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Heart/Cardiovascular Health
Pages/Articles Herb Profiles Remedies
Heart Tonics/CordialsThe primary benefits and properties of heart healthy herbs are to increase the flow of blood, tone and strengthen the blood vessels, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels,and to tone and strengthen the heart. Simple steps in the kitchen like adding heart healthy garlic,onions, and peppers to food are a great place to start.
How Herbs Can Help

Horehound also has a folk reputation for calming a nervous heart. This too has scientific backing for marrubiin in small amounts has a normalizing effect on irregular heartbeats.(Mabry, Richard p67)

Astragalus In combination with codonopsis (Codonopisis pilosula), astragalus is used to strengthen the heart.( Foster, Steven, Chongxi, Yue )

Broom (Sparteine) Sparteine, one active constituent of broom is often compared to the heart-depressing drug quinidine. Broom is approved for use by German Commission E for stabilizing irregular heart rhythm.

Butterbur root is medicinally employed as a heart stimulant, acting both as a cardic tonic and also as a diuretic.(Grieve, Maude )

Cacao is also employed in high blood pressure as it dilates the blood-vessels and chocolate has a positive effect on cholesterol levels.(Grieve, Maude )

Cayenne (capsicum) Internally capsicum, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, and helps keep the blood flowing smoothly through veins and arteries. Antioxidant properties in peppers enhance their cardiovascular properties.

Celery seeds The apigenin in celery seeds relaxes blood vessels, allowing them to open wider and permit a freer flow of blood. This is one of more than a dozen chemicals in celery seeds that help your cardiovascular system. Some are natural diuretics, other chemicals are natural calcium channel beta blockers and cardiac rhythm stabilizers, making them valuable against an irregular heartbeat or the chest pain of angina.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Coleus Forskohlii Higher cell concentrations of AMP improve the hearts ability to contract and relax arteries

Cranberry The flavonoids in cranberries are potent antioxidants and may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Cranberry extracts have also shown promise in the prevention of tooth decay.(. . (), cranberryinstitute.org)

Devil's Claw Research confirms the plant extracts such as harpaoside and other phytochemicals quell inflammation, stabilize heart rhythm, and stimulate appetite among other effects - however practical applications in clinical trials have had mixed results.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Garlic The relationship of garlic to cardiovascular disease includes the blood pressure-lowering effect of garlic in hypertension, effect on blood thinning and lowering of serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels.(Foster, Steven, Chongxi, Yue )

Garlic Garlic and its cousin onion contain substances that discourage platelets from sticking together and prevent blood clots. They also lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of blood fat, all the while increasing HDL, "good cholesterol". (White,Linda B., M.D. )

Garlic Safe and effective taken over time, garlic's power to kill roundworm, pinworm, tapeworm, and hookworm has been confirmed by scientific studies.(White,Linda B., M.D. )

Ginger Ginger may help reduce angina episodes by lowering cholesterol and preventing platelets from sticking together.(White,Linda B., M.D. )

Globe artichoke Cynarin contained in the leaves and stems of artichokes has also been demonstrated to lower both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood which explains why in Europe the plant is widely used to treat arteriosclerosis.(Mabey, Richard p45)

Grapes Like grape seeds, wine and whole grapes have a host of phytomedicinal compounds (OPC's) that relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and protect the cardiovascular system from free radial damage. (Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Hawthorn Cardiac, diuretic, astringent, tonic. Mainly used as a cardiac tonic in organic and functional heart troubles. Both flowers and fruit and berries are astringent and useful in decoction to cure sore throats.(Grieve, Maude )

Hawthorn A supreme cardiovascular supplement - improve the heart muscle's metabolism - hawthorn extracts have a marked impact on angina pectoris, atheroscloerosis, hypertension, and the fluid buildup of congestive heart failure.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Motherwort Motherwort - Another traditional heart tonic, motherwort is known to lower cholesterol, reduce platelet accumulation, and generally strengthen the heart. It also slows a too-rapid heart rate, especially when anxiety is a contributing factor.(White,Linda B., M.D. )

Olive Leaf Oleuropein in olive leaf and in olives may prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing into a form that can form atherosclerotic plaques.

Rosemary oil Rosemary is beneficial for low blood pressure, or when a person has cold extremities, is sluggish, and is in a deficient condition. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia lists rosemary as a specific for depressive states with general debility and cardiovascular weakness.(Ericksen, Marlene )

Shepherd's Purse Research confirms that an extract of the whole herb does hasten coagulation and constrict blood vessels. At the same time, it also allows coronary arteries to expand and improves blood flow to the heart.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Valerian Valerian has a tonic effect on the heart, used in combination with hawthorn

herb chart Heart/Cardiovascular Health : Helpful Herbs

Artichoke, Globe * Astragalus * Bilberry * Broom, Butcher's * Butterbur * Camphor * Cayenne Pepper * Celery * Chicory * Coleus Forskohlii * Corydalis * Devil's Claw * Garlic * Ginger * Grapes * Hawthorn * Horehound, White * Hyssop * Lemon Balm * Marjoram,Sweet * Motherwort * Olive * Orange * Peppermint * Rosemary * Shepherd's Purse * Turmeric * Valerian *

remedies Heart Tonics/Cordials : Home Remedies
health conditionsHeart/Cardiovascular Health : Pages/Articles

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