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Page 67
| other herbs, such as hawthorn berry and motherwort. It is seldom sold in the U.S. as an herb by itself, but it does appear in some cardiac tonics. Follow label directions. |
| Olive Leaf (Olea Europaea) |
| The olive, one of the Mediterranean's most important plants, is most familiar for its oil-rich fruits. But the leathery green leaves of the evergreen olive are important in their own right; they have become widely used, especially in Europe, as a treatment for hypertension. |
| Because the leaves are tough, they should be simmered as a decoction (1 to 2 teaspoons leaf per cup of water) or tinctured in alcohol. |
| According to Dr. Weiss, olive leaf is not sufficiently powerful to use in advanced cases of high blood pressure, but in moderate cases it may be effective. In addition to lowering blood pressure, the leaf is an antispasmodic. Unfortunately, it has an irritant effect on the gastric mucosa and can cause gastric symptoms if taken on an empty stomach. For best results, take olive leaf tea, tincture or capsules after meals. |
| Passionflower or Maypop (Passiflora Incarnata) |
| The dried leaves of this climbing vine have a sedative, relaxing, antispasmodic influence that makes it an herb of choice for insomnia and stress-related hypertension. Passionflower relaxes without causing drowsiness. It is often combined with valerian, chamomile and other relaxing herbs in teas, tinctures, capsules and tablets. |
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