National Heart Awareness Month: Herbal Preventatives

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Good Morning!

 

National Heart Awareness Month: Herbal Preventatives

 

February is National Heart Awareness Month and throughout the month I

will be posting tips for improving heart health.

 

Herbal medicine is a wonderful preventative solution. Complications

can arise when taking herbal medicine and allopathic drugs your

doctor has prescribed.

 

Great caution should be used especially if you are on blood thinners, diuretics

or any other heart related medication. Consult your doctor with any questions

you may have, before taking additional herbs or supplements.

 

These herbal supplements must be part of a comprehensive diet, exercise and

lifestyle program that supports cardiovascular health.

 

 

Bilberry: a great herbal supplement for maintaining healthy eyes, bilberry

delivers these results because they improve microcirculation (the tiny

capillaries in our eyes and several other organs). They not only improve

circulation to those microcapillaries but assist in the strengthening of

vascular walls, and stimulate the formation of new capillaries.

 

 

Blessed Thistle: Strengthens the heart. Also known as " St. Benedict Thistle " and

" Holy Thistle " , this herb contains B-complex, calcium, iron, manganese and

cincin. This herb has been used to tonify the heart, improve circulation and

fight plaque.

 

 

Capsicum: Blood pressure and health of blood vessels, Capsicum

stimulants circulation, enhances blood flow and is considered to be

food for the circulatory system. Capsicum assists in lowering blood

pressure and breaking down cholesterol buildup.

 

 

Cayenne Pepper: is renowned, not only for healing the entire digestive system,

and for arthritic pain relief, but also for the heart and circulatory system. It

acts as a catalyst and increases the

effectiveness of other herbs when used with them. Cayenne has been

known to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds. Cayenne has a high

source of Vitamins A & C, has the complete B complexes, and is very

rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it

is good for the heart. Consider the synergy of taking both cayenne

and Hawthorne berry together. Cayenne is also linked to decreases in cholesterol

and blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health circulatory system.

 

 

Cornsilk: Natural diuretic. Corn silk is used as a tea. the potassium in corn

silk helps to offset potassium loss which is caused by increased urination.

Compared to other diuretics, corn silk reduces the likelihood of muscle cramps

and irregular heartbeat due to a loss of electrolytes by increasing urination.

 

 

Garlic: A rich source of potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and

Vitamin C, is commonly used to fight infection, increase circulation

and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Consider eating raw Garlic

every day; since it is a very effective antifungal agent, or use it

in tincture form. Research has shown that garlic is an anti-

cholesterol remedy and is recommended for heart and circulatory

problems. This is a wonderful natural antibiotic and detoxifier which

protects the body against infection by enhancing immune function, as

well.

 

 

Ginkgo Biloba: is a known fighter or cerebro-vascular disease. Impaired

circulation to the brain, often called a stroke, can cause severe and

far-reaching effects on the entire body. Ginkgo has been shown in numerous

studies to cause dilation and increase the blood flow in the arteries,

capillaries and veins. In addition, they inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce

blood clotting and work through antioxidants to protect our vascular walls from

free-radical damage.

 

 

Goldenseal: Berberine, an active ingredient of goldenseal, can dilate

blood vessels. Therefore, it may prove useful in the treatment of

certain causes of both irregular heartbeat and heart failure. <B>Do not use

goldenseal for more that seven days at a time</B>. Seven days off/seven days on.

 

 

Gotu Kola: This herb has a positive effect on the circulatory system as it

strengthens the heart and helps lower blood pressure. It improves the flow of

blood while strengthening the veins and capillaries. It has been used

successfully to treat phlebitis, leg cramps, and abnormal tingling of the

extremities.

 

 

Hawthorn Berry: a member of the rose family, was recognized by physicians in the

early 1800s for its ability to treat disorders

related to circulation and respiration (breathing). Considered

a " cardiotonic " herb, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant

have been used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat,

high blood pressure, chest pain, atherosclerosis, and congestive

heart failure. Hawthorn berries contain large amounts of

bioflavonoids, which help dilate and strengthen the walls of blood

vessels, relax arteries, and improve circulation of blood to heart

muscles. studies suggest that Hawthorn berry extract improves heart

function and exercise capacity in those with CHF. Participants in

research trials also report significantly improved symptoms (like

reduced shortness of breath and fatigue). Hawthorn extract may even

prove to be as effective as low doses of ACE inhibitors (a leading

class of heart medication) in improving symptoms of congestive heart

failure. Hawthorne must be taken daily to be affective.

 

 

Kelp: Helps to clean and maintain the arteries. Some animal studies show kelp

may help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. On the other hand, kelp is also

high in sodium, which may raise some people's blood pressure. Salt-sensitive

individuals with high blood pressure should not consume large amounts of kelp.

Others may include the herb in a comprehensive heart-disease prevention program.

 

 

Mistletoe: Used as a cardiac tonic to stimulate circulation, reduce

blood pressure and arteriosclerosis and strengthen capillary walls.

Constricts blood vessels and stimulates heart beat. It lessens reflex

irritability and strengthens the heart's beat, as it raises the frequency of a

slow pulse.

 

 

Motherwort: Improves blood flow circulation and reduces heart blood

pressure and palpitations. The glycosides appear to have a short-term ability to

lower blood pressure and reduce blood platelet aggregation. As a cardiac tonic,

it is said to reduce heart palpitations. This herb strengthen the heartbeat

without increasing the pulse rate as it sedates the coronary arteries. This

results in increased circulation to the heart.

 

 

Olive Leaf Extract: Naturally support the circulatory and immune

systems. Based on a recent study published in the medical journal, Nutrition,

Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, polyphenols from olive leaf extract,

significantly inhibited platelet aggregation in the laboratory. This has

important benefits as the antiplatelet effects in olive leaves may offer a

degree of protection from thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

 

 

Rhodiola: Extracts from the root of rhodiola have been the subject of intensive

pharmacological and clinical investigations in Russia and Scandinavia for more

than thirty-five years. The results of these studies strongly support the use of

Rhodiola as an adaptogen: a substance that normalizes physiology in response to

stressors. As such, Rhodiola provides a solid foundation for restoring and

maintaining health. It promotes cognitive and physical performance, supports

positive emotional states, immune function and cardiovascular health, and

restores balance to the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

 

 

Rosemary: Is considered a heart tonic. Rosemary is also linked to decreases in

cholesterol and blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health

circulatory system.

 

 

Again, I must stress, if you are on any type of Western medication it is

important to check with your doctor before starting an herbal supplement regime.

Side effects and the combination of certain Western drugs with herbs can be

dangerous and deadly.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/heart_health.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit