matters of the heart
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it has this herbalist thinking of matters of the heart. In a clinical herbal practice like rebel + dart’s, we think in terms of physiology (the science of the human body) and in terms of energetics (a person’s constitution, qualities, or emotional self). Talking about plant and human energetics would take multiple novels worth of information, so for the purposes of this blog, I’m going to keep it to the SparkNotes version.
Take the heart for example. Physiologically you have four chambers, an aorta, the valves, blood vessels, etc. But the ‘energetic’ heart is how we experience emotions like grief, joy, and heartbreak. In the magical realm of herbalism, we can support both the physiological heart and the energetic/emotional heart with herbal remedies. And this, dear friends, is where herbalism shines. Because pharmaceuticals can’t do this.
A few herbs that readily come to mind when thinking of supporting both the physiological and the energetic heart are rose and hawthorn. Rosa rugosa, Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia are three commonly used species in herbal medicine, but there are others. You can use the bud, petals, and the ‘hip’ (fruit) of the rose plant. Fun Fact: that’s what rosehips are. Physiologically, rose can be used to support and calm the nervous system, as an astringent, an anti-inflammatory and a cardiovascular tonic. But it’s also those actions that allow it to support your emotional/energetic heart. When acting on the nervous system, rose is calming, but also uplifting. It creates a sense of heart opening which can be beneficial in times of loss or when you’re feeling down.
Hawthorn or Crataegus spp. is the other herb friend that I immediately think of for broad spectrum heart health. The leaves or berries are the part of the plant used. Physiologically, hawthorn acts a cardiovascular tonic, a mild vascular tonic, supports circulation, and strengthens the heart. Energetically, the thorns of the hawthorn tree remind us about the concept of ‘thorn medicine’ or the idea that thorns act as a boundary and a barrier for protection. We, as humans, should also remember to hold boundaries for ourselves where are hearts are concerned. The Irish believe the hawthorn tree to be sacred as it symbolizes love and protection. A wonderful blend of lore mimicking the true benefits of the plant.
Valentine’s Day can be a lovely reminder to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us. But this time of year can also remind us of those we’ve lost. If you feel you need support for your physiological heart or your emotional heart, please reach out to rebel + dart to schedule a botanical balance session.
Sending you all love and abundance this Valentine’s Day and beyond.