Herbs With Heart

Poppyswap.com just sent an email out titled "Emotional Herbs" listing products prepared for easing heart pain sure to come in to the winter months. I followed one link to the "Tranquility Tincture" created by Wise Mountain Botanicals so that I can see what ingrediants they are working with. It is a blend of: Lemon Balm, Lavender, Skullcap, Motherwort, and Chamomile. I have these herbs sitting in jars right now that I may as well turn into a tincture. Many of the folks I'm talking to right now are having a hard time emotionally, just like I am. A gift just in time for the holidays.

Herb Digest has been showing posts lately regarding Hawthorn. I went to a workshop recently about the connection between Hawthorn and the heart. It's right there in the rhyme. I recently picked up Traditional Medicinal's "Heart Tea" because it was on sale at PCC for $1. Unbelievable. It's a blend of Hawthorn and Hibiscus, and when steeped produces a beautiful red color. Besides that I have a little bag of Hawthorn berries I've been saving to brew in a kombucha tea.

I am particularly interested in Hawthorn for strong cardiovascular health because heart disease runs on both sides of my family - but also for it's capacity in emotional healing. Hawthorn is said to relax the arteries, stimulating healthy blood pressure. It also acts as an antioxidant and works synergistically with the body's Vitamin E levels. Apparently in experimentally-induced heart attacks in animals, as well as in animals fed high-cholesteral diets, hawthorn use has been shown to protect the liver (aiding detoxification) and to reduce cholesterol levels by 23%.

Here is an article put out by Science Daily regarding the physiological affects of Hawthorn use: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122203321.htm

If the body and mind are intimately connected, then a heart relaxant must certainly help relax one's emotions. I am experimenting with this on my self right now. How is this plant different from the herbs in the Tranquility Tonic or something like St Johns Wort?

Herbal Care for Depression

Many women in my family, and friends I know have been dealing with seasonal or chronic depression for some time. Most people are familiar with St Johns Wort as a supreme herbal treatment for depression. AltMedicine on About.com says studies show the plant works better than a placebo. My friend recently stated St Johns Wort is off limits to her because it can't mix with her pharmaceutical meds. So I was like, I'm gonna look into that. This website talks a little about those potential complications: http://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbs-for-depression.html (though it doesn't say exactly why, however, this website lists these side-effects: increased sensitivity to sunlight, dryness of mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, confusion and sedation.)
Of course there are so many products available in herb stores. But consider concocting your own tea based on these herbs (satisfy your unique composition of tastes and smells!) - listed on herbal-supplement-resource

• False Unicorn - (Chamaelirium luteum)
• Thyme - (Thymus vulgaris)
• Mugwort - (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Fennel - (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Yerba Mate - (Ilex paraguariensis)
• Yellow Dock - (Rumex crispus)
• Vervain - (vervain-herbs.html)
• Wormwood - (Artemisia absinthium)
• Self Heal - (Prunella vulgaris)
• Borage - (Borago officinalis)
• Sweet Orange - (Citrus sinensis)
• Sweet Basil - (Ocimum basilicum)
• Blessed Thistle - (Cnicus benedictus)
• Bergamot - (Citrus bergamia)
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)
• Skullcap (Scutilaria lateriflora)

Many of those herbs are also available in essential oil form, which is a strong way to infuse yourself in your bedroom. Some herbs are pricey-er than others. Thyme or Sweet Orange are relatively budget-friendly. Grow Thyme, Fennel and Borage in your garden!!! (We have some volunteer Borage plants in the community center garden right now)

Other websites recently sent my way:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/30604-care-loved-ones-anxiety-/
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/living_depressed_person.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016/NSECTIONGROUP=2
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/how-to-help-a-stressed-or-depressed-loved-one/

What Is Immunity, Really?

So I "finally caught that cold that's been going around"? You betcha. Not as immune as I thought.

This past XMAS I blended an "Immunity Tea" for buddies comprised of Mate, Astraglus and Ashwaghanda. Three herbs to build immunity over the long term. Then there's Echinacea for the short term. But what else? I want to learn more. At Dandelion Botanicals there's a class soon on "Herbs for the Immune System" which I would love to invest in. Instead I am researching this online.

Genevieve Kiger says the top 5 herbs are Astragalus, Cat's Claw, Echinacea, Elderberry and Ginseng. Gail Faith Edwards is hailing astragalus, usnea, sage, garlic, honey, shitake and reishi mushrooms, hyssop, and St. John’s wort. Christopher Hobbs touts herbs from the standpoint of Traditional European Medicine (TEM), cateogorizing them into 4 types (tonics, specifics, heroics, protectors/cleansers) according to the degree that they address surface all the way to deep immune ailments. Obviously this cold I'm dealing with is a surface problem that will leave me in a few days. Echinacea would be considered a "specific" (emergency medicine) to use as long as I have this cold "surface ailment". But I should also be using cleansers to help remove toxins from my body, like Burdock. Hobbs says Astragalus and the mushrooms are "deep immune" herbs.
.
I have Astragalus, Garlic, Honey, St John's Wort and Burdock all at my disposal. Now I just have to sit and wait it out.

A Snowy Planday

The beds have officially received this season's first snow - they were frost covered when I went outside this morning, with garlic peeking up. I decided to walk to Swansons to see what they are selling today, and to ask the managers if they ever donate plants (for the community garden). Sunday is never a good day to seek out managers. There was very little activity at the nursery today. After I left and walked down 15th I saw there is a store called Herbal Healing near 80th, then further down, some Garden Collective I must find out more about, and on the way to the library (on 58th) what looks like a community garden in an old house lot. There's a big sign that says SLUG. I got to chat with no one about these sweet finds because Sunday is not a good day to chat. I'll have this upcoming week for that.

At Swansons right now there are many native plants hardy below 0 degrees. So when I see snow on the beds I am reminded I could, indeed be gardening right now. I could pick up some plants and care for them in their pots until the right time to transplant. Such as the Gemo St Johns Wort now 75% off in the nursery's very back corner. As a curious consumer, I'm wondering what they do with the plants that don't sell beside tossing them to the back and out of sight. Plenty of herbs like rosemary, bay and lavender have been shelved, while mixed herb pots (Henry's Herbs) are being promoted. So what's going on with all the shelved plants? Can we donate them to the community center? Is it better to keep them shelved overwinter in the nursery or to fare them to the outdoors with some prayer?

I would love to take the numerous neglected St Johns Wort (the photo is not mine. Still don't have a camera) plants off their hands to nurture and harvest. What a useful plant that could be for loved ones. The herb is considered an effective antidepressent, and I know many people who would benefit from taking this plant if they are open. I drink a blend of St John's Wort with other relaxants as a winter tea to ride the cold. You can't go wrong with yellow flowers.