My Herbs 1

dominantly “yin”, and suffer from cold
limbs and dizziness and are prone to
fainting. People belonging to the “yang”
group have high pressure and suffer from
headaches and heart palpitations. Blood,
along with Chi, is a symbol of life energy.
Those suffering from low pressure
have a low level of life energy (or to put
it in other words,
the energy flows very
slowly and weakly). These people are
more passive, cope less with obstacles
and challenges of life, and avoid conflicts.
It is therefore necessary to stimulate
the blood more, both in physical
movement and awareness of one’s important
role in life.
Contrariwise, those with high blood
pressure are full of tension (sometimes
to the point of intellectual overload),
revel in conflicts, and take a dominant
stance, with one’s energy very strong
and quick to lighten up. But this state
also means a significantly shorter life
of one’s heart. So, for healing to commence,
one has to be calmer, concede
that the views of others are important
as well, and to adopt a more modest
view of one’s dispensability on a universal
level. One should also be more
honest with others and strive to be attuned
with one's spiritual heart.
FOOD FOR BLOOD
CIRCULATION
It is essential to lighten one’s diet by
avoiding all fatty foods and limiting salt,
which is by no means good for blood
pressure. During these hot days it is essential
to supply the body with sufficient
fluids – of course without sugar
and alcohol. Water is ideal, but should
not be too cold, with a little lemon and
mint, or rooibos tea, diluted with freshly
squeezed juice straight from the fruit.
Regarding cereals, go especially for buckwheat,
which represents a significant source
of rutin, strengthening blood vessels. Other
rich cereals include wheat germ, corn, and
rice. Also don’t forget the supply of omega-
3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil, fish oil, walnuts,
pumpkin seeds, fish – e.g., mackerel,
salmon, trout, tuna – along with fat-soluble
antioxidants like vitamin E, carotenes).
Omega-3 acids decrease LDL and increase
HDL cholesterol, which dissolves
blood vessel wall residues. As a source of
legumes, use mungo beans, soybeans, and
red adzuki beans. As far as dairy products
go, give priority to fresh sheep and goat
products.
During warm seasons you can consume
any quantity of vegetables, particularly
leafy ones, which have a strong positive effect
on hematopoiesis. Try also tomatoes,
beetroot, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower,
iceberg or leafy lettuce, Chinese
cabbage, peas, string beans, and artichokes
– in short, anything that is fresh and in
good supply.
According to health criteria, vegetables
should occupy half of our plate, and seasonal
fruits should be preferably consumed
according to their location of
growth. Blood circulation is aided by
many spices, especially cinnamon, colored
pepper, cloves, fennel, coriander,
oregano, cumin, and rosemary.
Among herbs, ones to be recommended
include lemon balm, nettle, daisy, dandelion,
birch, mullein, heather, comfrey,
yarrow, coneflower, common sea-buckthorn,
veronica chamaedrys, ginko
biloba, and elderberry. In order to settle
blood pressure we recommend serving
liqueur from bear garlic (Allium ursinum)
or infusion of hawthorn. Also, keep an
eye on sufficient amounts of minerals
such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and
potassium.
MYHERBSMAG.COM
45