Properties of Hawthorn Berries

Cardio-tonic (strengthens the heart muscle)

Diuretic (promotes urination)

Astringent (solidifies loose stool)

Hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)

Physical Effects

Heart and cardiovascular tonic

Relaxes and dilates blood vessels

Lowers blood pressure

Improves general circulation and blood flow

Strengthens damaged or weak heart muscles (increasing the heart’s efficiency)

Exerts a scrubbing action on plaque inside the blood vessels.

Click here for research on using hawthorn for hyperlipidemia and prevention of atherosclerosis.

For men:

Hawthorne is also useful as a tonic for men because it balances and enhances the adrogenic (male) hormones in general.  Hawthorn berries also have the ability to relax and dilate blood vessels, which is helpful for erectile problems.

Cautions:

Hawthorn may interact with vasodilating medications and may potentiate or inhibit the actions of drugs used for heart failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.  Do not use hawthorn with blood thinners such as Warfarin.

Large amounts may cause a drop in blood pressure and possibility of fainting. Generally considered safe for long-term use, do not exceed recommended dosage. Consult your health care professional for assistance with heart problems.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Mimosa Tree Flower Tea ‘He Huan Hua Cha’

6 grams Mimosa Flower ‘He Huan Hua’ (Albizzia julibrissinis)

honey (to taste)

Place mimosa flower in a cup and soak in boiling water.   Strain.  Add honey to taste and drink when cool.

Functions:

Nourish heart and fortifies the spleen

Resolves depression and moves liver qi

Clears the mind and encourages a cheerful spirit

Indications:

Upset emotions and troubled mood

Nervous exhaustion

Fatigue and listlessness associated with unsmooth mood

Chest oppression and discomfort

Sighing

Mental sluggishness

Eye diseases

I also like to mix mimosa flower with various types of green tea.  It gives the tea a sweet flavor and has nice benefits for the health.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Many herbal tinctures are made using alcohol as a base.  The alcohol is used to extract and preserve the medicinal properties of herbs, but does not have to be consumed with the medicine.  If you would like to prepare an alcohol-free version of the tincture for children or patients who cannot tolerate alcohol, follow these instructions.

• To remove 65% of the alcohol in 5 minutes, pour a small amount of boiling water over the herbs.  Alcohol boils at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, 32 degrees lower than the boiling point of water, and will evaporate first.  Tinctures prepared in this way remain good for five days if refrigerated, or two days otherwise.

• To remove 95% of the alcohol, simmer each dose for 5-8 minutes in 1/3 cup water.  Non-metallic pots (such as glass pyrex) are best to prevent oxidation or adverse chemical reactions.  Use very low gas flame.  Tinctures prepared in this way remain good for five days if refrigerated, or two days otherwise.

For young children, add the entire daily dose to 2 oz or ½ cup of boiling water to evaporate the alcohol, then add 3 oz of fruit juice or cereal with honey, maple syrup, or raw sugar to mask the taste. Total daily amount may be divided into 2-6 individual doses.  The doses that are not being consumed right away should be used within 24 hours, so as not to weaken their effects.

For a stronger and more rapid effect, the formulas should be taken on an empty stomach. For those with more sensitive stomachs, doses should be taken with food or after meals (this moderates the herbs’ effects and rate of absorption).

For babies less than or as old as one year, and for children between the ages of one and four, frequency of dosage is more important than quantity. The herbs should be given each time the child would ordinarily nurse, drink, or eat. For children between five-years-old and twelve-years-old, regularity and timing are also critical factors: the herbs should be taken shortly after awakening, before or after regular meals, and at bedtime. In general, it is easiest to administer medicine to children as part of their morning, mealtime, or evening ritual. For small children and for those averse to strange tastes, the extracts may be squirted into the back of the throat where there are fewer taste buds and it is easy to trigger the swallowing reflex. The herbs need not be refrigerated, as they have a long shelf life when kept tightly capped and out of direct light. No medicine should be given chilled from the refrigerator, but rather warmed or at room temperature. The extracts may also be mixed with room temperature fruit juice, milk, cereal, and mashed fruits or vegetables to facilitate ingestion and further mask their taste. However, when the herbs become diluted by more than small quantities of foods or liquids, the overall dosage or frequency may need to increase in order to obtain the expected effects, unless a very slow and moderate action is desired.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Homeopathy – Your Remedy Will Work Best if You:

• Keep bottle out of direct sunlight, as this can antidote the remedy.
  
• Don’t touch the remedy with your hands ­– pour it into the cap or a paper cup.
• Don’t eat or drink for 10 minutes before and after taking the remedy (this includes gum and water).
• Follow the directions on the bottle. Most homeopathic pills are meant to be dissolved in the mouth.  Some can be swallowed without dissolving first.
  

When possible use your remedy separately from the following activities, as these may reduce effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Or, you may simply need to take your remedy again to renew the benefits.  Please ask your practitioner if you have any questions.

• Major dental work
• Prescription drugs
• Recreational drugs
• Strongly aromatic over-the-counter preparations which can include herbs, vitamins and other non-prescription drugs
• Electric Blankets
  
• Camphor products like Vicks, Tiger Balm, Karmex and chapsticks that contain camphor
• Tea tree oil and other pungent remedies
• X-ray machines in airports (Try to hold the remedies separately. We can give you a note for the airlines but this may not work. A photo leaded type bag may help.)

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.