Tekturna is a drug used to control high blood pressure, while l-arginine is a supplement that is promoted for possible blood-pressure lowering benefits and as an erectile dysfunction aid. While lowering your blood pressure is desirable in some...
Vinpocetine is a chemical which is derived from a substance called vincamine. Vicamine is a compound found in the common periwinkle plant, scientifically known as Vinca major. According to Jerry Cott Ph.D., review pharmacologist/toxicologist for...
Niacin, is a form of vitamin B-3 that is involved in metabolism of carbohydrates. It also facilitates the use of fat and protein derivatives in the generation of energy. Niacin has vasodilatory effects and helps in sustaining blood flow to organs...
Beer consumption can cause an allergic reaction. However, most people have a misconception of the symptoms. All forms of alcohol (beer, wine, whiskey) can illicit some side effects, such as nasal congestion and flushing of the skin. These...
Vasopressin is a hormone created in the hypothalamus, a vital part of the autonomic nervous system located deep inside the brain. This hormone, also called antidiuretic hormone, or ADH, is stored in the pituitary gland until it is needed by the...
Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in one or both ears. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying problem, such as ear damage, hearing loss or circulatory disorder. Sometimes doctors can find and treat the underlying...
Skeletal muscle contractions induce an increase in blood flow that is proportional to the metabolic demand of the tissue. This increase in blood flow is known as hyperemia. The hyperemic response to exercise is complex, involving regulation by...
Taurine is a sulphur-based amino acid that's abundant in mammalian tissue, where it primarily serves as a key constituent in the production of bile salts and helps reduce blood pressure and regulate heart rate through its vasodilatory effects....
Chinese traditional medicine is an ancient medical system dating back more than two millennia, in which natural methods, including herbal preparations, are utilized to balance the qi, or energy flow, in the body. Practitioners prescribe specific...
Cordyceps grows on dead caterpillar bodies lying on the ground. A black, blade-shaped fungus, the mushroom grows from the caterpillar and fills the carcass with mushroom fiber. The mushroom grows mainly in the highlands of Tibet, where people...
Nitric oxide, commonly abbreviated NO, is a free-form gas that is naturally produced in the body. Nitric oxide has a variety of functions and, as understanding of its potential benefits grows, supplements containing the chemical are becoming more...
First discovered in 1886, L-arginine is an amino acid, a fundamental building block of many of the body's proteins. It was not until 1932 that researchers realized that L-arginine was needed to remove the toxic metabolic byproduct ammonia through...
Raynaud's disease is a circulatory problem that occurs when your arteries go into vasospasm, reducing blood flow to your fingers and toes. Your hands and toes may feel cold and turn white, and then blue, due to the limited blood supply. Cold...
Bystolic, a high blood pressure medication, has been demonstrated to have a modest effect on weight loss. However, to date, only one study has demonstrated this effect, and if weight loss is truly your goal, a healthful diet and exercise are...
Yohimbe is the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe plant, an evergreen tree indigenous to western Africa. Yohimbe is sometimes used by athletes and weightlifters, who believe it can enhance performance, promote fat metabolism and help to build lean...
Polyphenols, also called phytochemicals, are bitter compounds found in plants and fruits that evolved to defend against the grazing of herbivores. In this sense, polyphenols are considered anti-nutrients because they interfere with absorption of...
Exercise causes your heart to beat faster because your body's oxygen and fuel needs increase. Red blood cells are your system's oxygen carriers, and blood also ferries glucose and fatty acids from your liver to other tissues. During exercise, more...
Hypertension is a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg. There has been much controversy over how effective many natural therapies are for hypertension; however, the Seventh Report (2003) of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention,...
Yarrow root is most often used in traditional medicine to treat appetite loss, gastrointestinal discomfort and menstrual cramps. Use this plant, which is related to chamomile and chrysanthemums, with caution, especially if you have a medical...
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a very common condition caused by diet, a sedentary lifestyle, genetics and medicine side effects. According to "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments," normal blood pressure is 130/80. High blood pressure...
If you suffer from acute or chronic asthma, taking yarrow tincture may help to relieve your symptoms and open your airway passages. Yarrow is a small herb found throughout the world that is used for a variety of health problems, including...
Cordyceps, a fungus that infects caterpillars, might seem an unlikely choice for a dietary health supplement. Yet this unusual substance -- used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote longevity -- is being studied for potential therapeutic...
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is found throughout the world as a bright green herb with stinging hairs on its leaves and stems that can result in a painful touch. High in nutrition and medicinal chemicals, people are now turning to this plant...
There are approximately 100,000 miles of blood vessels in an adult male, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Unclogged, intact vessels are essential to properly transport oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream into cells,...
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, can cause thickened, scaly, itching skin. When the small, raised bumps of eczema begin to ooze and leak fluid, the condition is referred to as weeping eczema. If you think your eczema is infected, or if your...
