Hawthorn - Healthy Heart Blend II
If you read the last blog post, I talked about my Healthy Heart Blend I. Today, I'd like to share with you my Healthy Heart Blend II. In celebration of Valentine's Day this week, I thought sharing my heart healthy recipes could add to your heart/love filled week.
This infusion is useful for an ailing cardiovascular system, or to help maintain a healthy one. The blend of herbs will provide medicinal benefits for the heart muscle itself, while each of the herbs improves circulation and helps the lungs. Linden flowers are soothing and anti-inflammatory, and both she and hawthorn are specific for normalizing blood pressure. Nettle aids hawthorn in protecting the integrity of the veins and arteries, and sees to the health of the supportive, hard-working kidneys. This infusion does all this and more, and tastes absolutely superb.
If you are healthy, you can use this blend or rotate the individual herbs into your life periodically. If you are engaged in healing your heart or blood pressure, drink a minimum of two cups daily, at least five days a week. If you are taking heart medication, I'm sure you are having your health monitored. If you have a physician who supports your use of herbs, food, and other traditional approaches to healing, so much the better. Depending on how long you have been ill and how long you've been taking pharmaceuticals, after using these herbs regularly, individually or blended together, you may need to have your prescriptions reduced and re-evaluated.
HEALTHY HEART BLEND - VARIATION II
1/2 cup dried hawthorn berries
1/2 cup dried hawthorn flowers and leaves
1/2 cup dried linden blossoms
1/2 cup dried violet leaves and stalks (and flowers, optional)
Substitute violet for the stinging nettles when there is a need to moisten tissue, ease heart pain, or soothe nerves. I generally use sweet blue violets, Viloa odorate, but would happily use whatever species is local. Another species of violet, common pansy (Viola tricolor) is nicknamed "heart's ease" for a reason ---- it is beneficial to the heart, building, strength and reducing pain.
Mix these herbs together into a half-gallon jar and pour boiling water over them, to the top. Cap it tightly and let it steep for about 12 hours. Drink 1-4 cups daily.
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