Herbs for Heart Health

Keep onions on the diet for heart health.

With high blood pressure, heart attacks, angina, and other heart-related ailments topping the list of medical problems plaguing patients at doctor offices these days, finding ways to keep our cardiovascular systems healthy is an important part of getting older. There are quite a few herbs which are useful at preventing problems and strengthening our hearts, and to help with recovery once we develop these issues.

I have compiled a list of some of these “heart healthy” herbs – some very well known, and others not as familiar. As always, discuss with your doctor any herbs you are interested in taking, especially if you are on medications already.

• Alfalfa – While its most popular use is for arthritis, alfalfa is also a good herb to use for heart health. This herb is high in vitamin K, which is used by our bodies to help with blood clotting. Studies show alfalfa is useful for helping to reduce cholesterol, and in turn fighting atherosclerosis. It is also a blood purifier which helps keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Another plus is that alfalfa contains alkaloids which help reduce blood sugar. The seeds can be sprouted or ground into a powder, but you will mostly see it used in herbal teas.
• Aloe Vera – Most commonly used as a kitchen aid for burns, aloe vera contains beta-sitosterol which helps lower blood cholesterol. Supplements and juices are seen in health food stores all over, and the whole plant can be grown in your windowsill.
• Bilberry – Best known for its ability to improve poor night vision, bilberry also contains anthocyanosides which are helpful in maintaining capillaries. It also helps with circulation and is used as a remedy for varicose veins.
• Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne is well known for its heart-healthy attributes. It contains capsaicin, which improves blood flow to the brain and other areas of the body. It is used as an overall heart tonic and can help reduce high blood pressure. It can be taken as a powder in capsules or used in cooking.
• Coleus – Coleus is a member of the mint family which contains forskolin, helpful against clogged arteries. Coleus has been used to treat angina, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure.
• Garlic – Another popular heart-healthy herb, garlic contains allicin which helps improve cholesterol and decreases the risk of clogged arteries. It also helps with circulation, stabilizes blood pressure, and lowers blood sugar. Garlic can be used generously in cooking, and supplements are now available for those who cannot take the taste.
• Ginger – Most commonly used to help combat nausea and other digestive issues, ginger is also known as a heart tonic. Its warming properties work to improve circulation. It also helps prevent blood clotting and atherosclerosis. Ginger is found in many recipes and used in herbal teas and as supplements.
• Gingko – The gingko tree is one of the oldest plants in the world, surviving for over 200 million years and living to an age of 1000 years or so. This herb has been popular in folk remedies for age-related issues, and it is still used in this way today. One of its most well-known uses is to help improve blood circulation, which helps prevent blood clotting and strokes, improves concentration, increases energy, and helps improve hearing. It is most commonly seen as capsules or extracts.
• Horse Chestnut – Containing saponins which help improve blood circulation, horse chestnut is mostly used topically to help with quicker healing for sprains and other injuries.
• Motherwort – Motherwort works to help improve heart function overall, helping to dissolve blood clots and improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and as an aid against angina and heart palpitations.
• Onions – Like its close relative, onions have similar effects on the heart as garlic. Used regularly in cooking, they may help to keep high blood pressure and other heart issues at bay.
• Dried Rose Hips – The high vitamin C levels in rose hips make them a popular addition to herbal teas to help prevent colds, but rose hips also help improve circulation. This herb is especially helpful to use to strengthen capillaries.

Michelle, an Appomattox resident, is the official transcriber for Appomattox News. She also writes an herbal health column at Herbs are Greener.