HEART HEALTH

The true key to a healthy heart is prevention. Of course, herbal supplements can not accomplish their true potential unless they are a part of a comprehensive diet and lifestyle program that supports cardiovascular health. But surely, when it is so combined, it works wonders to keep the bypass away. Ancient herbal medicines like arjuna sal ghan, vekhand ghan, amba sal ghan, shewaga sal ghan, kadi nimb leaf ghan, pimpli ghan and punarrnawa mool ghan work wonders as do these simple home remedies

• Have one clove of garlic every day. If you find this difficult, take some jaggery, or honey along with it. This is known to present "hardening of the arteries" or atherosclerosis, which develops when cholesterol and fat are deposited in the inner walls of the arteries. Regular consumption of garlic decreases serum cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent.

• Have six tulsi leaves with three grains of black pepper every morning.

• If you experience palpitation or perspiration, mix one-fourth teaspoon of ajwain with one teaspoon of jaggery, and have this mixture.

• For instant pain relief, mix half a teaspoon of ginger powder with one teaspoon of ghee, and apply this mixture on the heart.

Other herbs that are beneficial are:-

1. Hawthorn: The pigment found in hawthorn flowers, leaves and berries leads to dilation of blood vessels, strengthening of the heart and lowering blood pressure. It has strong antioxidant properties that assist our body in ridding itself of free radicals.

2. Ginkgo: Causes dilation and increases the blood flow in the arteries, capillaries and veins. In addition, they inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce blood clotting and work through antioxidants to protect our vascular walls from free-radical damage.

3. Cayenne, rosemary, and chamo mile are also linked to decreases in cholesterol and blood pressure and the general maintenance of a health circulatory system.

4. Bilberry: Improves microcirculatory health (the miniscule capillaries in our eyes and several other organs) and aids in the strengthening of vascular walls.