Herbs for the Heart

As I sit here in the new year I can't help but to feel "the weight of the world" on my shoulders. Everywhere I turn I see all of the suffering happening in this world; war, climate change, natural disasters, war, famine, food insecurities, polluted water and soils, gun violence and the list goes on. Not to mention all of the trials and tribulations going on in our own lives. In my own personal life there has been a lot of grief and sadness. It seems that everywhere I turn peoples hearts have been touched by the "weight of the world."

Since it is a new year I like to set intentions: I hope that as humans living on this planet together we may find a way to coexist in a peaceful way, that we may have compassion, empathy and respect for each other and this beautiful mother earth we call home. I pray we can collectively find new ways of being on this earth that fosters clean water and nourishes clean soils, that we may live sustainably and peacefully. I believe this all begins with ourselves, how can we foster all of these things for ourselves and how can we make small changes that affect the larger picture?

The heart is made up of muscle and nerves. It has its own nervous system that is made up of many neurons like the ones in our brain. This is the heart of the matter, nerves are how we feel life around us, such as pain, pleasure and each of our senses. When we experience heart ache it is felt throughout our whole body.

Many things in this life may cause our hearts to break, to feel numb or to feel like it is too much to handle. This is where I turn to my herbal allies to support the spiritual and physical heart. Herbs can help us with the stress, grief and weight that the world throws at us. They can be that warm cup of tea that soothes and softens our heavy hearts.

Hawthorne (Crataegus spp.)

Crataegus stems from the Greek word kratos meaning strength. This is the first plant I think of when referring to the heart, both physically and emotionally. Hawthorne is in the rose family, relaxes the nervous system and tones the cardiovascular system. It strengthens the arterial walls making them able to handle more blood flow. The leaf and flowers are mostly used for the nervine and heart tonic effect. The berries are nutritive and full of flavonoids. The berries can be used long term and are safe during pregnancy. I love to use the leaf, flower and berries in a tea. You can taste this for yourself in my hawthorn tea blend SimpliciTEA.

Rose (Rosa spp.)

What is the feeling when you stick your nose into a deeply aromatic rose? To me it is a warm and gentle hug from the bosom of a grandmother, feeling your muscles melt and experiencing a moment of calm and peace. Along with the sweetness that you get with rose, she also has clear boundaries with her thorns. Rose has gentle astringent properties, which tightens and tones tissues, specifically the mucous membranes. I like to use rose medicine to help soothe the heart and when I want to have healthy boundaries. Because rose is astringent and can be very drying, I like to make a rose honey or a rose glycerite.

Motherwort (Leonarus cardiaca)

From the greek word leon meaning lion and cardiaca meaning the heart. One of the common names is lions heart. I find this plant can be helpful with an emotionally heavy heart, calling upon the heart of the lion. It helps me calm my spirit and overactive mind. Motherwort is the European name meaning herb of the mother. Motherwort is specific for anxious conditions of the heart, such as hypertension and heart palpitations. It actions are antispasmodic and nervine. Motherwort has an affinity for the female reproductive system and is antispasmodic to smooth muscles, it is also an emmenagogue which means it stimulates blood flow and can help bring on delayed menses. My preferred method of taking Motherwort is in a tincture because the bitterness is not pleasant in a tea.

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, O. tenufilorum, O. gratissimum)

Tulsi, also known as holy basil is a plant that has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. In India it is known as, "Mother Medicine of Nature" and "The Queen of Herbs." It is an herb with many uses. One of them is helping the body adapt to everyday stressors wether it may be physical, emotional or spiritual. Tusi's aromatic and warming nature makes it a tonic to the cardiovascular system. It thins the blood slightly, increases circulation and lower stress related hypertension. It stimulates the heart and mind connection. I love to use this herb in as a tea to invigorate and calm my mind and heart.

There are many other plants that are useful for the heart, specifically nervines. Nervines are plants that calm and soothe the nerves. Nervines are supportive to the heart since the heart is made up of so many nerves. If our nerves are how we sense the world around us, when our nervous system is bombarded and stressed, we need to find ways to calm them. This can be done by being in nature, meditating, taking a bath and taking plants that support the nervous system. Make a cup of tea, pour yourself a hot bath and let the wight of the world fall off your shoulders; even if it is just for a moment. Be gentle with yourself and your heart.

From my heart to yours~