Heart, Blood & Circulation
Anemia: Normally caused by insufficient iron in the blood that results in low hemoglobin causing breathlessness and heart palpitations.
What to take: Two excellent herbs that will nourish the blood and increase circulation are DangGui and Stinging Nettle, both of which can be taken as a tea or with juices and other herbals such as Shu di huang. You will want to increase your intake of iron rich foods, as well, such as liver, apricots, spinach and watercress.
Cautions and Common Sense: Do not take large amounts of any of these herbals if pregnant.
Capillary fragility: If you tend to bruise easily, you may have a weakness in the walls of your blood vessels.
What to take: Taken as a juice mixture with Yarrow, Ribworth plantain or Horsetail, both Buckwheat and Heartsease are rich in rutin and flavenoids that strengthen vessel walls.
High blood pressure: Known medically as hypertension, high blood pressure can be caused by many things including liver and kidney problems, heart disorders or circulatory problems. Constant headaches, dizziness, eye problems, and continued high blood pressure readings are signs of high blood pressure.
What to take: There are some excellent herbal remedies to control and stabilize this condition. Shu di huang, Shan shu yu, Mu dan pi, heShou wu are some recommended Chinese herbals. Herbal teas of Ju hua, Hawthorn, and Motherwort are also recommended. These herbals work to naturally restore vitality and energy to the kidneys and liver and bring blood pressure under control.
Cautions and common sense: If you are taking beta-blockers or other prescribed hypertension medication, consult your practitioner before stopping their use.
Low blood pressure: A condition quite often taken for granted is low blood pressure.
Symptoms may be similar to those or high blood pressure, but with a sluggish, weak feeling and general fatigue most of the time.
What to take: Herbs such as Lily-of –the-valley, Broom, and Motherwort are good to stimulate and regulate heartbeat and strengthen blood vessels. However, these are strong herbals and should be taken under the direction of a naturopath as they can cause unpleasant side effects. These remedies may be combined with Rosemary, Ginkgo, and Hawthorn or perhaps Dandelion to act as a mild diuretic.
High cholesterol: Normally due to high levels of saturated fat in the diet, it can lead to circulatory and heart problems if not checked. There are several foods and herbs that, when taken with a low fat, low cholesterol diet can be quickly brought under control.
What to take: A Clove or single capsule of Garlic taken daily will reduce cholesterol levels significantly, as will Oats in your morning cereal. Oolong tea, used for centuries by the Chinese, can help reduce cholesterol absorption in the body. Any or all of the above combined with a low cholesterol and low saturated fat diet, lots of green and yellow vegetables, and sensible eating habits can help to lower high cholesterol.
Poor circulation: Constantly cold hands and feet or that chilled feeling may indicate that you have circulation problems.
What to take: Taken as an infusion or tincture, Cayenne, Gui zhi, Prickly ash, and Ginger will heat up and stimulate the system and produce a warming effect on the body. Bayberry, Angelica, or Ginkgo may be added to the tea to help promote circulation.
Varicose veins: Leg pain and enlarged, protruding veins in the upper and lower parts of the leg due to a number of things including poor circulation, abdominal pressure, obesity, or heredity.
What to take: Horse chestnut and Kings Clover are used as vein tonics for their anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant properties. The homeopathic Hamamelis, in both internal and external forms, will relieve pain. Non-invasive, out-patient treatments have also worked wonders for many women.
Cautions and commonsense: DO NOT use either of these herbs without consulting your naturopath or herbal practitioner first. Do not mix herbs with any drugs such as Warfarin R as blood-clots may occur.
