Herbs for Heart

Source: From Internet for benefit to mankind
Herbs for your Heart
Better Nutrition, Sept, 2000 by Jamison Starbuck

Dr. Starbuck dispenses some down-to-earth wisdom about heart-friendly botanicals

Circulation, in a manner of speaking, makes the world go `round. Just as the turning of the earth gives us our night and day, and our weather and seasons, the constant movement of blood throughout our bodies provides us with the nutrients we need to live, and to prevent disease.

The circulatory system is also known as the vascular system, an intricate, intertwined, fascinating web of different sized and shaped blood vessels woven throughout the body. In order for circulation to be effective, the blood's route through the body must be open, flexible and free of obstruction.

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Many different diseases can interfere with circulation, creating what doctors refer to as vascular disorders. Vascular disorders are generally broken into two groups: cardiovascular disorders (or diseases that affect the heart and related structures) and peripheral vascular disorders (or diseases that affect the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system of extremities). Conditions in this latter category, peripheral vascular disorders, are also called circulatory diseases. Examples include: Raynaud's disease, atherosclerosis, thromboangiitis obliterans (inflammation of medium-sized leg arteries and veins, sometimes resulting in ischemia and gangrene), also called Buerger's diseas, phlebitis, and varicose veins.

With most circulatory disorders, the symptoms are pretty predictable. Phlebitis symptoms usually result from a clump of blood cells lodging somewhere in the veins of the mid-calf, causing swelling and compromised blood flow. People with phlebitis complain of fullness, aching and fatigue in the lower legs. In Raynaud's disease, the small vessels of the fingers, and sometimes the nose or tongue, constrict, paling the skin in the affected area, and causing numbness or a prickly sensation.

Buerger's disease begins as Raynaud's, but, over time, becomes more serious, with significant, persistent pain, progressive inflammation, and, in severe cases, gangrene. Buerger's disease occurs mostly in men who smoke cigarettes.

Varicose veins are distended, dilated veins. They are often visible, and have a blue, lumpy appearance, and seem to be caused by an inherent weakness in vein walls. Things like pregnancy, jobs that require long hours of standing, or obesity aggravate the condition. In many folks, varicose veins are simply annoying due to their unsightliness. In others, varicose veins can be painful, causing aching, easy fatigue, or a sensation of heat at the sight of the varicosities. Hemorrhoids are sometimes thought of as a circulatory disorder; they're caused by a weakness in a section of blood vessels in and around the anus.

Preventing circulatory disease

As with most illness, prevention is the best medicine. And when it comes to circulatory disease, regular, aerobic exercise is the best prescription. Physically moving the body by cross-country skiing, brisk walking, biking, jogging, or dancing up to 20 minutes a day, at least 4 days a week is enough to keep most circulatory systems healthy.

A good diet is also essential: lots of leafy greens, cold water fish, vegetable protein like that found in beans and soy, fiber, fruit and yellow-orange vegetables. As many studies have shown, eating garlic or taking garlic supplements on a daily basis help keep blood vessels flexible, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Many nutritional supplements assist the circulatory system, in particular: coenzyme A, coenzyme-Q10, B-12, folate, vitamins B-6 and B-3, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, copper, zinc and essential fatty acids.

Herbs that help

For centuries, herbs have been used to treat a wide variety of diseases, including circulatory disorders. Herbal medicine is used for circulatory diseases in two ways: internally, through teas, tinctures or capsules, and externally, through poultices, lotions and herbal liniments. The primary action of herbs used in circulatory disorders is to increase the flow of blood to the body's extremities (its arms, legs, fingers and toes) and to improve the health of blood vessel walls.

1 Cayenne, or Capsicum, is thought to have been introduced to the world via Caribbean Indians. Fifteenth century explorers to the Caribbean Islands brought cayenne back to Europe, where it gained popularity as an ingredient in spicy dishes and as a warming medicinal herb.

Taken internally, cayenne reduces clot formation. It does so by reducing platelet stickiness. Cayenne also increases the elimination of excess (free) cholesterol via the stool, making cayenne a helpful cholesterol-lowering herb.

Externally applied, cayenne is a powerful analgesic, or pain-reducing, medicine. This action is largely due to capsaisin, an ingredient in cayenne that decreases pain transmitters in the sensory nerves. Cayenne is also a rubefacient, an herb that increases blood flow to the area to which it is applied. External applications of cayenne preparations are therefore useful in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's disease, post-herpetic neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy. People with chronically cold feet find relief by sprinkling cayenne pepper into socks during the winter months.