Have You Seen This Herb? Motherwort: Strengthens The Heart And, Well- Our Mothers Too!

I went for a 2 hour walk yesterday evening and I was again amazed by all the medicinal plants popping out of concrete and hiding in random yards and storefront landscaping. East Lansing is no major metropolis but it is in majority concrete like most cities- but life finds a way! There are nutritious and medicinal plants around every corner.

Here's some of my favorites from yesterday's walk!

 CLICK TO ENLARGE: Motherwort found along the Sanford Natural Area on East MSU Campus. As a side note, just two days later, it was all cut down:( Very sad:(Motherwort (a.k.a. Leonerus cardiaca) is one of my favorites to find because it's so distinct! Here's a few ailments and conditions that it can be used for.

• the name indicates it's relevance to menstrual and uterine conditions while cardiaca indicates heart and circulatory uses. 
• used to bring about delayed or suppressed menstruation especially where anxiety is involved
• used as a menopausal changes tonic
• may be used to ease false labor pains
• excellent tonic for the heart, strengthening without straining
• specific for over-rapid heart beat when brought on by stress
• may be used for heart issues that are brougth on by anxiety and tension

Is that cool or what! I actually recently had my Mom start taking this as she experienced chest pain several weeks ago. All though she "checked out" as not having a heart attack or that her heart was in duress, we're playing it safe and beginning heart strengthening antioxidants and motherwort everyday. Motherwort for my Mother- funny!

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Crowd Pleasing, Heart Healthy, Garlic Guacamole!

You're probably like me and running out this morning to buy last minute snacks before the game. Did you know that most super bowl Sunday snack fests can pack an entire day's worth of calories into one sitting? Yikes! If your going to go for "caloric density" at least give your body something it can use like healthy fats and garlic- YUM!

So what can you pick up today that will please the masses and not spread your asses? Pardon my poem.

Guacamole: It's hard to find someone that doesn't like this green garlic goodness. I made a really great one with garlic, tomato, a touch of lime and cilantro. Avocado are rich in healthy fats, excellent for the heart and cardiovascular system as they are rich in vitamin E. Garlic is also heart healthy and especially good for those with high blood pressure. Garlic has been known for centuries for it's healing and anti-infectious properties. Cilantro is a beautiful herb as it supports the detoxification of heavy metals out of the body. Cayenne pepper, which is optional is circulatory, cleansing and diaphoretic (opens the blood vessels). Lastly lime is alkalizing and

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