Tag Archives: Heart

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Garlic (Allium sativum)

Name:  Garlic

Latin:  Allium sativum

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Bulb

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  Garlic is one of the “magic” plants as far as its health effects and uses.  It mitigates the physical effects of stress.  It can lower high blood pressure.  A tea is good for sore throats, and can be used to lessen inflammation and infection in tonsilitis.  If used as a poultice on your chest (often in conjunction with onion), it can help with bronchitis and other chest ailments.  Along with being capable of lowering blood pressure, it can help to reduce your cholesterol, strengthen your heart, increase immune response, reduce stroke risk, and stabilize blood sugar.  Garlic and its relatives are a source of phytoestrogens, which not only reduce the risk of cancer, they can assist with the passage through menopause.  Garlic also has an antibiotic effect similar to penicillin, with the added benefit of not killing off the beneficial bacteria in the body.    Used in a cold poultice, it can help to lower swelling; as a hot poultice, can be used to help snakebites and wasp or hornet stings.  Crushed and packed in near a tooth, it can assist with toothache.  Most of the folkloric and historic beneficial effects of garlic have been proven scientifically.

Use in tandem with:  Hawthorn and Cayenne

Directions and Warnings:  As garlic is a natural blood-thinner, you should consult with a doctor before increasing the amount of garlic you consume, or using it in supplement form if you are on blood-thinning medication.

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Tea

Name:

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  The leaves

Vitamins & Minerals:  Tea is an excellent source of antioxidants.  Also contains quercetin and Vitamin C.  Tea is a natural stimulant, rather like coffee, but adds more nutrients to the mix.  The longer you steep the tea, the more nutrients will be extracted, but some teas become unfathomably bitter if you let them steep too long.

Used for:  General bone and heart health.

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Red Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus)

Name:  Raspberry

Latin:  Rubus Idaeus or Rubus Strigosus

Other Common Names:

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Leaves and Berries

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  This herb is considered to be one of the best for later on in pregnancy, and can be used to tone and condition the uterus, regardless of whether or not you are pregnant.  However, it is also a blood thinner, and I do not suggest that anyone with a history of miscarriage utilize this until the pregnancy is well established.  After birth, raspberry will help to increase milk supply.  It is also used to help combat post-partum depression.  Fresh raspberries steeped in vinegar are a heart tonic.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Raspberry is a blood thinner, and should be used with caution if you utilize prescription blood-thinners.