumpkin seeds and daily cucumbers. Today I had an expensive Cucumber drink from Organic Avenue. For less than 6 oz I paid $10.00. I could have juiced it at home. The three supplements I made sure my daily multi vitamin had when I became 50 years old. These are calcium/magnesium ( total dose 600mg combined) , Vitamin E ( at least 400 IU daily) and zinc ( 20-50mg) Since my multi did not have that much zinc, I had to add an extra zinc capsule. I would also read about using the herb, saw palmetto as a preventative measure for your prostate Happy 50th -Michael Clayton Until tomorrow...