Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart is incapable of pumping enough blood to your organs and tissues. The American Heart Association states that there are many possible causes of congestive heart failure, including prolonged high blood pressure, various heart valve diseases and congenital heart defects. Herbal remedies that have diuretic action may be helpful in treating your congestive heart failure, but you should review procedures, dosages and other herb-related topics with your doctor before using herbs.
Congestive Heart Failure Info
Congestive heart failure, notes FamilyDoctor.org, can cause numerous symptoms, including tiredness, weakness, edema, or fluid accumulation in your lower body, and shortness of breath. Congestive heart failure, a serious health problem, may be helped by keeping your blood pressure under control and avoiding excess salt or salty foods and excess alcohol. Fluid retention and weight gain are common signs that your congestive heart failure is not being managed appropriately. If you experience chest pain, call your doctor immediately.
Herbal Diuretics
Numerous herbs possess diuretic action and may be helpful in treating your congestive heart failure. Naturopathic physician and herbalist Sharol Tilgner lists several such herbs in her book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth." Examples of herbal diuretics that may be used in treating congestive heart failure include hawthorn berries, cactus, garlic, dandelion, linden flower and ginger. Other herbs that may helpful include dan shen, ginkgo and cayenne. Do not take herbs for any medicinal purpose without your doctor's approval.
Featured Diuretic: Cactus
Cactus, also known as Cactus grandiflorus, is an herbal diuretic that may be helpful in treating congestive heart failure. Cactus, notes herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," may be an effective heart tonic that helps to regulate your heart rhythm and improves your heart's ability to contract. This herbal remedy is commonly used in treating heart weakness associated with congestive heart failure and erectile dysfunction associated with poor circulation. Liquid extracts of the plants' fresh succulent stems are used medicinally.
Considerations
Herbal remedies, including diuretics, have long been used in the treatment of congestive heart failure, although some of these herbs may not yet have been studied using conventional scientific research methods. If you are considering using herbal diuretics in treating your congestive heart failure, discuss the possible health ramifications with your health care provider. A skilled practitioner of botanical medicine can counsel you on the best herbs to take to help treat your condition, side effects to watch out for, and when to discontinue use of herbal diuretics.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Congestive Heart Failure
- FamilyDoctor.org: Congestive Heart Failure
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
