Herbal Heart Remedies

Your heart is one of your most important organs. The British Heart Foundation states that your heart is a pump that pushes blood throughout your body. Your heart delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs while removing hazardous carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products from your tissues. Your heart is composed of three distinct layers: pericardium, myocardium and endocardium. Certain herbal remedies may improve the health and function of your heart or help treat heart conditions, but you should always speak with your doctor about herbs before using them.

Heart Problems

There are many types of heart problems. Heart disease is the general term used to describe numerous conditions that affect your heart. Examples of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart infections, congenital heart defects and irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. Other cardiovascular problems associated with the heart include heart attack, angina, stroke and heart valve disorders. Many types of heart disease can be thwarted or treated with conservative treatment methods.

Useful Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies have long been used to treat different heart problems or strengthen heart health and function. Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," states that cordyceps helps reduce heart rate and increases blood flow to the heart, while grape seed extract reduces high blood pressure, which may cause heart disease. Other herbal remedies that are beneficial for your heart include hawthorn, butcher's broom and garlic.

Featured Herb

Garlic is one of the most effective herbal heart remedies. According to Balch, garlic is a potent herbal remedy in the treatment of heart disorders, circulatory problems and many other conditions, including asthma, cancer and arteriosclerosis. Garlic has been used to help treat high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipid levels. Garlic, notes the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, may be eaten raw or cooked or taken in either tablet or capsule form.

Considerations

Maintaining heart health is extremely important for your long-term survival and well-being. Heart conditions often lead to serious health complications if they are not treated appropriately. Consider speaking with your health care provider about various treatment options for your heart condition. Natural treatment methods, including herbs and lifestyle modifications, can often effectively improve your heart health, but should not replace the treatment methods suggested by a qualified health care provider.