|
Everywhere you’ve turned this month you’ve seen hearts, red, valentines,
chocolates (yum), all to represent Valentine’s Day. Since this month
is all about love, renewal and matters of the heart, I thought I would
write about a few of my favorite “Heart Healthy” herbs.
Did you know that Roses, Rosacea spp. are not only beautiful
flowers, but also herbs? Roses are large or small shrubs, moderate
to vigorous climbers and appear in numerous colors, scents and shapes.
I love Antique Roses as they grow the best in our environment, require
less care than the Hybrid roses, are more disease resistant and produce
more fragrance and better, more nutritious rose hips. I have been
harvesting rose hips this fall and winter and brewing teas. Rose
hips, the bulb shaped plant part that forms after the bloom fades away,
are one of the highest sources of natural Vitamin C . They are quite
delicious, particularly when mixed with Lemon Balm or Chamomile or used in
a Respiratory Tea for cedar fever or allergies. The velvety soft
Rose petals are high in mucilage. 
Rose petals are often used in cosmetics for the face and body, as they are
nourishing and moisturizing for the skin. Roses are also “cooling”
for fevers, and in addition are used as an astringent for infantile or
childhood diarrhea. Not only a symbol of love, friendship and passion, but
growing roses and using the flowers, leaves and hips may be rewarding for
use in cosmetics and medicine. History informs us that Cleopatra had her
servants gather rose petals to scatter in her boudoir to entice the
affections of her chosen one. Legends have it that the couple would
stand knee deep within the deep fragrance of the blossoms, swooning from
the erotic aroma.
Another “Heart” herb is Hawthorn, Crataegus oxyacantha, a large
shrub or tree that grows in many areas of the world. Hawthorn is a
cardiac tonic and may be used both preventively and for some acute
situations. Since both of my parents have had heart disease, I take
a
 blend
of Hawthorn flowers, leaves and berries as a preventative. Hawthorn is
known to normalize blood pressure, to strengthen the age weakened heart
muscles, helps nervous heart problems and irregular heart beat. Try
making a tea from the dried berries or take the blend as a tincture.
It has been used for many, many years as a safe, heart tonic and does not
have any known contra-indications for use with allopathic medicines.
Another one of my favorites is Motherwort, Leonaurus cardiaca.
This lovely, purple-flowering herb grows very easily in our central Texas
gardens
and will reseed itself readily. Once you have it, you have it! Like
Hawthorn, Motherwort has a tonic effect on the heart. It is used to
promote circulation, reduce rapid heartbeat, aide in the arrest of
arteriosclerosis and assists in dissolving blood clots. Motherwort
also acts as a sedative for stress following childbirth and during
menopause. Because of Motherwort’s ability to stimulate uterine
contractions, it should not be used during pregnancy. It is,
however, used during actual labor to facilitate childbirth. As the famous
17th Century Herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper wrote “Motherwort
drives the melancholy vapors from the heart”. Used as a sedative and
heart tonic, Motherwort can ease depression and calm the nervous system.
 Now,
when you think of “Heart” month and dream of chocolate and the love of
your sweeties, also think about the herbs you may incorporate into your
daily lives to keep that ever-lovin heart as healthy as possible.
|
