Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Heart-friendly herbs *Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science* HEART disease is a leading cause of death and disability the world over. Heart disease, if let unmanaged, can result in heart attack and death. It is also a major cause of stroke and disability. Heart disease is due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits – a process called atherosclerosis – and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease (CHD) or ischaemic heart disease. If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, you may experience chest pain, and this is called angina. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Excess cholesterol has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease by forming deposits in the coronary arteries. In Ayurveda, Arjana is described as an important cardiotonic herb Other risk factors that contribute to the increased prevalence of heart disease include increasing incidence of diabetes, obesity and other risk factors such as stress, a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits such as consumption of foods rich in saturated fats, smoking, and alcohol. Gender, age and heredity also have a role to play in determining who is at risk of developing heart disease. While early diagnosis and the right medications are important, comprehensive lifestyle changes such as opting for a low-fat, vegetarian diet, stopping smoking, stress management training, and moderate exercise have been shown to bring about regression of even severe atherosclerosis1. *Ayurvedic perspective of heart disease* In Ayurveda, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is known as Hridroga. There are five clinical descriptions of IHD according to Ayurveda based on vitiated doshas and other causes. If the pain is acute and has a shifting nature, it is known as *vata *heart disease. If it is associated with a burning sensation, it is called *pitta* heart disease. If the pain is mild and is associated with heaviness, nausea, and cough, it is called *kapha* heart disease. If all the representative symptoms are present, then it is identified as *tridosha* heart disease. In Ayurveda, *kapha* (hardening of arteries) is the major underlying mechanism of heart diseases. Various herbs are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for their heart protective actions. These are Arjuna(*Terminalia arjuna*), Ashwagandha (*Withania somnifera*), Lasuna (*Allium sativum*) and Turmeric (*Curcuma longa*). *Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) * Arjuna is an important cardiotonic plant described in Ayurveda2. It is a large, evergreen tree that grows to heights of 60-90 feet throughout India. It has a spreading crown and drooping branches. The bark is very thick, grey or pinkish green, smooth, exfoliating in large, thin, irregular sheets. The bark is useful as an anti-ischaemic and cardioprotective agent in hypertension and ischaemic heart disease, especially in disturbed cardiac rhythm, angina or myocardial infarction. *Terminalia arjuna* has been shown to be beneficial for coronary artery disease, heart failure, and possibly for high cholesterol levels. It has also been found to be antibacterial and antimutagenic3 (protection against cancer). Various studies have demonstrated the heart protective action of Arjuna. The effect of *Terminalia arjuna *on angina pectoris (chest pain) and congestive heart failure (where the heart cannot pump enough blood to various organs) was studied in 10 patients with ischaemic heart disease and/or myocardial infarction. Administration of *Terminalia arjuna* improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (which determines the heart's efficiency) in patients4. In another randomised, double-blind study, 58 males with chronic stable angina (NYHA class II-III) received either *Terminalia arjuna *or isosorbide mononitrate or a matching placebo. There was improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise parameters in both groups compared to placebo therapy. These benefits were similar to those observed with isosorbide mononitrate therapy and the extract of Arjuna was well tolerated5. The heart protective actions of *Terminalia arjuna* are due to its potent antioxidant and cholesterol-reducing activity. In a study on 105 patients, it was found that patients on Arjuna had a significant reduction in the total and low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol, along with enzymes responsible for initiating oxidative stress6. Studies indicate that Withania somnifera possesses anti-inflammatory, antistress, antioxidative and rejuvenating properties. *Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera)* *Withania somnifera* is classified in Ayurveda as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs that promote physical and mental health, augment resistance against disease and diverse adverse environmental factors, revitalise the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity. Studies indicate that *Withania somnifera *possesses anti-inflammatory, antistress, antioxidative and rejuvenating properties. It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems. Study results show that it helps in the maintenance of myocardial (heart muscle) antioxidant status and contributes to the significant restoration of most of the altered haemodynamic parameters in heart disease7. *Ashvagandha and stress* The American heart association classifies "stress" as a "contributing risk factor" for heart disease. Ashvagandha is an herb that enhances resistance to stress, increases stamina and promotes general wellbeing. It has a rejuvenating effect on the body. It imparts a sense of wellbeing and helps one cope with stress. According to an Ashwagandha Monograph published in *Alternative Medicine Review* (2004), clinical trials and animal research support the use of Ashwagandha for treating anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders. Other commonly used herbs like Lasuna (garlic) and Haridra (turmeric) are potent vessel relaxants and also reduce the atherogenic (hardening of arteries) properties of cholesterol. *References: 1. Ornish D, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, Armstrong WT, Ports TA, McLanahan, SM, Kirkeeide RL, Brand RJ, Gould KL. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial. Lancet. 1990 Jul 21;336(8708):129-33. 2. Kumar DS, Prabhakar YS. On the ethnomedical significance of the Arjun tree, Terminalia Terminalia arjuna. (Roxb.) Wight & Arnot. J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 Jul;20(2):173-90. 3. Terminalia arjuna. Altern Med Rev. 1999 Dec;4(6):436-7. 4. Dwivedi S, Jauhari R. Beneficial effects of Terminalia Terminalia arjunain coronary artery disease. Indian Heart J. 1997 Sep-Oct;49(5):507-10. 5. Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, Jamra Y, Raman PG. Efficacy of Terminalia Terminalia arjunain chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia Terminalia arjunawith isosorbide mononitrate. Indian Heart J. 2002 Mar-Apr;54(2):170-5. 6. Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN. Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia Terminalia arjunatree-bark powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. J Assoc Physicians India. 2001 Feb;49:231-5. 7. Mohanty I, Arya DS, Dinda A, Talwar KK, Joshi S, Gupta SK. Mechanisms of cardioprotective effect of Withania somnifera in experimentally induced myocardial infarction. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004 Apr;94(4):184-90. * *This article is courtesy of Himalaya Herbal Healthcare. For more information, e-mail starhealth. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.* http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2005/8/28/health/11854379 & sec=health “If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God.” ~ Mother Theresa20th century humanitarian -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.0/269 - Release 2/24/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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