It's almost Valentine's Day, do your heart a favor. That sumptuous meal would be perfect with a Hawthorn berry beverage. They are cute. These little, red crab "apple-ly" fruits specialize in the digestion of meats. Herbalist often use Hawthorn berries in combination with other herbs to achieve weight loss. Hawthorn fruit regulates cholesterol and inhibits arterial stenosis (narrowing) of the artery due to plaque. Its characteristic sour flavor digests food accumulations and phlegm. Dissolving such masses reduces pressure in the heart and stomach pain. It also 'invigorates the blood', by preventing and expelling clumps.
This way the new blood can warm and nourish unobstructed. A lot of the tension carried in the body is due to undernourished tissues. Yes this crabby little digester of meat, can actually help you feel less tense. The less stress, the better. Now doesn't that sound nice? Who wouldn't want a warm cup of shan zha (Chinese pin yin) at bedtime, to soothe the heart. It is easy to obtain the whole dried fruit in a Chinese market or in the herbal tea aisle of the local health food store. Hawthorn fruit has been used for generations in China and is well regarded in Europe.
Do not drink hawthorn fruit while taking Digoxine, pharmaceutical for the treatment of congestive heart failure. For the most part, that therapy has been replaced with a combination a diuretic and an ace inhibitor. Digoxine is derived from Digitalis (Foxglove). Digitalis increases the heart's contractions and encourages blood to leave the heart. Hawthorn berry and digitalis 'mutually accentuate' each other. Herbalist use this term to indicate that the substances enhance each others affect. Also, those experiencing any issues with acid reflux, may also want to abstain. Except under these conditions, hawthorn fruit as an herbal remedy is a safe healthy food for heart health. A good thing to remember is that herbal medicine is medicine. The foods or plant sources that comprise the materia medica were chosen because of their functionality. Simply said: herbs work. To learn more about how they work and tailor a regimen specific to your needs, please see a licensed/ certified professional. Experimenting with healthful, food quality supplements can help heal hurts and lead to a lifelong love of feeling great in your body.
Comments