Heart Disease: Beneficial Use of Cardiotonics Proved By Alternative Medicine

A review published in 1998 about the cardiovascular effects of four potent traditional plants, show they can be utilized effectively in ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure providing beneficial effects by improving the energy utilization and efficiency of the heart muscle.

The author says in his article that the widespread use of these potent substances can improve the quality of life in individuals with heart disease, and potentially save thousands of lives.

Abstract of paper “Botanical Influences on Cardiovascular Disease, by Alan L. Miller, N.D. (Altern Med Rev 1998; 3(6): 422-431):

“Several botanicals, including Crataegus oxycantha (Hawthorn), Terminalia arjuna, Inula racemosa, and Astragalus membranaceus, have been found to have therapeutic benefit for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Crataegus oxycantha has been used traditionally as a cardiac tonic and current uses include treatment for angina, hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Animal studies have also indicated that Crataegus  extracts may also have potential use as anti-ischemic and lipid-lowering agents.

The bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree has a long history of use as a cardiac tonic as well, and has been indicated in the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, and for relief of angina pain. Additionally, it has been found to have antibacterial and antimutagenic properties.

Inula racemosa, also know as Pushkarmoola, is another traditional Ayurvedic botanical that has potential cardioprotective benefit. In human trials, a combination of Inula racemosa, and Commiphora mukul was shown to be superior to nitroglycerin in reducing the chest pain and dyspnea associated with angina.

Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese herb, is often used as a “Qi tonifier” and has been studied for its therapeutic benefit in treatment of ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and relief of anginal pain. Clinical studies have indicated that its in vitro antioxidant activity is the mechanism by which it affords its cardioprotective benefit.”

*Complete text of the article Botanical Influences on Cardiovascular Disease at http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/3/6/422.html

The results achieved by the Alternative Medicine using Cardiotonic plants in heart disease strengthen the concepts of the Myogenic Theory of the Myocardial Infarction. Dr. Mesquita have used cardiotonic drugs like Digitalis and Ouabain (Strophanthin) in order to preserve the myocardial and symptomatic stability in the stable angina pectoris with or w/out previous infarction, to stop the unstable angina and to provide the transformation of the “infarctioning clinical picture” in avoided myocardial infarction, interrupted myocardial infarction or attenuated infarction, according the behavior of enzymatic peaks.

Articles about the Myogenic Theory at  

http://www.infarctcombat.org/MyogenicTheory.html

[ HEARTNEWS ]