Tachycardia, or prolonged elevated heart rate, is a type of arrhythmia. An arrhythmia, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, is a dysfunctional heart rate or rhythm. If you have an arrhythmia, your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Although most arrhythmias are benign, some may be fatal. Herbal remedies may help restore your normal heart rate and rhythm, but use herbs only under the guidance of a licensed health-care provider.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias, according to PubMed Health, are the result of problems associated with your heart's electrical conducting system. PubMed Health also states that an arrhythmia -- such as tachycardia -- may be constant or intermittent, and that you may not experience any symptoms associated with this condition. Many people do experience symptoms, however, including chest pain or discomfort, fainting, elevated heart rate or heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, paleness, shortness of breath, excessive sweating and skipped heart beats.
Tachycardia Herbs
Numerous herbs have been used to help normalize heart rate and rhythm. Among the most commonly used herbs for this health purpose, states Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," are valerian root, pleurisy root, Siberian ginseng, lemon balm, hawthorn, bugleweed, motherwort and passionflower. Some herbs used in treating tachycardia and other arrhythmias may not be backed by extensive scientific research proving their effectiveness.
Featured Herb
Bugleweed is an herbal remedy that is often prescribed in treating elevated heart rate. Expert herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that bugleweed is a circulatory and heart sedative and that it helps arrest minor bleeding. Bugleweed may also be used in treating your overactive thyroid gland, insomnia and bleeding in your stomach, lungs and intestines. Bugleweed helps lower your pulse and restores your circulatory tone. Consult a qualified health-care practitioner before taking bugleweed for tachycardia.
Additional Information
An elevated heart rate may be caused by easily explainable factors, such as vigorous physical activity, or it may be an indication of a more serious health problem that requires appropriate and timely medical intervention. If you experience prolonged elevated heart rate that is independent of physical activity -- or a heart rate that refuses to normalize after physical activity -- meet with your doctor to discuss treatment options. Always ask your physician about the merits and drawbacks of herbs before using them to treat your tachycardia.
References
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Cardiac Heart Arrhythmias; July 2009
- PubMed Health; Arrhythmias; June 5, 2010
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
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