6 Powerful Herbs for Heart Health

Lisa Franchi July 11, 2014

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Our heart plays a major role in our health, as it pumps blood that carries oxygen and essential nutrients throughout our body. It is therefore important that we take very good care of it. How? In addition to eliminating unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking alcohol excessively, we can protect our heart through proper diet and regular exercise, plus the use of the following herbs:

Cayenne

Taking this herb is a great way to tone, stimulate, and strengthen the heart. Balancing circulation and helping to calm any heart palpitations are other significant benefits. Adding a half teaspoon of this spice to your smoothies can make a big difference to your heart health. If you find it too spicy, reduce the amount and increase it gradually until you get used to the recommended amount.

Garlic

Garlic is a very powerful herb in terms of its medicinal properties. Consuming one clove of garlic consumed every day will help to increase good cholesterol and inhibit bad cholesterol. Garlic has only moderate blood-pressure-lowering effects, and it must be taken regularly for any significant benefits, but even the modest 7-10% that double-blind studies have shown can be helpful for people taking garlic for its other stronger effects. Add it to your cooking, or better eat it fresh to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients garlic contains.

Motherwort

The current use of hawthorn for heart conditions dates back to the 17th century. Long-term use of this herb may help to reduce clog formation, lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels, and be an ideal way to help strengthen the heart. Motherwort is prepared as a tea. Add at least ½ a teaspoon of this herb to 5 OZ of boiling water. Let the herb boil for at least five minutes. Take a drink throughout the day.

Hawthorn

When used as tonic, this herb improves blood supply and oxygen in the body. The use of hawthorn has also been linked to reduction in cholesterol, more normal blood pressure, and decreased fat deposits in the aorta. Furthermore, the extract of hawthorn can increase blood flow to the heart muscle itself, helping to counteract heart attack that is caused by lack of blood flow to the heart. Take no less than 15 drops of this tincture up to three times each day.

Cacao

Cacao contains theobromine – a substance that has long been considered as a mild stimulant and as a tonic for the heart. Cacao also contains varying types of flavanols, which help to improve the way blood vessels will function.

Green tea

Green tea is becoming increasingly known for its heart benefits. Cells that line the blood vessels in and around the heart are delicate, and consumption of green tea briskly improves their health, condition and performance. In a 2008 study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, it was found that green tea improved blood vessel function within 30 minutes of consumption.