Using herbs for a variety of ailments has been the mainstay for thousands of years for many cultures, often with remarkable results. Herbal supplements for pain relief, stomach and gas relief, as a sleep aid and a multitude of uses have been well documented. However, as more and more pharmaceuticals have come onto the market, be cautious of taking medications that can interact with herbal supplements. Consult a physician before taking herbal supplements when taking medications for heart disorders and disease.
Angina
Angina is a term referring to chronic chest pain resulting from a narrowing of the coronary arteries. After identifying angina as the cause of chest discomfort, herbal remedies may ease the pain though not cure it. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, hawthorn flowers, leaves, and ginkgo, dilate the coronary arteries allowing more blood to circulate through the heart muscle, preventing further damage. Garlic and flaxseed oil also helps to keep the blood from thickening and clotting. Using herbal antioxidants such as green tea, ginkgo and grape seed extract help to avoid heart disease in the first place.
Atherosclerosis
Discovering an excessive amount of the fatty sterol cholesterol in the blood and tissues of the body means a person is at an increased risk of heart disease and heart failure. Cardiovascular disease can occur when total cholesterol is above 190 mg/dl or high-density cholesterol-HDL is below 35 mg/dl. Herbal remedies for high cholesterol include garlic, artichoke leaf, shitake mushrooms, fenugreek seed and devil's claw rhizome. Take these herbs as tea or as supplements to help lower cholesterol, just be aware that if a person is already taking medication for high cholesterol, herbal supplements should only be taken under medical supervision.
Hypertension
Mild hypertension can often be managed with a synergistically managed intake of herbs, supplements and diet. However, before taking herbs for hypertension, consult with a physician and have him check your blood pressure. Stress, diet and heredity affect blood pressure, so ultimately improving diet, limiting salt intake and minimizing stress can also bring down high blood pressure. Herbal remedies proven to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health include shepherd's purse herb, alfalfa leaf, garlic and hawthorn leaves and flowers. Try relaxing herbs such as passionflower herb and California poppy root.
