Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. They occur when a blockage in the blood vessels leading to the heart prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscles. This can either damage or completely destroy the muscles. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion and dizziness. Heart attacks are a medical emergency, and the treatment includes surgery and medication along with a hospital stay. Certain herbs and supplements such as Siberian ginseng may also help to manage the condition.
About Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus, is a shrub with yellow or purple flowers and black berries. The wrinkled, woody, brown roots of the plant contain compounds called eleutherosides, which are responsible for its medicinal effects. Siberian ginseng supplements are available as capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, teas and powders, and have been used traditionally to treat a variety of conditions, including respiratory and herpes infections, mental and physical performance and overall quality of life. Several factors, including age and overall health of the patient, condition being treated, and the form of the supplement play roles in determining the right dosage of Siberian ginseng.
How It Affects the Heart
Siberian ginseng is a powerful adaptogen and it may help to reduce the cardiovascular responses associated with stress in healthy young individuals, according to a study published in the February 2002 issue of the journal "Stress and Health." Some animal studies, such as the one published in the November-December 2007 issue of the Russian journal "Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia," reaffirm that Siberian ginseng extracts prevented the stress-induced damage of the heart in animal models. It also increased the tolerance of the heart to certain toxic chemicals and hormones such as epinephrine, the authors of the study say. The University of Maryland Medical Center, however, warns that Siberian ginseng may lead to high blood pressure and arrhythmia in some individuals and this may, in turn, increase the risk of heart attack. It may also interfere with heart medications such as digoxin, reports UMMC.
Side Effects
Other side effects of Siberian ginseng include insomnia, vomiting, headache, drowsiness and confusion. It may increase the risk of bleeding in persons taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, and increase the effects of sedative medications. UMMC also advises pregnant and breastfeeding women and insomnia patients against taking Siberian ginseng supplements.
Precautions
Always talk to a doctor before using Siberian ginseng supplements. Remember that there are many types of ginseng supplements in the store, including American ginseng, Asian ginseng and Siberian ginseng. They produce different effects on the heart. Hence, choose the supplements carefully. Also, the FDA does not regulate the production of Siberian ginseng supplements in the United States. Your pharmacist may be able to help you to find a product that is safe and effective.
References
- "Stress and Health"; Eleutherococcus Senticosus Reduces Cardiovascular Stress Response in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial; F. Facchinetti, et al.; February 2002
- "Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia"; Cardioprotective and Antiarrhythmic Properties of Preparations from Leuzea Carthamoides, Aralia Mandshurica, and Eleutherococcus Senticosus; L. N. Maslov , et al.; November-December 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Siberian Ginseng
- MedlinePlus: Ginseng, Siberian
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