Desert Health News - January-February 2024

www.onelifenaturopathic.org Natural Options The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 15 MYOFASCIAL RELEASE The Missing Link To Authentic Healing For the Treatment of: • Headaches/Migraines • TMJ • Neck andBack Pain • Fibromyalgia • Carpal Tunnel • Plantar Fasciitis • Neurological Conditions Benefits Include: • Decreased Pain • Decreased Inflammation • IncreasedRange ofMotion • IncreasedMobility • IncreasedCirculation • Improved Posture • ImprovedMood&Cognition 760.895.5145 online scheduling at: https://gina-malloy.clientsecure.me Gina M. Malloy, PT, MS Licensed Physical Therapist OfferingSpecializedTreatment for Women’sHealth Issues (including, but not limited to) Endometriosis • Bladder Incontinence Mastectomy Pain andScars Find & Treat the Root Cause Least Invasive Interventions Holistic Treatment Plans Preventative Care Complex Cases Welcome Dr. Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor. Her background in both conventional and natural medicine enables her to manage and provide safe holistic care. Healthcare Reimagined Your Local Naturopathic Primary Care Doctor Other Services Craniosacral Therapy • Biofeedback Training For questions and to schedule an appointment Call 442.256.5963 Visit onelifenaturopathic.org By Appointment Only Scan me! As we age, many parts of our body wear out. Bones become more brittle. Muscles aren’t as malleable as they used to be. We ache after playing pickleball. We hurt after a round of golf. We pull muscles just getting out of bed or bending to pick up something. And our choices to relieve the pain? Good old aspirin or Ibuprofen, opioids for more serious issues, injections and even surgery when other options are insufficient. Fortunately, an increasingnumber of doctors are recognizing the efficacy of cannabis products in helping alleviate pain, as opioids are no longer a first-choice treatment due to the risk of dependence leading to misuse. Some of these doctors refer their clients to us for education on using cannabis products as pain relief is driving research and studies continue to show positive results. Chronic pain is the most common reason people use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Cannabinoids are strong candidates for use in pain relievers and other medications used for the treatment of symptoms of aging. Cannabis provides many natural compounds that work together, activating one another. There are hundreds of different varieties of cannabis, each containing varying amounts of cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids. These chemicals interact with the brain and body chemistry to cause certain effects. The correct selection of strains, cannabinoids and dose can lead to the most effective regimen; however, this can be challenging to find. For general pain, we suggest looking at cannabis products containing CBD, THC and CBG. Terpenes – the elements that work with cannabinoids and offer distinctive aromas – include pinene, linalool and myrcene. Having tested many products to address arthritis and bursitis, we have found that balms can deliver significant temporary relief. P’s ProMax is unique in blending emu oil with CBD – no THC involved – which enables it to quickly permeate skin and reach painful areas deep within our muscles and joints. Simply rub a small into the painful area and relief may take only seconds and last for up to six hours. Balms can be used on local pain such as arthritis, rashes, and psoriasis or eczema. In addition to balms, pain-relieving cannabis may be enjoyed in a variety of ways: Tinctures. Cannabis concentrate infused in an oil. Just put a few drops under your tongue and hold it there for 30 seconds. Onset within 15-60 minutes. Dosing is easily measured and controlled. CBD is suggested for occasional pain although for chronic pain, the more powerful CBG may prove more effective. Edibles. Cannabis infused into gummies, brownies and even beverages. As we have repeatedly cautioned, edibles can take hours to kick in. We are aware of numerous seniors – and even younger people – who expected immediate results and when they didn’t happen, took more. The first serving kicks in, then the second, and the user may experience extreme discomfort, possibly requiring a trip to the emergency room. Edibles may take up to eight hours to wear off. Vapes. Like smoking a joint but without smoke, aroma, flame and ash. Vape pens are easily portable, and discreet. A hit can take effect within 2-10 minutes and last up to four hours. We suggest inexperienced users look for vapes containing under 30% THC. As always, we suggest newcomers start off with low doses and slowly increase use if necessary. Lustman is chief marketing officer with Senior-High which offers education and resources on medicinal marijuana via private consultations and complimentary seminars to communities. He can be reached at (760) 459.4593 or visit www.senior-high.com. Aging Doesn’t Have to be a Pain By Lewis Lustman In this series on the medicinal value of local vegetation, I have discussed Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo) and Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush). Now, we’ll look at Bougainvillea, one of the most decorative plants in the area. Unlike the previous two plants, Bougainvillea is not native to the desert. This shrubby vine comes from South America and its beauty has spread among tropical and warm climate regions of the world. Botanically, people awe over their abundant, almost continual, vibrant foliage. Fun fact: It is not their flowers that are colorful, but petaloid bracts, a type of modified leaf which can appear in red, magenta, orange, pink, rose, white and mauve. Their flowers are actually very small and white-cream-yellowish in color. The bracts can be round or more triangular in shape and will stay colorful for several months after the flowers are finished. Over time, the vibrancy of the color fades and the bracts texture start to resemble that of paper, hence its common name, Paper Flower.± This plant has natural botanical insecticide properties. However, regular pruning not only provides the ability to shape the plant and direct its growth, it also can prevent overcrowding that can lead to pests and diseases. In fact, the trunks can be braided, and shoots trained into various shapes. Care should be taken whenever handling this plant as it has very impressive thorns, which also make it a great security fence! Historical medicinal uses of Bougainvillea include antibacterial and antiviral activities used as treatment for coughs and respiratory issues.² Highlights of modern research suggest properties that fight cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, liver toxicity, inflammation, oxidation, ulcers and microbes to name a few.µ A study on its anti- inflammatory effects showed comparable effectiveness in an oral dose-dependent manner to positive controls of indomethacin, aspirin and dexamethasone.¶ What is even more notable is it has been used among tribal people of many countries as a form of birth control - for both women and men. A Pharmacognosy Review article statedstudiesthatsupport itsantifertilityproperties.Formales, itreducesspermcount, impairs sperm viability and motility, and potentially increases the negative charge on the sperm surface, thereby inhibiting its capacity of fertilization. Other histological changes of male reproductive organs are noted as well. For women, it disrupts various phases of the menstrual cycle. For both males and females, testosterone and estrogen levels were significantly decreased.µ In a world where the burden of birth control has been placed almost exclusively on females, this may provide an avenue for future generations to share that burden more evenly. Again, it is my hope that these articles give you pause, and next time you see the Bougainvillea, appreciate not only the beauty of its bracts, but also the many medicinal benefits that nature provides us. Dr. Shari Jainuddin is a naturopathic primary care doctor at One Life Naturopathic and also offers biofeedback training and craniosacral therapy. This article is intended to be informative and is not provided as medical advice. For more information, call (442) 256.5963 or visit www.onelifenaturopathic.org . References available upon request. Nature’s Medicine All Around Us A look at Bougainvillea spp. By Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB January/February 2024