Take Heart

The heart. The organ of life. Located in the centre of the chest, an adult heart measuring about the size of a clenched fist.

In 1653 the English physician William Harvey said: “The heart is situated at the 4th and 5th ribs. Therefore [it is] the principal part because [it is in] the principal place, as in the center of a circle, the middle of the necessary body.”

In Chinese medicine the heart is known as The Emperor. Every other organ works to serve it.

But do we serve it well? How well do we look after this precious gift of life.

Heart Gems

There are so many things we don’t know about the heart. We take it for granted, we probably barely give it a thought, that is, until something goes wrong. But perhaps we need to treat it with tender loving care, in thought and deed.

• The rhythm of the heart affects the brain’s ability to process information.
• The human heart’s magnetic field can be measured several feet away from the body.
• When a fetus develops, the heart forms and starts beating before the brain begins to develop.
• A mother’s brainwaves can synchronise to her baby’s heart beats, even when they are a few feet away.
• The heart sends signals to the brain that can influence perception and emotional experience.
• The heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart.
• Your heart emits an electromagnetic field that changes according to your emotions.
• Blood pressure in the heart can squirt blood over 30 feet.
• The aorta, the largest artery in the body, is almost the diameter of a garden hose.
• Depression increases heart attack risk.
• Anger leads to irregular heart beat and increased heart attack risk.
• Positive emotions like joy, gratitude and laughter have been shown to dramatically reduce heart attack and stroke risk and could even prolong life.

Heartfelt emotions

“The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.”
― Blaise Pascal

The heart is the seat of emotions and in fact research shows that sorrow really can break your heart and an angry heart can burst.

It has been noted that viewing a stressful football match doubles the risk of a heart attack. Spikes in heart attacks are seen after World Cup events; an experience that can cause such a strong emotional reaction leading to a potential serious health event.

We often mention the heart in conversation. These expressions pertain to feelings. We feel from the heart; I didn’t have the heart, a heart of gold, heart goes out to, heart is in the right place, heavy heart, take heart.

What is clear is the heart is precious and needs to be treated with tender loving care.

Heart Inflammation

There is an apparent rise in pericarditis (inflammation of the protective fluid-filled sac) and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

Symptoms include; chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding heart, weakness and fatigue, low grade fever and dizziness.

This should be taken seriously and medical advice sought. But there are herbs that can support healing of heart inflammation.

There are times when the heart is under pressure emotionally and physically. When this is evident there are heart supportive protocols. Herbs being one of the best.

My grandmother made herself Hawthorn tea for decades. Before she died at the age of 97 after a fall, she had the blood pressure of a teenager. She rarely got wound up. The herbs and a peaceful heart served her well.

Heart Herbs

1. Hawthorn – helps protect against heart disease. Studies suggest hawthorn increases coronary artery blood flow, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure. Study. Purchase in-store.
2. Astragalus – a cardiac tonic. It has been found to alleviate chest distress, improve left-ventricular function and has therapeutic effects on sodium and water retention thus improving renal function. Prescribed for myocarditis and for its anti-viral properties. Study. Buy here.
3. Holy basil – has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint and exposure to cold and excessive noise. A herb for all reasons. A powerful anti-stress remedy. Study. Buy here.
4. Garlic – helps prevent cell damage, regulating cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Other research shows that garlic may also reduce plaque buildup in the arteries. Buy here.
   
5. Andrographis – Not only is this bitter herb a potent antiviral but studies show beneficial effects in different components of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. Buy here.
6. Schisandra – not only a wonderful adaptogenic herb for those feeling debilitated by negative emotions but a wonderful heart tonic. Study. Buy here.

Heart Nutritional Supports

1. Pomegranate
2. Reishi mushroom
3. Co-enzyme Q10
4. Magnesium
5. Potassium
6. Cacao
7. Berries
8. Green tea
9. Dark chocolate
10. Liver

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret:  It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;  what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery