Herbal Treatments For Cardiomyopathy

Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to all of your tissues. When your heart has too much stress on it from chronic high blood pressure or long-term heart arrhythmia, you can develop cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that weakens and enlarges your heart. Cardiomyopathy can be associated with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Although there are many prescription medications available to treat cardiomyopathy, some herbs may also be beneficial. Never self-treat a heart problem; talk to your doctor about the correct herb and dosage that is right for you.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn, which is related to the rose, has a long history of use for treating heart disease. Hawthorn is a small, thorny shrub whose leaves and flowers contain large concentrations of antioxidants, including quercetin and oligomeric procyandins. Hawthorn can be used in cardiomyopathy to improve heart function associated with congestive heart failure and relieve angina, or chest pain. A 2011 report published in "Planta Medica" states hawthorn extract is an effective treatment for mild congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Hawthorn may also lower blood pressure. Take hawthorn only under your doctor's supervision and don't take it with other heart medications.

Arjuna

Arjuna, or Terminalia arjuna, is a towering evergreen tree native to India whose bark is used as an herbal remedy. Arjuna is beneficial for symptoms of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Arjuna acts to improve heart muscle function and pumping action by strengthening coronary arteries, lowering blood pressure and reducing chest pain. Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing," states patients taking arjuna for cardiomyopathy showed a 50 percent improvement in their symptoms. Due to arjuna's strong effect on the heart, it should only be taken under medical supervision.

Coleus

Coleus, known scientifically as Coleus forskohlii, is a perennial herb of the mint family. Its roots and leaves are harvested for their high concentration of the compound forskolin. Standardized extract of coleus containing forskolin can be used to treat cardiomyopathy. Forskolin may improve heart function in congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy by increasing the force of the heart's contraction, dilating coronary arteries and lowering blood pressure without increasing your heart's need for oxygen. Balch advises that standardized forskolin extract from coleus is more effective than using the herb itself. Do not use coleus or forskolin if you have osteoporosis or are taking oral contraceptives.

Dan Shen

Dan shen, or Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a perennial mint that is also known as cinnabar root and red root sage. Its coarse, purple-black root is harvested for medicinal use. A popular Chinese herb, dan shen is used to treat atherosclerosis and angina. Dan shen appears to improve the force of heart contractions and relax the smooth muscle of the coronary arteries, improving circulation to the heart. According to Carolinas Medical Center, dan shen may prevent heart damage that leads to cardiomyopathy. Don't use dan shen if you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer or blood-clotting disorders.