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Page 59
| To make your own hawthorn berry tincture, see the recipe on page 29. Dried hawthorn berries appear in recipes for teas and capsules on pages 27 and 32. |
| Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) |
| This astringent circulatory tonic strengthens and tones the veins. Its tea, tinctures and capsules are taken for phlebitis, inflammation of veins, varicosity and hemorrhoids, and the tea is applied externally for the same conditions and for leg ulcers. Infuse 1 to 2 tsp. per cup; drink 3 times per day, or use as a lotion. |
| Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) |
| Esteemed for centuries for its blood-staunching effect and its treatment of kidney and bladder complaints, horsetail is unusually rich in silicon, a mineral shown to protect the aorta against the development of arteriosclerosis. Horsetail is a mild diuretic that helps relieve fluid retention. The famous Austrian herbalist Maria Treben wrote, ''I would advise anyone over 40 to drink 1 cup of horsetail tea every day." She recommended drinking the tea slowly, taking small sips at regular intervals throughout the day to help prevent gout, rheumatism, circulatory problems and other complaints associated with aging. Brew as an infusion. |
| Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum) |
| One nervine with a special affinity for today's stressed adults is kava kava, a Polynesian herb with a colorful history that calms the nerves without dulling the mind. Kava kava was traditionally prepared not as a tea but as a fermented beverage. |
| Polynesian tribes no longer ferment their kava |
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