Your cheatin' heart
Hydraulics and Herbs- Part 3
My son in law Dominick is an Hvac specialist. We have many in-depth conversations about our love of Hydraulics.
Of course, Dom is talking about hydraulic pressures of the atmosphere and f the machines that he loves to troubleshoot;while I am talking about the human body.
We have talked about the Lymph system and the Circulatory system as integral parts of the hydraulic processes in our body. Both of those systems are conduits of necessary blood, oxygen, and fuel, to the cells; and waste products for disposal. The force of gravity is fundamental in the movement of fluid and gas;
however, without an effective pump- the whole body suffers.
Although Hank Williams was singing about emotional heartbreak in his song “Your Cheatin’ Heart;”
when you cheat your heart by depriving it of oxygen- practicing poor life style habits such as using tobacco and getting little exercise- your heart tells on you by causing pain, sweating, shortness of breath, and nausea;
or by feelings of exhaustion, swelling of the legs and feet, high blood pressure,
dusky fingernails, flushing or pallor of the skin-
and general weakness.
We often talk about “Mind-Body-Spirit.” Perhaps we should look at that a bit differently. Spirit-Mind-Body. C.L. Lewis said: “You have no soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” That makes such profound sense, especially with the heart – which houses the “shen” (the TCM term that implies our consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, and our "presence".) Having a healthy heart imparts joy, vitality and energy. “With the biggest vessels down to the tiniest of capillaries, the heart nourishes and sustains every organ, tissue and cell throughout our bodies at every moment. This nourishment is also needed by the muscle of the heart itself. The smooth muscle of the heart must be given a constant and steady supply of nutrients in the blood to carry out its grand and essential task.” [Samantha Gray ND RAC]
To understand why this is so important, let’s look at the anatomy of the heart.
To view the internal surface of the heart, you can use this link: http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/class/bio202/cyberheart/hartint0.htm
In a purely mechanical sense, the Heart is a pump. It is stimulated by internal electricity and functions to propel blood throughout the body by the contractions of the highly muscular tissues
surrounding the four chambers- or ventricles.
Unlike a mechanical pump, there are no pistons to drive the action;
however, the surrounding musculature presses inward- compressing the walls and extruding the blood into the major vessels in much the same way that pistons drive compression in a mechanical pump.
For the heart to function at its best, the peripheral vessels must be responsive to its pulsations.
They must yield to the oncoming wave of blood without resistance.
As we age, vessel walls become narrower- laced with hardening plaque deposits-
increasing the work of the heart for each beat.
You may have heard the term, ventricular strain.
Over time, the stress of each contraction causes the heart muscle to overdevelop-ventricular hypertrophy-
sort of like the enlargement of the biceps muscles when an athlete lifts weights.
However, overdevelopment of the heart muscle is not a desirable condition, as enlarged muscles demand more oxygen and it is oxygen deprivation that drives the heart to increase its speed and velocity.
Increased speed and velocity deprives the heart muscle itself of oxygen, causing it to falter in its work.
At some point, the overworked and overdeveloped heart muscle will fail= Congestive Heart Failure.
When this pump failure happens, we notice swelling of the ankles (edema) -
or even “wet breathing”- fluid back-up in the lungs.
We should also mention that there is a network of tiny arteries and veins that supply the heart muscle itself;these are the first vessels to receive oxygen when the heart beats.
Note that heart vessels undergo the same changes as the great vessels of the body.
When these tiny vessels narrow due to plaque deposits or sudden constriction:
(cold or fear) they deprive the heart muscle of oxygen.
This deprivation is what causes chest pain.
The term angina is a descriptive term that connotes a temporary condition of deprivation usually caused by sudden constriction of tiny heart vessels which abates when the spasm ends.
Prolonged oxygen deprivation caused by continuous spasm, clots, or plaque
can cause muscle death- what we term a heart attack.
Remember that the heart is the pump of the circulatory system.
As such, it forms the apex of the circulatory “loop” - blood comes out of the heart,
into the arteries, through a maze of capillaries to the veins, and back to the heart.
How long does the round trip take? A typical human body contains 5.6 liters (6 quarts) of blood.
The heart pumps about 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood a day through its chambers.
2,000 gallons per day works out to 83 gallons per hour, or nearly 6 quarts per minute.
So it takes about one minute for blood to make the round trip to the heart.
If you are running fast, your heart is pumping more blood so the time would be less. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute, which translates to 86,400 to 144,000 beats per day.
Amazing.
How can we nourish and empower our hearts?
Can we change the way our “cheatin’ hearts” function?
Can we slow aging of the heart muscle?
Can we strengthen our vasculature?
These questions can largely be answered by the following self-check analysis
derived from the “Life’s Simple 7” of the American Heart Association:
*Is my blood pressure within normal limits? (Remember: Vascular resistance.)
*Is my cholesterol OK? (Remember: plaque deposits.)
*What is my normal Blood Sugar? (Contributes to general organ failure- Including heart failure.)
*Am I active enough to sustain healthy heart muscle? (Get up & Get OUT!)
*Am I eating the foods that nourish my heart and blood vessels?
(You can’t go wrong with a “top-heavy” vegetable diet.)
*Am I overweight? (Extra pounds cause strain on the heart as it attempts to push against peripheral resistance.)
*Do I use tobacco? (Smoking and “dipping” causes BP to soar and strains the heart with each beat.) STOP NOW!
You must remember that neither chemical medicines nor plant medicines can retard cardiovascular dysfunction
if you do not adapt your life- style to “health mode.”
Day-by-day you may not notice the impact your lifestyle is having on you.
Over time you will.
It is important to note that changes in lifestyle must be permanent in order to effect health forever.
Live a healthy lifestyle that includes:
*Strengthening your Spirit. A healthy spirit helps lower blood pressure.
Meditation at the beginning and end of the day sets your spirit right.
You may need to practice this at first – but when you do it consistently it calms the heart.
Protect your environment: Do not participate in negative stimulation
such as television and radio (news), movie, and game violence.
Nurture yourself in a quiet retreat.
Take soothing baths once or twice a week utilizing lavender and rose to calm the spirit.
Reduce the stress in your life- take care of your emotional self.
Remember your family looks to you as an example.
Soothing your heart will present an environment of calm to your family.
*Choosing a *diet rich in bright -colored antioxidant foods- think the colors red, orange, blue and purple.
Christopher Hobbs says “Your heart likes a high-potassium, high-fiber, and low-sodium diet,
focusing on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
It is not fond of sticky, fatty foods like bacon or doughnuts.
Stimulants containing caffeine like cola drinks, coffee, tea,
and chocolate also cause the heart to work much harder than normal.”
Eat lustily of the Allium family: Garlic, Onions, Leeks, and Shallots.
Limit your consumption of meats; especially red meat.
Start this by limiting yourself to one red meat meal per week.
Notice how “heavy” you feel after consumption of this meal.
Involve your whole family in the process of ferreting out meatless recipes to try.
Start your children and grandchildren NOW. (French fries are not healthy finger food!)
You can begin with one meatless day per week.
Trust me, there are so many scrumptious ways to make vegetables; you may never miss having meat!
One great way to monitor your food intake is to observe your “hunger pangs.”
Eat only when you feel hunger pangs; STOP eating when you DON’T feel hunger pangs.
You may be surprised just how much of your meal you will not consume if you observe this one modality.
Another way to help you eat healthy is to stop visiting fast- food restaurants.
Plan your meals ahead and cook at least one meal per week as a family.
Eating healthy and lowering your weight can result in lowered cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Eating right can lower overall inflammation in your body.
*Walking is great exercise. Just do it.
Walking not only strengthens and tones your cardiovascular system, but it also helps your lymphatic system
to filter and rid the body of waste.
Begin by strolling through your neighborhood once a day.
Notice the birds, plants and gardens. How do they change each day?
As you build strength, you may want to step up your pace.
You won’t miss anything by walking faster.
Soon you (and your heart) will feel renewed.
Summer is the season of the heart- the season most yang.
Summer is the hottest, most open, most demanding season of the year. All life has burst forth and is now at its peak. We are bursting forth- making joyous revelry in the pleasure and warmth of the earth.
This frantic activity is coupled with an unseen demand to fulfill the energy drain that this season demands.
Even pleasure demands energy.
You can see how the heart must strive to keep up with our physical, emotional, and spiritual demands!
Herbs can help the Heart function by increasing the blood supply to the heart muscle; modulating the heartbeat; improving vessel tone; lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
having an antioxidant effect, or preventing clot formation.
Remember that herbs can help cardiac and vascular function,
but they must be taken over an extended period of time- in sustained dosages to achieve effect.
Herbs are not “one-shot-deals”
when dealing with chronic illness.
Cardiac dis-ease comes about through a life time of choices;
herbs must have time to help your body with its normal healing function.
I will not discuss dosages here. You should seek the advice of a qualified herbalist who will help you to determine herbs that are best suited to your particular body and life-style.
Herbalists like to work with your physician to adapt treatment plans specifically to you.
Nourish your spirit with Nervines to support nerves.
Linden Flower -used primarily as a tea in combination with other pleasant flavored herbs like Lemon balm, Tulsi basil and Chamomile are a soothing way to reduce stress.
Motherwort “Useful for ‘white coat hypertension’ – that which comes on when you visit the doctor- but in reality is ‘stress induced hypertension’ which occurs whenever you are angry, upset, or nervous.” David Winston/ Steven Maimes
Schisandra calms the heart and quiets the spirit.
Tulsi Basil softens reaction to stress.
Mimosa bark lightens the heart.
“I use Mimosa bark with Hawthorn berries and rose petals for ‘broken hearts,’ grief, and deep sadness.”
[David Winston/ Steven Maimes]
Milky oats tinctured fresh in conjunction with other herbs in formula to lower stress on the heart muscle.
Passionflower is a nervine with a sedative effect.
Rose Petals and Rose Essential Oil (external use) calm the spirit; lessening stress.
Lavender used in Aromatherapy for its ability to calm and soothe.
Its balancing effects help strengthen the heart’s cardiac muscles,
which improves contraction and relaxation of the heart’s arteries and ventricles.
Its sedative properties also help reduce palpitations and general hypertension.
Chamomile calms and lowers tension in the periphery.
Lemon balm smells wonderful and calms the mind.
Modulate stress response with Adaptogens.
“They slow the biological aging process by reducing the impact of physiological aging factors
-primarily oxidation and stress.”
They have other effects including normalization of blood pressure, vascular protection,
and mild blood thinning qualities, thereby decreasing the likelihood of strokes.
“They tend to enhance cardiac oxygen use.” [David Winston/ Steven Maimes]
Hawthorn lowers blood pressure due to dilatation of blood vessels-
leading to a stronger heart that functions better-
providing improved blood circulation and oxygenation to the body.
Hawthorn is also known for ensuring even distribution and effective use of Vitamin C reserves,
protecting and improving the functioning of smaller capillaries and vessels.
Hawthorn tones and protects the heart.
Rosemary has an antioxidant effect that helps prevent atherosclerosis.
Schisandra has an amphoteric effect on blood pressure-
raising low blood pressure and lowering elevated blood pressure.
Ashwagandha has nervine, amphoteric, and antispasmodic effects and is cardio-protective
against tissue damage caused by blood supply returning to tissue after a period of oxygen lack.
Rhodiola Especially useful for calming after exercise or sudden stress.
Prevents damage from stress. Improves strength of heart muscle.
Antioxidants protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Garlic reduces blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while elevating HDL.
“Its antioxidant properties help prevent the peroxidation of fats-
a contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis.” [David Hoffmann]
Studies have shown that regular consumption of this herb treats atherosclerosis-
as it softens arteries by breaking the cholesterol and fat that cling to their inner walls, improving their flexibility.
Green Tea improves blood vessel function within 30 minutes of consumption.
Green tea has a high concentration of antioxidant / flavonoid which helps clear free radicals.
Oregano helps fight off inflammation- inducing free radicals, and protects the heart against ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL).
Ginkgo is mentioned here for its vascular effects in conjunction with an overall vascular regimen.
It known more for its memory improving effects, but it is a powerful natural medicine for cerebrovascular disease. Ginkgo leaf extracts have been proven by studies to dilate vessels, thus leading to increased blood flow.
It is also known to prevent and reduce congealing of blood platelets.
Improved blood circulation to all major organs help reduce the risk of strokes.
Improves peripheral circulation.
Anti-inflammatory Herbs reduce inflammation in the vessels smoothing vessel walls
and reducing clot and plaque formation.
Hawthorn, Licorice, Lavender, Linden
Anodyne Herbs relieve pain.
Yarrow both stops bleeding and promotes circulatory flow.
Clove and Cinnamon Essential oils topically.
St. John’s Wort relieves numbness and pain of injured nerves.
Ginger relaxes smooth muscles surrounding the arteries drawing warming blood from the core to the periphery.
Antispasmodics prevent or relieve spasms usually of the smooth muscles.
Skullcap helps relieve muscle tension and spasms, circular thoughts, nervousness, and anxiety.
Motherwort, Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon balm, Passionflower.
Diuretics increases secretion and elimination of urine.
Dandelion leaf for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and “cardio-renal edema.” [Matthew Wood]
Parsley draws moisture to it by its mineral content strengthening urine flow.
Yarrow normalizes distribution, secretion, and elimination of water from the body.
Nettle leaf has an affinity for the kidneys circulation.
Celery seed is a cooling and sedative diuretic.
Horsetail is a diuretic with toning and astringing qualities.
Cleavers is a lymphatic tonic that removes toxins from the body.
Juniper diureses cardiac kidney failure.
Elderflowers used fresh are a stimulating diuretic; used dry are a sedative diuretic.
Hypotensives lower blood pressure when combined with a more holistic approach of diet, sleep, and exercise.
Hawthorne
Yarrow dilates peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
Motherwort, Linden, Garlic
Circulatory Stimulants enliven the body processes.
Cayenne is a “stimulating diaphoretic that regulates blood flow, equalizing and strengthening the heart, arteries, capillaries, and nerves.” [David Hoffmann]
Cinnamon stimulates the heart; helps with Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease
Ginger stimulates peripheral circulation.
Prickly Ash rejuvenates damaged peripheral nerves.
Rosemary is used where psychological tension is present.
Yarrow tones the blood vessels.
Other Supplements:
Vitamin C promotes integrity of the peripheral vessels; especially the capillaries.
Vitamin D Helps in the absorption of Calcium
Vitamin E scavenges free radicals.
Selenium increases the action of antioxidants.
Magnesium helps with the absorption of Calcium
Folic Acid counters the development of atherosclerosis.
CoQ10 assists in maintaining the normal oxidative state of LDL cholesterol,
helps assure circulatory health, and supports optimal functioning of the heart muscle.
In Conclusion
Herbs have preventative, rejuvenative, and restorative qualities.
They need to be utilized with an overall “body-look.”
Talk to yourself in the mirror.
Are you doing everything you can to have a healthy heart?
Are your parents healthy?
If they’re not healthy, chances are that you won’t be healthy when you reach their age.
Heredity and culture play a significant part in who we are/ who we will be.
Be critical of the foods you consume- they should be not only for pleasure, but also for HEALTH!
Be mindful of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar values.
They are indicators of a hidden condition that you may not feel or show.
Exercise daily- even to take a half-hour stroll around your neighborhood.
Start this now.
STOP SMOKING OR DIPPING TOBACCO NOW!!!
And most important, take time now to recognize the importance of your spirit. Nurture it… Calm it…Love it.
Although I have mentioned quite a few herbs here;
there are still others that work throughout the body to assist with cardiac function, as well.
Your Herbalist will assess you and work with you to formulate the
best plan to accommodate your body type, state, size, shape, and condition.
Instead of having a “Cheatin’ Heart”… You can have a “Heart of Gold!” [Neil Young]
REFERENCES
MEDICAL HERBALISM The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine
THE HERBAL HANDBOOK A Users Guide to Medical Herbalism
David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG
THE WILD MEDICINE SOLUTION Healing with Aromatic, Bitter, and Tonic Plants
Guido Masse
ADAPTOGENS Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
David Winston and Steven Maimes
THE EARTHWISE HERBAL A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
THE EARTHWISE HERBAL A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants
Matthew Woods
My son in law Dominick is an Hvac specialist. We have many in-depth conversations about our love of Hydraulics.
Of course, Dom is talking about hydraulic pressures of the atmosphere and f the machines that he loves to troubleshoot;while I am talking about the human body.
We have talked about the Lymph system and the Circulatory system as integral parts of the hydraulic processes in our body. Both of those systems are conduits of necessary blood, oxygen, and fuel, to the cells; and waste products for disposal. The force of gravity is fundamental in the movement of fluid and gas;
however, without an effective pump- the whole body suffers.
Although Hank Williams was singing about emotional heartbreak in his song “Your Cheatin’ Heart;”
when you cheat your heart by depriving it of oxygen- practicing poor life style habits such as using tobacco and getting little exercise- your heart tells on you by causing pain, sweating, shortness of breath, and nausea;
or by feelings of exhaustion, swelling of the legs and feet, high blood pressure,
dusky fingernails, flushing or pallor of the skin-
and general weakness.
We often talk about “Mind-Body-Spirit.” Perhaps we should look at that a bit differently. Spirit-Mind-Body. C.L. Lewis said: “You have no soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” That makes such profound sense, especially with the heart – which houses the “shen” (the TCM term that implies our consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, and our "presence".) Having a healthy heart imparts joy, vitality and energy. “With the biggest vessels down to the tiniest of capillaries, the heart nourishes and sustains every organ, tissue and cell throughout our bodies at every moment. This nourishment is also needed by the muscle of the heart itself. The smooth muscle of the heart must be given a constant and steady supply of nutrients in the blood to carry out its grand and essential task.” [Samantha Gray ND RAC]
To understand why this is so important, let’s look at the anatomy of the heart.
To view the internal surface of the heart, you can use this link: http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/class/bio202/cyberheart/hartint0.htm
In a purely mechanical sense, the Heart is a pump. It is stimulated by internal electricity and functions to propel blood throughout the body by the contractions of the highly muscular tissues
surrounding the four chambers- or ventricles.
Unlike a mechanical pump, there are no pistons to drive the action;
however, the surrounding musculature presses inward- compressing the walls and extruding the blood into the major vessels in much the same way that pistons drive compression in a mechanical pump.
For the heart to function at its best, the peripheral vessels must be responsive to its pulsations.
They must yield to the oncoming wave of blood without resistance.
As we age, vessel walls become narrower- laced with hardening plaque deposits-
increasing the work of the heart for each beat.
You may have heard the term, ventricular strain.
Over time, the stress of each contraction causes the heart muscle to overdevelop-ventricular hypertrophy-
sort of like the enlargement of the biceps muscles when an athlete lifts weights.
However, overdevelopment of the heart muscle is not a desirable condition, as enlarged muscles demand more oxygen and it is oxygen deprivation that drives the heart to increase its speed and velocity.
Increased speed and velocity deprives the heart muscle itself of oxygen, causing it to falter in its work.
At some point, the overworked and overdeveloped heart muscle will fail= Congestive Heart Failure.
When this pump failure happens, we notice swelling of the ankles (edema) -
or even “wet breathing”- fluid back-up in the lungs.
We should also mention that there is a network of tiny arteries and veins that supply the heart muscle itself;these are the first vessels to receive oxygen when the heart beats.
Note that heart vessels undergo the same changes as the great vessels of the body.
When these tiny vessels narrow due to plaque deposits or sudden constriction:
(cold or fear) they deprive the heart muscle of oxygen.
This deprivation is what causes chest pain.
The term angina is a descriptive term that connotes a temporary condition of deprivation usually caused by sudden constriction of tiny heart vessels which abates when the spasm ends.
Prolonged oxygen deprivation caused by continuous spasm, clots, or plaque
can cause muscle death- what we term a heart attack.
Remember that the heart is the pump of the circulatory system.
As such, it forms the apex of the circulatory “loop” - blood comes out of the heart,
into the arteries, through a maze of capillaries to the veins, and back to the heart.
How long does the round trip take? A typical human body contains 5.6 liters (6 quarts) of blood.
The heart pumps about 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood a day through its chambers.
2,000 gallons per day works out to 83 gallons per hour, or nearly 6 quarts per minute.
So it takes about one minute for blood to make the round trip to the heart.
If you are running fast, your heart is pumping more blood so the time would be less. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute, which translates to 86,400 to 144,000 beats per day.
Amazing.
How can we nourish and empower our hearts?
Can we change the way our “cheatin’ hearts” function?
Can we slow aging of the heart muscle?
Can we strengthen our vasculature?
These questions can largely be answered by the following self-check analysis
derived from the “Life’s Simple 7” of the American Heart Association:
*Is my blood pressure within normal limits? (Remember: Vascular resistance.)
*Is my cholesterol OK? (Remember: plaque deposits.)
*What is my normal Blood Sugar? (Contributes to general organ failure- Including heart failure.)
*Am I active enough to sustain healthy heart muscle? (Get up & Get OUT!)
*Am I eating the foods that nourish my heart and blood vessels?
(You can’t go wrong with a “top-heavy” vegetable diet.)
*Am I overweight? (Extra pounds cause strain on the heart as it attempts to push against peripheral resistance.)
*Do I use tobacco? (Smoking and “dipping” causes BP to soar and strains the heart with each beat.) STOP NOW!
You must remember that neither chemical medicines nor plant medicines can retard cardiovascular dysfunction
if you do not adapt your life- style to “health mode.”
Day-by-day you may not notice the impact your lifestyle is having on you.
Over time you will.
It is important to note that changes in lifestyle must be permanent in order to effect health forever.
Live a healthy lifestyle that includes:
*Strengthening your Spirit. A healthy spirit helps lower blood pressure.
Meditation at the beginning and end of the day sets your spirit right.
You may need to practice this at first – but when you do it consistently it calms the heart.
Protect your environment: Do not participate in negative stimulation
such as television and radio (news), movie, and game violence.
Nurture yourself in a quiet retreat.
Take soothing baths once or twice a week utilizing lavender and rose to calm the spirit.
Reduce the stress in your life- take care of your emotional self.
Remember your family looks to you as an example.
Soothing your heart will present an environment of calm to your family.
*Choosing a *diet rich in bright -colored antioxidant foods- think the colors red, orange, blue and purple.
Christopher Hobbs says “Your heart likes a high-potassium, high-fiber, and low-sodium diet,
focusing on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
It is not fond of sticky, fatty foods like bacon or doughnuts.
Stimulants containing caffeine like cola drinks, coffee, tea,
and chocolate also cause the heart to work much harder than normal.”
Eat lustily of the Allium family: Garlic, Onions, Leeks, and Shallots.
Limit your consumption of meats; especially red meat.
Start this by limiting yourself to one red meat meal per week.
Notice how “heavy” you feel after consumption of this meal.
Involve your whole family in the process of ferreting out meatless recipes to try.
Start your children and grandchildren NOW. (French fries are not healthy finger food!)
You can begin with one meatless day per week.
Trust me, there are so many scrumptious ways to make vegetables; you may never miss having meat!
One great way to monitor your food intake is to observe your “hunger pangs.”
Eat only when you feel hunger pangs; STOP eating when you DON’T feel hunger pangs.
You may be surprised just how much of your meal you will not consume if you observe this one modality.
Another way to help you eat healthy is to stop visiting fast- food restaurants.
Plan your meals ahead and cook at least one meal per week as a family.
Eating healthy and lowering your weight can result in lowered cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Eating right can lower overall inflammation in your body.
*Walking is great exercise. Just do it.
Walking not only strengthens and tones your cardiovascular system, but it also helps your lymphatic system
to filter and rid the body of waste.
Begin by strolling through your neighborhood once a day.
Notice the birds, plants and gardens. How do they change each day?
As you build strength, you may want to step up your pace.
You won’t miss anything by walking faster.
Soon you (and your heart) will feel renewed.
Summer is the season of the heart- the season most yang.
Summer is the hottest, most open, most demanding season of the year. All life has burst forth and is now at its peak. We are bursting forth- making joyous revelry in the pleasure and warmth of the earth.
This frantic activity is coupled with an unseen demand to fulfill the energy drain that this season demands.
Even pleasure demands energy.
You can see how the heart must strive to keep up with our physical, emotional, and spiritual demands!
Herbs can help the Heart function by increasing the blood supply to the heart muscle; modulating the heartbeat; improving vessel tone; lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
having an antioxidant effect, or preventing clot formation.
Remember that herbs can help cardiac and vascular function,
but they must be taken over an extended period of time- in sustained dosages to achieve effect.
Herbs are not “one-shot-deals”
when dealing with chronic illness.
Cardiac dis-ease comes about through a life time of choices;
herbs must have time to help your body with its normal healing function.
I will not discuss dosages here. You should seek the advice of a qualified herbalist who will help you to determine herbs that are best suited to your particular body and life-style.
Herbalists like to work with your physician to adapt treatment plans specifically to you.
Nourish your spirit with Nervines to support nerves.
Linden Flower -used primarily as a tea in combination with other pleasant flavored herbs like Lemon balm, Tulsi basil and Chamomile are a soothing way to reduce stress.
Motherwort “Useful for ‘white coat hypertension’ – that which comes on when you visit the doctor- but in reality is ‘stress induced hypertension’ which occurs whenever you are angry, upset, or nervous.” David Winston/ Steven Maimes
Schisandra calms the heart and quiets the spirit.
Tulsi Basil softens reaction to stress.
Mimosa bark lightens the heart.
“I use Mimosa bark with Hawthorn berries and rose petals for ‘broken hearts,’ grief, and deep sadness.”
[David Winston/ Steven Maimes]
Milky oats tinctured fresh in conjunction with other herbs in formula to lower stress on the heart muscle.
Passionflower is a nervine with a sedative effect.
Rose Petals and Rose Essential Oil (external use) calm the spirit; lessening stress.
Lavender used in Aromatherapy for its ability to calm and soothe.
Its balancing effects help strengthen the heart’s cardiac muscles,
which improves contraction and relaxation of the heart’s arteries and ventricles.
Its sedative properties also help reduce palpitations and general hypertension.
Chamomile calms and lowers tension in the periphery.
Lemon balm smells wonderful and calms the mind.
Modulate stress response with Adaptogens.
“They slow the biological aging process by reducing the impact of physiological aging factors
-primarily oxidation and stress.”
They have other effects including normalization of blood pressure, vascular protection,
and mild blood thinning qualities, thereby decreasing the likelihood of strokes.
“They tend to enhance cardiac oxygen use.” [David Winston/ Steven Maimes]
Hawthorn lowers blood pressure due to dilatation of blood vessels-
leading to a stronger heart that functions better-
providing improved blood circulation and oxygenation to the body.
Hawthorn is also known for ensuring even distribution and effective use of Vitamin C reserves,
protecting and improving the functioning of smaller capillaries and vessels.
Hawthorn tones and protects the heart.
Rosemary has an antioxidant effect that helps prevent atherosclerosis.
Schisandra has an amphoteric effect on blood pressure-
raising low blood pressure and lowering elevated blood pressure.
Ashwagandha has nervine, amphoteric, and antispasmodic effects and is cardio-protective
against tissue damage caused by blood supply returning to tissue after a period of oxygen lack.
Rhodiola Especially useful for calming after exercise or sudden stress.
Prevents damage from stress. Improves strength of heart muscle.
Antioxidants protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Garlic reduces blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while elevating HDL.
“Its antioxidant properties help prevent the peroxidation of fats-
a contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis.” [David Hoffmann]
Studies have shown that regular consumption of this herb treats atherosclerosis-
as it softens arteries by breaking the cholesterol and fat that cling to their inner walls, improving their flexibility.
Green Tea improves blood vessel function within 30 minutes of consumption.
Green tea has a high concentration of antioxidant / flavonoid which helps clear free radicals.
Oregano helps fight off inflammation- inducing free radicals, and protects the heart against ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL).
Ginkgo is mentioned here for its vascular effects in conjunction with an overall vascular regimen.
It known more for its memory improving effects, but it is a powerful natural medicine for cerebrovascular disease. Ginkgo leaf extracts have been proven by studies to dilate vessels, thus leading to increased blood flow.
It is also known to prevent and reduce congealing of blood platelets.
Improved blood circulation to all major organs help reduce the risk of strokes.
Improves peripheral circulation.
Anti-inflammatory Herbs reduce inflammation in the vessels smoothing vessel walls
and reducing clot and plaque formation.
Hawthorn, Licorice, Lavender, Linden
Anodyne Herbs relieve pain.
Yarrow both stops bleeding and promotes circulatory flow.
Clove and Cinnamon Essential oils topically.
St. John’s Wort relieves numbness and pain of injured nerves.
Ginger relaxes smooth muscles surrounding the arteries drawing warming blood from the core to the periphery.
Antispasmodics prevent or relieve spasms usually of the smooth muscles.
Skullcap helps relieve muscle tension and spasms, circular thoughts, nervousness, and anxiety.
Motherwort, Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon balm, Passionflower.
Diuretics increases secretion and elimination of urine.
Dandelion leaf for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and “cardio-renal edema.” [Matthew Wood]
Parsley draws moisture to it by its mineral content strengthening urine flow.
Yarrow normalizes distribution, secretion, and elimination of water from the body.
Nettle leaf has an affinity for the kidneys circulation.
Celery seed is a cooling and sedative diuretic.
Horsetail is a diuretic with toning and astringing qualities.
Cleavers is a lymphatic tonic that removes toxins from the body.
Juniper diureses cardiac kidney failure.
Elderflowers used fresh are a stimulating diuretic; used dry are a sedative diuretic.
Hypotensives lower blood pressure when combined with a more holistic approach of diet, sleep, and exercise.
Hawthorne
Yarrow dilates peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
Motherwort, Linden, Garlic
Circulatory Stimulants enliven the body processes.
Cayenne is a “stimulating diaphoretic that regulates blood flow, equalizing and strengthening the heart, arteries, capillaries, and nerves.” [David Hoffmann]
Cinnamon stimulates the heart; helps with Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease
Ginger stimulates peripheral circulation.
Prickly Ash rejuvenates damaged peripheral nerves.
Rosemary is used where psychological tension is present.
Yarrow tones the blood vessels.
Other Supplements:
Vitamin C promotes integrity of the peripheral vessels; especially the capillaries.
Vitamin D Helps in the absorption of Calcium
Vitamin E scavenges free radicals.
Selenium increases the action of antioxidants.
Magnesium helps with the absorption of Calcium
Folic Acid counters the development of atherosclerosis.
CoQ10 assists in maintaining the normal oxidative state of LDL cholesterol,
helps assure circulatory health, and supports optimal functioning of the heart muscle.
In Conclusion
Herbs have preventative, rejuvenative, and restorative qualities.
They need to be utilized with an overall “body-look.”
Talk to yourself in the mirror.
Are you doing everything you can to have a healthy heart?
Are your parents healthy?
If they’re not healthy, chances are that you won’t be healthy when you reach their age.
Heredity and culture play a significant part in who we are/ who we will be.
Be critical of the foods you consume- they should be not only for pleasure, but also for HEALTH!
Be mindful of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar values.
They are indicators of a hidden condition that you may not feel or show.
Exercise daily- even to take a half-hour stroll around your neighborhood.
Start this now.
STOP SMOKING OR DIPPING TOBACCO NOW!!!
And most important, take time now to recognize the importance of your spirit. Nurture it… Calm it…Love it.
Although I have mentioned quite a few herbs here;
there are still others that work throughout the body to assist with cardiac function, as well.
Your Herbalist will assess you and work with you to formulate the
best plan to accommodate your body type, state, size, shape, and condition.
Instead of having a “Cheatin’ Heart”… You can have a “Heart of Gold!” [Neil Young]
REFERENCES
MEDICAL HERBALISM The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine
THE HERBAL HANDBOOK A Users Guide to Medical Herbalism
David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG
THE WILD MEDICINE SOLUTION Healing with Aromatic, Bitter, and Tonic Plants
Guido Masse
ADAPTOGENS Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
David Winston and Steven Maimes
THE EARTHWISE HERBAL A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
THE EARTHWISE HERBAL A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants
Matthew Woods