Hypertension

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:

❤️ High Blood pressure is more common in males than females

❤️ High Blood pressure is most common in non-Hispanic black adults

❤️ In 2019, over ½ a million deaths had hypertension as a  primary or contributing cause

❤️ 1 In 4 adults with high Blood pressure have their condition  under control

❤️ In many instances, hypertension is asymptomatic

❤️ Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing high Blood pressure 

❤️ If you are diabetic, you are twice as likely to have high Blood pressure

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻s𝗶𝗼𝗻:

❤️ In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is no ancient “disease” called hypertension

❤️ Two of the most common symptoms of hypertension are headaches and dizziness

❤️ Some contributing factors to high Blood pressure:

➳Stress: worry, anger, repressed emotions, resentment, etc

➳Old age: Kidney Jing declines w/age = can lead to Liver patterns & Phlegm

➳Diet choices: excessive sweets, processed foods, dairy, cold & raw foods, alcohol = damages the Spleen, leads to Heat, leads to Phlegm

➳Phlegm

➳Overwork: damages the Kidneys and Liver over time

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗖𝗠, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

❤️ Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency

❤️ Liver Yang Rising

❤️ Liver Fire

❤️ Phlegm

❤️ Spleen deficiency

❤️ Blood stagnation

❤️ Some other patterns may include Liver Qi stagnation w/Blood rebelling upward, Wind, Kidney Yang deficiency, etc.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 -𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻(𝘀)

❤️ Hawthorn - circulatory enhancing herb. It may help improve  Blood vessels. Mildly lowers BP, inhibits plaque buildup on arterial walls. angina, palpitations, oppression in the chest.

❤️ Motherwort - used in formulas for hypertension with anxiety/stress, palpitations. oppression in the chest.

❤️ Maca - used in cases of renal hypertension

❤️ Khella seeds - vasodilator

❤️ Yarrow - peripheral vasodilator, also used for nosebleeds

❤️ Garlic - lowers BP, vascular herb, plaque formation 

❤️ Passionflower - vasodilating effects, anxiety/stress-induced  hypertension

❤️ California poppy - for hypertension-associated adrenal exhaustion due to stress/anxiety

❤️ Tian Ma - used in TCM for headaches, dizziness

❤️ Linden - stress-related hypertension

❤️ Milky oats -  for stress-induced hypertension

❤️ Bugleweed - for stress-induced hypertension. Relieves oppression in the chest.

❤️ several TCM formulas are beneficial. Choosing one depends on what patterns of disharmony are present.

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 & 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀: (check with your Dr. if you are unsure)

❤️ If overweight, reduce and maintain a healthy weight

❤️ Eat a healthy diet: reduce salt, sugar, saturated fat, & processed foods 

❤️ Eat a healthy diet: include leafy greens & veggies, legumes, lentils, & whole grains

❤️ Reduce/omit coffee and alcohol

❤️ Quit smoking

❤️ Include omega III fatty acids (wild-caught salmon, sardines, halibut, etc.)

❤️ 30-minutes of aerobic exercise per day

❤️ Meditate, yoga, qi gong, tai chi, pranayama

❤️ Consider supplementing CoQ10 

❤️ Make certain you are getting the RDA vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium,  & calcium

❤️ Remember that not all herbs are suitable for everyone. Please check with your Dr. or a qualified herbalist before starting a new herb. 

10 Things About American Ginseng →

Ginseng is widely used because people want more energy, stamina, and mental clarity. Often found as an ingredient in an energy shot or soft drink. There are five types of Ginsengs. They share similar properties, however, they aren’t all of the same plant species. Today I am focusing on American Ginseng, and 10 Things to Know about it.

• It is an adaptogen and tonic herb entering the Kidney, Heart, and Lung channels

• From a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine perspective it Nourishes Yin, Tonifies Qi, Clears Deficient Heat, and Clears Lung Fire. 

• American Ginseng is less stimulating than Panax Ginseng and cool whereas Panax Ginseng is slightly warm.

• CNS (Central Nervous System) suppressant making it useful for insomnia, ADD, and tinnitus.

• It generates fluids aiding in dry mouth, thirst, dry Lungs, hoarse throat, and dry cough with blood. 

• Useful for respiratory conditions wheezing, asthma, and allergies.

• Benefits the digestive system making it helpful for atonic indigestion, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and digestive weakness.

• Helpful in cases of menopause for night sweats, and hot flashes.

• Balances hormones and protects the adrenals. Stress and fatigue, weak adrenals, dark circles under the eyes, catch colds easily.  

• Helps control metabolic syndrome and Type II Diabetes.

• One bonus and unexpected use - jetlag!

Remember, not every herb works for everybody.  Let me know if I can help you determine if American Ginseng might be right for you.

Energy/Taste: slightly bitter, sweet, slightly cool (Tierra) / cold (Bensky) | Channels and Organs affected: Lung, Kidney, Heart | Dosage: 3-6g

References: Chen & Chen,(2012) Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology; Bensky, Clavey, Stoger w/Gamble,(2015) Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica; Michael and Lesley Tierra,(2017) East-West Herb Course Materia Medica; David Winston,(2007) Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief 

Nasya Oil

Nasya is an Ayurvedic therapy with varied types including:

• Cleansing (Shodhana, Pradhamana, and Virechana)

• Nutritive (Bruhana, Tarpana)

• Sedative or Balancing (Shamana)

• Lubricating (Navana)

• Daily (Pratimarsha or Marsha)

Nasya is administered through the nose, which is the door to the brain and consciousness, using medicated oils, ghees, and herbal powders.

Before choosing which nasya to use it is important to understand your body’s constitution and imbalance as each type has its specific dosha, time of day, and indications for use - misuse may cause further imbalance.

Some uses for nasya include:

• stiffness & pain in the head or neck

• sinus congestion

• dry nasal passages

• stress

• shoulder pain

• jaw pain

• headaches & migraines

• toothaches & receding gums

• tonsillitis & hoarse voice

• supporting the mind & memory

• depleted sexual energy

Use ghee for a daily nasya practice (Praitmarsha) to help with stress and to open the deep tissues. This may be used by any constitution at any time although best if done after urinating and defecating.

Ghee Instructions: 

• Place organic/hormone free cow butter in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil

• Once boiling, reduce heat slightly, and allow to gently boil, foam will form on the top, the butter will turn a golden color and the milk solids will have sunk to the bottom and turned brown. 

• Ghee is done when the butter turns golden - about 8 minutes or so. 

• Skim off the foam and discard. Strain ghee through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth and store it in a heatproof airtight glass container - no need to refrigerate. 

• To avoid bacteria growth use a clean and dry spoon allowing no water into the jar.

Use a small amount of ghee on your little finger massaging into each nostril - this may be done while sitting. 

If using drops:  Lie down with your head tilted back and put 5 drops of nasya in each nostril (3 drops each nostril for children over 7) sniff until you feel it in the back of your throat, allow the oil to penetrate for a few minutes.