Do Plants Have Ears?

As a naturopathic doctor and a nature-lover, I have great respect for the plant kingdom. Plants nourish us, heal us, and even shelter us.

But can they hear us too?

A new study published in the international journal Trends in Plant Science suggests that they can.

Researchers in Italy and the United Kingdom found that the roots of young corn plants produce and respond to sounds and vibrations. Scientists described the noises they make as "clicking" sounds.

They also observed that the roots, when suspended in water, grew toward sound vibrations emitted in the same frequency range of sounds made by the roots themselves.

The study concluded that "it is very likely that some form of sensitivity to sound and vibrations ... plays an important role in the life of plants."

Selecting Supplements

I ask every new patient to bring any supplements they are taking with them to the first appointment because I like to see them in person. I look at the manufacturer, find the expiration date, and evaluate the full list of ingredients, including fillers and inactive additives.

Supplements are big business now and some manufacturers cut corners to increase profits. But quality always suffers.

If you don't have a naturopathic doctor to make recommendations, look for products that list the following information on the label:

• The name and address of the manufacturer

• A lot number or batch number

• An expiration date

• The scientific name, quantity and part of any plant ingredient

Also, to ensure that products have been tested by an independent lab, look for seals from organizations like:

• The United States Pharmacopeia

• The National Nutritional Foods Association

• Consumer Lab

• National Sanitation Foundation International

Certification guarantees that supplements contain what they are labeled to contain, but beware that it doesn’t ensure that manufacturers started with the highest quality raw ingredients or tested them in clinical trials.

Colonoscopy: Risk Versus Benefit

Colonoscopies are used to screen for colon cancer and remove suspicious lesions. They can be useful for finding cancer, but there are risks involved too. Complications and adverse effects may include pain, infection, blood loss, colon perforation, heart problems, and reactions to sedative medications like breathing problems, low blood pressure, and slowed heart rate.

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that serious side effects were not uncommon after colonoscopy. Researchers concluded that 1 percent of patients went to the emergency room within 14 days of the procedure. They also found that adverse effects were seriously under-reported. After 6,383 endoscopies and 11,632 colonoscopies, there were 134 trips to the emergency room and 76 hospitalizations but physicians only reported 31 complications.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends colonoscopy screenings for adults every 10 years beginning at age 50, but age shouldn't be the only factor in determining screening recommendations.

Like any medical procedure or treatment, it's important to weigh the risks and benefits. And when it comes to colonoscopy, some people benefit more than others.

A published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people with certain medical conditions are much more likely to have serious side effects after colonoscopy. They include:

• Stroke

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Atrial fibrillation

• Congestive heart failure

• Polypectomy (previous removal of polyps) 

• More than one medical condition

Individuals who benefit the most from colon cancer screening are those who have the highest risk. These include:

• Older adults (the older we get, the greater the risk)

• African Americans

• People who eat a low fiber diet

• Sedentary individuals

• People with a history of inflammatory bowel disease 

• Obese and diabetic individuals 

• People with a history of colorectal cancer or polyps

• Individuals who have undergone radiation therapy directed at the abdomen (as part of cancer treatment, for example)

• People who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol

• Individuals with inherited genetic syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (also known as Lynch syndrome)

• Anyone with a family member who developed colon cancer before the age of 60

So what's the bottom line?

The benefits of colonoscopy screening, once every 10 years between the ages of 50 and 75, probably outweigh the risks for people who have a high risk of colon cancer.


The risks probably outweigh the benefits for adults after the age of 75 and for anyone with a history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, or polyp removal.

References:

Leffler DA et al. The incidence and cost of unexpected hospital use after scheduled outpatient endoscopy. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2010 Oct 25;170(19):1752-7.

Warren JL et al. Adverse events after outpatient colonoscopy in the Medicare population. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009 Jun 16;150(12):849-57, W152.

Zauber AG et al. Evaluating test strategies for colorectal cancer screening: a decision analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008 Nov 4;149(9):659-69.

DIY All-Purpose Healing Salve

This simple home-made salve can moisturize cuticles, soothe dry skin, and even hydrate your hair. It has a soft and silky texture because it's a combination of shea butter, which is very solid at room temperature, and almond oil, which is liquid at room temperature. The two together make a perfectly spreadable salve.

(In New York City, find raw shea butter at the Harlem Market or head to 125th Street and buy it from one of several street vendors, 8 ounces for $3 or 16 ounces for $4.)

Apply this salve to dry lips, skin, and hair. Scoop some out and rub it between your hands until it melts, then work it in wherever you need it. If you use it on your feet, cover them with socks afterward for several hours.

I like to use this salve after a hot bath and a good scrub, just before bed. I apply it to freshly exfoliated skin, toweled-dry, and allow it to soak in overnight. Then I wake up softer than ever. 

1 part raw shea butter

1 part almond oil

Pure essential oil, lavender or other, 10 drops per ½ cup of shea butter/almond oil mixture

Place a clean glass container (large enough to contain all of your ingredients) in a pan of shallow, slowly simmering water. Add the cocoa butter to the container and warm until almost melted. 

Remove the glass container from the water bath and stir in the almond oil until the mixture is smooth. Cool for 10 minutes, then stir in the essential oil.

Set aside to cool.

Once at room temperature, cover it and transfer it to the fridge to set. Chill overnight.

Allow the salve it to come to room temperature and apply as needed.

If you find that the texture is too soft or too hard, it's easy to adjust. Melt it again in a slowly simmering water bath, and if it's too hard, add more almond oil. If it's too soft, add more shea butter. If it's not fragrant enough, add more essential oil. Then repeat as before: mix thoroughly, cool to room temperature, chill thoroughly, warm to room temperature, and apply as needed.

A little bit of salve goes a long way, so if you make a big batch, share some with others. I tucked a jar into the Mother's Day package I sent my Mom this year.

 

What is Detox Really?

Detox powders, products, protocols, and programs are everywhere these days, from raw food and vegan diets to foot baths and body wraps. But do they really work? And what is detox anyway?

Detoxification is often synonymous with a "cleanse" or "cleansing" and it means different things to different people. The United States National Library of Medicine defines detoxification as the removal of harmful substances from the body and I agree.

It's a good goal because more than 400 chemicals from the environment have been found in human blood and fat tissue, according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition. And environmental toxins have been linked to some of the deadliest and most debilitating diseases including

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Alzheimer's disease
• Infertility
• Endometriosis
• Depression
• Autoimmune disease

Unfortunately, removing environmental toxins that have been stored inside our bodies is not as easy as it sounds.

Most environmental toxins are fat-soluble and they're stored inside our fat cells. The only way to get them out is to burn fat for energy, because when fat cells release fatty acids into the blood stream, they release stored toxins as well.

Once toxins begin to circulate throughout the body, they can cause more harm than good if the liver isn't efficient at changing them into excretable water-soluble compounds and if our bodies aren't efficient at eliminating them through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

Detoxification can only happen when the body is burning fat for energy, and our bodies only burn fat instead of sugar when insulin levels are low and sugar isn't widely available. When insulin levels are high, the body will always store fat and toxins, never release them.

Low blood sugar and low insulin levels can be achieved by eating a diet low in sweets, starches, and other easily digestible carbohydrates (or through supervised calorie restriction). But most popular "detox" protocols offer or allow foods, drinks, and/or supplements that can raise blood sugar levels, including

• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dried fruit and fruit preserves
• Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots
• Winter squashes
• Grains including whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal, and processed grains like flour (bread, baked goods, cereal, pasta) even if they're gluten-free
• Natural sweeteners
• Artificial sweeteners (they may not raise blood sugar but they do raise insulin levels)

These foods can actually have the opposite effect of detoxification because they cause the body to store toxins, not release them. For real detoxification to take place, blood sugar and insulin levels must be low. Other things must happen too.

A good detoxification program should accomplish four goals:

1. Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins in food, water, and your home environment
2. Release toxins that your body has stored back into blood circulation
3. Up-regulate enzymatic pathways in your liver that break down circulating toxins, making them easier to excrete
4. Increase excretion of detoxified compounds through all routes of elimination

So simply eating raw food, adopting a vegan diet, soaking your feet, or nourishing your skin is not detoxification. These things may be good for us and may help to minimize our exposure to toxins, but they don't necessarily detoxify our bodies.

Also, it's important to realize that detox isn't right for everyone and one program doesn't fit all people. If you're interested in detoxification, ask your naturopathic doctor to design a program tailored to your unique needs and goals.

References:

Cancer Prevention Coalition. Carcinogens at Home. Available at http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/household/carcinogens_home.htm

Chevrier J et al. Body weight loss increases plasma and adipose tissue concentrations of potentially toxic pollutants in obese individuals. International Journal of Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders. 2000 Oct; 24(10):1272-8.

Liang Y et al. The effect of artificial sweetener on insulin secretion. 1. The effect of acesulfame K on insulin secretion in the rat (studies in vivo). Hormone and Metabolic Research. 1987 Jun; 19(6):233-8.

Müllerová D and Kopecký J. White adipose tissue: storage and effector site for environmental pollutants. Physiological Research. 2007; 56(4):375-81.

Four Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

 

In celebration of Earth Day, these simple steps will improve your health and help the environment at the same time. 

#1   Get the plastic out

Re-purpose plastic food storage containers to hold things you don't plan to eat and replace them with glass containers.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics can mimic or block natural hormones made by the body and have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems like early puberty, infertility and cancer. Evidence is mounting that these chemicals also interfere with neurological and immune systems and contribute to thyroid disorders, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Because most of these toxins are fat-soluble, they are stored in tissues, rather than excreted. They can accumulate in the body and be transferred from mother to child through the placenta and breast milk.

When these endocrine-disrupting chemicals are released into the environment, they can have similar negative effects on wildlife.


#2   Clean out your cleaning products

Replace toxic household cleaning products with non-toxic alternatives.

 
#3   Compost

Composting not only reduces waste, it also saves greenhouse gas emissions from refuse transport and provides nutrient-rich plant food for gardens, yards and parks. Even apartment dwellers can compost.


#4   Add indoor plants

Plants can help detoxify the air.

These indoor species have been shown to remove harmful chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and/or toluene:

• Moth orchid (Phalenopsis sp.)

• Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium sp.)

• English Ivy (Hedera helix)

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)

• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')

• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

• Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

• Pot Mum (Chrysantheium morifolium)

• Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "Bostoniensis")

• Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

• Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

• Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

• Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

DIY Herb Garden In Your Window

Spring is the perfect time to plant an herb garden in your window. Not only will it mean that you'll always have fresh herbs available, but you'll never have to worry about them spoiling like cut herbs can. Just snip off whatever you need whenever you need it.

In my window garden, I planted the herbs I use most in the kitchen: thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, basil, and majoram. If you like mint, always plant it alone, in its own container. Mint prefers shadier conditions than other herbs and can quickly crowd out other plants.

Because different plants have different requirements for sunshine and water, consider these factors as you pick out your herbs, especially if you'll be putting them in the same pot. If you need help, ask the seller which plants grow well together, how much sun they will need, and how often to water them so you can be sure to select what will grow best for you.

Most herbs are best bought as "starts" (small plants that someone else started for you) because they can be difficult to germinate or because they need to be germinated in the fall for a summer harvest. In New York City, find herb starts at the Union Square Greenmarket.

Plan to plant your herb starts inside a terra cotta or ceramic container. Be sure to use one large enough and deep enough to fit the plants comfortably without over-crowding, at least 6 to 8 inches deep. Planting containers should have drainage holes and bottom trays to catch excess water.

To make your own window garden at home, first assemble your materials:

• Herb starts
• Planting container
• Organic potting soil
• Natural drainage materials like rocks, sea shells, egg shells, and broken terra cotta or ceramic pottery

 Then follow these simple steps:

1. Place the drainage materials inside the container.
2. Scatter a thin layer of organic potting soil over the drainage materials. 
3. Remove the starts from the plastic pots they came in and transfer them along with their soil to the container.
4. Fill in the gaps between plants with organic potting soil. Press it down gently but firmly.
5. Water the container thoroughly, until water starts to drain out the bottom. Allow it to drain completely. (I allow it to drain in the sink before I place it on the bottom tray. If you drain yours on the tray, empty the water.)
6. Place your herb garden where it will get direct sunlight every day.
7. Keep the soil moist (not wet) by watering it regularly. Never allow the roots to sit in water. (I make an exception for times when I'll be away and unable to water them on time. In this case only, too much water may be better than too little.)