We see this again and again in plants like lemon balm, which can be helpful for hyperthyroidism, among other things. For years, herbalists stayed away from lemon balm for cases of hypothyroidism for fear that it could worsen the condition. This was a theoretical assumption based on activity observed in vitro, but no evidence that lemon balm contributes to or worsens a hypothyroid state in humans ingesting the herb has materialized. Similarly, there used to be cautions to avoid red clover with estrogen-dependent cancers, because red clover contains phytoestrogens, but then we learned that these phytoestrogens are normalizing and can behave as both agonists and antagonists, so they can be beneficial for both estrogen deficiency and excess. Again, normalizing. Another example is that motherwort is commonly cautioned for women who experience heavy menses, because it is an emmenagogue, which means that it can increase flow when it is weak or absent. But now, I appreciate that motherwort is a circulatory tonic that normalized blood flow to all areas of the body and that over time, it can help reduce excess flow, even if it initially stimulates it. Normalizing. So, I welcome Linden tea (it’s delicious as a tea), because I trust that it will not negatively impact my already-low blood pressure just because it

Huge Linden Tree (not sure which species) in front of the Shepherdstown Middle School

would help reduce my blood pressure if it were high. I have been enjoying 2 cups of tea every day (minus two days) since June 1st.  I have not experienced dizziness upon standing, or any other signs of low blood pressure, even during a time when I have been doing a lot of painting and gardening work, a lot of squatting and standing. No difference on that front at all.The differences that I have noticed are: