Heart health is an important factor in living a long, healthy life. Increasing cardiovascular function through herbal supplements such as astragalus, bilberry, hawthorn, soy, garlic and ginseng could provide heart healthy advantages, but research does not conclude that many of these supplements will provide these benefits. Before beginning any alternative medical regimen, consult your physician to ensure that these herbal supplements are right for you.
Hypertension
Soy, garlic, and ginseng may help lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension. Research supports garlic and ginseng for the treatment of hypertension, but studies on soy for lowering blood pressure are inconclusive, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Garlic supplements should only be taken for short periods, ideally two to three months. Soy, garlic and ginseng can be found in their natural forms, in foods or in tablet and capsule form.
Cholesterol
Soy and garlic may help lower low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the level of cholesterol that is affected by foods with high fat content. Research supports these claims, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. These supplements should be used in combination with a healthy, low-cholesterol diet and should not take the place of prescription medicines prescribed by a physician for lowering cholesterol.
Circulatory Function
Astragalus and bilberry are herbal supplements used to help promote healthy circulatory function; however, scientific research does not support these claims. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that these herbs not be used as the sole treatment for decreased circulatory function.
Diseases and Conditions
Several herbs are used to treat diseases and conditions such as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, angina, heart failure and cardiovascular disease and to prevent heart disease, although scientific research does not support many of these claims. Ginseng is often used as a preventative measure for atherosclerosis, although this treatment is not supported by clinical research; hawthorn has been proven as an effective treatment for heart failure and angina; astragalus and garlic are used for heart disease prevention; however, astragalus has not been proven as an effective preventative measure for heart disease; soy has been proved to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Warning
When beginning an alternative medicine regimen such as taking herbal supplements, first consult your physician or other health care provider. If any health problems or side effects arise while taking herbal supplements, consult your doctor immediately. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that many herbal supplements' claims of heart healthy benefits are not supported by scientific research.
