Herbs for strengthening the heart
A diverse and healthy diet is the most important first step towards heart health, without forgetting exercise, of course!
However, for thousands of years, people have also used various herbs to strengthen heart function.
If you’re looking to nurture your heart and improve its health, Yrttitohtori has listed 7 different heart-strengthening herbs and plants definitely worth trying!
Some natural remedies and herbs might interfere with certain medications. Generally, it’s safest to use these heart-strengthening herbs as food spices, but if you plan to use them as supplements, it’s essential to discuss this with your doctor.
1. Hawthorn
Hawthorn (Crataegus) has been used to treat heart disease since the first century.
Traditionally, berries have been used to treat heart problems like irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, and heart failure.
Nowadays, leaves and flowers are also used medicinally. Studies indicate that hawthorn might effectively treat mild to moderate heart failure (1).
Dried hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries can be used to make a bitter-tasting tea.
2. Motherwort
Ancient Greeks used motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) to ease anxiety during childbirth.
It has traditionally been used as a tea or tincture for its potential medicinal properties.
Motherwort contains ursolic acid, leonurine, and flavonoids, showing heart-protective and strengthening effects in rat studies. Human studies are not yet available.
While specific flavonoids in motherwort haven’t been extensively studied in humans, total flavonoid intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing and dying from heart diseases (1).
3. Wild Pansy
Herbalists have used the beautiful wild pansy (Viola tricolor) for centuries.
Even William Shakespeare referenced wild pansy in his plays, believing tea made from it could spark love and heal broken hearts.
Wild pansy improves circulation, benefiting heart health (1).
4. Small-leaved Lime
Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) has been used medicinally for centuries (1).
Lime tea has been used in different cultures to calm high blood pressure, anxiety, and digestive issues.
One study (on mice) found that tiliroside, an antioxidant in small-leaved lime, positively influenced heart calcium channels, essential for heart muscle contraction (1).
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, familiar to everyone, is derived from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree.
Historically used since ancient Egyptian times, it was rare and valuable, considered suitable even as a royal gift.
Today, cinnamon is associated with reduced risk of heart diseases.
It lowers total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while maintaining stable “good” HDL cholesterol levels (1).
A recent major review concluded that as little as 120 mg of cinnamon daily could provide these benefits, even raising “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
Together, cinnamon’s benefits could significantly help prevent heart diseases.
6. Garlic
Research on garlic (Allium sativum) has demonstrated heart-strengthening effects by preventing cell damage, regulating cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure (1).
Studies indicate garlic supplements may reduce arterial plaque formation.
Garlic is not only heart-healthy but also keeps vampires at bay!
7. Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a versatile medicinal plant historically used for numerous health issues, including colds.
Ginger also demonstrates heart-protective effects due to its cardiotonic, blood pressure-lowering, and anti-platelet aggregation properties (1).
Studies have indicated that daily ginger consumption (2-6 grams) may protect against heart disease (2).
Disclaimer:
Yrttitohtori.fi provides general information only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult an expert (e.g., your doctor) before trying herbal medicine for safety!
