References

Hawthorn

1. Mandelbaum, Richard. Hawthorn monograph.

2. Keel, Claudia. Hawthorn monograph.

3. Tierra, Michael, L.Ac., O.M.D. The Way of Chinese Herbs.

4. Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal Volume 1.

5. Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Herbal Tonic Therapies.

6. ClevelandClinic.org. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease

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St. John's Wort

1. Justis, A. (2024, May 29). St. John’s wort: Not just for depression. Herbal Academy. https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/st-johns-wort-not-just-depression/?srsltid=AfmBOordE0gI2FhWiMQdDtI4I1bEyrfBeUVYsCdmE8Mdyi0qFQNS2JW6 

2. Leahy, D. (2021, December 17). Strengthen the inner sun: St. John’s wort. Diana Leahy Wellness Clinical Herbalist + Integrative Health Coach. https://www.dianaleahywellness.com/blog/strengthen-the-inner-sun-st-johns-wort

3. Popham, S. (2023, November 14). Feeding your inner sun with st. john’s wort (hypericum perforatum). The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2021/06/17/feeding-your-inner-sun-with-st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum/ 

4. Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of the manipura chakra. Arhanta Yoga Ashrams. (2024, July 11). https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/manipura-chakra-healing-powers-of-the-solar-plexus-chakra/ 

5. Wood, M. (1998). The book of herbal wisdom: Using plants as medicine. North Atlantic Books.

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Saffron

1‌. Admin. (2025, October 13). The world’s top Saffron Producing Countries. saffronwell.com. https://www.saffronwell.com/blog/top-saffron-producing-countries/ 

2. Beydoun, N. (2017). Saffron uses and Plant Profile. Saffron Uses and Plant Profile. https://www.learningherbs.com/blog/saffron-uses#gsc.tab=0 

​3. Carter, Zoe Grace. (2025, December 1). Top 6 saffron producer countries – who leads the global market?. Golden Saffron. https://www.goldensaffron.com/blog/Saffron/saffron-producer-countries?srsltid=AfmBOopObyZeYTRiUuk3dAW1QEareSGF7jXZxziJ-fvybW-0Q7jeZSmy 

​4. Hays, J. L. (n.d.). Saffron in TCM. Chinese Nutrition Properties of Saffron. https://chinesenutrition.org/view_image.asp?pid=614

​5. Herbal Reality. (2026, January 10). https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/saffron/?cookie-consent-set=true ​

​6. The history of Saffron: Origins & cultural significance of Crocus sativus. Sativus.com. (n.d.). https://www.sativus.com/pages/history?srsltid=AfmBOoqDfSRt4Q03wFGbJFsC5rbhC9NLrMzFc2AzzCfPe-l5A0XqQica 

​7. Immel, John. Saffron Benefits (Ayurveda Insights). Carolina College of Natural Health Sciences. (n.d.). https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Saffron/52#:~:text=Saffron's%20ability%20to%20dilate%20the,blood%20moving%20qualities%20enhance%20digestion.&text=Saffron%20is%20a%20refrigerant%20for,eyesight%20and%20to%20lower%20fevers.&text=Saffron%20with%20milk%20and%20ghee,stimulate%20the%20menses%20(emmenagogue).&text=Saffron%20is%20also%20a%20purifying,usually%20taken%20as%20a%20decoction.

​8. Individual herbs. American Dragon - Acupuncture - Chinese Herbs - Dr Joel Penner OMD, LAc - Fan Hong Hua - 藏红花 - Stigma Croci. (n.d.). https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/FanHongHua.html 

​9. ​Me & Qi. (2025, March 26). Xi Hong Hua (西红花) - tcm herb. https://www.meandqi.com/knowledge-base/herbs/xi-hong-hua 

Saffron (crocus sativus): Benefits, uses, Safety.

10. ​​Zar, A. (2025, December 23). Where does saffron come from? the ultimate guide. Saffronice. https://saffronice.com/blogs/saffron-value-heritage/where-does-saffron-come-from?srsltid=AfmBOoqMTlcu-3yve_EQBv70DWJSHJ4FpZ0Z4jnuTA3mZBhhnPikMp3F