Five
Herbs
for the
Heart
By Stephanie Bernstein, Natural Solutions Magazine
You’ve seen the ads: “Tone your abs in just five minutes a day!” and “Tone your legs with this simple, everyday workout!” Well, as grating as they may be after repeated viewing, their message is important. When we “tone” our muscles, we nourish them and bolster their strength. Medicinally, when we speak of tonics, we mean herbs and foods that do the conditioning work for us–they nourish, support, or strengthen our energy, blood, and organ function from the inside.
So while physical workouts remain important, maybe it’s time to look a little deeper. The heart, for instance, continuously pumps our blood and regulates its circulation. It also affects (and reflects) our emotional state–its rhythm is often mandated by the condition of our nervous system. Daily stress, nervous tension, and heartbreak (among other emotional strains) can interfere with the heart and cause palpitations, lack of sleep, and a racing mind. The best way to prevent acute issues of the heart is to keep it healthy by supporting the physical apparatus of the circulatory system and balancing the emotions that beset us. You can keep the blood flowing clean and without obstruction and your heart at an even and steady rhythm by making regular use of the following heart-friendly herbs.
1.
Cacao
(Theobroma
cacao)
A
natural
source
of
theobromine,
long
considered
a
heart
tonic
and
mild
stimulant,
cacao
also
contains
epicatechin,
a
flavonol
that
improves
the
function
of
the
blood
vessels.
Of
course
eating
flavonol-rich
cacao
is
not
the
same–on
many
levels,
alas–as
snacking
on
sugary
chocolate
bars.
Your
best
bet?
Munching
on
raw
cacao
nibs
or
taking
a
cacao
tincture.
2.
Cayenne
(Capsicum
frutescens)
Taken
daily,
this
Indian
spice
strengthens,
stimulates,
and
tones
the
heart,
balances
circulation,
and
calms
palpitations.
Start
with
a
few
grains
at a
time
(up
to
1/2
teaspoon),
and
add
it
to
juice.
If
you
feel
hesitant
because
of
cayenne’s
spicy
reputation,
start
with
a a
tiny
pinch
and
increase
the
amount
as
you
feel
comfortable.
3.
Garlic
(Allium
sativum)
Many
ancient
cultures
recognized
garlic
as a
therapeutic
plant–the
Egyptians,
for
instance,
found
more
than
200
medical
uses
for
the
herb.
Several
studies
have
shown
that
a
clove
a
day
(approximately
600
to
900
mg a
day
of
powder)
inhibits
bad
cholesterol
(LDL)
production
and
raises
the
good
kind
(HDL).
Smaller
trials
have
also
demonstrated
garlic’s
promise
in
normalizing
blood
pressure,
preventing
blood
platelet
aggregation,
and
improving
circulation.
4.
Hawthorn
(Crataegus
oxycanthus)
Boulder,
Colorado-based
herbalist
Brigitte
Mars
can’t
say
enough
about
this
heart
and
circulatory
tonic,
which
she
says
can
improve
oxygen
and
blood
supply.
Rich
in
flavonoids
that
protect
small
capillary
vessels
from
free-radical
damage,
hawthorn
normalizes
blood
pressure
and
lowers
cholesterol
and
fat
deposits
in
the
liver
and
aorta.
Mars
recommends
it
for
angina,
arrhythmia,
arteriosclerosis,
blood
clots,
and
hypertension.
You’re
not
likely
to
see
results
for
a
few
months,
but
hawthorn
is
safe
for
long-term
use.
Take
15
to
25
drops
of
the
tincture
three
times
daily,
says
Mars.
5.
Motherwort
(Leonurus
cardiaca)
Traditionally
used
to
treat
a
racing
heart
caused
by
nervous
tension,
this
herbal
sedative
may,
with
long-term
use,
reduce
the
formation
of
clotting
factors,
lower
total
cholesterol
and
triglycerides,
and
strengthen
the
heart
muscle.
Prepare
a
tea
by
soaking
1/4
to
1/2
teaspoon
of
dried
motherwort
in
about
5
ounces
of
boiling
water
for
five
to
10
minutes.
Drink
it
throughout
the
day,
or
take
10
to
20
drops
of a
tincture
as
often
as
every
10
minutes,
if
necessary.