Two of the leading causes of death in the Philippines are diseases of the heart and diseases of the vascular system. Collectively, we call these ailments cardiovascular diseases.
When you have cardiovascular disease, chances are, you’ll need medicines. You might need to take the medicines temporarily until your condition resolves or long-term for better management.
Despite available prescriptions medications, some people still want to know what herbal alternatives are available to help their heart. Here are some gamot sa sakit sa puso na herbal you should know about:
1. Garlic
Do you have hypertension? If so, you probably already heard about the wonders of garlic for blood pressure.
Many investigations concluded that garlic supplements “induce significant reduction in mean arterial pressure, drop in either systolic BP or diastolic BP with different extent.” And besides its hypotensive properties, garlic also has anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic (cholesterol-lowering) properties [2].
Experts say that the compound most responsible for garlic’s beneficial effects is allicin. Note that chewing fresh garlic directly releases allicin. Dried garlic doesn’t have allicin, but it has allinin that can be converted to allicin.
2. Serpentina
Sepentina or Indian Snakeroot may not be a household plant, but oral preparation of this herb is already widely available in the country. Interestingly, you can also consider it as gamot sa sakit sa puso na herbal supplement.
Reports say 200 to 300 mg of the powdered serpentine root contains about 0.5 mg of reserpine, a compound that can lower blood pressure by reducing cardiac output, heart rate, and peripheral vascular resistance. However, note that in many cases, 0.25 mg of reserpine is enough. [3] Never take any herbal or supplement to treat ailments without the prescription of your doctor.
3. Hawthorn
Some parts of the country have hawthorn plants, however, like serpentina, it’s more accessible in supplements form.
Reports say hawthorn or Crataegus can be an important tonic for the cardiovascular system, particularly for angina or chest pain. Furthermore, it might even prevent the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. [3]
4. Cinnamon
It might surprise you, but cinnamon is also on our list of gamot sa sakit sa puso na herbal.
A “review of 10 studies found that “small daily doses of cinnamon” reduced the level of triglyceride, bad cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Moreover, it lowered blood sugar, which could help in diabetes, a condition that increases one’s risk of heart disease and stroke. [4]
Cinnamon is easy to incorporate into your diet, too. You can sprinkle it over oatmeal, fruit smoothies, or even some chicken dishes.
5. Turmeric
If you want to protect your heart from future or further damages, you might want to add more turmeric to your diet.
Curcumin, the active substance in turmeric, has been found to prevent blood clots, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol. Additionally, curcumin can protect your blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart failure. [4]
Besides adding turmeric to your food, you can also consider brewing turmeric for tea. There are also turmeric supplements available in the market.
Gamot sa Sakit sa Puso na Herbal: Reminders
Many herbs with the potential to improve heart health are safe when taken in food amounts. Case in point: adding garlic and turmeric in your meals is generally safe; sprinkling cinnamon to your desserts or oatmeal is most likely harmless.
However, many herbal medicines are not tested for side effects. Furthermore, some herbs might interact with your existing heart medications. For instance, one report said garlic and hawthorn have a “high risk of interaction with cardiovascular medications.” [5]
If you plan to actively use herbs to help treat your cardiovascular condition, it’s best to consult your doctor first. That way, you can know if the herbs will lead to side effects or interact with your current medicine.
Learn more about Heart Diseases here.
[embed-health-tool-heart-rate]
