Chicken Eggs Versus Duck Eggs
Chicken Eggs Versus Duck Eggs Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD On my farm here in Collinsville, I raise both ducks and chickens. Neither lay as many eggs during the winter, but as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, our birds’ egg production is increasing....
Farming & Gardening
Why include farming on a food and medicine page? The connection between food and good health is easy to see. But many of you may wonder why a doctor would care about farming. Why include sustainable growing, regenerative farming and permaculture on a health and...
Yolk or No Yolk?
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Nutrition has always fascinated me. As a doctor and a farmer, I’ve learned quite a bit about eggs, because I raise hens on my property, and eggs are a staple of my own diet. For those who can tolerate them (they are a common dietary...
Lemon Balm
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale Lemon balm, scientific name Melissa officinalis, is so easy to grow, it is almost foolproof. Like most other members of the mint family, lemon balm spreads easily after it becomes established. It does well in...
Stinging Nettle- Inflammation Fighting and More:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale Stinging Nettle, scientific name Urtica dioica, and commonly known as nettles, has a long history of folk usage for food and medicine. For hundreds of years, nettles have been used to treat lung issues. The...
Challenges in Elder Care: Mental Health and Family Connection
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale I did not realize how lonely some people get as they age. There is often a lot less interaction with family members who have to work and are tired after spending long hours at their job all week. These folks...
Challenges in Elder Care- Exercise, Chronic Disease and Nutrition:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale The diets of our parents are far less nutritious now than in the past. The lack of proper nutrition is causing chronic disease to manifest more frequently in the older population today than in previous...
Challenges in Elder Care: Financial Issues
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale When you take on the role of caretaker, it isn’t just the person’s physical well-being that you need to address. Before I began to care for my elderly father, I did not realize how much time it takes to...
Challenges in Elder Care: Distance
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale My dad was living independently until he fell about four years ago. Perhaps this story sounds familiar to you. So many families are dealing with their elderly parents now differently than they have in the...
Mulch Freak! Manure Freak!
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale When it comes to gardening, I am addicted to composting and mulching; I love mulch! I also have a fondness for all-natural materials and the understated beauty they have. To me, there is something so...









