About Your Heart and Taking Care of it – Naturally!

For your information, there are thousands of miles ofstrengthen the heart muscles, thus reducing the
blood vessels in our body, and the heart must beatoccurrence of heart related problems. It also protects
regularly and steadily, 70 or so times a minute, 700against the damage caused by plaque build up in the
000 times a week, and some 2.5 thousand millioncoronary arteries.
times in the average lifetime.Passiflora incarnata is a calmative herb which also
With only as big as a decently sized apple, the heartrelaxes blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.
normally does its job with relative ease, squeezingViburnum opulus (Guelder Rose bark) is a very
out 4-5 liters of blood every minute and as much aseffective cardiac tonic and muscle relaxant.
24 liters when exercise makes it necessary. Ginkgo biloba acts as a circulatory stimulant and
However sometimes things go wrong with thisanti-inflammatory. These herbs also help to reduce
extremely important that is electrically regulated andthe underlying triggers of arrhythmias such as stress,
full of muscles. The diseases that affect themuscle convulsions and high blood pressure.
cardiovascular system (comprising the veins,The beneficial effects of Red Yeast Rice (Monascus
arteries and the heart itself) are very significantpurpurea) on balancing blood cholesterol levels have
in all parts of the world, especially the developedalso been clinically demonstrated in a number of
nations. The complications arising due to thesedouble blind, placebo controlling studies involving
diseases are the major cause of deaths in thethousands of people. These studies have
developed world.demonstrated that Red Yeast Rice can cut levels of
Cardiovascular diseasesLDL ('bad') cholesterol by as much as 15%, which
Some of the most common cardiovascular diseasescompares favorably with similar cholesterol lowering
areeffects of prescription drugs, and that too, without
- Angina Pectorisany side effects!!
- Arrhythmia (Cardiac Arrhythmia, Fibrillation,Recent studies have shown that gugulipid, a highly
Ventricular Fibrillation)prized and well known Ayurvedic herb, can be even
- Arteriosclerosis (Atherosclerosis, Coronary arterymore effective than many prescription medications in
Disease, Hardening of the Arteries) - It is the No. 1lowering cholesterol and tryglyceride levels in the
killer in America, affecting more than 12 millionblood (between 14 and 27% reduction in cholesterol
Americans.levels over a 12 week period). Even more
- Blood Vessel (Capillary)importantly, gugulipid has also been shown to increase
- Cardiomyopathylevels of protective HDL cholesterol. Other studies
- Heart Diseaseshave demonstrated that regular use of gugulipid has
- Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure(CHF))helped to prevent the build up of plaque in the
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension, Vasculararteries and even to reverse the build up of existing
Pressure)plaque. It also prevents blood platelets from sticking
- High Cholesteroltogether, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots,
- Low Blood Pressurewhich often cause heart attacks. Gugulipid has
- Poor Circulationpowerful anti-oxidant properties, thereby providing
- Heart valve problemsprotection and benefit to the entire system.
- Heart defectsUnlike conventional medicines, which do not always
Natural remedies for cardiovascular diseasesaddress the root cause, natural remedies can do this
Natural and holistic treatments are very effective inwithout the risk of side effects or addiction.
the treatment of cardiovascular health. TreatmentsFor example, in keeping with a holistic approach to
such as herbal and homeopathic remedies are safehealth, Naturopaths recognize that high blood
and gentle to use and improve the overall functioningpressure may be a sign or symptom of imbalance in
of the heart, arteries and the entire cardiovascularthe body and thus recommend a combination of
system.lifestyle changes and natural remedies to remove the
Herbs such as Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn)causes of the high blood pressure, rather than simply
have well known cardio-protective properties.just treating the symptoms.
Hawthorn is highly praised for its beneficial effects onRemember to always source your natural remedies
heart health, and has been traditionally used tofrom a reputable company in order to ensure safety,
reduce arrhythmias. Hawthorn is known to regulateefficacy, and correct therapeutic dosage.
heart actions, normalize blood pressure, and