What Is Angina?

Angina (angina pectoris) is severe chest pain due to lack of blood (i.e., oxygen) in the heart muscle. The main cause is a coronary artery disease called atherosclerosis, or a clogging of the arteries. Angina typically feels like the chest is being strangled. Severity of symptoms may or may not be associated with fatal heart attacks.

Four types of mainstream prescription drugs are available to treat angina: beta-blockers, nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin), calcium antagonists, and antiplatelet drugs. Herbal medicine also offers solutions for treating angina. Below is a summary of the top herbs and herb ingredients based on scientific research.

Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes from the stems of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Bromelain is widely used as a component of digestive enzyme supplements and as an anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic systemic enzyme for treating arterial blockages.

Study: Experimental dosages of 1000-1400 mg daily led to disappearance of symptoms angina in human patients within 4-90 days, depending on severity of blockage. Symptoms returned when bromelain treatment was discontinued. (Source: Acta Med. Empirica)

Hawthorn (Crataegus species)

Extracts from berries, flowering tops, and leaves are widely used in Europe and Asia for their benefits to heart health. Effects are due to substances called flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).

Study: Crataegus extracts given orally to rats (2 percent of the diet) significantly reduced damage to myocardial cells. (Source: Arzneim. Forsch.)

Study: The main flavonoids from Crataegus led to improved coronary flow, heart rate, left ventricular pressure, and speed of contraction and relaxation in perfused isolated guinea pig hearts. (Source: Arzneim. Forsch.)

Study: Crataegus extract (3.3 percent OPCs) diminished accumulation of lactic acid, thereby improving oxygen utilization, in perfused isolated rat hearts. (Source: Arzneim. Forsch.)

Study: 46 patients were given either a tablet with 100 mg of Crataegus leaves or a placebo. Results were that 46 percent of the Crataegus group showed improved EKG readings within 4 weeks, whereby the control group showed 3 percent improved readings. (Source: J. Tradit. Chin. Med.)

Study: Crataegus leaf extract led to decreased oxygen consumption and improved oxygen utilization and heart function when given to dogs. (Source: J. Tradit. Chin. Med.)

Study: 60 patients with mild stable forms of angina were given either a tablet with Crataegus extract (brand: Crategutt novo) or a placebo 3 times daily. EKG readings under exertion improved significantly in the treated group vs. the control group. (Source: Therapiewoche)

Other Angina Treatment Herbs

Additional research has also shown the beneficial effects for treating angina with the following:

Khella (Ammi visnaga): Commercial supplements are widely available for healthcare professionals. Effects are less than those reported for hawthorn. Active ingredients may have toxic effects at clinical doses.

Astragalus membranaceus (currently correct name: Astragalus propinquus): Widely available in supplement form. Better known as an herb for boosting the immune system. One major Chinese study showed significant benefits in treating heart disease in humans. However, treatment was not with any available oral form.

Terminalia arjuna: Important cardiotonic herb in Ayurvedic medicine. One small clinical study (10 patients) showed significant improvement in several indicators of heart health, including lower frequency of angina.

Dr. Dennis Clark is a retired university professor and research scientist who has studied the biochemistry of plant natural products for more than 35 years. He provides his scientific views on the most important herbs for human health. Get his top recommendations for the best herbs and supplements for daily use in his report, “The Five Pillars of Basic Nutrition.” Download your free copy at http://herbscientist.com.

If you have begun using herbs to achieve an all natural lifestyle for you and your family, you will want to investigate the uses and applications of Chinese tonic herbs and how they can improve your family’s well being. One of the best ways to ingest herbs for maximum potency is by mixing them with water and drinking it as a tonic. This simple solution has helped millions of people achieve the health they deserve, besides giving them more joy for life. The Chinese culture is full of simple herbal tonics that can be used for multiple purposes, from aiding the body in detoxification, as a treatment for eczema or just to help you relax after work.

One example of a Chinese tonic herb is called Rising Moon, commonly known as Four Things.  It is a women’s tonic used for centuries in China. It cleanses and strengthens the blood, balances the hormones, tonifies the reproductive organs and kidneys, and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. 

Shizandra is another one of the great herbal tonics of all time. It has all five flavors in it and is an excellent tonic, noted for increasing and containing sexual juices, for its ability over time to beautify the skin, and for overall rejuvenation of the body. Lychii berries combines with shizandra like peas in a pod. Lychii gives sweetness, helps increases happiness and improves eyesight. Both Shizandra and lychii berries are good for the liver (Shizandra has been reported to detox heavy metals and toxins from the liver).

Chinese tonic herbs are easy to find. If you are lucky enough to have a health food store within a convenient distance from your home, you would be able to find a lot of various tonics available there, besides getting valuable information from the newsletters or pamphlets available for free. You could ask the employees which Chinese tonic herbs are the most popular with their other customers, or what the benefits or uses of each one would be.

If you don’t have a health food store locally, or they have a poor selection of Chinese tonic herbs, you could also try an online search to find companies that would be able to take your order online and mail you the herbal tonics within a few days. Often times, you will find a brief description of each herbal product that will tell you what they are best used for, and the best way to mix them in the tonic. If you have any questions or just like to speak to someone directly when placing an order, look for an 800 number on the company’s website that would allow you to call and place your order.

You may also want to consult with a dietician to get the most benefit from using Cinese tonic herbs. As a dietician, they have studied the effects that herbs have on our bodies, and they are able to quickly guide you to the solution you need.

[tags]chinese herbs, chinese tonic herbs, chinese medicine, herbal treatment, herbal remedy[/tags]