HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Arteriosclerosis means the thickening of the walls of the arteries. It has become a common ailment in modern times, responsible for much of the disability and high death rate, especially among older people. Arteriosclerosis is generally preceded by atherosclerosis, a type of fatty infiltration in the inner linings of the blood vessel walls. The most dangerous places for such degeneration are the coronary vessels of the heart and the arteries of the brain. Arteriosclerosis leads to the loss of elasticity of the blood vessels and a tightening of the smaller arteries that interferes with the free flow of the blood. Arteriosclerosis is the foremost cause of disease and death in America, causing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and troubles with circulation in the limbs. Arteriosclerosis entails a drop in the elasticity of the larger arteries as a result of a variety of causes.

Atherosclerosis is a particular type of arteriosclerosis, involving a thickening of the arteries caused by internal hardening (known as plaques) – and a consequential narrowing of the artery. This is due to certain kinds of blood cells, damaging sort of cholesterol, and some other types of detritus aggregating between the tunica intima, the inner lining of the artery and the soft muscle on the outside.  Basically, there are two kinds of lipoproteins involved in the transportation of cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins are, dense as the name implies, consisted of lipid, protein and some cholesterol – and it helps to mop up cholesterol that low-density lipoproteins deposit on arterial walls. But Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) while horrific, becomes positively vicious as oxygen makes it rust, the consequential product, LDL-causes a form of slow rusting in LDL, which is known to destroy the walls, a condition that white blood cells cannot tackle as they habitually would. Atherosclerosis is connected with the misuse of alcohol or tobacco, diabetes, high blood pressure, comparatively higher cholesterol levels, especially the “bad” low-density cholesterol, the presence of a lot of lipids – in the diet or on the body – or just an awkward genetic inheritance. Arteriosclerosis occurs as a result of oxidative damage to the lining of the arteries, infiltration with fat-filled cells and development of plaques and clots. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, blood sugar disorders,  an excess of ‘bad’ cholesterol or LDL and high homocysteine levels, plus a diet rich in processed carbohydrates and trans fatty acids (i.e. refined oils). Chronic viral or bacterial infection can also cause damage to the arterial wall.

Supplementation with folic acid, B12, and B6, CoQ10, selenium, omega -3 oils and antioxidants would greatly reduce the risk of Arteriosclerosis and heart disease to a portion of its present rate.

Herbal treatment for the thickening of the arteries rests square upon the strong antioxidant power of various plants, hindering the arterial damage that acts as a site for the formation of plaque. They also prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which results to arterial deposits. Certain herbs can eliminate existing arteriosclerosis, giving elasticity back to arteries. Such plants have manifold benefits, like toning the heart, minimizing cholesterol and preventing clumping of blood cell and formation of a clot.

The key herb for the heart is Hawthorn, while an amalgam of several other healing plants will maximize their long-term benefit.

Herbal Remedies

1. One of the most effective herbal remedies for arteriosclerosis is the lemon peel. It is thought to be one of the richest sources of vitamin P. It strengthens the whole arterial system. The shredded lemon peel of lemon could be added to soups and stews or speckled over salads. To prepare a medicine, the peel of one or two lemons should be cut up thinly, covered with warm water and allowed to stand for almost twelve hours. A teaspoon may be used every three hours, or instantly before or after a meal.

2. Parsley is another excellent remedy for arteriosclerosis. It consists of elements which help to maintain the health of blood vessels, principally the capillaries, and arterial system in a strong condition. It may be drunk as a tea: a teaspoon of dry parsley should be allowed to simmer gently in a cupful of water for some minutes. This can be used two to three times in a day.

3. Beet juice, taken each day, has been discovered valuable for treating arteriosclerosis. It is an outstanding solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. The juices of carrots and spinach are also useful if used daily. These juices can be used individually-500 ml, or as a mixture. When taken as a mixture, they should be in the following amount: carrots-300 ml and spinach-200 ml to make 500 ml of juice.

4. Honey is also seen as helpful in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. It is digested and assimilated easily. The patient should drink a glass of water with one teaspoon each of honey and lemon “juice in it, before bedtime. He can also use it if he wakes up at night.

5. Symptoms do not, by and large, manifest themselves until an artery is blocked but then are difficult to miss. These could include some or many of these several symptoms –pain in the chest, neck, shoulder, back or abdomen, shortness of breath, numbness, pain or peripheral infections and high blood pressure, Whenever a freed clot tampers with blood supply to the brain there can be weakness or paralysis of limbs, face or more and dizziness. Statins have been used to combat atherosclerosis, with rosuvastatin truly reducing the mass of plaques. One could also use drugs that reduce clotting to evade clumps of blood cells forming, anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin to reduce blood platelets aggregating up in the affected arteries, and drugs to manage your blood pressure. In bad cases, there may be a need to remove plaque from the vessel through surgery – taking away of fatty material directly, by some other type of direct involvement like angioplasty or a bypass – in which an artificial artery takes blood around the block. Prevention can entail reducing fat and increasing fiber in the diet, exercise, and a minimized consumption of cholesterol-containing food, weight loss, stopping excessive drinking and all sort of smoking and controlling any diabetes that might be there.

6. Garlic is one of the most effective nature’s remedies in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Garlic helps decrease drastically cholesterol levels and push out harmful toxins and other metabolic wastes from your body.  It equally good if you can increase your dietary intake of garlic or take a mixture of garlic, orange juice, and water to help control atherosclerosis. Honey is another excellent remedy for blocked arteries. Drink a blend of one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice each morning to reduce cholesterol levels.

7. Arjuna—Terminalia arjuna

Arjuna is a main Ayurvedic heart tonic that normalizes the heart's rhythm and improves blood flow in coronary arteries. It excellently reduces cholesterol and pos antibacterial. It improves symptoms associated with congestive heart failure and reduces angina pain.

8. Bromelain—Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

A proteolytic enzyme derived from the stem of the pineapple plant eliminates  "stickiness" of blood platelet and subsequent formation of a clot.

It helps to decrease the inflammatory reaction to artery injury or irritation.

9. Cayenne-Capsicum frutescens

Cayenne stimulates the flow of blood and lowers cholesterol that affects arteriosclerosis positively. It reduces the risk of blood clotting and also increases heart output. Cayenne is known to increase capillary resistance and at the same time strengthens blood vessels in the limbs. It equally improves peripheral circulation and takes care of the cold hands and feet.

10. Curcumin-Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

It contains antioxidant power eight times more strong than Vitamin E. It prevents damage to blood vessel walls to hinder the start of arteriosclerosis. 

Turmeric strengthens blood vessels and improves blood flow in arteries.

It significantly reduces cholesterol, serum lipids, and blood clot formation.

11. Ginger-Zingiber officinale

Ginger is a wonderful herb that thins the blood, decreases platelet aggregation and also lowers the cholesterol. It decreases blood pressure and reduces the thickening of the arteries. It is an antioxidant that contains effective proteolytic enzymes which is useful for preventing blood clots.

12. Ginkgo-Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo is a superb herb which increases microcirculation to all parts of the body, heart, limbs, brain. It has blood-thinning action and thus inhibits clot formation and inflammation. As an antioxidant; it strengthens, tones arteries and improves their elasticity.

13. Grape Seed Extract-Vitis vinifera

Grape Seed Extract possesses an antioxidant power 20 times that of vitamin C and 50 times that of vitamin E. It prevents arteriosclerosis and improves circulation in arteries, veins. It helps lowers cholesterol and essentially shrinks existing deposits in arteries.  Similarly, Grape Seed Extract reduces blood cell agglutination, preventing clots, heart attack, and stroke. Proanthocyanidins in the Grape Seed Extract strengthen blood vessel walls and capillaries.

14. Guggul-Commiphora gulgul

This herb prevents arteriosclerosis and reduces already deposited plaque in arteries.  It is a good companion for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides as well as medical drugs. Guggul lowers total cholesterol up to 30% in 3 months and also raising HDL and lowering LDL.

15. Hawthorn-Crataegus oxycantha

Hawthorn has been traditionally used over several centuries to remove arteriosclerotic deposits. It reputed as an essential cardio-tonic that strengthens the heart muscle -myocardium. It prevents cardiovascular disease by dilating the coronary vessels. It enhances blood and oxygen to the heart, coronary arteries and tissues. It is a potent herb which strengthens contraction of the heart muscles and regulates blood pressure.

16.  Shitake-Lentinus edodes

• It is a foremost protective antioxidant that inhibits the formation of arteriosclerotic plaque. Shitake helps prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also lowers cholesterol to about 15%, prevents clots, and regulates blood sugar.

Excerpt From: Spencer Garret. “Alchemy of Herbal Medicine.” iBooks. 2017