BACK TO ASK THE HERBALIST INDEX

ANSWERS FROM AMANDA:
QUESTION: While I was searching information concerning tinctura Gingo bilobae, I many times met your name as a renown herbalist with large experience in this field. I would be very grateful if you would spend a while answering my small question. With my low blood pressure and continuously cold palms and feet, I decided to take tinctura ginko bilobae (5:1) because the other ethanol free tablets, here in Poland, are made from extract with acetone as dissolvent. So, as I am not happy with long term use of ethanol I thought that if it make sense to heat my tinctura to make ethanol evaporate? The problem is wheater all active chemicals will be still there to help me?

ANSWER: Evaporating off the ethanol alcohol of herb tinctures including a 5:1 Ginkgo biloba product, will remove most but not all the ethanol. It will leave most, if not all, the active constituents intact, so if this method is working for you, continue in confidence. If, however, the potential blood thinning properties of Ginkgo do not seem to improve your circulation, another cardiovascular herb that you might consider adding is Hawthorn (Crataegus species), many of which are on the market in alcohol-free forms, and without acetone as a solvent. Let me know what you find?

QUESTION: I am currently on 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide for mild high blood pressure but no other medications and no illnesses. Is it safe for me to add hawthorne berries along with the medication?

ANSWER: There is a beneficial herb-drug interaction between thiazide diuretics and hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha and other species) provided you have good monitoring by your physician. So, yes, it is safe to add berries to your daily regimen. By the way, Hawthorne is the author, Hawthorn the herb has no final e. Just the schoolteacher in me...

FROM LORYHL DAVIS

QUESTION: My husband has high blood pressure. He had stints put in about two years ago.  the blood pressure medicine the doctors give him make him feel tired, lightheaded, etc. He is not on any medication at this time. He just refused to take the blood pressure medicine,  What herbal remedy would lower his blood pressure without all the side effects?

ANSWER: This is an indepth question, and one not easily addressed, if you want it addressed with effectiveness. There is many solutions to the problem, it takes desire and will power to do it.  Look over the diet, oil pulling, castor oil packs, and cleansing sheets in this download, on this email.  Herbs I suggest he takes are the following:
- 100 mg of Ubiquinol, COQ10, 4-6 times daily with 1000 mg of vitamin C each time, Ester C
- hawthorn berry pills, 3 two times daily
- bilberry fruit pills, 3 two times daily
- do the cleanse, change the diet, and castor oil packs on abdomen
- take the Life Force Fiber Food, one tspn, 3 -6 times daily while cleansing, or if not cleansing, 1 tspn 2 times daily
- take no flush niacin pills, one per day
        We have these herbs, and can supply you with what you need to make the cleanse and change of diet a success.

QUESTION: I have been trying to find out which herbs for tea are NOT diuretic.  Most sources only make note of some that are. I love to drink tea, but have been advised not to have any that would interfere with blood pressure meds. One source said even lemon peel is diuretic. I'm at a loss here, and any information you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: We have a formula, that is compatible with blood pressure meds, and many other meds. It has been on the market for over 22 yrs, and works with many conditions, and is mild. It is not diuretic. although it has diuretic properties in it. It is what I call "an intelligent blend", it knows what your body needs. Although it has lemon peel in it, it is less than 3% of the blend. This formula is great for high blood pressure, and is suggested. We have a tea, made out of Berries and herbs, that is mild and not a heavy diuretic. It is called Berry Good. There are several downloads that will help with diet suggestions, and cleaning of the body, gently.