5 Herbs For a Healthy Heart and Womb Connection
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America, so we’re celebrating American Heart Month with some of our favorite herbs that support a healthy heart and womb connection.
With heart disease (including heart attack and coronary artery disease) claiming the lives of 1 in every 5 women and the rates among black women substantially higher, it’s time that we start asking the question—what is going on in the daily lives of women in this country?
Better yet, what can we do about it?
Interestingly, researchers are discovering a correlation in women between the health status of the yoni and the heart with the following observations still being investigated:
- Girls who begin menstruating before the age of 12 are 10% more likely to develop heart disease at a later stage of life. The risk significantly decreases with the onset of menstruation after the age of 13.
- Each miscarriage increases a woman’s risk of developing heart disease by 6%
- Stillbirth increases a woman’s risk of developing heart disease by 22%
- The onset of menopause before age 47 increases a woman’s risk of developing heart disease by 33%
Other recorded risk factors for heart disease include hysterectomy, having ovaries removed, the use of oral hormonal contraceptives, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
There are other risk factors for heart disease that include chronic alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, trauma, chronic stress, and many more. However, the focus of this article is bringing awareness to the connection between the yoni and the heart along with herbs that support both.
With that said, when women find themselves in an environment and/or lifestyle that increase their risk of heart disease and yoni health issues—the question remains, “What is going on in the daily lives of women in this country and what can we do about it?“
Clearly, there is a substantial correlation between yoni health and heart health that researchers can’t yet fully explain. In the meantime, women can expand their understanding of the human body and how to cultivate wellness physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Now, let’s get started with some amazing herbal remedies!
Hawthorn Berry Uses and Benefits
“Its thorns are like nails; inches long and strong; tensile. And yet, a gentler, more nourishing medicine plant is unlikely to be found.”
Jim McDonald, American Folk Herbalist
Hawthorn, known as Cratageus monogyna, is a flowering shrub (more like a small tree) in the rose family that blooms in late spring. It produces moderately fragrance flowers, which later produce red fruit known as hawthorn berries.
Both the flower and hawthorn berry have been used in traditional herbalism as cardiotonics to address cardiac insufficiency. They are also rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from free radical damage.
Each body system relies on the heart to supply it with freshly oxygenated blood and nutrients while assisting in the removal of cellular waste.
Because hawthorn is commonly used to promote bloodflow to the extremeties, it is an excellent remedy to support healthy circulation in the pelvic region, which is needed for yoni health.
Hawthorn flowers and berries can be brewed into a tea, taken as a tincture (alcohol extract), or glycerite (tincture made with glycerin instead of alcohol) for heart health. The berries are also edible and used in jams, jellies, and syrups that still offer medicinal benefits.
In an article published by Bastyr University mentioned that hawthorn helps to “lower blood pressure, and it’s an antioxidant, which can help prevent heart disease.” The article went on to say that it “can be used to treat congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and hypertension.”
Anecdotally, hawthorn berries have long been said to help ‘heal a broken heart’ by offering support with grief in its many forms. Unresolved grief is heavily associated with heart problems, which may explain how strengthening the heart can bring emotional healing.
Spiritually, hawthorn is a fertility herb that was once used to adorn May poles and is sacred to the fairies. It’s bark has long been a symbol of hope and used as a charm for psychic protection and triumph over the forces of evil.
Motherwort Uses and Benefits
“Venus owns this herb and it is under Leo. There is no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart…and makes a merry, cheerful soul.”
Nicholas Culpepper, 17th Century Botanist, Herbalist, Physician, and Astrologer
Motherwort, formally known as Leonurus cardiaca, is an herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family prized for its supportive role in nourishing the heart-womb connection.
The flowers, leaves, and stems (aerial parts) can be taken as a tea, tincture, glycerite, or in capsule form to ease anxiety and stress-related heart problems (i.e. High blood pressure and heart palpitations).
Also a key ingredient used in yoni steams, motherwort is used to encourage the onset of menses in the cases of irregular or delayed periods. It can also quell menstrual cramping. You can read all about vaginal steaming in our Yoni Steaming 101 article.
Motherwort has been used to promote upper body circulation by strengthening the heart and blood vessels. This includes brain circulation, which supports endocrine function.
Since the pituitary gland (located in the brain) controls the function of the ovaries, it is easy to see how motherwort may be useful in cases of disorders caused by hormonal imbalances such as menstrual imbalances, PCOS, fibroids, and ovarian cysts.
Spiritually, motherwort has been said to embody the divine feminine essence. It is used in charms for trust, immortality, spiritual healing, and astral travel.
Red Clover Uses and Benefits
“People say if you eat clover of the purplish-brownish flowers or drink them it can make menses irregular. But the one with the white flowers makes it flow.”
Mattioli, Renaissance writer (1626)
Red clover, formally known as Trifolium pratense, is an herbaceous flowering plant in the pea family. It is widely used as a hormone regulator, health tonic, lymphatic, respiratory tonic, and nutritive.
All aerial parts of red clover (flower, leaf, and stem) are edible and used for medicinal purposes both internally and topically. As an edible, red clover adds plenty of calcium, nitrogen, and iron to teas, salads, and cooked grains.
According to award-winning herbalist Susun Weed, “an infusion (not tea, not tincture, not capsules) of red clover blossoms, leaves, and stems is not only very high in protein, macro- and trace-minerals, and vitamins (except B12), it is an excellent source of phytosterols.”
Weed further mentions that a daily infusion (strong tea steeped for 4-12 hours) of red clover can be taken as a remedy for “scaring of the Fallopian tubes, irregular menses, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract, or ‘unexplained’ infertility.”
As a hormone regulator, red clover is used as a remedy for acne, breast soreness during menstruation, menopause symptoms, and breast cancer prevention. This is due to its high concentration of phytoestrogenic compounds called isoflavones, which mimic the female hormone estrogen.
Isoflavones (phytosterols) are also said to help lower the risk of heart disease by reducing arterial stiffness and vascular resistance, thereby improving circulation. Weed explains that “phytosterols are hormone-like substances found in many plants that can be bio-converted in the human gut into active anti-cancer estrogens and other helpful anti-stress hormones.”
Spiritually, red clover is associated with the powers of protection, love, money, fidelity, exorcism, and success. According to Scott Cunningham, it can be added to a bath for financial favor, healing from disappointments in love (i.e. A broken heart), or to aid in the removal of negative entities.
Oatstraw Uses and Benefits
“Oats extracts rank among the most important restoratives for conditions depending upon nervous prostration…In enfeebled states of the heart muscle it acts as a good tonic to improve the energy of the organ, and is recommended to prevent relapsing cardiac rheumatism.“
Felter & Lloyd’s Kings Dispensary, 1898
Oats, formally known as Avena sativa, are the fruit (spiklet) many cherish as a cereal grain harvested from a calcium-rich grass.
All aerial parts of oats are used as remedies that support the the heart and nervous system, heart.
- Stalks: Antispasmodic and high in calcium for daily nutrition, bone health, and muscle relaxation.
- Green Milky Tops: Nervine that repairs nerve cells for faster, seamless communication and emotional resilience
- Fruit: Rolled or steel cut cereal grain containing soluble fiber to lower cholesterol and support heart health.
Oats support the nervous system by addressing stress, anxiety, depression, low libido, irritability, and incontinence issues.
Oatstraw, in particular, is a wonderful herb for women at all stages of life—menstruating, pregnant, and menopausal. During menstruation, oatstraw can ease cramps by supplying calcium to ease uterine muscle contractions.
In pregnancy, oatstraw replenishes a mother’s calcium stores, which are constantly utilized for the baby’s development. After childbirth, oatstraw stimulates an increased milk flow in breastfeeding women. In menopausal women, oatstraw can support healthy bone density levels.
Nutritionally, oats are rich in silica, calcium, chromium, and magnesium according to Rosemary Gladstar—all supportive of yoni, heart, and nervous system health.
Spiritually, oats are used in charms for money, fertility, lust, and prosperity.
Stinging Nettle Uses and Benefits
“Be not nettled, my friend, at my praise of this useful weed. In Scotland, I have eaten nettles, I have slept in nettle sheets, and I have dined off a nettle tablecloth.”
Thomas Campbell, Scottish Poet (1837)
Stinging Nettle, formally known as Urtica dioca, is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family. It is named after the fact that each leaf is coated with small hairs containing a potent acid, which delivers a painful sting when touched.
Nettle supports healthy blood pressure by optimizing the kidney function and helps to improve metabolism. Additionally, it is used to reduce PMS symptoms, support a healthy liver, provide adrenal support, and is even safe to consume during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a daily tonic to help prevent iron-deficiency.
According to Susun Weed, “nettle strengthens the kidneys and adrenals, it builds powerful energy from the inside out, and gives one amazing stamina. If you drink 4-5 quarts of nettle infusion weekly, you can expect to see results within 3-6 weeks.”
Nutritionally, nettle is a rich source of iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, chromium, zinc, silicon, and chlorophyll. It can be eaten raw as a salad green or added to your favorite cooked dish.
Spiritually, nettle is used for exorcism as well as charms for protection, healing, and lust. It is used in amulets and poppets to remove curses and is also placed about one’s indoor environment to ward off illness and hasten recovery time.
There are may additional herbs that support a health heart-yoni connection, but the 5 mentioned in this article are some of the most veratile, widely studied, and easy to access for home care.
With that said, the information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for licensed medical advice. This information may not be used to diagnose, cure, prevent, or treat any disease. Talk your doctor before taking any supplements or making adjustments to your self-care regimen, especially if you are taking medication.
References
- Bastyr University. (2015, February 11). 5 Heart-healthy herbs. https://bastyr.edu/news/health-tips/2015/02/5-heart-healthy-herbs
- CDC. (2020, January 31). Women and heart disease. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm
- Cunningham, S. (2019). Encyclopedia of magical herbs. Llewellyn Publications.
- Gladstar, R. (2008). Rosemary Gladstar’s herbal recipes for vibrant health. Storey Publishing.
- Her Heart. (2019, May 28). Connections between our reproductive health and hearts. https://herheart.org/reproductive-heart-health/
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). Herbs at a glance: a quick guide to herbal supplements. (NIH Publication No. 09-6248). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
- Weed, S. (2011). Nettle. Susun Weed: Nourishing herbal infusions. http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/Nettle.html
- Weed, Susun. (1999). Feeling frisky? Herbs for fertility. Susun Weed. http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm
