Herbs for Heart Health


Top Herbs for Better Heart & Circulatory Health

Coronary heart disease is the number-one killer in our country today. According to estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 68 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. These are alarming statistics may cause you pause but alas, there are things you can do to lessen the risk of these diseases in your life. Most of us have heard the advice to eat a low-fat diet, get regular exercise, establish and maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking and learn to cope with and eliminate stress. These are all vitally important but there are some wonderful herbal supplements that can further enhance these efforts in combating one or several of the forms of cardiovascular disease.
  1. Hawthorn: Evidence exists that link hawthorn to dilation of blood vessels, strengthening of the heart and lowering blood pressure. These effects can be traced to the pigment found in hawthorn flowers, leaves and berries. These phytochemicals include bioflavinoids that have strong antioxidant properties and assist our body in ridding itself of free radicals. They also help our body distribute and effectively use vitamin C and strengthen capillaries. These stronger capillaries and dilated blood vessels allow our heart to better circulate blood, thus delivering oxygen to every system of our body and providing our heart with the nutrients it needs.
  2. Garlic: Perhaps the most beneficial medicinal herb to treat a condition known as "hardening of the arteries" or Atherosclerosis. This condition develops when cholesterol and fat are deposited in the inner walls of the arteries. Studies have shown that regular consumption of garlic decreases serum cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. These studies have shown that dosage can be as little as _ clove of garlic per day for those results.
  3. Ginkgo: This herb, known as the memory herb, is also powerful in fighting cerebrovascular disease. Impaired circulation to the brain, often called a stroke, can cause severe and far-reaching effects on the entire body. Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extracts have 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.
  4. Coenzyme Q10: This supplement is linked to improved circulation. Improving circulation provides great benefit to heart health as it aids in improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. This allows the heart to work more effectively and contributes to a drop in blood pressure.
  5. Cayenne, rosemary, and chamomile are also linked to decreases in cholesterol and blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health circulatory system.
  6. Bilberry: Most linked to the health of our eyes, bilberry actually delivers those results because they improve our microcirculatory health (the miniscule capillaries in our eyes and several other organs). They not only improve circulation to those microcapillaries but aid in the strengthening of vascular walls, and stimulate the formation of new capillaries.

The true key to a healthy heart is prevention. These herbal supplements can not accomplish their true potential unless they are a part of a comprehensive diet and lifestyle program that supports cardiovascular health. Always consult with your physician before trying any form of treatment for a known or suspected disease.

Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James and Phyllis Balch
Medicinal Herbs: An Herbal Reference Guide by John Westerdahl

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