*Note: Please see this discussion of what is meant by “herbal-cure.”
Let’s start with herbal “cures” for heart disease in general:
Cayenne or capsicum — yes, that cayenne — is a wonderful whole body tonic, as well as a very potent heart tonic/stimulant, and an anti-inflammatory. Helps strengthen all parts of the circulatory system and normalizes blood pressure. Also possesses antiviral and antibacterial qualities, and is a valuable hemostatic, for both internal and external use. (Note: it can also prevent or stop shock in an emergency.) You can add more cayenne to your diet, and can also buy it in capsule form from various herb manufacturers.
Garlic — A powerhouse herb, a natural antibiotic, also helps regulate blood pressure, blood fats and blood sugar too. May help remove plaque from artery walls. Add more to your diet (preferrably raw), and/or add the capsules or go for a high-powered combination of garlic with cayenne
Ginger — While most often thought of for digestive issues and all types of nausea, ginger is a wonderful circulatory stimulant and anti-inflammatory.
Hawthorn Berries — Studies around the world confirm that hawthorn berries improve the tone of the cardiac muscle, improve oxygen uptake by the heart, improve circulation in the heart, energize the heart cells, and dilate blood vessels in the extremitiex to reduce strain on the heart. Also helps reduce high blod pressure and arterial plaque.
Gingko Biloba — a vasodilator that enhances circulation to all vital tissues including brain and heart (so helps memory and other effects of aging) and peripherally too; scavenges free radicals. Helps protect against stroke and atherosclerosis.
These two herbs work well together and, again, a high quality combination of gingko and hawthorn can be found at Nature’s Sunshine.
Turmeric — antioxidant, antibiotic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory. Especially useful in formula. Also protective of the liver.
Lecithin — helps emulsify fats in the body, works well with gingko, garlic, hawthorn and capsicum for circulatory problems
Flax Seed Oil — 0ne of the world’s richest source of omega 3 oils; protective and anti-inflammatory. In liquid form, you can use it as your oil in salad dressings (vinaigrettes) made up in very small batches, but cooking destroys its value.
Green Tea, decaffeinated — Helps normalize vascular blood clotting and total choleserol levels and has antimidcrobial properties as well.
Butcher’s Broom — Supports circulatory system, strengthens blood vessels, thins blood, tones sluggish venous system and reduces capillary fragility. Often used for varicose veins and hemorrhoids as well as for its anti-thrombosis and anti-coagulant properties. (Should only be used for 1 to 4 weeks at a time so blood can restore its own balance.)
Blood Pressurex — A wonderful formula featuring coleus forskohlii, olive leaf, hawthorn berries and golden rod, plus amino acids and antioxidants. All combine to help protect blood vessels, promote blood flow in the peripheral arteries and inhibit cell damage.
NUTRIENTS
Nutrients are also essential in combating any health issue. Our food simply no longer provides all the nutrients we need, and when there are health problems, we also need more of certain ones. These are among the most important for heart health:
CoQ-10 — Used by every cell in the body. Strengthens heart muscle and helps prevent or heal from heart attacks. Works best with adaptogens such as ginseng, astragalus and suma. Helps with cellular energy production and detoxification. Helpful heart / circulatory herbs to take with it are hawthorn, garlic and capsicum. Everyone should be taking CoQ10 as our body’s capacity to make it dwindles with age. And anyone on a statin drug or Red Yeast Rice must take a CoQ10 supplement because these drugs and supplements deplete CoQ10 in the body.
Magnesium — The heart, brain and kidneys cannot function without this nutrient, and those who already exhibit some of the S.A.D. constellation of health problems are typically no longer able to store magnesium, so it must be replenished each day. Magnesium is especially critical for muscles, and the heart is a muscle! This complex has two forms of soluble magnesium for better absorption.
Vitamin E — Absolutely essential for heart health, it’s protective and an anti-oxidant, and missing in most of our over-processed food these days. It’s a good idea to pair the Vitamin E with selenium, a trace mineral which is also essential for and hard to find in most of our diets.
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