Cardiovascular formula
Heartwood
A tonic for the physical and emotional heart
A long-term cardiovascular tonic centered on hawthorn, with motherwort and lemon balm for the anxiety and palpitations that so often travel with heart strain.
Blend recipe
| Herb tincture | Role | Ratio | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn Leaf, flower & berry · 1:5 dried leaf, flower and berry in 45% ethanol | Primary | 50% | 30 mL |
| Motherwort Aerial parts · 1:2 fresh herb in 95% or 1:5 dried in 45% | Supporting | 25% | 15 mL |
| Lemon Balm Fresh leaf · 1:2 fresh herb in 95% ethanol (preferred) or 1:5 dried in 45% | Supporting | 25% | 15 mL |
Blend individually prepared single-herb tinctures by volume. Shake well and store in amber glass away from heat and light. Label with formula name, date and ingredients.
Why these herbs work together
Hawthorn nourishes cardiac muscle and coronary circulation through procyanidins and flavonoids — a slow, cumulative effect over weeks.
Motherwort and lemon balm act on the 'emotional heart': nervous palpitations, flutters and the anxiety felt in the chest.
Together the formula addresses the frequent overlap between stress and cardiovascular symptoms.
Mechanisms & evidence
- Hawthorn improves exercise tolerance in heart failure (Cochrane)Clinical
- Motherwort for nervous cardiac complaintsTraditional
- Leonurine cardioprotectionPreclinical