by Allison Koch February is the month of love, valentines, and hearts, so it seemed appropriate to talk about love, the heart and what supports our hearts and our love life! Much is being said about the gut-brain connection and the microbiome these days, but this month seemed like a perfect time to talk about the heart-brain connection! The heart is the very first organ to develop in the fetus, and its cells are found throughout the human body. Western cultures and scientific research over the past 40 years have primarily focused on the heart as a pump, though other cultures have traditionally regarded the heart as a source of wisdom, spiritual insight, thought and emotion. But lately, scientific research has begun to demonstrate that these associations may be more than metaphorical as a new understanding of the heart, its highly specialized cells, and its amazing abilities has led to the new field of neurocardiology. The heart has its own network of nerves and nervous system, consisting of some 40,000 neurons. This heart-brain nervous system gives the heart the ability to independently sense, process, make decisions, and memorize. The heart actually LEARNS. Additionally, the heart is a hormonal gland, like your brain, making and secreting hormones and neurotransmitters that travel throughout the body, communicating with other cells, other hormones and neurotransmitters, affecting you in multiple ways. Among the hormones produced by the heart is one of the midwife’s favorites: oxytocin. Oxytocin is known as the “hormone of love,” as it is secreted during orgasm, in labor and birth, when we share a pleasurable meal or experience with others, when we breastfeed our young, and when women gather to support each other. (Hint, hint: It is often called the “tend and befriend hormone”.) I love that the heart learns and decides and does all this thinking for itself, because that affirms what humans have felt forever: the heart wants what the heart wants, or, as my Grandmother used to say, “Love goes where its sent”. <3 So how best to support our amazing hearts and keep the love light burning? Phytonutrients, antioxidants and whole foods that are consumed as close to the way they come from the ground: Herbs and spices: especially turmeric (curcumin) and raw garlic, basil, cinnamon, curry powder, chili peppers ginger, rosemary and thyme) Traditional teas like black tea, green tea, oolong or white tea. Dark beans., walnuts, … Read More