Those concerned with a healthy lifestyle naturally want to make sure that they are doing all they can to promote the strength and stamina of the heart. Balanced meals, regular exercise and stress managment can go a long way to promoting cardiac health. Including the following herbs in the diet can help with this as well.
Oregano
This staple herb of the Mediterranean diet helps keep the heart healthy in a number of ways. Its antioxidant properties fight against free radicals and thus fend off heart disease, while at the same time reducing inflammation which can also have a negative impact on cardiac health. It has also been shown to help reduce high cholesterol levels, a major risk factor for heart attacks.
Green Tea
Long used for its ability to boost immunity and energy levels, green tea is becoming increasingly valued for its cardiotonic properties. It nourishes the delicate cells that line the vessels in and around the heart and improves the efficiency of their performance. It has been found that this can happen as soon as 30 minutes after consumption.
Garlic
Medicinal use of garlic dates back to the Egyptians and the Chinese, both of whom have cultivated this plant for its special properties. Like green tea, it is known to help strengthen immunity but also has a positive impact on the heart by reducing both cholesterol levels and blood pressure, two factors which greatly increase the chance of developing cardiac disease.
Hawthorn
Compounds extracted from the hawthorn tree act as natural vasodilators. This means that they increase the circumference of the blood vessels and thus cause increased blood flow and decreased blood pressure, both of which can promote heart health. It also helps the body to use Vitamin C effectively, which improves the function of capillaries and other small blood vessels.
Lavender
This fragrant herb has antiseptic and antibacterial properties which promote overall health and its balancing effects help to improve the strength and performance of cardiac muscles. Its sedative properties, meanwhile, can help calm palpitations and decrease the blood pressure.
Chokeberry
These little berries are rich in antioxidants as well as Vitamins A, C and K. They have been shown to help ameliorate metabolic syndrome, a collection of symptoms characterized by weight gain, increased abdominal fat and elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels, all of which are risk factors for cardiac disease.
Ginseng
Used in China for thousands of years as an immune system booster, ginseng also has properties which make is desirable for heart health. Studies have shown that there is a definite correlation, for instance, between use of ginseng and a reduction in blood pressure.
Gingko biloba
Most people in the United States know about this herb because of its ability to improve forgetfulness and boost mental clarity. However, it can benefit the heart by, like hawthorn, acting as a vasodilator to increase blood flow. It also has anti-platelet properties which can prevent the formation of clots that cause heart attacks and strokes.
Heart health is important. And these herbs, in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, can help keep the heart healthy and prevent serious health complications in the future.
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