ARJUNA (Terminalia arjuna) bark has been valued as a remedy for the heart for over 3,000 years. This is one traditional use of herbs that has been confirmed by modern pharmacological research. Arjuna is best used to treat poor coronary circulation and to help regulate an abnormal heart rate and rhythm. Taking this herb as a tonic reduces the risk of developing a serious heart problem by lowering blood cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, and supporting normal heart function. The powdered bark is prescribed to treat asthma. Arjuna is also traditionally believed to be an aphrodisiac. Use the decoction as a tonic and the tincture to treat angina. (Take only under professional supervision.)

BROOM (Sarothamnus scoparius syn. Cytisus scoparius) is used mainly as a remedy for an irregular, fast heartbeat. It acts on the electrical conductivity of the heart, slowing and regulating the transmission of the impulses. (Take only under professional supervision. Do not take during pregnancy or if suffering from high blood pressure.)

COLEUS (Coleus forskohlii syn. Plectranthus barbatus) contains forskolin. That constituent was researched by an Indian/German company and shown to be a powerful medicine for heart failure, glaucoma, and bronchial asthma. Forskolin lowers high blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscle, increases the release of hormones from the thyroid gland, stimulates digestive secretion, and reduces pressure within the eye. Coleus has been prescribed to treat congestive heart failure and poor coronary blood flow. It also improves circulation of blood to the brain. (Take only under professional supervision.)

FOXGLOVE (Digitalis lutea and D. purpurea and D. lanata) has a profound tonic effect on a diseased heart. In the 18th century, an English country doctor, William Withering, was curious about the formula of a local herbalist. He explored the plant's potential medical uses and is now credited with the discovery of foxglove as a heart remedy. His work led to the production of a lifesaving medicine. This beautiful herb contains cardiac glycosides, the active constituents that support a weakened or failing heart, increasing the strength of contraction, slowing and steadying the heart rate, and lowering blood pressure by strongly stimulating the production of urine, which reduces overall blood volume. Common foxglove also known as purple foxglove (D. purpurea) has bell-shaped purple-pink or white flowers in long spikes. It is often cultivated, but the wild plant is considered superior. Wooly foxglove (D. lanata) is the main source of cardiac glycosides today. Yellow foxglove (D. lutea) is less toxic than purple foxglove and wooly foxglove. It has similar medicinal actions, but its alkaloids are more readily metabolized and flushed out by the body. (Any digitalis should be taken only under professional supervision. They are all potentially fatal in overdose.)

GARLIC (Allium sativum) is completely safe for use by everyone. The only caution is, for children under 12, seek professional advice when using medicinal doses. Among its many benefits, garlic prevents circulatory problems and strokes by keeping the blood thin, and it lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Use fresh garlic in your foods as often as possible. Don't fool yourself by thinking you're getting the full benefits from those little bottles of garlic powder or garlic salt. Buy the fresh bulbs in the produce section and buy them by the bag full ... a big bag full. Or, better yet, grow them yourself. We put fresh garlic in everything except deserts. Have you had your garlic today? :-)

HAWTHORN (Crataegus oxyacantha and C. monogyna) is called "food for the heart" by Western herbalists. Its bioflavonoid content relaxes and dilates the arteries, especially the coronary arteries, thus increasing the flow of blood to the heart muscles and reducing symptoms of angina. Recent research (1994) in Germany showed hawthorn's value in treating chronic heart failure. This herb lowers high blood pressure and raises low blood pressure. It restores blood pressure to normal. Like many herbs, it is alterative which means that it has the ability to slowly change an unhealthy condition to a healthy one. In other words, it's not a quick-fix. It takes time for the change to occur. Used in combination with ginkgo biloba, it will improve poor memory caused by poor circulation to the brain. This synergistic combination is also recommended for Alzheimer's disease. (Take only under professional supervision.)

NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS (Selenicereus grandiflorus) is a cactus native to Mexico and Central America that has spectacular flowers that bloom only at night. Its cactine constituent is considered to have a similar effect to that of the cardiac glycosides in the Digitalis species. Night-blooming cereus is now rarely found in the wild and is in short supply. For that reason, it is rarely used, but is none-the-less a valuable remedy for the heart. It has the ability to increase the strength of contractions while slowing the heart rate making it an excellent tonic during recovery from a heart attack. (Take only under professional supervision. Excessive doses may cause stomach upset and hallucinations.)

SQUILL (Urginea maritima syn. Drimia maritima) also contains cardiac glycosides, but they do not have the same cumulative effect as those in the Digitalis species making it a potentially safer substitute for foxglove. The white bulb is used, but the red bulb was preferred by the medieval medical school in Salerno, Italy. It is diuretic, cardiotonic, expectorant in low doses, and emetic in higher doses. (Take only under professional supervision. Toxic in excessive doses.)

STROPHANTHUS (Strophanthus kombe) seeds contain up to 10% cardiac glycosides, but it is less well absorbed than the Digitalis species and is not a good alternative to foxglove, in my opinion. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, by Andrew Chevallier, says, "Strophanthus is a swift, sure poison, even in small doses. It has long been used as an arrow toxin in Africa." I think we'll just pass on this one, don't you?

AROMATHERAPY FOR STRESS

Let me start by listing the different levels of stress as described by Dr. Valerie Ann Worwood. Maybe you'll find yourself at one of these levels as I did.

Level 1: starts as tiredness and develops into irritability, headaches, and insomnia. I nipped it in the bud at this level. :-)

Level 2: depression, anxiety, muscular pain, chronic aches, persistent infections, guilt, apathy, helplessness.

Level 3: persecution complex, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, despair, increasing guilt and depression, susceptibility to viral infections and bacterial invasion.

Level 4: now the body is really crying "Help." Unexplained pain, heart problems, strokes, and high blood pressure may be experienced, along with all the other diseases that are thought to have their roots in stress, like ulcers and even, according to some opinions, arthritis. The immune system is further depressed, leading to all manner of physical problems.

Note: Dr. Worwood says the remedies for level 1 and 3 are grouped together because these need sedatives and relaxants, and at level 2 stimulation is needed.

LEVEL 2 GENERAL STRESS FORMULAS

Use essential oils of bergamot (9 drops), geranium (11 drops), and ginger (10 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of grapefruit (15 drops), rosemary (11 drops), and palma rosa (5 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of neroli (7 drops), lavender (3 drops), and lemon (20 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

LEVELS 1 & 3 GENERAL STRESS FORMULAS

Use essential oils of clary sage (15 drops), lemon (10 drops), and lavender (5 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of marjoram (15 drops), Roman chamomile (5 drops), and lemon (10 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of pettigraine (17 drops), neroli (5 drops), and nutmeg (8 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

LEVEL 4 GENERAL STRESS FORMULAS

Use essential oils of narcissus (2 drops) and rose (5 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of Michela alba (7 drops) and tonka bean (2 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

or...

Use essential oils of osmanthus (3 drops) and hyacinth (4 drops) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

HEART CARE FORMULA 1

Use essential oils of rosemary (1 drop), hyssop (1 drop), and bergamot (1 drop) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

HEART CARE FORMULA 2

Use essential oils of cardamom (2 drops), geranium (1 drop), clary sage (2 drops), and bergamot (1 drop) in a bath, or combined with 2 teaspoons carrier oil for a full body massage.

Note: If you are unable to find the essential oils needed, we may be able to help. Although we do not have all of these essential oils listed in our product line, we can obtain them special order at reasonable prices with the possible exception of some of the rare precious oils. You may have noticed that our essential oil prices are very low in comparison. That is because we search for sources and try to alleviate the middleman when possible. At the same time, we do not sacrifice quality for any bargain.

Our goal is to bring collective knowledge together to provide accurate herbal information, giving references whenever possible, for the purpose of being informed when choosing self-help and alternative approaches to health and lifestyle. At no time should this publication be considered prescription or treatment, nor should any information published herein be misinterpreted as such. The publishers can not be held responsible for the mishandling of information by its readers.

Please do not take herbal information lightly.
Remember our motto is ... When in doubt, don't!
Until next Monday I remain,

Herbally yours, Abby

Lynda "Abby" Trahan
Abby's Herb Company
P.O. Box 213
Round Top, TX 78954

lynda@abbysherbshop.com
www.abbysherbshop.com

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