Eat That Parsley!

 

The next time you go to a restaurant, don't neglect the parsley on the side of your plate. Eat it!

Herbalists have been aware of the medicinal properties of parsley for 2,000 years. The Ancient Greeks used the seeds and roots as a diuretic. During the Middle Ages, parsley wine was recommended as a remedy for poor circulation. Traditional folk medicine has used parsley to regulate menstruation, ease kidney stones, relieve stomach cramps and nausea, and to bring new life into dull, limp hair.

Parsley is a carminative which soothes the digestive tract, stimulates peristalsis, and reduces gas. It contains volatile oils which stimulate the appetite, aid digestion, and improve metabolism.

Parsley contains an essential oil, called apiole, which stimulates the kidneys and promotes the elimination of uric acid.

Due to its strong diuretic action, parsley is an excellent herb to use for detoxifying the liver, relieving bloating, and cleansing the urinary tract.

Parsley contains many important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A nd C, iron, folic acid, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, and phosphorous.

Used regularly, parsley may lower heart rate and blood pressure and help to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Parsley is an  excellent breath freshener, especially when eaten after a meal. Histidine, an amino acid found in parsley, is believed by researchers to fight tumors.

Pregnant women should avoid eating large amounts of parsley because it contains elements which may stimulate uterine contractions. After childbirth, however, those same elements help to contract the uterus to its normal size and to increase lactation.

Parsley is most commonly used in cooking as a garnish. It may be added to sauces, pasta, and salads; or sprinkled over potatoes and fish. The best choice for cooking is fresh Italian parsley.

Dawn Pisturino, RN

May 31, 2007

Copyright 2007-2020 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Living with Insomnia

 

Do you lie awake at night counting sheep? You are not alone. It has been estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from persistent insomnia.

 

This can eventually lead to serious health problems. Researchers have linked inadequate sleep with higher risks for developing Type II diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiac dysrhythmias, heart attack, and stroke. One study showed that people who regularly get less than five hours of sleep have a 45% higher risk of having a heart attack.

 

Worry and anxiety seem to be the most common culprits.

 

Natural herbal remedies that can calm the nerves include chamomile, valerian, hops, skullcap, passion flower, and kava kava.

 

Taking a warm bath or hot shower before bed relaxes and soothes a tired body and active mind.

 

Quiet music, soft lights, and a peaceful environment help to set the right mood for sleep. (They also set the right mood for good old-fashioned sex, which  may just solve your sleep problem.)

 

Burn some essential oil of lavender in an oil burner or sprinkle some on your pillow. The essence of lavender has been used for centuries to relieve anxiety and tension.

 

Avoid drinking caffeine after lunch or taking an afternoon siesta.

 

Find someone with a sympathetic ear and talk about your fears and anxieties. Just the act of expressing yourself releases pent up tension.

 

Protein foods containing calcium or the amino acid tryptophan have a calming effect and make a great bedtime snack. Try warm milk, cheese, and turkey.

 

Practicing meditation or asking your partner for a back and shoulder massage can relax the mind and body enough to produce drowsiness. If this does not work, try repeating a favorite prayer, phrase, or poem over and over again until you fall asleep.

 

Listening to a guided imagery CD or visualizing your fantasy vacation can help overcome troubling thoughts which keep you awake.

 

If you continue to have problems, consult a physician or professional therapist.

 

Dawn Pisturino

Published April 10, 2007 in The Kingman Daily Miner.

Copyright 2013 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.



Does Homeopathy Really Work?

The young woman sitting in the chair before him wrung her hands nervously and began her story:

"I'm 28 years old, and I've been married for four years. Ever since my baby was born, I haven't felt right. The labor was normal, and my baby was born healthy." The young mother smiled. "But now, my menstrual periods are irregular and heavy, and I feel weak and exhausted. I can't eat or sleep, and I crave beer, even though I hate the stuff!"

Dr. Bidwell was tempted to interrupt, but remained silent, allowing the young woman to continue at her own pace.

"I perspire easily," she said, "and I get sick to my stomach if I get cold. Can you help me, doctor?" The young woman looked at him with eager eyes.

Dr. Bidwell examined the notes he had taken and consulted his homeopathic repertory. After much thought, he prescribed Cocculus indicus (Indian cockle), the homeopathic remedy which precisely matched all of the woman's symptoms. Within four months, she was completely cured.

The above scenario is based on an actual case recorded one hundred years ago by New York homeopathic physician Glen Bidwell.

What is Cocculus indicus, and how did it cure this woman?

Cocculus indicus is a climbing vine which contains a deadly poison called picrotoxin. It was once added to beer to magnify the effects of intoxication and used to reverse morphine overdose. Fishermen threw it into the water to stun fish and make them easier to catch.

Homeopathy allegedly works by stimulating the body's own natural ability to heal itself. Homeopathic medications are diluted and shaken to the point where little or no actual medicine remains. But somehow, they appear to work on the human body at a very deep level.

Researchers have not yet determined how homeopathic medicines work, therefore, they tend to dismiss homeopathy as quackery or attribute cures to the placebo effect (all in the mind.) But the latest theory may contain an element of truth. Some researchers now speculate that the method used to shake the medication causes an electromagnetic transference of medicine into the diluted solution.

Regardless of how homeopathy works, many studies have been done which show that homeopathic medicines definitely have some sort of therapeutic value.

Those interested in giving homeopathy a try should only consult a qualified physician trained in homeopathy.

Dawn Pisturino
June 26, 2007

Ayurvedic Land and Seed Theory: Cleansing to Restore Balance

An important concept in Ayurveda (traditional East Indian medicine) is the land and seed theory.

It's really very simple. The body is the "land." The "seed" is a virus, bacteria, toxic substance -- anything that can take root and cause disease. 

In order to function properly, the body needs to maintain balance through good digestion and regular elimination. When toxins build up in the system through poor diet, inadequate digestion, or slow elimination, the "land" becomes fertile for the "seed" to grow and thrive, thereby causing discomfort and illness.

We restore the body's balance by periodically following a cleansing regimen. In Ayurveda, this is recommended at every change in season, but you can do this whenever you feel the need.

Since stress negatively impacts the digestive tract, reduce the amount of stress in your life by getting enough sleep and practicing meditation and other stress-relieving acivities.

Physical activity energizes both the digestive and immune systems. Engage in daily exercise, and don't be afraid to sweat! Sweating opens up the pores and allows toxins to escape through the skin. Breathe deeply, and open up the lungs.

Treat yourself to a massage or visit a spa. Take a warm bath or shower every day. (Jacuzzis, steam baths, and hot tubs feel wonderful!)

Flush out your system with plenty of water, fruit juice, vegetable juice, and herbal tea. Dandelion root tea is especially beneficial in detoxifying the body.

Promote regular elimination by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Add more fiber to your diet with whole grains and legumes.

Since this is a cleansing diet, avoid junk food, fatty food, processed food, sweets, soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Limit your intake of meat and dairy products.

Spice up your meals with liberal amounts of fresh herbs and spices. Cilantro, mint, lemon, basil, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, clove, fenugreek, cinnamon, black pepper, and fennel whet the appetite and stimulate the digestive juices. Use extra-virgin olive oil whenever possible.

Prepare cool, light meals in summer and warm, nourishing meals in winter.

Follow this regimen for at least 30 days. People with chronic health problems or disabilities should consult a physician before making any diet changes or engaging in physical activity.

Dawn Pisturino, RN

Published in The Kingman Daily Miner, June 7, 2007.

Copyright 2012 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

The Dope on Medical Marijuana

I was soaking up the sun in Venice Beach recently when I discovered an obscure little shop called Herbalology.  Located on the Boardwalk in an historic building where 60s rocker Jim Morrison once lived (and whose ghost reportedly remains,) the shop is one of several medical marijuana dispensaries scattered around Venice, California.

It is not a shop for tourists.  Under California law, only California residents who have been evaluated by a qualified California physician and issued a special state I.D. card can possess medical marijuana for personal use.

Physicians are prohibited by federal law to prescribe medical marijuana; they can only recommend or approve it for patients whom they judge are seriously ill and would benefit from its use.  Once approved, patients can legally possess six mature or twelve immature marijuana plants.  In addition, they may possess 1/2 lb. (8 ounces) of processed weed.  Individual cities and counties may authorize higher limits, but never less.  And doctors retain the right to recommend amounts tailored to the needs of their patients. 

Proposition 215 -- The California Compassionate Use Act -- took effect in 1996.  Although still being debated in court [as of 2007], the California State Supreme Court ruled in People vs. Mower that "patients have as much right to marijuana as any prescription drug."

Nonetheless, the sale and possession of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, and the federal government does not recognize any medical use for marijuana.  As a result, police still raid doctors' offices, clinics, dispensaries, and private homes where valid sale and use are in question.  Patients with state I.D. cards must remain current in their medical evaluations and renew their cards annually or risk being arrested for illegal possession and use of marijuana.

Dispensaries, which act as non-profit caregivers for patients, are especially vulnerable to legal closure.  Since the sale of marijuana is illegal, dispensaries are not protected under the law.  Their existence depends largely on local community acceptance and tolerance by local law enforcement.  Inevitably, they operate under a cloud of secrecy and suspicion.  Clients are accepted based on referrals and verification  by local physicians.

Dr. Allen Frankel has been practicing internal medicine for thirty years.  A leading proponent of medical marijuana, he evaluates patients in his office at Green Bridge Medical Services in Marina Del Rey, California [as of 2007.]  His desire is to see "more dedicated chemists out there working on super potent extractions of THC into elixirs, oils, sprays, patches, suppositories, you name it, be an angel, go out there and perfect it!  Dying patients can't effectively smoke, and muffins and brownies just don't cut it for them."

Dr. Frankel recommends medical marijuana use for patients with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, migraines, eating disorders, cancer, AIDS, chemotherapy, and other chronic conditions.

"I would like to see doctors, all doctors in every capacity, stand up for this recently released 5,000-year-old medication.  I encourage patients to seek alternate medical practices in conjunction with western medicine."

[Medical marijuana, recently approved by voters in Arizona, will be dispensed according to the California model.]

Dawn Pisturino, RN

Original article published in The Kingman Daily Miner, September 25, 2007.