Saturday, December 29, 2018

An Affair of the Heart: Heart Disease

    Coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death and affects approximately seven million Americans, causing 1.5 million heart attacks each year. Mainstream medicine offers only a temporary fix with $9 billion spent on bypass surgeries each year. If that money went instead into preventative approaches, the health system would be better off and so would millions of Americans.
    Preventative therapies include treating high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, encouraging Americans to quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more and manage stress more effectively. Garlic, onions, ginger and red pepper help prevent and treat heart disease by reducing blood pressure and garlic and onions also cut cholesterol and discourage the blood from forming clots. If you know much about herbs, that probably isn't news to you. But you may not know that many other herbs can help.
    High-calcium plants such as lamb's quarter, stinging nettle, watercress, licorice, marjoram, savory, red clover and thyme can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack.
    Angelica- contains 15 compounds that are calcium channel blockers. Doctors routinely prescribe calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Calan) to prevent heart attack.
    Hawthorn- improves blood circulation through the heart by opening the coronary arteries. It also helps to reduce blood pressure.
    Purslane- is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids which help prevent clots that trigger heart attack. In addition, it contains calcium, magnesium and antioxidants- all very supportive of a healthy heart.
    Chicory- has two heart benefits: It slows a rapid heartbeat and it also has a mild heart-stimulating effect similar to the often prescribed medication digitalis.
    I do not advise abandoning any current medications (Calan or Digoxin) in favor of Angelica or Chicory, but adding herbs to your daily diet in cooking, teas or supplement form can improve your chances of preventing heart disease and heart attack. If you do decide to use these, let your doctor be aware so he/she can monitor your medication effects closely.

Low Cholesterol Tea
1 tsp. roasted chicory root
1 tsp. linden flowers
1/2 tsp. fenugreek seeds
1/2 tsp. ginger root
1 quart water

Combine all in a pan and bring to a simmer. Cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain the herbs. Drink 1-2 cups a day.

Prevention Better Than Cure- Heart Care Aromatherapy-Style
These formulas reduce stress, improve circulation, nervous system and also lower high blood pressure.

Cardamom    2 drops
Geranium      1 drop
Clary Sage    2 drops
Bergamot      1 drop
OR
Rosemary     1 drop
Hyssop         1 drop
Bergamot     1 drop

Use in a bath or in two teaspoons vegetable oil for a full body massage or in one teaspoon vegetable oil for self-massage. Self-massage once a week. Bath twice a week.




by Judy Burger