ASKDOCTORANCA

Since February is HEART MONTH, I thought I’d mention a few Heart-friendly herbs:

• Green Tea – Popular in Asia for centuries, green tea
helps to keep blood pressure under control. It also may help
keep cholesterol from clogging arteries. The tea contains
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and other substances that
protect the body against the dangers of oxidation, while
helping to keep the harmful LDL cholesterol down and the
helpful HDL cholesterol up. They also assist in keeping
blood pressure under control.
In one study, adding as little as two ounces of garlicjuice to a

• Garlic – prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol(bad one),

may prevent the liver from producing excess fat and cholesterol.

fatty, cholesterol-laden meal was found to
actually lower the cholesterol by up to 7 percent. Another
study found that 600 mg of garlic powder a day could push
the total cholesterol down by some 10 percent. Other
research has corroborated these findings reporting that
garlic can lower both total and LDL cholesterol while
raising the HDL (”good”) cholesterol.

A 10-month study found that eating three cloves of garlic a
day keeps the cholesterol down for extended periods. And
because it contains ajoene and other substances, garlic also
helps to keep the blood “thin” and free of potentially
deadly blood clots
• Hawthorn (Crataegus) contains a combination of
flavonoids that can protect the heart against oxygen
deprivation and the development of abnormal rhythms. It
dilates coronary blood vessels, improving the flow of blood
to the heart. It strengthens the heart muscle and works to
help the body rid itself of excess salt and water.  It
reduces blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and
brings down high blood pressure. Choose a standardized
extract containing 1.8 percent vitexin-2 rhamnosides.
• Arjuna -  an important Ayurvedic herb, is a
coronary vasodilator. It protects the heart, strengthens
circulation, and helps to maintain the tone and health of
the heart muscle. It is also useful in stopping bleeding and
to promote healing after a heart attack.
• Ginger - Ginger is an important herb for a healthy
heart. Ayurvedic physicians suggest that eating a little bit
of ginger every day will help to prevent heart attack. It
reduces cholesterol. It also reduces blood pressure and
prevents blood clots.

Ginger’s heart-helping attributes are similar to that of
garlic. Ginger interferes with the long sequence of events
necessary for blood clots to form. This helps to prevent
clots that can lodge in narrowed coronary arteries and set
off a heart attack.
• Tumeric- lowers blood cholesterol levels by stimulating
the production of bile. It also prevents the formation of
dangerous blood clots that can lead to heart attack.
• Onions- contain adenosine and other “blood
thinners” that help to prevent the formation of blood clots.
In addition to thinning the blood, onions can help keep the
coronary arteries open and clear by increasing the HDL.
Eating half a raw onion every day can increase HDL by 20 to
30 percent.
• Ginkgo biloba -improves the flow of blood throughout the
body. It is also an antioxidant. Ginkgo biloba can benefit
the cardiovascular system by preventing the formation of
free radicals. Take a ginkgo extract containing 24-percent
ginkgo flavone glycosides.
• Fo-ti (ho shou wu, Polygonum multiflorum), combats the
symptoms of heart disease, helping to reduce blood pressure
and blood-cholesterol levels.
• Alfalfa-leaves and sprouts help reduce the
blood cholesterol levels and plaque deposits on artery
walls.
• Citrin – an extract from the plant Garcinia cambogia,
inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver. It helps
to prevent the accumulation of potentially dangerous fats in
the body. 
• Guggul – This ayurvedic herb is derived from a type of
myrrh tree. It has been shown to lower blood-fat levels
while raising levels of HDL, the so called “good
cholesterol.”
Note: Do not use this herb if you have a thyroid disorder.
• Grape seed extract with oligomeric proanthocyanidins
(OPCS) may lower high blood pressure, which can cause heart
disease.
• Soy-soy had been long popular in Asia. It has been
proven to be heart protectors also.

When people with high cholesterol are put on a low-fat,
low-cholesterol diet, their cholesterol levels usually drop.
But if you replace the animal protein in their diet with soy
protein, their cholesterol levels are found to drop
significantly lower. One study has showed that soy protein
could cancel out the effect of 500 mg of cholesterol
deliberately added to the daily diet.

Although soy can lower cholesterol levels in those with
normal levels, it works best in people with elevated
cholesterol.

Brewer’s Yeast- can lower the totalcholesterol

 and LDL while raising the helpful HDL. (Brewer’s
yeast is not the same as the yeast we use in the kitchen.)
In one study with normal- and high-cholesterol patients, 11
healthy volunteers were given brewer’s yeast. Eight weeks
later, 10 of the 11 people with normal cholesterol levels
had even lower total cholesterol levels and increased HDL
levels. Among the 15 volunteers with high cholesterol, eight
enjoyed the same beneficial results.
• Cordyceps -  a Chinese herb;   it can slow
the heart rate, increase blood supply to the arteries and
heart, and lower blood pressure. 
• Artichoke -the leaf extract reduces blood cholesterol and
protects the liver. This herb has antioxidant activity and
may inhibit the oxidation of cholesterol, a factor in
atherosclerosis.
• Cat’s claw- contains a variety of valuable
phytochemicals that inhibit the processes involved in the
formation of blood clots. It increases circulation and
inhibits inappropriate clotting. Thus, it may help to
prevent stroke and reduce the risk of heart attack.
• Oat straw and kava kava are tonics for the nervous
system.
• White willow-the  bark contains salicin, an aspirin-like
compound. It has been used for centuries much as aspirin is
today. Aspirin is often recommended for cardiovascular
condition. This herb may provide the same protection without
stomach upsets associated with aspirin.
Note: Do not take this herb if you are allergic to aspirin.

• Other herbs that are beneficial for cardiovascular
disorders include barberry, black cohosh, butcher’s broom,
cayenne (capsicum), dandelion, ginseng, and valerian root.
The following herbs are heart friendly:
alfalfa, astragalus, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng,
hawthorn berry, kelp, kola, motherwort, myrrh, psyllium
(Metamucil), passion flower, red pepper, saffron, Siberian
ginseng, skullcap, tarragon, turmeric, and valerian
Caution: Do not use barberry or black cohosh during
pregnancy. Do not use ginseng if you have high blood
pressure. Also avoid the herbs ephedra (ma huang) and
licorice, as they cause a rise in blood pressure.

To learn more about preventing and decreasing risk of

cardiovascular disease, as well as all the other Major Killers,

join us in Dr.Anca’s upcoming “Eliminate the 4 Major Killers 

MasterMind Group.