Numerous herbs may be helpful in treating your peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, PAD occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries, or the vessels that carry oxygenated blood to your head, organs and limbs. Plaque, a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue, leads to atherosclerosis. Before taking herbs to help treat your PAD, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Garlic
Garlic is an herb that may be helpful in treating your PAD. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, garlic, also known as Allium sativum, has been used as both a food and a medicine for thousands of years. Garlic, a member of the lily family, has a pungent taste and heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. The cloves or bulb of the plant are used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including PAD. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that garlic is a hypotensive that decreases your cholesterol and triglycerides and increases your high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol. Tilgner notes that garlic is used to decrease plaque in atherosclerosis, thereby improving peripheral blood flow and treating your PAD. Before taking garlic to help treat your PAD, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Gum Guggul
Gum guggul is an herb that may be beneficial in treating your PAD. The University of Michigan Health System states that the mukul myrrh tree, also known as Commiphora mukul, is a small, thorny plant that grows throughout India. The yellowish resin generated by the stem of the plant is called gum guggul and is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including PAD. Gum guggul has a sticky, resinous taste. According to Tilgner, gum guggul is a hypolipidemic, antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering agent. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that gum guggul may help lower your total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and very-low-density lipoproteins while boosting your good cholesterol. Keeping your cholesterol levels in check is an effective way to help treat your PAD. Before taking gum guggul to help treat your PAD, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Ginger
Ginger is an herb that may be effective in treating your PAD. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger, also known as Zingiber officinalis, is a knotted rhizome, or underground stem, that extends about 1 foot above ground. The most important constituents in ginger are thought to be volatile oils and various phenol compounds. Ginger possesses an aromatic and spicy taste and has heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. The root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including PAD. Tilgner states that ginger is an anti-atherosclerotic agent, or a substance that combats the accumulation of plaque in your arteries, including your peripheral arteries. Ginger also decreases platelet aggregation, decreasing your likelihood of developing blood clots in your peripheral arteries. Before taking ginger to help treat your PAD, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
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