High Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol builds up in blood vessels and creates high blood pressure and hardening of
the arteries, as well as increasing the risk for serious heart diseases. Using the proper herbs is
a great way to improve your HDL:LDL ratio.

Artichoke Tea
The artichoke herb (Cynara cardunculus and Cynara scolymus), also known as Chinese
artichoke or knotroot, is known to improve the body’s digestive ability as well as enhance
liver and gall bladder functioning. It’s also one of the few herbs that can raise HDL cholesterol
levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels at the same time. While the herb is working on
cholesterol, it has a dual function that helps lower blood pressure, too. What an herb!
Ingredients
1 tsp. artichoke leaves, dried
1 cup boiling water
Instructions
Add herb to a coffee cup and pour in boiling water. Cover. Let steep for 5 minutes. Then strain
and drink the tea.

Cholesterol-Lowering Toast
Try this easy food remedy to keep cholesterol levels in check. It is also prevents infections.
Ingredients
1 slice whole grain bread
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced
Instructions
Preheat broiler to low. Brush bread with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic on bread. Toast bread under
broiler until light brown. Do not overcook, or garlic will be bitter and some of its healing
properties will be diminished. Serves 1.
Enjoy daily for optimal benefits if using to reduce cholesterol. If being used for infections,
enjoy several times daily.

Macadamia Walnut Salad
This heart-healthy salad is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-7 fatty acids, and the
chickpeas are a good source of fiber. Dried cherries, ginger, and garlic have multiple health
benefits for the circulatory and immune systems.
Ingredients
Vinaigrette:
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2-inch piece ginger, freshly peeled and finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons macadamia nut oil
Salad:
4 cups romaine lettuce, torn into large pieces
1 can low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup cherries, dried
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
Place lettuce in a large bowl. Combine remaining salad ingredients and toss with lettuce.
Stir vinaigrette dressing and pour over salad immediately before serving. Serves 4 to 6.

Nutty Snack Mix
This recipe is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats, including the less-common
omega-7 fats.
Ingredients
1 cup walnuts
1 cup macadamia nuts
1 cup peanuts
1 Tbsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. garlic, dried
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 cups popcorn, popped
Instructions
Toast the nuts in an ungreased frying pan over medium heat. Stir frequently. Add rosemary,
garlic, and cayenne pepper when nuts are toasted. Stir to combine ingredients. Remove from
heat. Add popcorn. Mix ingredients lightly with a large spoon. Add parmesan cheese. Mix
again and serve. Makes 7 cups.

Spicy Nuts and Fruit
These are rich in healthy fats and spices that stimulate circulatory health.
Ingredients
1 tsp. macadamia nut oil
1 cup macadamia nuts
1 cup walnuts
1 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp. ginger, powdered
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ground
1/8 tsp. cloves, ground
1 cup apricots, dried
1 cup cranberries, dried
1 cup cherries, dried
Instructions
Coat a frying pan with macadamia oil. Turn stovetop heat to medium. Add nuts. Stirring
frequently, cook until toasted lightly. Stir in spices. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add
dried fruits and combine. Makes 5 cups.

Hardening of the Arteries

Circulation becomes impaired when deposits build up inside the arteries and narrow blood
vessels. This is when the blood vessels can become stiff and inflexible. Sometimes people
with blood vessel issues complain of having cold hands and feet; can you see why this
happens?

Circulation Spice Tea
The herbs in this blend improve blood vessel health and promote warmth.
Ingredients
4 tsp. green tea
3 tsp. ginger, dried
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 cup boiling water
Instructions
Combine herbs. Pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of the herb blend. Let sit 20 minutes.
Strain. Makes 1 cup of tea. Drink hot or warm. Sweeten if desired. Recipe makes 5 servings.

Low Blood Pressure Tea

High Blood Pressure
This condition affects millions of people, and puts them at increased risk for things like heart
disease and stroke. Use this tea to help bring your blood pressure down and reduce your risk.

Low Blood Pressure Tea
This remedy contains herbs that have traditionally been used to lower high blood pressure. The
blend is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and improves circulation throughout the entire body.
It uses ginger for its health benefits and to improve the flavor of the blend.
Ingredients
1 tsp. hawthorn berries, dried
1 tsp. blueberries, dried
1 tsp. dandelion leaf, dried
1 tsp. ginger root, freshly peeled and grated
2 cups water
Instructions
Place the berries in a pot. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer for 20
minutes.
Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients. Cover. Let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and drink.
Makes 2 cups of tea.

Healthy Recipes for Nervous System Health

Have you heard it said that fish is brain food? Well, there’s some truth to this.
Cold, deep-water, oily fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient for the brain
and nervous system. Wild-caught ocean fish pack more of this nutrient than farm-raised ones.
Try this easy summer treat to add fish to your diet. One of my sisters thinks it’s the best way to
cook her favorite fish!

Ingredients

Sauce:
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 cup fresh basil
1 cup fresh lemon basil
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon thyme
Fish:
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 (6-oz.) salmon steaks

Instructions

To prepare the sauce, blend the first five ingredients in a blender or food processor until the
herbs are finely chopped. Set aside. You may need to add a little extra oil during the process.
Mix the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil together in a small bowl. Using a brush, coat
the salmon with the lemon oil blend.
Grill salmon over medium coals for 5 minutes (you can also broil it, if you don’t have access
to a grill). Turn over. Brush with herb blend. Grill 3 to 5 minutes longer or until fish flakes
easily with a fork. Serve immediately, adding sauce to the fish. Serves 4.

Lemon Balm Calming Tea

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is another herb that can calm down and relax adults and
children. The herb has a lemony scent and sometimes you’ll find it added to ice cream or
pesto. Lemon balm has antiviral properties against Herpes simplex, the virus that causes cold
sores. It also has antibacterial properties.
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However, moms love lemon balm for its ability to sedate someone who is anxious or just can’t
relax. Scientists have found that the herb inhibits GABA transaminase, which is why anxiety
flees with a cup of lemon balm tea. They’ve also found that a bad mood is easily turned to a
good one with this herb.
And those with grandparents or parents with Alzheimer’s disease will be happy to discover
that the herb seems to make a difference in those with this form of dementia.
Ingredients
1 tsp. lemon balm
1 cup boiling water
Instructions
Place the herb in a coffee cup. Add the boiling water, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain
the tea and drink.

Goldenrod Standard Infusion to Relieve Sinus Headache

My favorite herb for relief of sinus headaches is goldenrod. Many people think that goldenrod
causes hay fever, which results in sinus headaches, but it doesn’t. The culprit is actually
ragweed, which peaks at the same time that the goldenrod is blooming. Be sure to see a
healthcare practitioner if you suspect a sinus infection.
I make this standard infusion and drink 3 to 4 cups hot every day that I have a sinus headache.
It works extremely fast and well.
Ingredients
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. goldenrod, dried
Instructions
Pour boiling water over goldenrod. Cover and let sit 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs. Drinkthe tea hot.
Rejuvenate, Revitalize and Refresh your Body
Busy people sometimes turn to caffeine for a pick-me-up. Next time you’re feeling a bit
sluggish, rather than purchasing an unhealthy commercial product, you can try this natural
caffeinated beverage. It has the health benefits of black and green teas as well as vitamin C and
bioflavonoids.
For a variation, you can add carbonated water to this tea. It makes a nice punch, and I like to
serve it when entertaining—guests feel at their mental best!
Energizing Tea
Ingredients
1 tsp. or teabag of black tea
1 tsp. or teabag green tea
1 tsp. Hibiscus sabdariffa flower (called “sorrel” when used as a beverage)
3 tsp. peppermint
2 tangerines
1-inch piece fresh peeled gingerroot, crushed
1 qt. boiling water
Honey to taste

Instructions
Place the teas, hibiscus, peppermint, crushed ginger root, and zest of one tangerine into a large
beverage container.
Cover with boiling water. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain the solids from the tea.
Juice the tangerines, and add the juice to the container. Add ice, and honey to taste. Makes 6
servings.
Note: a study in 2008 by the USDA showed that daily consumption of three cups of hibiscus
tea lowered systolic blood pressure by 8 to 13 mmHg. The higher the subject’s blood pressure
was at the beginning of the study, the greater the response to the tea.