\r\n \r\n National Heart Awareness Month: Herbal Preventatives
\n
\nFebruary is National Heart Awareness Month and throughout the month I
\nwill be posting tips for improving heart health.
\n
\nHerbal medicine is a wonderful preventative solution. If you are concerned about
\nthe health of your heart and you are not on Western medication, you may first
\nwant to explore the possibilites available through natural means. Complications
\ncan arise when taking herbal medicine and allopathic drugs your doctor has
\nprescribed.
\n
\nGreat caution should be used especially if you are on blood thinners, diuretics
\nor any other heart related medication. Consult your doctor with any questions
\nyou may have, before taking additional herbs or supplements.
\n
\nThese herbal supplements must be part of a comprehensive diet, exercise and
\nlifestyle program that supports cardiovascular health.
\n
\n
\nBlessed Thistle: Strengthens the heart. Also known as "St. Benedict Thistle" and
\n"Holy Thistle", this herb contains B-complex, calcium, iron, manganese and
\ncincin. This herb has been used to tonify the heart, improve circulation and
\nfight plaque.
\n
\n
\nCapsicum: Blood pressure and health of blood vessels, Capsicum
\nstimulants circulation, enhances blood flow and is considered to be
\nfood for the circulatory system. Capsicum assists in lowering blood
\npressure and breaking down cholesterol buildup.
\n
\n
\nCayenne Pepper: is renowned, not only for healing the entire digestive system,
\nand for arthritic pain relief, but also for the heart and circulatory system. It
\nacts as a catalyst and increases the
\neffectiveness of other herbs when used with them. Cayenne has been
\nknown to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds. Cayenne has a high
\nsource of Vitamins A & C, has the complete B complexes, and is very
\nrich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it
\nis good for the heart. Consider the synergy of taking both cayenne
\nand Hawthorne berry together. Cayenne is also linked to decreases in cholesterol
\nand blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health circulatory system.
\n
\n
\nCornsilk: Natural diuretic. Corn silk is used as a tea. the potassium in corn
\nsilk helps to offset potassium loss which is caused by increased urination.
\nCompared to other diuretics, corn silk reduces the likelihood of muscle cramps
\nand irregular heartbeat due to a loss of electrolytes by increasing urination.
\n
\n
\nGarlic: A rich source of potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and
\nVitamin C, is commonly used to fight infection, increase circulation
\nand help prevent cardiovascular disease. Consider eating raw Garlic
\nevery day; since it is a very effective antifungal agent, or use it
\nin tincture form. Research has shown that garlic is an anti-
\ncholesterol remedy and is recommended for heart and circulatory
\nproblems. This is a wonderful natural antibiotic and detoxifier which
\nprotects the body against infection by enhancing immune function, as
\nwell.
\n
\n
\nGinkgo Biloba: is a known fighter or cerebro-vascular disease. Impaired
\ncirculation to the brain, often called a stroke, can cause severe and
\nfar-reaching effects on the entire body. Ginkgo has been shown in numerous
\nstudies to cause dilation and increase the blood flow in the arteries,
\ncapillaries and veins. In addition, they inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce
\nblood clotting and work through antioxidants to protect our vascular walls from
\nfree-radical damage.
\n
\n
\nGoldenseal: Berberine, an active ingredient of goldenseal, can dilate
\nblood vessels. Therefore, it may prove useful in the treatment of
\ncertain causes of both irregular heartbeat and heart failure. Do not use
\ngoldenseal for more that seven days at a time. Seven days off/seven days on.
\n
\n
\nGotu Kola: This herb has a positive effect on the circulatory system as it
\nstrengthens the heart and helps lower blood pressure. It improves the flow of
\nblood while strengthening the veins and capillaries. It has been used
\nsuccessfully to treat phlebitis, leg cramps, and abnormal tingling of the
\nextremities.
\n
\n
\nHawthorn Berry: a member of the rose family, was recognized by physicians in the
\nearly 1800s for its ability to treat disorders
\nrelated to circulation and respiration (breathing). Considered
\na "cardiotonic" herb, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant
\nhave been used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat,
\nhigh blood pressure, chest pain, atherosclerosis, and congestive
\nheart failure. Hawthorn berries contain large amounts of bioflavonoids, which
\nhelp dilate and strengthen the walls of blood
\nvessels, relax arteries, and improve circulation of blood to heart
\nmuscles. studies suggest that Hawthorn berry extract improves heart
\nfunction and exercise capacity in those with CHF. Participants in
\nresearch trials also report significantly improved symptoms (like
\nreduced shortness of breath and fatigue). Hawthorn extract may even
\nprove to be as effective as low doses of ACE inhibitors (a leading
\nclass of heart medication) in improving symptoms of congestive heart
\nfailure. Hawthorne must be taken daily to be affective.
\n
\n
\nKelp: Helps to clean and maintain the arteries. Some animal studies show kelp
\nmay help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. On the other hand, kelp is also
\nhigh in sodium, which may raise some people\'s blood pressure. Salt-sensitive
\nindividuals with high blood pressure should not consume large amounts of kelp.
\nOthers may include the herb in a comprehensive heart-disease prevention program.
\n
\n
\nMistletoe: Used as a cardiac tonic to stimulate circulation, reduce
\nblood pressure and arteriosclerosis and strengthen capillary walls.
\nConstricts blood vessels and stimulates heart beat. It lessens reflex
\nirritability and strengthens the heart\'s beat, as it raises the frequency of a
\nslow pulse.
\n
\n
\nMotherwort: Improves blood flow circulation and reduces heart blood
\npressure and palpitations. The glycosides appear to have a short-term ability to
\nlower blood pressure and reduce blood platelet aggregation. As a cardiac tonic,
\nit is said to reduce heart palpitations. This herb strengthen the heartbeat
\nwithout increasing the pulse rate as it sedates the coronary arteries. This
\nresults in increased circulation to the heart.
\n
\n
\nOlive Leaf Extract: Naturally support the circulatory and immune
\nsystems. Based on a recent study published in the medical journal, Nutrition,
\nMetabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, polyphenols from olive leaf extract,
\nsignificantly inhibited platelet aggregation in the laboratory. This has
\nimportant benefits as the antiplatelet effects in olive leaves may offer a
\ndegree of protection from thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
\n
\n
\nRhodiola: Extracts from the root of rhodiola have been the subject of intensive
\npharmacological and clinical investigations in Russia and Scandinavia for more
\nthan thirty-five years. The results of these studies strongly support the use of
\nRhodiola as an adaptogen: a substance that normalizes physiology in response to
\nstressors. As such, Rhodiola provides a solid foundation for restoring and
\nmaintaining health. It promotes cognitive and physical performance, supports
\npositive emotional states, immune function and cardiovascular health, and
\nrestores balance to the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
\n
\n
\nRosemary: Is considered a heart tonic. Rosemary is also linked to decreases in
\ncholesterol and blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health
\ncirculatory system.
\n
\n
\nAgain, I must stress, if you are on any type of Western medication it is
\nimportant to check with your doctor before starting an herbal supplement regime.
\nDo your research. Weight your facts carefully. Side effects and the combination
\nof certain Western drugs with herbs can be dangerous and deadly.
\n
\nhttps://www.peacefulmind.com/heart_health.htm\r\n

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\r\n "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~
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