6 Heart-Healthy Herbs
February 5, 2024
While a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is essential for heart health, there are traditional heart-supporting herbs you may want to consider adding to your daily routine.
In this Healthy Insight:
- Herbs for the Heart
- Garlic
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Curcumin
- Green Tea
- Berberine
Herbs for the Heart
Garlic
The classic cardiovascular herb promotes healthy circulation and supports cholesterol levels already in the normal range due to Allicin, the active compound in garlic. Garlic and Allicin also deliver naturally occurring amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and more for overall health.
Cinnamon
You might be familiar with cinnamon for blood sugar, but it’s also been studied for cholesterol, triglycerides, and heart health.
Ginger
used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries for heart health, ginger is chock-full of antioxidants that combat harmful free radicals.
Curcumin
Derived from the root of the turmeric plant, curcumin works in multiple ways. Specifically, it fosters healthy lining in your blood vessels, the source of various heart issues and complications. For this reason, curcumin has earned the name of the “multitargeted” heart supplement.
Green Tea
Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between green tea consumption and cardiovascular health. This is likely due to its polyphenolic compounds called catechins, that offer protection.
Berberine
A yellow-colored compound, Berberine (Berberis aristata) belongs to a class of alkaloids and is found in various plants including goldenseal, tree turmeric, and Oregon grape, among others. Recently berberine has gained attention for supporting both healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which often go hand-in-hand.
For an all-herbal approach to cardiovascular health, talk to your health care provider about what may be right for you.
