February is often thought of as the month of love, but there’s another reason why it’s linked with the heart. In Canada, February marks Heart and Stroke Awareness Month. With about 1.6 million Canadians living with the effects of heart disease and stroke, it's more important than ever to adopt heart-healthy habits. 

We can start by adding plant medicines to our routine, especially Cacao and mushrooms for a healthy heart. Working with these supportive herbs not only boosts cardiovascular wellness but can help us feel emotionally centered and grounded. 

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your health care practitioner before adding any new herbs to your wellness routine. 

Our Heart-Healthy Favourites

Cacao

Rich in flavonoids and theobromine, Cacao opens the heart and the blood vessels by reducing blood pressure and relieving stress. As a circulatory stimulant, this sacred superfood helps to quicken the flow of blood and oxygen to the organs and tissues and accelerates the absorption of nutrients (1). Spiritually, Cacao supports a tender heart space and boosts emotional well-being. 

Reishi

Well-known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”, Reishi has long been used to support the cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Believed to help support overall longevity, this potent adaptogen strengthens the physical and emotional heart, and may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (2). Reishi works effortlessly to calm the spirit, promote grounding and restore balance. 

Chaga

Prized as one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods on the planet, Chaga delivers heart-supportive vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and polysaccharides. Traditionally, Chaga has been used to lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar and bad cholesterol. Current studies show that it combats oxidation and can lower blood pressure levels (3). Energetically, Chaga boosts vitality and invigorates the body when we feel fatigued. 

Activate Your Wellness

Looking for a way to incorporate these herbal allies into our routine? Try our Activate Elixir, featuring heart-healthy Cacao, Reishi and Chaga. It’s a delicious herbal blend that makes it easy to add nourishing herbs and mushrooms to your daily routine. 

Our Elixirs feature earth-friendly, compostable packaging and help save the trees! Through our partnership with 1% For the Planet, we donate 1% of every Elixir purchase directly to the Cumberland Community Forest Society to support forest conservation. 

Click here to shop Activate.

References

1. Franco, R., Oñatibia-Astibia, A., & Martínez-Pinilla, E. (2013). Health Benefits of Methylxanthines in Cacao and Chocolate. Nutrients, 5(10), 4159–4173. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5104159 
2. Meng, J., & Yang, B. (2019). Protective Effect of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) on Cardiovascular System. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 181–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9421-9_7 
3. Liang, L., Zhang, Z., Sun, W., & Wang, Y. (2009). Effect of the Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharides on Blood Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress of Rats Fed High-Fat Diet In Vivo. 2009 2nd International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Informatics. https://doi.org/10.1109/bmei.2009.5305591