Natural Remedies for Heart disease

Heart disease becomes a global health problem. Heart disease is commonly associated with other conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension etc. Unhealthy diet pattern, stressful lifestyle and cigarette smoking are identified factors responsible for increased incidence of heart disease. Heart disease can be a distinct or a combination of cardiovascular system disorders and each and every condition requires different natural regimens depending upon the patient condition and their symptomatic expression. Ayurveda is one of the most traditional natural remedial system, which combined work on body, mind, sense organs and soul. In the Ayurvedic medicinal system, the heart is not only a primary blood circulatory organ, but its functioning is governed by our emotional health also. In general, yoga and meditation are two natural remedial methods included in Ayurveda for strengthening our emotional health. Therefore, every heart disease patient needs to practice yoga and meditation regularly to control their emotions and maintain a steady flow of blood. Apart from these following are different heart disease specific natural remedies included in Ayurveda to treat the conditions effectively.

Angina

Restricted flow of blood in the cardiovascular system due to thickening of the blood leads to left side chest pain, which may radiate to shoulder, jaw or abdomen. In some cases, no initial symptoms, but large plaque formation in the cardiac arteries cause a sudden blockage of heart and restrict the blood flow and the condition is termed as a heart attack. The different pathophysiology related to angina can be treated by natural therapies as follows:

• The antioxidant property of garlic has a preventive effect against LDL cholesterol oxidation and also reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduces the chance of blood thickening effect along with large clot formation.
• Hawthorn has a coronary blood vessels dilatory effect, which improves blood circulation. In addition, it also acts as a diuretic and helps in excretion of salt and water. Thus reduces the excess pressure on the heart muscles and also strengthen cardiac muscles.
• Green tea has a preventive effect against arterial clogging.
• Turmeric and ginger also have blood cholesterol-lowering effect and restrict blood coagulation.
• Ginkgo biloba promotes blood circulation.
• The inclusion of adequate sprouts and Alfalfa leaves in diet assist to reduce blood cholesterol levels and plaque deposits on artery walls.

Hypertension

The increased pressure exerted by the blood into the blood vessels is termed as hypertension. The involve pathophysiology included congestion and stagnation in the circulatory blood causes reduce the flow of blood. However, anxiety, stress, insomnia, reduced the functioning of kidney and hypercholesterolemia often worsen the condition.  Obesity and diabetes are two co-morbid conditions often have a link with hypertensive conditions.

The natural remedial treatment regimen for hypertensive patients are as follows:

• Garlic has an antihypertensive effect because it provides protection against vasoconstriction by inhibiting thromboxane-B2 and prostaglandin-E2. Meta-analysis data also supported garlic can able to control both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Combination of garlic and honey gives a good anti-hypertensive effect. Take 4 to 5 crushed garlic cloves and mix with one teaspoon of honey. Take this mixture once or twice a week.
• Mix nutmeg powder with skimmed milk and take this warm drink before bed.
• Take warm water and mix equal quantity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Valerian and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) and take this preparation for relieving stress and calm down the excitement of the nervous system. The recommended dose of Ashwagandha, Valerian and Gotu kola is 1 to 3 gm.
• Mix Aloe-vera gel with turmeric or saffron to treat a liver disease associated hypertension.
• Restricted diet includes avoidance of intake of high fat containing foods, fat-rich dairy products, butter, eggs, onions and mustard containing spicy hot platters are recommended by experts.

Heart attack

Sudden obstructed blood flow in the particular valve in the heart due to blockage in coronary artery leads to heart attack. Clinically heart attack is termed as myocardial infarction. This is a consequence of arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. In arteriosclerosis, the coronary artery becomes thicken and harden due to excess deposition of calcium, whereas in atherosclerosis the artery wall loses its elasticity and become hard due to deposition of fatty substances. Hypertension is one of the major sign of both of these conditions. Failure to provide immediate medical attention to taking care of heart attack leads to death.

• Commiphora wightii (Guggul) can reduce cholesterol level, which prevents the build-up of fatty substances in the arterial wall. Thus, it improves blood circulation and provides symptomatic relief like reduction of chest pain.  Experts recommended 1 gm of Commiphora wightii powder thrice a day for three months provide an effective result.
• Combination of garlic and honey is also an effective measure to provide preventive effect against heart attack.
• Some other herbal remedies include hawthorn berries, Calamus, turmeric etc.

Cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathy is multiple symptomatic conditions associated with unbearable chest pain, which gives multiple associated symptomatic features including squeezing, crushing and pricing. Along with these, palpitation, breathlessness, fatigue, unconsciousness, etc. are other symptoms.

Some medicinal herbs like goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), coptis or goldenthread (Coptis chinensis), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), barberry (Berberis vulgaris) contain Berberine. Berberine is planted alkaloid has a cardiac functioning regulatory effect, which improves the quality of life and decreases the rate of mortality. Therefore, these herbal plant made formulations often recommended to patients having a risk of Cardiomyopathy.

Congenital cardiac problem

The congenital cardiac problem indicates the heart disease appear from the birth of a child. In case of a severe heart problem, surgical intervention is the only options. However, in Ayurveda, different cardio-tonics are prescribed to treat the condition at the very nascent stage. Fruits of Garcina indica,  fruits, and flowers of Punica Granatum, bark, fruits, and leaves of Punica Granatum are some examples of herbal plant parts having a cardiac tonic effect.

Apart from the above mentioned cardiac problem specific Ayurvedic treatment, some medicinal plants are also recommended to improve the overall heart and cardiovascular functioning.

Miscellaneous medicinal plants have heart benefit effects

Emblica officinalis Gaertn (Amla) intake can improve red blood cells count and provide a repairing cardiovascular system by rebuilding and maintaining new cardiac tissues. The different phytochemicals including gallic acid,  ellagic acids, phyllembic acid emblicol, hydrolyzable tannins, alkaloids and sufficient amount of Vitamin C improve heart health and improves the diabetic condition. Therefore, it is recommended to control co-morbid conditions of heart disease and diabetes.

Terminalia arjuna is a herbal cardiac tonic. In the Ayurvedic medicinal system, the recommended dose is 6 teaspoons twice a day after meal, which need to take it with an equal quantity of water. The dosage form is prepared by powdering the bark of this plant. This herbal regimen has a coronary vasodilatory effect, cardioprotective effect, promote blood circulation and also improves cardiac muscle health.  Arjunolic acid is an active constituent of this plant can prevent myocardial necrosis and cardiac muscle damage. The recommended dose of this active constituent is 15 mg/kg.  In Combination therapy, Terminalia arjuna mixed with ashwagandha, Brahmi and Guggul, which is considered as a very effective natural cardiac formulation to improve the heart condition. The recommended dose of this combination therapy is 500 milligrams to 1 gram. This mixture requires to take with warm water and honey thrice a day.

Mucuna prurita Hook is not only effective to improve heart health, but also maintain its co-morbid diabetes condition. The herbal formulation prepared from the alcoholic extract of this plant reduces oxidative damages and improves heart condition.

Azadirachta indica is effective to provide positive health benefits in coronary artery disease condition and arrhythmic condition of the heart.

Gymnema sylvestre is another herb effective to maintain serum cholesterol and triglyceride level and thus prevents heart disease.

References

• http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/July%202006/IJTK-Vol%205(3)-July%202006-pp%20420-427.htm
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26393992
• http://www.naturallivingcenter.net/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?StoreID=b571dewxvcs92jj200akhmccqa7w8v75&DocID=condition-cardiomyopathy