Organic Herbal Heart Tea

Crateagus monogyna (Berries, flowers & leaf)
Hawthorn, Mayblossom, Whitehorn from the Rosaceae family. Historically crataegus comes from the Greek meaning “strength” which describes the strength of the wood from the tree. Its main area of action/use is with the cardiovascular system. Very effective for all problems associated with the heart and circulation. The beneficial effects of crateagus appear to be a result of the following actions:

• improving blood supply to the heart by dilating the coronary vessels.
• improvement of the metabolic processes in the heart, which results in an increase in the force of contraction of the heart muscle and elimination of some types of rhythm disturbances.
• inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme thus adding to vasodilation.

Crateagus has the unique ability to exert a normalising effect on heart function, working to correct apparently opposite disorders. Its actions:

• “Heart tonic” – generally restorative herb supporting and strengthening the heart while regulating circulation.
• “Circulatory stimulant” – generates warmth and improves peripheral circulation.
• “Diuretic” – removes excess fluid associated with heart disease.
• “Diaphoretic” – peripheral vasodilator.
• “Antispasmodic” – relaxes smooth muscle tissue of blood vessels.
• “Vascular tonic” – strengthens and tones arterial and venous vessels.
• “Hypotensive” – normalises blood pressure; decreases the hearts workload.
• “Antioxidant” – stabilisation of collagen by protecting against damage during inflammation, enhancing cross-linkage of collagen by preventing the release of inflammatory chemicals such as leukotrienes.

A meta-analysis published in January 2008: “Pittler M, Guo R, Ernst E, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;(1):CD005312”. Treatment ranged from 3-16 weeks and the main results shown were:

• Maximum workload (max energy output): Crateagus was significantly more beneficial than placebo.
• Exercixe tolerance (energy output per unit time): Significantly increased in the crateagus group.
• Pressure-heart rate product (indicates cardiac oxygen consumption): Showed a beneficial decrease with crateagus treatment.
• Symptoms (such as shortness of breath an fatigue): improved significantly with crateagus treatment as compared with placebo.

Showing overall that crateagus leaf and flower extract is beneficial for the treatment of chronic heart failure. Helping to:

• increase coronary blood flow.
• decrease blood pressure.
• increase force of contraction of the heart.
• increase rate of contraction.
• decrease rate of contraction (hence the normalising function).
• decrease arrhythmias and lower the potential for adrenalin to induce them.
• alter peripheral blood flow to increase flow to muscles and decrease peripheral vessel resistance.
• protect against dietary hypercholesterolaemia i.e. lowers serum (blood) cholesterol levels.
• reduce the damage due to hypoxia as in ischaemic heart disease.

A clinical trial in France: Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20(1):63-71. was conducted to assess the benefits of Hawthorn, California Poppy and Magnesium vs Placebo in the treatment of “Mild to Moderate Anxiety disorders”. Hamilton anxiety scores were between 16-28 and the patients were assessed at 7, 14, 30, 60 & 90 days.

The Hamilton anxiety scores fell more for the herbal treatment group than the placebo group, indicating clinical improvement and a positive result for long term of crateagus use with treatment for anxiety disorders.

Hawthorn/Crateagus has been shown to help with the following health conditions: Congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, angina, heart arrythmias, tachycardia, atherosclerosis, atheroma, chilblains, intermittent claudication, irregular pulse, heart palpitations, poor circulation, ectopic beat, cardiac hypertrophy, valvular insufficiency, varicose veins, odema and dyspnoea of cardiac origin, myocardial weakness, arteriosclerosis, Buerger’s disease, lung cancer, emphysema, longevity and nervous disorders i.e. stress, anxieties, anger.

Rosa damascena (flowers)
Northern Persia (Iran), birthplace of the Rose, grown worldwide for their beauty & fragrance. They are also used medicinally, its actions being many i.e: Anti-spasmodic, Anti-viral, Blood tonic, Digestive stimulant, Expectorant, Increases bile production, Kidney tonic, Menstrual regulator, Antiseptic, Anti-depressant, Aphrodisiac, Anti-bacterial, Astringent, Anti-inflammatory. Rich in Nutrients: Vitamin C, E, K, B Vitamins, many minerals including Calcium, Potassium, Copper, Iodine, Iron and more.

Bacteria have been shown to die within 5 minutes of contact with fresh rose petals, as well as this relieve allergic itching, soothing to festering wounds and burns, shown to regenerate skin topically. Mixed with honey it’s effective against mouth inflammations, stomatitis & inflamed gums. By putting a bowl of hot water containing rose petals in a room it has shown to help improve anxieties, depression, stress, head colds, coughs & flu. In Russia Rose Petals are used for Stenocardia (Angina) treatment, used as an inhalation &/or in the bath (along with beetroot to enhance the treatment within the bath). Shown to strengthen the heart, stimulate circulation, improve broken capillaries. Improve immunity by relieving colds, flu, pharyngitis, bronchitis, sinusitis. Relieve aching joints & muscles, insomnia, tired/inflammed eyes, headaches, exhaustion, as well as improve digestion, relieve PMS, Menopausal symptoms and increase libido.

Tilia europaea (flowers)
Lime flower contains flavonoids which are believed to produce the hypotensive action by opening peripheral circulation and reducing pressure in the whole circulation along with its diuretic action improving renal function help to make it a perfect adjunct when treating:

• hypertension
• varicose veins
• phlebitis (inflammation & swelling of a vein)

It also works well in other areas such as the respiratory tract, in reducing fevers, head colds, flu and irritable coughs, as well as calming nerves, releasing built up tension, relieving migraines & headaches, restlessness, hysteria and insomnia.
Steep 1 teaspoon of herbs for 5-10 minutes to get the best flavour. 1-3 cups recommended daily.

Organic Rosa-damascena (Rose Petals), Organic Crateagus monogyna (Hawthorn berries, leaf & flowers)* (berries, leaf & flowers), Organic Tilia europaea (Lime Flower)

Available in black kraft bags.

Also in MIRON Violet Glass. Height 105.6mm. Diameter 61.4 +1.3 / -0.7 mm.
The teas in the jars are measured by volume (200ml) not gm weight.
Makes approximately 30 Cups. Re-use the jar and save by ordering bags next time.
More information on the Jars here.