Hawthorn Berry Heart Benefits

Hawthorn is a small tree that generally grows up to a height of 9m and has beautiful white flowers and bright red berries. Hawthorn is also popularly known as Whitethorn and Mayflower. There are more than 250 known species of Hawthorn but the one used for various medicinal purposes is a spiny shrub, with origin from the Northern wooded climatic zone of eastern North America and Europe. 



The herb of hawthorn has been historically used in conditions of stones in both human organs – kidney and bladder. In a few European countries, herbs’ berries extract is considered as safer and effective therapy for treating mild to moderate congestive cardiac failure. Health care providers also believe that the berries are helpful in bringing the elevated blood pressure down back to its normal range. Said this, hawthorn is a potent antihypertensive herb.

Family: Rosaceae

Active ingredients: Hawthorn’s usable part berries contain procyanidins, flavonoids and other active components. Particularly, anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (responsible for the reddish and bluish shades of the herb) have been found to have powerful antioxidant properties.

Health Benefits of Hawthorn

The herb of hawthorn is considered to be potent heart tonic. The herb is believed to have direct beneficial effects on the functioning and pumping of the heart. If used in proper dosage, it dilates the blood vessels and hence can be prescribed as potent antihypertensive herb. The herb is labeled as ‘food for the heart’ because of its property of improving the blood flow to the heart through coronary arteries.

Coronary artery disease

Though the herb cannot be considered as a first line therapy for coronary artery disease, it has shown enough evidences in clinical trials and researches about improving overall cardiac health when taken for a long duration. The fruit is stated to have cardio-tonic, coronary vasodilator and hypotensive action. Traditional medicine practitioners prefer the herb to help curing myocardial weakness, arteriosclerosis, Buerger’s disease and paroxysmal tachycardia.

The herb has shown great results on improving oxygen uptake, regulating the heartbeats and improving the pumping efficiency of the heart. Nevertheless, typical cardiovascular indications for the prescription of hawthorn include…

• Palpation of the heart
• Mild angina
• Heartbeat irregularity
• Early signs of heart weakness

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

The berries, leaves and flowers of hawthorn contain a good amount of procyanidins, those are the flavonoid compounds possessing powerful antioxidant properties. This property of the herb improves the blood circulation and lowers the resistance to blood flow in peripheral blood vessels. Particularly, leaves and flowering tops are researched and the scientific documents reveal that they have super concentration of procyanidins and hence can play great role in lowering the elevated blood pressure due to any reason. This action of hawthorn herb is due to its potent action of slowing the heart rate and simultaneously dilating the blood vessels.
The best part of the herb, as scientists believe, is it slows the heart rate in case of heart’s overactive mode and stimulates it in case of underactive state. Said this, it is an ideal herb that regulates the heart rate and checks the normal blood pressure.

Circulatory Problems and Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Since the herb of hawthorn has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular ailments, it has been also prescribed in case of poor blood circulation on peripheral areas of the body. In other words, in conditions like diabetic neuropathy and other neurological disorders wherein the numbness due to poor blood circulation is noticed, herbal extract of hawthorn has shown promising results.
Hawthorn is beneficial in case of intermittent claudication and Raynaud’s phenomenon (poor blood circulation in the hands and feet).

Aloe Vera Helps Reduce Arteriosclerosis

As a person ages, hardening of arteries is among the major and often inevitable consequences. Luckily, these days there are various things, which help to prevent and sometimes cure the hardening of arteries or arteriosclerosis.

How can it (Aloe Vera) Help?

Aloe, Aloeride is good for the circulatory system, as Aloe reduces amount of triglycerides and LDL [The “bad cholesterol”] and increases amount of HDL [The “good cholesterol”].

Many scientific studies have shown that when someone’s diet is supplemented with Aloe, signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease went away. The people involved in the studies never experienced heart problems again.           

These studies also noted that the patients could afford to stop taking pills, which they used to take before the study for blood pressure, chest pain as well as blood sugar control.

A 1985 study conducted prior to the discovery of the effectiveness of Aloe Vera and Aloeride, involved 5,000 people with Angina Pectoris [chest pain resulting from physical exertion] and acknowledged coronary artery disease, which shows a deficit of blood circulation to the muscles of the heart, who started taking Aloe Vera regularly.

What resulted was that the signs of angina pectoris ceased and no lethal heart attacks developed. Also prescription drugs weren’t needed anymore to control symptoms, although they didn’t cure them.

Heart Attack

Arteriosclerosis is a complicated disease and microscopic damage to both large and small arteries alike is involved. Hardened plaque lines the arteries. A plaque build-up occurs in the small arteries and the passageway through the arteries becomes smaller and blood circulation is made difficult.

This deprives the tissues and organs which need the oxygen and the blood, resulting in damage to tissue and organs because of the lack of blood and oxygen. Build up toxic waste like carbon dioxide occurs as these aren’t taken away by the arteries normally.

As there is blockage in the coronary arteries, the free flow of blood stops.When there is physical exertion, the heart muscle requires more oxygen. When a heart muscle requires a larger amount of oxygen and blood isn’t delivered, that heart muscle dies. When this happens, it is known as a heart attack. This may even result in instant death of the person.

Blood clotting

By lowering the stickiness of the platelet, Aloe Vera eases the coronary syndrome just as well as Aspirin and Plavex.

The normal function of the platelet is to stop bleeding in the case of injury of blood vessels [Blood clotting].

When the platelets are more sticky than normal, they will create a clot in those blood vessels which have lots of plaque lining their walls, often resulting in permanent shut off of the flow of blood through that blood vessel or artery.

This clotting can damage the brain tissue by leading to a stroke in people with Arteriosclerosis or diabetes. Diabetes, if present, will accelerate small vessel disease as well as the resultant damage to various tissues and organs.

Aloe Vera possesses the power to reduce the stickiness of platelets and thus lower the inflammation resulting from microvascular injury.

Aloeride thus reduces the accumulation of plaque and has the power to help prevent Arteriosclerosis and sometimes even reverse it.

Health Benefits Of Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are both delicious and nutritious, and are natural source of the cholesterol fighting statins. Oyster mushrooms are high in B complex vitamins and protein. Vitamin B3 in oyster mushrooms is 5-10 times higher as compared to any other vegetable. Oyster mushrooms contain the majority of the mineral salts that are required by the human body. Calcium, phosphorous and iron content in oyster mushrooms is approximately double the amount available in beef, pork and chicken meat, yet oyster mushrooms are fat and cholesterol free. The texture of oyster mushroom is wonderful, velvety and the flavor is mild in nature.

Oyster mushrooms can be a nutritious daily addition to the diets of people in all age groups. Oyster mushrooms can be cooked or eaten raw. Oyster mushrooms taste best when prepared simply. Oyster mushrooms sautéed in butter with a bit onion and garlic make a wonderful side dish, or base for other recipes. Oyster mushrooms can also be used in almost any recipe that calls for mushrooms, and have long been a staple in Asian cooking and stir fries.

Groups that may find oyster mushrooms especially beneficial: 

1. Those who are anemic: oyster mushrooms improve haemopoietic factors.
2. Those who are trying to control hypertension, obesity and diabetes: oyster mushrooms are high potassium yet have a low sodium/potassium ratio, and are also low in starch, fat and caloric value.
3. Those who suffer from hyperacidity and constipation: Oyster mushrooms have beneficial high fiber content and alkaline ash content.
4. Those who wish to lower cholesterol levels: oyster mushroom naturally contain 0.4%-2.7% of lovastatin, commonly used in cholesterol lowering drugs.
5. Those wishing to bolster their immune systems: Oyster mushrooms contain some antibiotic properties and immune boosting properties.

Additional information

Oyster mushrooms contain carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, plus minerals, especially iron and an antioxident.  This mushroom shows activity against cancer and high cholesterol.  It has shown activity in the following areas:  antitumor, immune response, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic.

Coleus Forskohlii For High Blood Pressure and Weight Management

The herb that is used more as condiment than medicinal drug, Coleus is native to India. The leaves and root of this herb is found useful in ailments related to cardiovascular and respiratory system. Nevertheless, latest researches conducted in effort to learn more about the herb reveal its potent muscle relaxant properties in the human body if prescribed in particular doses. The herb is known to lower the blood pressure (anti hypertensive properties as active ingredients in herb show significant dilatation of the blood vessels), relieve the spasms (anti spasmodic action) and boost overall health.

Coleus-forskohlii

Coleus forskohlii is also known as Plectranthus barbatus and Indian Coleus. It is a tropical perennial plant belonging to coleus species. Since the herb produces forskolin, it has attracted scientists and medical experts from all over the world. This plant grows everywhere as an annual and as a perennial in the southern states. I grow this plant myself and  have seeds availible.



Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Plectranthus

As recorded in ancient Ayurvedic (probably the oldest Indian medicinal science) texts, coleus has been prescribed as medical herb for treating heart and lung ailments, stomach and intestines’ problems, insomnia (sleeplessness) and convulsions in some cases. Latest research on the herb shows great action of forskolin, an active ingredient found in Coleus, on human body. It helps in improving a variety of body tissues’ function including regulating the release and secretion of histamine. If taken in proper dosage, Coleus is found to be very helpful in restoring the thyroid gland malfunction, muscles’ tone and fat metabolism.

Benefits of Coleus

Regular intake of Coleus in a proper dose helps in improving the digestion. Since the herb positively approaches the digestive system, it helps in eliminating the fat tissues. Simply put, the herb contains potential ingredients that burn the fats effectively without disturbing other bodily systems. Coleus is also known for its histamine control and hence can be used in various allergic conditions where the histamine secretion is more than required. Said this, the herb can be prescribed in Hay’s fever, malaise, common cough and cold etc.

The herb is reported to be beneficial for human endocrine disruption. Forskolin, the potential substance present in the plant is said to regulate various enzymes and hormones in human body and hence, is used to control and cure thyroid gland malfunctioning, especially when the gland is under functioning (the condition is called hypothyroidism).

Though the herb is prescribed in many ailments, lets go through some of the most frequently seen diseases/conditions wherein Coleus has played a key role:

Obesity

The active chemical found in Coleus herb is forskolin, which in research, observed to initiate the cascade of hormone/enzyme reaction that force the fat cells releasing their energy and then melt down. The specific theory about how Coleus can help in obesity can be interpreted as forskolin boosts the enzyme called adenylate cyclase that as a result increases the level of another enzyme known as cyclic AMP (cAMP), the main component found in fatty tissues and cells. Increased level of cAMP then starts stimulating its next enzyme (sensitive lipase) that ultimately burns the adipose tissues (the fat cells).

High Blood Pressure

It is reported in scientific documents that forskolin helps in dilating the blood vessels and hence improves the forcefulness of the heart to pump the blood smoothly, without any hassles. Blood vessel dilators, undoubtedly, help in relieving the blood pressure and hence, they act as potent natural anti hypertensive drugs. Improved heart function help patients with cardiomyopathy.

Asthma and Lung Spasm

There are lots of researches on the herb Coleus. Some studies also suggest that inhaling the herb’s extract that contain forskolin can decrease the spasm in the lungs and hence, help in tackling breathlessness due to mild to moderate asthmatic attack.

Dosage and Side Effects

Most of the trials and researches used a concentrated extract of forskolin through injections, aerosolized and topical ophthalmic and hence, oral dosage may require professional health care provider’s advice. Also, oral Coleus forskohlii extracts are generally standardized to 10% forskolin, and its recommended dosage ranges from 100-250 mg two times a day.

• There should be a caution using Coleus in a person suffering from any sort of ulcers in the gut as forskolin is found to increase stomach acid levels.
• Caution should also be considered in a patient who has hypotension (low blood pressure) as the herb possesses potent hypotensive action.
• As forskolin effects on platelet aggregation, the herb is used cautiously in patients with bleeding disorders or those who take blood-thinning pills
• Coleus forskohlii extracts is not considered to be safe for pregnant or lactating women.

Astaxanthin The Heart Protector Antioxident

Natural Astaxanthin is a very good tonic for the heart. It has a variety of properties that can help people prevent heart disease and also help people with heart disease to minimize their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Astaxanthin’s antioxidant power and its ability to reduce silent inflammation are two obvious cardiovascular benefits; additionally, there are other potential benefits that have been demonstrated in human clinical trials and/or pre-clinical animal studies.

There is evidence that Natural Astaxanthin can help improve blood lipid profiles by decreasing low density lipoprotein (LDL, bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, and by increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL, good cholesterol). This has been demonstrated in both human and animal trials.

An early study in rats demonstrated that Astaxanthin raised HDL, the good cholesterol (Murillo, E, 1992). A later study tested both Astaxanthin and Vitamin E in rabbits that had high cholesterol. This research found that both supplements, particularly Astaxanthin, improved plaque stability in the arteries. All the rabbits that ingested Astaxanthin were classified as “early plaques,” as compared to the rabbits ingesting Vitamin E and also the control group (Li, et al, 2004). A third animal study was done last year in rats. This study showed that Astaxanthin increased HDL while decreasing both triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids in the blood (Hussein, et al, 2006).

A human clinical trial in Japan found a very promising effect on LDL (bad cholesterol) both in test tubes and in human volunteers. The in-vitro test showed that Astaxanthin dose-dependently prolonged the oxidation lag time of LDL. The test was then repeated in humans at doses as low as 1.8 mg per day and as high as 21.6 mg per day for fourteen days. This study found that all four doses positively affected LDL oxidation lag time—at 1.8 mg per day it was 5% longer; at 3.6 mg it was 26% longer; at 14.4 mg it was 42% longer; and at the highest dose of 21.6 mg, the upward trend stopped and the lag time was only 31% longer. This suggests that the optimum dose for blood lipid profiles is significantly less than 21.6 mg per day. The researchers concluded that consumption of Astaxanthin “inhibits LDL oxidation and possibly therefore contributes to the prevention of atherosclerosis” (Iwamoto, et al, 2000).

An unpublished human clinical trial was done in Eastern Europe on men with high cholesterol. Subjects supplemented with 4 mg of Astaxanthin (as BioAstin®) for thirty days. At the end of the study, subjects taking Astaxanthin showed an average decrease in total cholesterol and of LDL of 17%, and an average decrease of triglycerides of 24%! (Trimeks, 2003).

Another potential benefit for cardiovascular health may be Astaxanthin’s ability to decrease blood pressure. To date, research has been only pre-clinical animal trials in rodents, but the results look promising. A group of Japanese researchers have done three separate experiments on rats with high blood pressure. In the first study, the researchers discovered that supplementation with Astaxanthin for fourteen days resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure for the hypertensive rats, while rats with normal blood pressure levels showed no decrease. They also showed that stroke-prone rats that were fed Astaxanthin for five weeks had a delayed incidence of stroke while also decreasing their blood pressure. In another area researched in this study, mice with poor blood flow to the brain improved their memory when fed Astaxanthin; basically, the treatment mice proved to be smarter after being fed Astaxanthin. The study concluded, “These results indicate that Astaxanthin can exert beneficial effects in protection against hypertension and stroke and in improving memory in vascular dementia.” This study was very broad in its scope and quite ground-breaking (Hussein, et al, 2005a), so the same researcher led another study later the same year.

The second study again examined the effect of Astaxanthin on hypertensive rats, but with an aim of also finding Astaxanthin’s mechanism of action for high blood pressure. They found that Astaxanthin’s mechanism for decreasing high blood pressure may be its modulating effect on nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a causative factor for inflammation. So at the same time Astaxanthin is controlling inflammation through its modulation of nitric oxide, it is also controlling blood pressure. This study went on to examine the hearts of the rats after contractions were induced with a variety of substances. The constrictive effects of these introduced substances were improved by Astaxanthin, demonstrating that it may help reduce the consequences of a heart attack. The conclusion was that Astaxanthin may help with blood fluidity in hypertension, and that it may restore the vascular tone (Hussein, et al, 2005b).

There is one human study that is related to this anti-hypertensive animal research as well as the blood lipid research. This study centered on human volunteers supplementing with 6 mg of Astaxanthin per day for only ten days. At the end of the ten day period, a significant improvement in blood flow was found in the treatment group (Miyawaki, H, 2005).

A very different type of animal study related to cardiac health was done by a different group of Japanese scientists at the Kyoto University of Medicine. The study found that mice that were fed Astaxanthin and then run on a treadmill until exhaustion suffered less heart damage than mice that were similarly exercised without Astaxanthin supplementation. On examination, they found Astaxanthin concentrated in the mice’s hearts. They concluded that Astaxanthin can decrease exercise induced damage in the heart as well as in the skeletal muscle (Aoi, et al, 2003).

At the Medical College of Wisconsin, another animal study with rats showed cardio-protective attributes for Astaxanthin. In this study, Astaxanthin was given to rats prior to heart attacks. It was found that Astaxanthin significantly reduced the area of infarction and the damage caused to the heart by the heart attack (Gross and Lockwood, 2004).

Lastly, let’s briefly talk about a group of researchers from Honolulu, Hawaii that are looking at making a unique, injectable delivery system for Astaxanthin into a patented prescription drug for cardiovascular patients. The group has trademarked the name Cardax® for their product and has done extensive research on it. Three of these studies are of particular interest: In the first, they used rats as the model for their experiment and in the second they used dogs. Both results were very promising: “These results suggest that Cardax has marked cardioprotective properties in both rodents and canines. Thus, Cardax may be a novel and powerful new means to prevent myocardial [inner heart muscle tissue] injury” (Gross and Lockwood, 2003 and 2005).

The third study that was done on Cardax was extremely exciting. It was led by a scientist at the prestigious Harvard Medical School. This study tested Cardax’s effect onthe negative side effects of Vioxx®. Vioxx is a prescription anti-inflammatory that can have a horrible side effect of causing deaths from cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. This study states that the dangerous cardiovascular effects that may be caused by Vioxx are related to its action of increasing the susceptibility of LDL and cellular membrane lipids to oxidation, which contributes to plaque instability and thrombus formation (formation of blood clots in the arteries). This study demonstrates that Vioxx is a pro-oxidant. Now for the amazing part: Astaxanthin, as an antioxidant, completely negated the pro-oxidant effect of Vioxx! The study states, “Remarkably, Astaxanthin was able to completely inhibit the adverse effects of Vioxx on lipid peroxidation…We have now demonstrated a pharmacologic approach to block the pro-oxidant effects of Vioxx using a high lipophilic chain-breaking antioxidant, Astaxanthin”

Reversing Heart Disease With Reishi Mushroom

Heart Disease Is The Number One Killer

Ever wonder what the leading cause of death here in America is? No it’s not homicides nor cancer, but the number one killer here in the United States is Heart Disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and whites. It is now estimated that one in four Americans will die of heart disease. This is a serious disease that affects all age groups and ethnicities. More and more Americans have sub come to this deadly disease. We are in hope; this disease can be treated, reversed and prevented, with this time-tested herb used for more than 3,000 years. Reishi Mushroom, a medicinal mushroom will help prevent and reverse all heart disease. 

Normal and Irregular Artery

(Normal artery and Blocked (plaque filled) artery)
 

First, Heart Disease is made up of many diseases and conditions that affect your heart. Some of these diseases are coronary artery disease, which is a disease that affects your blood vessels. It is also the most common heart disease in our country. The main cause of coronary artery disease is the accumulation of plaque build-up in the arteries that supply oxygenated blood to your heart. These plaques consist of bad cholesterol deposits. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs. But, when you have too much in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This can lead to heart disease and stroke. Another form of heart disease is heart rhythm problems also known as arrhythmias. Heart arrhythmias are irregular or abnormal heartbeats, either too slow or too fast. Another heart condition of many relating to heart disease is infections of the heart. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves or heart’s inner lining. This sort of infection occurs when germs, primarily bacteria, but also fungi and other microbes enter the blood stream and attack either the heart valves or lining of the heart. It’s important to know that this disease can affect men and women and both children and adult. It will be of great value to take the necessary steps not only to educate you of this number one killer, but adapting an improved lifestyle, one that includes a herbal/natural regime. The top herb with great history and use, as well as both clinical and scientific research in treating/preventing heart disease is the Reishi mushroom. Scientific studies show, the Reishi mushroom treatment is effective and improves 81.77% of heart disease patients. The best result where 93.3% in one study.

What is Reishi Mushroom?

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) or Ling Zhi is a medicinal mushroom with long use in ancient China dating back thousands of years. Unlike other herbs and medicinal mushrooms, the health benefits of Reishi are extremely broad. This queen of herbs is known to have miraculous health benefits. Some of its benefits include immune modulating, aids in autoimmune diseases, potent antioxidants, improve cardiovascular system (Heart), anti-cancer, anti-stress, improve memory and concentration, radiation protection, promotes liver cell recovery and many more. As you can see Reishi mushroom has many health benefits, this is why it is considered a superior in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Reishi mushroom is beneficial for the heart health. The main compounds in Reishi mushroom that aid in improving heart health are sterols, polysaccharides (Beta-D-glucans), triterpenes (Ganoderic Acids) and adenosine. As mentioned above the most common heart disease is coronary artery disease, the accumulation of plaque build-up in the blood. This accumulated plaque is bad cholesterol, just to make things clear not all cholesterol is bad. There are two types of cholesterol, good (HDL) and bad (LDL). The cause for bad cholesterol in the body is poor nutrition. Artificial, chemically changed fats such as margarines are a leading CAUSE of heart disease. Numerous clinical studies have shown Reishi mushroom extract to be effective in coronary heart disease. In one study 14 cases out of 15 had LDL levels substantially decreased. These benefits were obtained after 1 week of Reishi extract treatment. The main compound found in Reishi responsible for the improvements is the polysaccharides. The polysaccharides found in Reishi also have also been found to improve the circulation of the myocardium (the innermost muscle of the heart), increase blood flow and lowers oxygen consumption. One clinical study showed Reishi improved heart disease patients in up to 92%. Another important compound found in the Reishi mushrooms are triterpenes. Triterpenes are responsible for blood pressure and blood lipid improvements (cholesterol). Patients (taking Reishi extract) from another clinical trial showed significant decrease in total cholesterol. Their HDLs or good cholesterol did not change, but their LDLs or bad unwanted cholesterol was decreased, which is the proper way to lose cholesterol. Triterpenes also have an adaptogenic effect, helping the body to adapt to large range of environmental, biological, and sociological stress (protection from excess stressors). A final major component of Reishi for heart health is adenosine. Adenosine, a nucleotide and derivative of RNA, is connected with inhibiting platelet aggregation and regulating energy. Alleviating bad blood, dislodging blockage (blood clots) in the body. Reishi has a harmonizing effect on the body, immune system as well as the circulatory system.

It’s clear, that this time tested medicinal mushroom has very positive effects on body, especially the heart. Clinical studies have shown that Reishi has the ability to alleviate many of these issues. We read often how as Americans we need to reduce our cholesterol and blood-fat levels. Not only has Reishi extract been shown to do this, it also balances the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. Clinical studies and trials have shown Reishi to help over 80% of people with heart problems. Every negative issue relating to the heart along with the use of Reishi was lowered/reversed/alleviated in as little as 10 days. Reishi mushroom extract is the key for heart health and vitality.