Take Herbs and Spices For a Healthy Heart
The heart is an organ through which the blood of life flows! Technically speaking, the heart continuously pumps our blood and regulates its circulation throughout the body. There are many reasons including physiological, psychological and stress related which causes the impairment in heart function. The most important daily regimen that you can follow for a healthy heart is regular exercise and healthy lifestyle and nutritious diet. Added to this, the use of different herbs and spices in our daily routine can also help in avoiding many heart problems such as low/high blood pressure, high cholesterol and irregular functioning of the heart.
Taking care of your heart without using drugs
A research conducted by a team of cardiologists recommends that health of the heart can be maintained and certain problems such as high blood pressure or hypertension can be easily avoided through exercise, a change in diet, restricting the use of alcohol and using some herbal and natural supplements. Currently the most important diet for promoting healthy heart should comprise of a low sodium diet and include whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products.
The studies have also demonstrated that the best remedies for a healthy heart and blood pressure are garlic, calcium, Vitamin D, fish oil and Soy protein. The use of potassium supplements and coenzyme Q10 have been indicated to be the best supplements for reducing blood pressure.
Spice it up
Herbalists and Ayurveda practitioners all over the world promote the use of certain spices in your daily life for maintaining optimum health of the heart. Some of the spices which have been considered to be especially helpful for the heart are coriander seeds, turmeric, black pepper, fenugreek seeds, black cumin seeds and cinnamon.
The chemicals called linaloon and decanoic acid present in coriander seeds are responsible for its effect of reducing the cholesterol and blood sugar. Animal studies have also shown that coriander can reduce the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but raises the level of HDL cholesterol. It is used as an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine but one teaspoon soaked in water overnight can be consumed in the morning by diabetics and people suffering with some heart ailment.
The Curcumin found in turmeric is endowed with anti-oxidant, anti-clotting, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. The use of turmeric can help in reducing the cholesterol levels and it also prevents any cardiovascular complications in individuals suffering from Diabetes.
The piperine obtained from black pepper is also helpful in reducing cholesterol as well as in healing the heart recovering from a heart attack. Cinnamon has circulatory stimulant effect. Cinnamon, black cumin seeds and Fenugreek seeds are also helpful in reducing the total cholesterol and LDL and increasing HDL. Cinnamon also helps in improving insulin resistance in diabetics.
The herbs that may work
There are many natural and herbal supplements which help in maintaining a healthy heart. Some of the most popular and effective herbs used for a healthy heart are oregano, green tea, garlic, Hawthorne, lavender, ginseng, Cayenne and ginger.
Oregano is an herb which is known for its ability to prevent and cure many diseases. IT also helps in controlling cholesterol and has antioxidant properties such as Vitamin C. it protects the heart against the damage caused by free radicals and also fights the heart against the LDL cholesterol.
Green tea is in vogue for its wide range of therapeutic benefits including the heart. Research reports have claimed that green tea helps in improving the function of the blood vessel within half an hour of its intake. Green tea also has flavonoids which exhibit antioxidant property. Green tea is rich in flavin which is helpful in reducing low density lipids by almost 16% as per scientific reports.
Garlic has been used as a culinary herb in many cuisines all over the world. Studies have shown that one clove of garlic or approximately 500 to 1000 mg of powder is good for maintaining healthy level of cholesterol and also normalizes blood pressure. The regular intake of garlic is also helpful in softening the artery by breaking up cholesterol and fats found on the inner walls of the blood vessels and hence results in a better and improved flexibility.
Hawthorne is another herb which is supported by scientific evidence in showing a positive relationship between the dilation of blood vessels and use of the herb. It also helps in reducing blood pressure. It also results in supporting overall general health of the heart and all the plant parts including berries, flowers and leaves are used for this purpose. Hawthorne also helps in protecting and improving the functioning of smaller capillaries and blood vessels.
Lavender essential oil also has antiseptic, antibacterial and sedative properties. It has effects in balancing and strengthening the cardiac muscles of the heart, improves the contraction and relaxation of the arteries and ventricles of the heart and also reduces the palpitations and general hypertension.
Ginseng is another herb which boosts immune system and also shows good effect in reducing the blood pressure and risk of heart diseases. Ginger is also helpful in promoting healthy heart by preventing formation of clots, improving blood circulation, and lowering LDL cholesterol from the blood. A research study has reported ginger to be more beneficial than aspirin in preventing the formation of blood clot.
Cayenne is an herb which can be taken in the form of powders, capsules and tinctures and is helpful in maintaining the optimum blood flow. Cayenne is also helpful in lowering the blood pressure, strengthening and stimulating the heart, toning the heart muscles and bringing down the palpitations.
A word of caution
There have been some current reports suggesting that use of herbal remedies such as ginseng, gingko, black cohosh, St. John’s Wort, hawthorn, saw palmetto and Echinacea when taken by individuals already taking pharmaceutical drugs for heart may bring about an increase or decrease in the effect of these medications or exacerbate their side effects. You should always consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedy while taking drugs such as blood thinners, cholesterol lowering statins etc.
Category: HEALTH, HYPERTENSION
