NOVEMBER 13, 2012 SKIN AND HERBS

IT IS SARSAPARILLA ---

" There is a gift for us in each relationshiop that comes our way"

Whether this is a relationship with a dog, a human being, or with the G.O.D. of your understanding, it is a gift. Relationships with people whether good or bad are there as lessons for us to learn something from. I have learned so much in the last decade from living with my husband. It has been a gift and the gift gets stronger day by day.
If you treat every relationship as a gift, the potential of the relationship working will likely be the result. If it is not the result you want, do not fret. You have learned something. It is still a gift. A gift of humblness, gratitude and life.



When it comes to a skin problem you cannot ignore it because it is visible. The skin is endangered by cuts, scrapes, bruises and even some disease like psoriasis and eczema.
The exact cause of a skin cause is sometimes difficult to determine. During the history a cut/bruise sustained by kickboxing would be a cause of an infection or cellulitis. We are more prone to cuts bruises etc if you have dry skin. It can result in a dermatitis which is inflamed , red skin that is often itchy and may develop into lesions. Eczema can include crusty sores, scabs, thickened skin, pimple lik eruptions and even lesions, The skin can be either oozing or crusty and can easily become infected.

Sometimes these lesions are not related to an injury but instead an allergy. This can be a IgE immediate allergy to a antigen or substance ( dust, trees, dogs, cats and even foods) The IgG is a delayed reaction which may or may not result in a skin problem Usually these types of allergies are symptomatic in the small intestine or " gut" The symptoms may be bloating, gas and change in bowel habits.

One herb that has been discussed for some time is Sarsaparilla. It has been used since the 1940's. There was even an article in a peer review journal, NEJM - The New England Journal of Medicine describing its success in helping  cure psoriasis. It is still used today.

The Textbook of Natural Medicine ( with Michael Murray, ND and Joseph Pizzorno, ND) believe that this herb aids people with psoriasis by binding toxins in the intestines and stopping production of polyamines.

The history behind this herb Sarsaparilla ( Simlac regelii or officinalis ) acts as an anti inflammatory and cleansing agent. It was once said to be the " blood purifier" It gives relief for itchy skin as described above and can be used for rheumatoid complaints and gout. It is also believed to help the impotent male and can act to increase testosterone and bulk muscle. In the US Pharmacopeia , sarsaparilla was used to treat the great masquerader disease, Syphilis. The plant was exported to Europe before 1530 from Mexico. The Aztecs used this herb for putrid lesions especially of the bone.

Before artifical agents replaced it, sarsaparilla was thew original flavoring for Root Beer. Although I was born during this television series, Sugar Foot ( 1957-1961) , had its hero always ordering a non alcoholic sarsaparilla when entering the bar to get rid of the villains.,

Culpepper called ' these are all plants of Mars; of a healing quality however used. "

Dioscorides says  ' that both the leaves and berries, drunk before and after any deadly poison, are an excellent antidote. It is also said, that if some of the juice of the berries are given to a new born, it shall never be hurt by poison. It is good against all sorts of venomous things. It is also said that 12 or 16 of the berries , beaten to powder, and given in wine, procure urine when it is stopped."
So make this:

Dermatitis Tea:

1/2 tsp of sarsaparilla root, licorce root, burdock root and paul d arco
3 cups of water
Simemr herbs in water for 10 minutes. Steep for another 10 mniutes. Drain and drink a cup 3 to 4 times a day.

You can take them in tincture form
If you do you must do 1/2 dropperful of each 3 - 4 ytimes a day for 10 days.

Until tomorrow..

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 MULTIVITAMINS

" We need silence to be able to touch souls" - Mother Teresa

Have you ever just sat in silence ? Have you ever meditated on your life?  Last night while sitting in the living room as the snow fell from the sky, we listened to sounds, played the singing bowl and sat in silence. It was a moment we haven't had in a long time. I usually like the den, but there was something peaceful about the living room.
Try sitting in silence. We all need a bit of silence every once in a while


Multivitamin consumption is practiced by a large portion of US adults, and although vitamins are taken to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiency, there is a perception that daily usage may prevent the development of major morbidity and mortality, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). I have been using a multivitamin myself for years. I also prescribe a multi vitamin to my patients. There have been studies on mutli vitamins in the past. While some studies have produced inconsistent evidence of the effects of daily multivitamin use, there are no long-term clinical trials that have provided conclusive evidence regarding the long term effects of daily multivitamin usage on cardiovascular health.

Finally a large study was published in JAMA - Journal American Medical Association. This study, The Physicians’ Health Study II,  enlisted 14,641 male physicians in the United States who were age 50 years or older, is the largest scale clinical trial to date examining the daily use of multivitamins and cardiovascular disease. Most of the patients were Caucasian, and half of them took a daily multivitamin. The other half took placebo daily. Think about this -- What is the multi vitamin used ? I DO NOT KNOW. I would like to know which multi vitamin the AMA considers adequate. Is it the Vitamin Shop brand, GNC, Dr Weil's multivitamin, or Solgar VM ? Would they consider a multi vitamin that has been recommended by Dr Oz, Dr. Jonathan Wright or Dr Weil ? The study states Centrum Silver. I was shocked. Then I read thatr Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company produced this multivitamin. To me, this is nto an adequate vitamin.

I have never prescribed a multi based on prevention of cardiovascular disease. There are many other nutraceuticals/ supplements/vitamins/herbs  that have benefit for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Dr Howard Sesso, MPH, lead researcher and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, stated this

“Multivitamins are the most common supplements taken by at least one-third of all US adults, and while they are typically used to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiency, there is an unproven belief that they may have benefits on other chronic diseases, including heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death”, 


The physician participants in the study were followed for an average of 11.2 years to determine if the daily consumption of multivitamins affected the occurrence of a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular events. Study participants experienced more than 1,700 major cardiovascular disease events during trial follow up, leading investigators to conclude that taking a daily vitamin did not reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke, or cardiovascular death. Again what other vitamins, what was their diet, and WHAT IS THE MULTI VITAMIN USED ?  I read it was CENTRUM SILVER

According to Dr Michael Graziano,  MPH, chief of the Division of Aging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the co-author of this study stated this :


“The majority of the men in our trial appeared to have, on average, good dietary habits. It’s not certain whether the findings would extend to younger men, women, and other racial and ethnic groups"

Again I have no problems with the number and follow-up. I have a problem with " Good dietary habits." in most men, but more so among physicians. I see as patients other physicians. Physicians are unique as patients. We all give great advice, but do we follow our own advice ? I think not. I know personally I sometimes want what I want - a good piece of bread etc. We are humans after all.

I want to know the details of this study before stating a Multi Vitamin is useless.

Until tomorrow....

NOVEMBER 9, 2012 MAGIC AS A HOBBY

“Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.” 
---- Mark Twain





Magic is the art o fstaging optical ullusions to entertain audiences. It be done on a small or large scale. I always think of magicians pulling rabbits out of top hats and card tricks. This could be a real fun hobby.
I always wanted to a real good card trick

Depending on your age you can think of some magician names you recognize. David Copperfield, Doug Henning  and the most common these days is David Blaine.

I do not keep on the current magicians.

I still love to wtch actor, Orson Wells cut in half his assistant, the stunningly beautiful Rita Hayworth.

Perhaps the most well known magician/illusionist is Erich Weisz--better known as Harry Houdini. He changed his name to Houdini to honor the first ,magician, Frenchman Jean-Eugene Robert Houdin

Mr Houdini is well known as the iconic escape artist. He has been talked about in books, and of course in film as Tony Curtis portrays this complex man in Houdini.

I am going to try to learn a coin or card trick. There is even the Society of American Magicians. I am going to start by reading a good Magic Book.

Until tomorrow...

Weekends are short for me, maybe I should stick to jigsaw puzzles this weekend !

NOVEMBER 8, 2012 BITTER ORANGE

Of what significance is one's one existence, one is basically unaware. What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his life The bitter and the sweet come from outside. The hard from within, from one's own efforts. For the most part I do what my own nature drives me to do. It is embarrassing to earn such respect and love for it.
 -Albert Einstein

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.- Aristotle

Bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium) peel and fruit has a variety of traditional uses, including for the treatment of insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and as an expectorant. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as "Chih-shih" or "Zhi shi." The extract has been found to activate metabolism and suppress the appetite; it is thus used in supplements for weight loss. The safety of bitter orange has been confounded by the confusion between the bitter orange compound p-synephrine and a structurally different synthetic compound, m-synephrine

It i also known as Seville orange, sour orange, bigarade orange, and marmalade orange, refers to a citrus tree (Citrus × aurantium) and its fruit. It is hybrid between Citrus maxima and Citrus reticulata. Many varieties of bitter orange are used for their essential oil, which is used in perfume, as a flavoring and as a solvent. The Seville orange variety is used in the production of marmalade.

Like green coffee extract ( discussed by Dr Oz) , bitter orange is used as an appetite suppressant.  However, it also has a stimulant effect  The active ingredient, synephrine, has been linked to a number of deaths, and consumer groups advocate avoiding medicinal use of the fruit. It reminds of the deaths by the use of ephedra in the past.

A recent study published by the ABC ( American Botanical Council) had mixed reviews on Bitter Orange. I feel more studies need to be published and researched. In their current issue, the study reviewed had some flaws. These were that
too many products used in these studies contained other compounds or plant materials with known bio activity, such as caffeine. The reviewers feels this confounds any observed effects on metabolism. Also, many of the studies reviewed failed to mention any adverse effects. This is a key point.

More needs to be researched...

Until tomorrow...

NOVEMBER 7, 2012 MELATONIN

Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast.
     ~William Shakespeare, Macbeth

And if tonight my soul may find her peace
in sleep, and sink in good oblivion,
and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower
then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created.
   ~D.H. Lawrence

Two prodound  literary quotes on sleep.




 By far, melatonin is one of nature's remarkable substances. It is made in response  by the pineal gland. I use melatonin for patients that are traveling and have jet lag or work shift changes. You need adequate melatonin availability as it enables our bodies to be correctly in time with our circadian rhythms. What are circadian rhythms ? These rhythms dictate our hormonal cycles and this cycling determines our aging and our level of iimmunity. This alone is why melatonin is so important.

Do you take melatonin ? One individual that has written and discussed melatonin widely through these years has been Professor  Pierpaoli. Professor Pierpaoli advocates 3 mg of melatonin to put " the pineal gland to sleep." These are exactly his words.
His formula which is trademarked MZS ( melatonin zinc selenium) formula mimics the night peak of melatonin. I have advocated his formula for years. I was side-tracked by a sub lingual melatonin. In retrospect I have seen the sublingual melatonin peak too soon and the long acting melatonin products peak too late.

The Professor's formula produces a night peak of melatonin that is the same as the pineal gland- not too soon and not too late.

We all need melatonin even if you sleep well. You must understand this -- Melatonin secretions decline with aging.

1.Improved fertility

2.Enhanced immunity

3. Easier travel by removal of jet-lag

4. Easier adaptability to shift/ night work

5. Alleviation of menopause symptoms

6. Advantages to those suffering from senility and dementia  

7. Sleep disorder remedy

8. Improved/ deeper sleep patterns

9. Normalisation of circadian rhythms

10.Improvements to Syndrome X

11. More well being



These are the reasons to take this product


Until tomorrow...

NOVEMBER 6, 2012 BOOST NATURAL TESTOSTERONE ?

Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom. ~Plato, The Republic



  As it appeared on the Internet - a rare new plant - Fenugreek to boost natural testosterone levels at www.nugenix.com  I am totally confused. THIS IS WHY !!!

Yes we do know that testosterone levels decline or decrease as we get older. Not only does libido get less, but there is gradual decrease in muscle density and strength. Also the lower the testosterone the lower the energy. There is also an important caveat. As we get older there is an increase in the activity of the aromatase enzyme which converts testosterone to the female hormones ( estrogens, progesterone and lutenizing hormone).  If youy want to boost natural testosterone you need to start with a natural aromatase inhibitor ( not chemical) as bioflavinoids especially querecitin and chyrsin. Also pomegranate seeds are another natural aromatase inhibitor.

I researched the herbal data base on Fenugreek (Trigonella sp) Most of the data is on the species
Trigonella foenum graecum. The research on this species is its use in diabetes and insulin resistance. I found NO data on boosting testosterone. I would have never questioned this before before, but when a plant is involved my radar is keen and perceptive.

The other ingredients have some energy boosting properties and useful for sperm counts ( as B vitamins and zinc). The amino acid citrulline has some 'testosteroine boosting properties, but the review discussed fenuside from the fenugreek plant. There was no data on fenuside from the American Botanical Council.

So what is a man to do to boost testosterone. Eat and exercise well. Consider natural aromatase inhibitors.
There is one remedy that is rarely discussed. As a bee keeper and herbalist the answer is found in ROYAL JELLY

It has been used for centuries for its rejuvenating properties. It does not only contain the male hormone testosterone but is a prime source of fatty acids. It also contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It is great for a number of autoimmune diseases, and useful in arthritis.  It is said to increase alertness.
For your info--it is secreted by the salivary glands of the worker bees to feed and stimulate the growth and development of new queen bees.

ROYAL JELLY IS MY CHOICE.

Until tomorrow...

NOVEMBER 2, 2012 GINGIVITIS

" Grasp, it cannot bve held--it is intangible."  Lao Tsu

There is always a need to let go, or to surrender to an issue or a situation. This usually has to happen in order to make progress.  Try never to surrender is despair, but rather to relieve yourself of the burden of an unproductive effort.  It is not easy, and be difficult to surrender. Letting go creates fear. Personally, surrendering for me in many different aspects of my life, helped me move on. It released the blockage and stagnation that has been built up around me on that paparticular issue. I am grateful and blessed to be able to do this work. If you ask who do I surrender to ...? I surrender to the Great Spirit, the Mystery of Life , Earth Mother and even the Universe. For some they surrender to their  G. O.D. If you have trust and have faith and love, you will be able to surrender easier. Find the way !~



Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. In Latin, 'itis' means inflammation. It could be result of an infection, ill-fitting denture or dental apparatus. In most cases it is caused by accumulation of plaque and impacted food around and under the gums.

As in my case, I see a dental hygienist regularly, but the most important advice is to Waterpik. I am not against flossing, but for ME, I get most of the food and debris out from under my gums by waterpiking after all meals. In addition I add some peppermint or lavender oil to my waterpik base fluid jar. I also use my hygienist herbal formula sprays for my gums- either lavender and/or peppermint.

Two supplements known to help with gingivitis are Vitamin C and Co enzyme Q10.
I know two homeopaths that treat gingivitis with homeopathy. These remedies include mercurius, phosphorus, silicea and kreosotum. I have used two of these remedies and it has relieved the inflamed gum area.

Left untreated, gingivitis might lead to loosening of the tooth, called periodontitis. Bad breath, also known as halitosis can be an issue with infected gums and teeth.

Goldenseal is excellent a poultice against the sore gums. I have seen an older herbalist use comfrey as a mouthwash. I would not suggest to swallow the comfrey mouthwash.

As a cardiologist I am concerned about gum disease. There are studies published linking gum disease and heart disease. This has been known for years. More physicians and even dentists should be well aware of this association.  I recommend one specific excellent integrative dental hygienist, Sandra Senzon and a few integrative dentists in the New York City area as well as other areas.

Protect your gums !!

Until tomorrow...