Herbs that Support Your Heart: Make your own Cardio Support Tincture

by Daniela Sales 

Mother Nature has blessed us with many wonderful gifts. Herbs that offer food and support to our heart and cardiovascular system are one of those blessings.  Below you will find details on one of our favorite herbal tinctures that has been used successfully by many of our friends and family members. We trust that you will find great use for the recipe yourself and would love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you would like to share them.

Tincture Ingredients: Hawthorne Berry, Garlic Bulb, Cayenne Pepper, Red Clover Blossom, Cactus Grandiflorus Stem and Flower, Motherwort Herb, Valerian, Ginger Root, Turmeric, Kelp Flakes

Herbs’ Properties and Actions within the Body

This blend may also serve as help with balancing high blood pressure in case that the condistion is being caused or worsened by effects of stress, increased serum levels of cholesterol, athero- or arteriosclerosis, anxiety, worry, and/or obesity.  Herbs chosen for this formula offer benefits and help with one or more of these causes.

Herb Properties

Hawthorne Berry has anti-spasmodic, sedative, and soothing properties. It can be of great help in treatment of high or low blood pressure, arrhythmia, and nervous insomnia.

It has also been found to help remove cholesterol along with relieving hypertension. Hawthorn Berry provides nutritive support to the heart and circulatory system by helping

address damage of atherosclerosis. According to Mowrey (1986), hawthorn berry helps lower the blood pressure and reduce burden placed on the heart through peripheral vasodilation (p.137).

Garlic Bulb has long been known to help bring down high blood pressure but it also has beneficial effects on the course of heart disease resulting from atherosclerosis.

Garlic also helps block biosynthesis of cholesterol which helps bring down serum levels of cholesterol. It also helps expand vessel walls adding to its hypotensive activity.

Cayenne Pepper is a powerful stimulant that has been used internally to help equalize the blood pressure and insure that the internal functions remain stabilized. According to

Mowrey (1986), Cayenne helps regulate cholesterol levels, provides nutritive support to the heart and circulatory system which is what we want when faced with hypertension and results of atherosclerosis (p. 12). There is also analysis of Capsicum Annuum which found that it contains the most natural Vitamin E of all edible plants which is in a very stable form. This herb also has a very significant amount of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) naturally balanced with Vitamin E which could be of significant importance for its regenerative and healing effects on the heart (http://www.herballegacy.com).

Red Clover Blossom is relaxant, expectorant, diuretic and blood cleansing. It also appears to help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and reduce the buildup of plaque that causes heart disease (Mt Rose, 2008).

Cactus Grandiflorus has been known for centuries as an excellent heart and nerve tonic which does not contain cardiac glycosides (Smith, 2008). It helps in cases of cardiac weakness, poor circulation, and fear.

Motherwort Herb is a cardiac tonic shown to be hypotensive, sedative and antispasmodic. It helps calm palpitations and normalizes heart function in general. Ancient recipes use it for relief of anxiety as it has sedative properties pacifying to the nervous system (Mowrey, 1986).

Valerian has sedative, anticonvulsive, hypotensive, tranquilizing, and anti-aggressive properties. It helps suppress and regulate the autonomic nervous system. It is also useful in cases of headaches, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, menstrual problems, nervous stomach, and hysteria (Mt Rose, 2008).

Ginger Root has powerful stimulating effects that can increase overall circulation. It also helps reduce serum cholesterol levels and has been shown as a good cardio tonic in several studies (Mowrey, 1986).

Turmeric is known as main anti-inflammatory in Ayureveda, but it also has antioxidants that help fight atherosclerosis and curcumin which helps prevent hardening of the arteries in people with diabetes. Like garlic, turmeric has a long list of medicinal properties in addition to those mentioned here (Mt Rose, 2008).

Kelp, according to Mowrey (1986.), has nutritive, antibiotic and hypotensive properties, of which the hypotensive property is the most important in this formula (p. 139).

Possibility of side effects

Because of possible interactions of Red clover blossom it is advised to avoid this formula when using blood thinning medication. Because of possible interactions of Motherwort herb it would be best to consult a physician when person is using heart medication. Not recommended to use during pregnancy.

Method of preparation and delivery

Put all herbs into a blender. Add enough 100 proof vodka to cover the herb material. Blend for 1 minute. Pour your mixture into a glass jar and screw the lid on.

Keep the jar in dark cool place and shake every day two to three times. After 14 days, strain the liquid and pour into brown glass bottle with a dropper.

8 Parts Hawthorne Berry + 4 Part Garlic Bulb + 1 Part Cayenne Pepper + 1 Part Red Clover Blossom + 1 Part Cactus Grandiflorus Stem and Flower + 1 Part Motherwort Herb + 1 Part Valerian + 1 Part of Ginger Root + 1 Part of Turmeric + 1/4 Part Kelp Flakes.

Note: This tincture can be ordered at http://bodyandmindstl.com/specialoffer.html under the name Cardio Support Tonic. We hope you will try the recipe yourself, but if for some reason you would rather have it prepared for you it can also be ordered at  http://www.bodyandmindstl.com/store/products/Cardio_Support_Tonic-23-0.html

Tincturing in the above described manner offers a process very similar to folk method described by James Greene, but one that is simple and easy enough for beginner herbalist to make at home. This method of preparation accomodates for more people to have access to the formula in regards to costs and accessibility. Tincture formulation is chosen to accommodate for intake of high enough concentration in a convenient and highly absorbable liquid form. Like most herbal tinctures daily intake is suggested for best results.

It is my hope that this recipe will inspire you to try preparing your own herbal formula – whether using this specific recipe or creating your own.

As always, please feel free to email any of the questions we may be of assistance with.

In Health, Abundance, Love, and Light, 

Daniela Sales 
daniela@bodyandmindstl.com 
Reiki Master Teacher and Wellness Consultant
The Avokado Studio of Arts for Creative Living
http://bodyandmindstl.com 

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Disclaimer: The statements in this article are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist.

References:

Dr Christopher’s Herbal Legacy. (2004). Cayenne as Medicine and Current Findings. Retrieved June 03, 2008, from  http://www.herballegacy.com/Medical_&_Findings.html

Green, J. (2002). The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook – A Home Manual. Berkley: Crossing Press

HerbalEd.org (2002). Single Herb Extracts – Cactus Grandiflorus. Retrieved June 08, 2008, from http://www.herbaled.org/THM/Singles/cactus.html

Mountain Rose Herbs Inc. (2000). Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs and Spices. Retrieved June 08, 2008, from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn

Mowrey, D. B. (1986). The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. Lincolnwood: Keats Publishing

Shillington, I. (2005). Data Pack for Cleanses and More. Clearwater: Organic Solutions

Our World, Illuminated.
www.luminearth.com

Disclaimer: The statements in this article are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist.