Tag Archives: Heart

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Vitamin E

Useful For:  Decrease in risk for hayfever, supports healing, good for skin and hair, increases heart health, regulates blood pressure.  As an antioxidant, it helps to protect against cancer.  It can also assist with lessening the effects of female hormonal issues (hot flashes and difficult menses).

Herbal Sources:  Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Dandelion, Dong quai, Flaxseed, Nettle, Oatstraw, Raspberry Leaf, Rose Hips

Food Sources:  Wheat germ, whole grains, expeller-pressed vegetable oil, nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatos, and brussel sprouts

Warnings:  High dosage Vitamin E (600-800 IU) should not be done without the oversight of a medical professional if you are on blood-thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or a Vitamin K deficiency.

 

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Potassium

Useful For:  Water balance, muscles, nervous system, heart

Herbal Sources:  Catnip, Hops, Horsetail, Nettle, Plantain, Red Clover, Sage, Scullcap

Food Sources:  Potatos, Benanas, papayas, edamame, tomato sauce, spinach, oranges, celery, cabbage, seaweed

Other notes:  Potassium is not something to try to get from supplements.  When not gained through food, potassium has a tendency to build up in the body, which can lead to very serious medical conditions.

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White Willow

Name:  White Willow

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Used for:  The herb, mixed with vinegar, is said to be effective against warts and corns.  During menopause, willowbark has been found to lower incidences of night sweats and hot flashes.  Willowbark can also be used to lower fevers.  However, the primary usage for willowbark is as a pain reliever.  Aspirin was created from a compound found within willowbark, and they have similar actions and effects.  There are benefits to using the herb rather than the pill.  For one, the other constituents of willowbark make it far gentler on the stomach, and though it takes a bit longer to act than aspirin, the effects are longer lasting, and generally more effective.

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Directions & Warnings:  Same as aspirin, although to a far lesser extent.

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Hawthorn (Cratageus Oxacantha)

Name:  Hawthorn

Latin:  Cratageus oxacantha

Other Common Names:  Whitethorn, Ladies’ Meat, Quickthorn, Maytree, Mayblossom

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Leaves, flowers, and fruit

Vitamins/Minerals:  Antioxidants

Used for:  Due to the antioxidants found in this herb, the medicinal uses for it are fairly expansive.  It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, supports the immune system and the liver.  However, hawthorn’s particular strength is in what it does for the heart.  It has both a strengthening and a regulatory action, making it useful for a wide variety of heart conditions:  aging, weakened, damaged, angina, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart valve disease, arterial spasms, etc…  It can also be used to regulate blood pressure, aiding with both high and low.  It can help to prevent miscarriage.  It can also lessen the chance of strokes.  If used as a poultice, it has good drawing out properties.  The broad range of benefits and the fact that there is no overdose of it for practical use, when combined with the tasty flavour, makes this one of my favorite ingredients for teas.  Historically, hawthorn is an herb thought to increase longevity, and that is quite understandable, given the conditions it fights and the systems it supports.

Use in tandem with:  Oatstraw, Rose

Directions & Warnings:

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Cranberries

Name:  Cranberries

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Used for:  Good for gastrointestinal health, as they improve blood vessel function, inhibit kidney stones, and can be helpful for kidney and bladder infections.  They also have a lot of antioxidants, making them a good addition to an anticancer or heart health diet.  They also have tannins that help to keep bacteria from sticking to cells.

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Directions & Warnings:  They freeze quite well, so get extra to stock up.

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Cayenne (Capsicum)

Name:  Cayenne

Latin:  Capsicum

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Used for:  Cayenne is one of the “miracle herbs,” falling into the same category of niftiness as garlic and turmeric.  It is good for your digestion, and quite an assist to the circulatory system as well.  It helps to regulate your heart and blood pressure.  Used in conjunction with ginger, it can help to clear your sinuses and bronchial tubes; garlic increases the effects on blood pressure.  It helps to mitigate shock, and can help with clotting (internally).  It can also be used as a liniment for headaches and muscle aches.  It is also an intensifier when used with other herbs and spices, making them more effective.  Cayenne can also stimulate salivation, which can help with dry mouth.  It also increases metabolism, making it a good thing to include in foods when working on weight loss.  And rolling on through the myriad effects of cayenne, it is a healthier stimulant than caffeine, doing so through nutrition and a systemic revitalization rather than agitation.  The way in which it acts as a stimulant can also help with the emotional responses to stress.

Use in tandem with:  Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric

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