Role Of Herbal Medicines In The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disorders—Part 2

According to herbal practitioners, proper heart function also depends on the health and harmonious workings of other organs like the kidneys and liver aside diet and lifestyle changes. Herbal medicines play a role in the management of Atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels from plaque deposits) by reducing plaque or fat build- up in arteries and by removal of existing plaques.

Atherosclerosis if left untreated may lead to high blood pressure (as blood is forced through narrowed vessels) and eventually strokes from raptured vessels in the brain.Prescription of herbs, herbal material, herbal preparation or finished herbal product in this case depends on the diagnosis of individuals and the pattern of symptom. Cholesterol and blood pressure lowering herbs such as garlic, ginger, onion, Ginkgo biloba, alfafa leaves, among othersare mostly suitable for treatment of Atherosclerosis and its associated symptoms.

Heart attack or myocardial infarction is another cardiovascular disorder that comes about when the coronary artery ( vessel that supplies heart muscle with oxygen rich blood) fails to deliver blood to the heart muscles or myocardium. The reduced blood flow through the coronary artery results from the breakage of fat or plaques build up along the artery causing blood to clot( to seal the breakage). The formation of clot narrows the coronary artery, reducing blood flow . A condition called Ischemia results when little blood is delivered to the heart muscle from narrowed artery.

However a heart attack results if a blood clot suddenly cuts off all or most blood delivered to the heart leading to permanent destruction of portions of heart muscle deprived of oxygen(present in supplied blood) and death of heart muscles if no interventions are made. Herbal remedies useful in the prevention and healing after an attack include: mistletoe plant, green tea, alfafa leaves, ginger, hawthorn berries, passion flower among others. They work by restoring blood supply to heart muscles and I must say these plants, others and their combinations should only be used by professionals like Medical Herbalists (MH) or licensed andexperiencedherbalists. Again heart attack is a medical emergency and should be handled by experts ( medical doctors) before resulting to herbal remedies to effect total or complete healing.

In severe cases of coronary artery disease, chest pain called Angina pectoris results. This pain normally comes up when blood demands increases due to vigorous activities like exercise and is relieved by rest and medication. Herbal medications employed here are same as those used in heart attacks. Lastly Congestive Heart failure is another type of cardiovascular disorder which is as a result of prolonged raised blood pressure, heart attack and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Here the heart muscles lack the strength or force to pump blood well enough through the body and back to the heart again. Blood then backs up into the legs and the lungs , causing fluid buildup. The body at this point is said to be congested.

BENTIL EMMANUEL ASARE
STUDENT, HERBAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KNUST.
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