Herbmountain
Inactive
ARJUNA (Terminalia Arjuna)
(These are the notes from a sale presentation I gave on the Ayurvedic Herb Arjuna, at a sales meeting at Threshold Company in Scotts Valley. I think Arjuna is one of the most valuable herbs for the heart, and I am very proud to introduce it in Planetary Formulas, to the public of the Western world. A summary of its most noteworthy cardiovascular virtues is that it strengthens the heart muscle, increasing the circulation of blood circulation and important nutrients to the heart. Eschemia, a condition of deficient heart blood is a major cause of angina and ultimately leading to heart failure. In TCM terms, this formula increase both heart qi and blood. It also lowers cholesterol and enhances the good HDL cholesterol. You can purchase this formula at your local health food store, or from our online Planetary Herb Formulas Store.
Michael )
ARJUNA CARDIO COMFORT
Michael Tierra L.Ac. AHG
ARJUNA (Terminalia Arjuna)
Part Used: the bark of a deciduous tree of originating from the lower Himalayas but found growing throughout India.
Traditional use: The Ayurvedic sage Vagbhatta (342 BC) was the first to describe Arjuna as a tonic. Used in India as a cardiotonic for over 1500 years. It is indicated for derangement of all three humours, vata, pitta and kapha.
---- and specifically for all conditions associated with cardiac failure including irregular heart beat, palpitations, mitral valve prolapse, coronary artery disease, hypertension and congestive heart failure.
----- It has a stimulant effect on the heart so is particularly useful for a weak heart. However, because it treats derangement of all three humours, it also strengthens the heart muscle – unlike digitalis or nitroglycerine that only strengthens and restores heart beat with no nutritive effect on the heart muscle itself.
The bark is useful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective agent in hypertension and in ischemic heart disease. It also has a tonic effect in cases of cirrhosis of the liver. It induces a drug-dependent decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. It has been reported to possess protective cardiovascular and hypolipidemic properties. It reduces the level of triglycerides and cholesterol and has been reported to enhance the synthesis of LDL-apoprotein (apoB). It inhibits the oxidation of LDL and accelerates the turnover of LDL-cholesterol in liver. This enhances the elimination of cholesterol from the body. The suppression of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis by Terminalia arjuna is the mechanism responsible for a significant lowering of beta-lipoprotein lipids and the recovery of HDL components in hyperlipidemia.
In a study on the efficacy of the bark powder in treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF), over 40% of the cases showed marked improvement. CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valvular disease was also brought under control. 4 out of 9 cases of CCF due to chronic bronchitis were also relieved by the treatment. Arjuna relieved symptomatic complaints of essential hypertension viz. giddiness, insomnia, lassitude, headache and the inability to concentrate. Oral administration of an aqueous suspension of the bark powder reduces coagulation, bleeding and prothrombin time.
Terminalia's active constituents include tannins, triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, OPSs, phytosterols, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper. 1 Several studies have elucidated Terminalia's effects on various cardiac disorders including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. A study on its effects on stable and unstable angina patients found it effective for those with stable angina episodes and significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. 2
In a double-blind crossover study, twelve subjects with refractory chronic congestive heart failure (idiopathic dialated cardiomyopathy (n=10): previous myocardial infarction (n=1), or peripartum cardiomyopathy (n=1), received Terminalia arjuna , at a dose of 500 mg every eight hours, or placebo for two weeks, each treatment protocol separated by a two-week washout period, as an adjuvant to conventional therapy. Terminalia, compared to placebo, was associated with improvement in symptoms and signs of heart failure, decrease in echo-left ventricular and diastolic and end systolic volume indices, increase in left ventricular stroke volume index, and increase in left ventricular ejection fractions. A study with similar dosing on primarily post-myocardial infarction angina patients found improvements in cardiac function. Prolonged use resulted in no adverse side effects or signs of renal, hepatic, or hematological abnormalities. 3
Terminalia arjuna possesses antimutagenic ability.
In addition to its benefits for the heart, arjuna has also shown antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects.
Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide mononitrate
Terminalia arjuna, an Indian medicinal plant, has been reported to have beneficial effects in patients with ischemic heart disease in a number of small, open studies. The bark extract (IPC-53) contains acids (arjunic acid, terminic acid), glicosides (arjunetin arjunosides I-IV), strong antioxidants (flavones, tannins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins), minerals, etc., and exhibits antifailure and anti-ischemic properties.
Fifty-eight males with chronic stable angina (NYHA class II-III) with evidence of provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise test received Terminalia arjuna (500 mg 8 hourly), isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg/daily), or a matching placebo for one week each, separated by a wash-out period of a t least three days in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. They underwent clinical, biochemical and treadmill exercise evaluation at the end of each therapy which were compared during the three therapy periods.
Terminalia arjuna therapy was associated with significant decrease in the frequency of angina and need for isosorbide dinitrate (5.69+/-6.91 mg/week v. 18.22+/-9.29 mg/week during placebo therapy, p<0.005). The treadmill exercise test parameters improved significantly during therapy with Terminalia arjuna compared to those with placebo.
Terminalia arjuna bark extract, 500 mg 8 hourly, given to patients with stable angina with provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise, led to improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo therapy. These benefits were similar to those observed with isosorbide mononitrate (40mg/day) therapy and the extract was well tolerated. 5
ARJUNA CARDIO COMFORT
It contains five of the most important herbs for the cardiovascular system from the three greatest herbal traditions. Hawthorn extract from the Western herbal tradition. Tienchi ginseng and Salvia extract from the Chinese herbal traditions and guggul and arjuna extracts from the Ayurvedic traditions.
Four tablets provides:
200 mg of Terminalia arjuna extract
600 mg of Hawthorne extract
300 mg of salvia miltiorrhiza extract
400 mg of tienchi ginseng root
340 mg of guggul extract (supplying 8.5 mg of guggulsterones)
It is useful for both preventing and treating all cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease.
The recommended dose is two tablets twice a day.
Arjuna is a relatively new herb in trade in the west and represents another important innovation offered by Planetary Formulas to the Western supplement industry. I have been attracted to this herb specifically because of my experience and the experience of other Ayurvedic herbalists who have used it to stop, relatively immediately, the symptoms of chest pain known as angina pectoris. We have also seen it relieve symptoms of tachycardia and palpitations in some patients who may be characterized as having a weak heart. One of the reasons it is so valuable as an herb is because, like hawthorn it has a benefit for a wide variety of heart problems with no contraindications. It doesn’t work by forcing the heart to do anything but by providing positive functional support for all of its normal processes. This is why it is the most important herb for cardiovascular disease and why it will be of great value in Western herbal markets.
Hawthorn or Crataegus oxycantha (which is one of some 100 to 200 subspecies of trees native to temperate zones ofEurope, Asia and North America) is the most famous and heavily researched cardiovascular herb. Like Arjuna, hawthorn is particularly rich in antioxidant flavonoids. Flavonoids are the most powerful health bestowing constituent of tonic herbs. They are the qi or energy of a plant and are responsible for the rainbow of colors found in fruits, vegetables, soy and herbs. They work with their cousins, carotenes as antioxidants to protect the plant from free radicals. The major difference between the two is that carotenes (the precursor of vitamin A) is soluble in oil while flavonoids are soluble in water. The French who consume at least four times more butter and lard than we do have a much lower incidence of death from coronary artery disease. The best rationale is their regular consumption of flavonoids-rich red wine. Of course dark grape juice is probably better overall, especially for the liver. Flavonoids are also important in both green and black tea and have been shown to have antipathogenic and anticancer properties. Finally the isoflavonoids found in soy are powerful in reducing cholesterol.
Hawthorn contains flavonoids, procyanidins, and other active compounds. It acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood supply to the heart and improving circulation to the extremities by decreasing arterial resistance. It also has positive inotropic and beta-blocking effects, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Salvia miltorrhiza also known in Traditional Chinese medicine as "dan shen," is a member of the sage family. It is characterized by its shiny brick red colored root earning its common name as ‘red sage root.’ Salvia is one of the most esteemed of all Chinese herbs especially beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It has the ability to dynamically promote circulation while inducing a feeling of inner calm. It is specific for relieving pain and is used in all cardiovascular Chinese formulas for lowering cholesterol and almost instantly relieving angina. It is also used for any pain associated with impaired blood circulation including menstrual pain.
Tienchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng or P. pseudoginseng) is the most popular herb in China because is highly valuable of the two most common deadly diseases, the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease and to prevent or inhibit cancer metastasis. Tienchi ginseng is widely esteemed as trauma medicine for relieving hemorrhages of all kinds. Like ginseng it is one of the most experiential tonics for both blood and energy. It contains about 12% saponins. Saponins are known to have the ability to bind with cholesterol so that it is more efficiently eliminated from the body. They also serve as both detoxifying agents for relieving arthritis and circulatory problems and as tonics serving as hormone precursors. When subjected to water hydrolysis, tienchi ginseng produces two saponins, panaxadiol and panaxatriol that are the genins of arasaponins. These have been shown to dilate coronary vessels, reduce vascular resistant and improve coronary circulation. Thus like the other herbs in Arjuna Cardio Comfort tienchi ginseng increases blood flow while reducing blood pressure and also reduces the heart metabolic rate and oxygen consumption.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
This is derived from the resin of a species closely related to myrrh. It is considered the most important circulatory tonic in Ayurvedic medicine and used for a wide range of conditions associated with body stiffness, poor circulation, low thyroid, high cholesterol and pain. A number of studies have substantiated the cholesterol lowering properties of guggul and its ability to raise metabolism by activating sluggish thyroid function. Again like the other herbs in Arjuna Cardio Comfort, guggul has anti-inflammatory properties and the most recent information is that the major cause of coronary disease is heart inflammation.
Guggul has also demonstrated the ability to prevent and repair the damage to the heart from free radicals. The primary action of guggul is to lower cholesterol by stimulating the liver’s ability to lower LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Facts about the human heart:
It is about 5 inches in length and three and a half inches in breadth at the broadest part, two inches in thickness. It weighs about 12 ounces, in women about 8 to 10. As we age, the heart increases in length, breadth and thickness. It beats on average 72 times a minute, 104,000 times a day, 38,000,000 times a year. At every stroke approximately 5 cu.in. of blood is forced into the body or 500,000 cu. In a day. This is equivalent to raising one tone to a height of 41 feet every 24 hours
The heart is primarily composed of muscle. There are 4 chambers, two upper and two lower, separated by one-way valves. On the right side the upper chamber, the Right Atrium, receives "used", or de-oxygenated, blood from the body through the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). The blood partially runs and partially is pushed into the Right Ventricle through the Tricuspid Valve (TV) during diastole, between contractions. Then, when the heart contracts in systole, the Tricuspid Valve, a one-way valve tethered to the floor of the Right Ventricle, closes and the Pulmonic Valve (PV) is pushed open. The blood is pumped through the Pulmonic Valve and into the Pulmonary Artery, toward the lungs, to be re-oxygenated.
When the blood has been reoxygenated it is returned to the Left Atrium through the Pulmonary Veins, where it flows into the Left Ventricle through the Mitral Valve during diastole. When the heart contracts in systole the Mitral Valve, tethered to the floor of the Left Ventricle, closes, and the blood is pushed through the opened Aortic Valve (a small portion of which is seen just to the left of the Mitral Valve) into the Aorta, then on to the body. At the end of the contraction the Aortic Valve closes.
Some Basic Terms:
Systolic pressure: has to do with the basic contractile strength of the heart muscle to push blood through the vascular system.
Diastolic pressure: the normal period in the heart cycle where the muscle fibers expand and lengthen causing the blood to flow back into the heart.
Ischemia: lack of blood to the heart
Veins represent those vessels that carry dark, unaerated blood back to the heart.
Aortas are those vessels that carry aerated blood into the body.
Atrium of the heart: upper chambers of each half of the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood (dark red) from the body; the left atrium receive oxygenated blood from the lungs the pulmonary veins.
Left ventricle of the heart: the chamber that receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it out into general circulation through the aortic valve.
Right ventricle of the heart: the part that receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
Heart Valves: the orifices between each atrium and ventricle. The mitral valve for instance controls the left ventricle aorta which receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium connected to the lungs and pumps it into the left ventricle
Coronary Artery Disease
Although the precise pathogenesis of CAD is unclear, the risk factors are well known: high blood levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein a, low blood levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum vitamin E, and poor physical fitness. High blood levels of triglycerides and insulin reflecting insulin resistance may be risk factors, but the data are less clear. CAD risk is increased by tobacco use; diets high in fat and calories and low in phytochemicals (found in fruits and vegetables), fiber, and vitamin E and C or, at least in some persons, diets with relatively low levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); poor stress management; and inactivity. Several systemic diseases (eg, hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism) are also associated with increased CAD risk.
Recent studies have shown an association between CAD and a common variant of the platelet fibrinogen receptor (PlA2), found in 20% of Americans. The presence of this variant may be as strong a predictor of CAD as cigarette smoking and hypertension. Whether giving antiplatelet therapy to persons with this variant can prevent CAD remains to be established.
Homocysteine has recently been identified as a risk factor for coronary, peripheral, and cerebral vascular disease. Patients with homocystinuria, a rare recessive disease, have plasma homocysteine levels 10 to 20 times above normal (hyperhomocysteinemia) and accelerated, premature vascular disease. Homocysteine has a direct toxic effect on endothelium and promotes thrombosis and oxidation of LDL. Normal values range from about 4 to 17 µmol/L. Modest elevations of total plasma homocysteine have multiple causes, including low levels of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, renal insufficiency, certain drugs, and genetically controlled variations in homocysteine metabolic enzymes. Patients with homocysteine values in the top 5% have a 3.4 greater risk of MI or cardiac death than those in the lower 90% after adjustment for other risk factors. Increased homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk regardless of etiology. Recent studies suggest a graded risk even in normal-range homocysteine; thus, reduction of normal plasma levels may be advantageous. The most simple and effective way to reduce plasma homocysteine is administration of folic acid 1 to 2 mg/day, which has essentially no side effects except in untreated vitamin B12 deficiency. Many authorities recommend that patients with CAD be screened for plasma homocysteine levels and, unless the values are in the lower normal range, treatment be initiated with folic acid. (See also Hyperhomocysteinemia in Ch. 132.)
Preventing and Treating coronary artery disease is the best approach to preventing other heart complications. This is where dietary, nutritional and herbal approaches play a major role.
Angina pectoris
A clinical syndrome due to myocardial ischemia characterized by precordial (chest) discomfort or pressure, typically precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest or sublingual nitroglycerin.
Hypertension
Arterial hypertension: Elevation of systolic and/or diastolic BP, either primary or secondary.
Primary hypertension is directly involved with heart function. It can be hereditary or
acquired.
Secondary hypertension is involved with kidney malfunction where there is essentially too much fluid buildup that puts an added strain on the heart.
Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure (congestive heart failure): Symptomatic myocardial dysfunction resulting in a characteristic pattern of hemodynamic, renal, and neurohormonal responses. Because there can be many causes, this condition is not so easily defined.
For further information about Michael Tierra's East West School of Herbology please visit our website: www.planetherbs.com
(These are the notes from a sale presentation I gave on the Ayurvedic Herb Arjuna, at a sales meeting at Threshold Company in Scotts Valley. I think Arjuna is one of the most valuable herbs for the heart, and I am very proud to introduce it in Planetary Formulas, to the public of the Western world. A summary of its most noteworthy cardiovascular virtues is that it strengthens the heart muscle, increasing the circulation of blood circulation and important nutrients to the heart. Eschemia, a condition of deficient heart blood is a major cause of angina and ultimately leading to heart failure. In TCM terms, this formula increase both heart qi and blood. It also lowers cholesterol and enhances the good HDL cholesterol. You can purchase this formula at your local health food store, or from our online Planetary Herb Formulas Store.
Michael )
ARJUNA CARDIO COMFORT
Michael Tierra L.Ac. AHG
ARJUNA (Terminalia Arjuna)
Part Used: the bark of a deciduous tree of originating from the lower Himalayas but found growing throughout India.
Traditional use: The Ayurvedic sage Vagbhatta (342 BC) was the first to describe Arjuna as a tonic. Used in India as a cardiotonic for over 1500 years. It is indicated for derangement of all three humours, vata, pitta and kapha.
---- and specifically for all conditions associated with cardiac failure including irregular heart beat, palpitations, mitral valve prolapse, coronary artery disease, hypertension and congestive heart failure.
----- It has a stimulant effect on the heart so is particularly useful for a weak heart. However, because it treats derangement of all three humours, it also strengthens the heart muscle – unlike digitalis or nitroglycerine that only strengthens and restores heart beat with no nutritive effect on the heart muscle itself.
The bark is useful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective agent in hypertension and in ischemic heart disease. It also has a tonic effect in cases of cirrhosis of the liver. It induces a drug-dependent decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. It has been reported to possess protective cardiovascular and hypolipidemic properties. It reduces the level of triglycerides and cholesterol and has been reported to enhance the synthesis of LDL-apoprotein (apoB). It inhibits the oxidation of LDL and accelerates the turnover of LDL-cholesterol in liver. This enhances the elimination of cholesterol from the body. The suppression of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis by Terminalia arjuna is the mechanism responsible for a significant lowering of beta-lipoprotein lipids and the recovery of HDL components in hyperlipidemia.
In a study on the efficacy of the bark powder in treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF), over 40% of the cases showed marked improvement. CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valvular disease was also brought under control. 4 out of 9 cases of CCF due to chronic bronchitis were also relieved by the treatment. Arjuna relieved symptomatic complaints of essential hypertension viz. giddiness, insomnia, lassitude, headache and the inability to concentrate. Oral administration of an aqueous suspension of the bark powder reduces coagulation, bleeding and prothrombin time.
Terminalia's active constituents include tannins, triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, OPSs, phytosterols, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper. 1 Several studies have elucidated Terminalia's effects on various cardiac disorders including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. A study on its effects on stable and unstable angina patients found it effective for those with stable angina episodes and significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. 2
In a double-blind crossover study, twelve subjects with refractory chronic congestive heart failure (idiopathic dialated cardiomyopathy (n=10): previous myocardial infarction (n=1), or peripartum cardiomyopathy (n=1), received Terminalia arjuna , at a dose of 500 mg every eight hours, or placebo for two weeks, each treatment protocol separated by a two-week washout period, as an adjuvant to conventional therapy. Terminalia, compared to placebo, was associated with improvement in symptoms and signs of heart failure, decrease in echo-left ventricular and diastolic and end systolic volume indices, increase in left ventricular stroke volume index, and increase in left ventricular ejection fractions. A study with similar dosing on primarily post-myocardial infarction angina patients found improvements in cardiac function. Prolonged use resulted in no adverse side effects or signs of renal, hepatic, or hematological abnormalities. 3
Terminalia arjuna possesses antimutagenic ability.
In addition to its benefits for the heart, arjuna has also shown antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects.
Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide mononitrate
Terminalia arjuna, an Indian medicinal plant, has been reported to have beneficial effects in patients with ischemic heart disease in a number of small, open studies. The bark extract (IPC-53) contains acids (arjunic acid, terminic acid), glicosides (arjunetin arjunosides I-IV), strong antioxidants (flavones, tannins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins), minerals, etc., and exhibits antifailure and anti-ischemic properties.
Fifty-eight males with chronic stable angina (NYHA class II-III) with evidence of provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise test received Terminalia arjuna (500 mg 8 hourly), isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg/daily), or a matching placebo for one week each, separated by a wash-out period of a t least three days in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. They underwent clinical, biochemical and treadmill exercise evaluation at the end of each therapy which were compared during the three therapy periods.
Terminalia arjuna therapy was associated with significant decrease in the frequency of angina and need for isosorbide dinitrate (5.69+/-6.91 mg/week v. 18.22+/-9.29 mg/week during placebo therapy, p<0.005). The treadmill exercise test parameters improved significantly during therapy with Terminalia arjuna compared to those with placebo.
Terminalia arjuna bark extract, 500 mg 8 hourly, given to patients with stable angina with provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise, led to improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo therapy. These benefits were similar to those observed with isosorbide mononitrate (40mg/day) therapy and the extract was well tolerated. 5
ARJUNA CARDIO COMFORT
It contains five of the most important herbs for the cardiovascular system from the three greatest herbal traditions. Hawthorn extract from the Western herbal tradition. Tienchi ginseng and Salvia extract from the Chinese herbal traditions and guggul and arjuna extracts from the Ayurvedic traditions.
Four tablets provides:
200 mg of Terminalia arjuna extract
600 mg of Hawthorne extract
300 mg of salvia miltiorrhiza extract
400 mg of tienchi ginseng root
340 mg of guggul extract (supplying 8.5 mg of guggulsterones)
It is useful for both preventing and treating all cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease.
The recommended dose is two tablets twice a day.
Arjuna is a relatively new herb in trade in the west and represents another important innovation offered by Planetary Formulas to the Western supplement industry. I have been attracted to this herb specifically because of my experience and the experience of other Ayurvedic herbalists who have used it to stop, relatively immediately, the symptoms of chest pain known as angina pectoris. We have also seen it relieve symptoms of tachycardia and palpitations in some patients who may be characterized as having a weak heart. One of the reasons it is so valuable as an herb is because, like hawthorn it has a benefit for a wide variety of heart problems with no contraindications. It doesn’t work by forcing the heart to do anything but by providing positive functional support for all of its normal processes. This is why it is the most important herb for cardiovascular disease and why it will be of great value in Western herbal markets.
Hawthorn or Crataegus oxycantha (which is one of some 100 to 200 subspecies of trees native to temperate zones ofEurope, Asia and North America) is the most famous and heavily researched cardiovascular herb. Like Arjuna, hawthorn is particularly rich in antioxidant flavonoids. Flavonoids are the most powerful health bestowing constituent of tonic herbs. They are the qi or energy of a plant and are responsible for the rainbow of colors found in fruits, vegetables, soy and herbs. They work with their cousins, carotenes as antioxidants to protect the plant from free radicals. The major difference between the two is that carotenes (the precursor of vitamin A) is soluble in oil while flavonoids are soluble in water. The French who consume at least four times more butter and lard than we do have a much lower incidence of death from coronary artery disease. The best rationale is their regular consumption of flavonoids-rich red wine. Of course dark grape juice is probably better overall, especially for the liver. Flavonoids are also important in both green and black tea and have been shown to have antipathogenic and anticancer properties. Finally the isoflavonoids found in soy are powerful in reducing cholesterol.
Hawthorn contains flavonoids, procyanidins, and other active compounds. It acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood supply to the heart and improving circulation to the extremities by decreasing arterial resistance. It also has positive inotropic and beta-blocking effects, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Salvia miltorrhiza also known in Traditional Chinese medicine as "dan shen," is a member of the sage family. It is characterized by its shiny brick red colored root earning its common name as ‘red sage root.’ Salvia is one of the most esteemed of all Chinese herbs especially beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It has the ability to dynamically promote circulation while inducing a feeling of inner calm. It is specific for relieving pain and is used in all cardiovascular Chinese formulas for lowering cholesterol and almost instantly relieving angina. It is also used for any pain associated with impaired blood circulation including menstrual pain.
Tienchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng or P. pseudoginseng) is the most popular herb in China because is highly valuable of the two most common deadly diseases, the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease and to prevent or inhibit cancer metastasis. Tienchi ginseng is widely esteemed as trauma medicine for relieving hemorrhages of all kinds. Like ginseng it is one of the most experiential tonics for both blood and energy. It contains about 12% saponins. Saponins are known to have the ability to bind with cholesterol so that it is more efficiently eliminated from the body. They also serve as both detoxifying agents for relieving arthritis and circulatory problems and as tonics serving as hormone precursors. When subjected to water hydrolysis, tienchi ginseng produces two saponins, panaxadiol and panaxatriol that are the genins of arasaponins. These have been shown to dilate coronary vessels, reduce vascular resistant and improve coronary circulation. Thus like the other herbs in Arjuna Cardio Comfort tienchi ginseng increases blood flow while reducing blood pressure and also reduces the heart metabolic rate and oxygen consumption.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
This is derived from the resin of a species closely related to myrrh. It is considered the most important circulatory tonic in Ayurvedic medicine and used for a wide range of conditions associated with body stiffness, poor circulation, low thyroid, high cholesterol and pain. A number of studies have substantiated the cholesterol lowering properties of guggul and its ability to raise metabolism by activating sluggish thyroid function. Again like the other herbs in Arjuna Cardio Comfort, guggul has anti-inflammatory properties and the most recent information is that the major cause of coronary disease is heart inflammation.
Guggul has also demonstrated the ability to prevent and repair the damage to the heart from free radicals. The primary action of guggul is to lower cholesterol by stimulating the liver’s ability to lower LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Facts about the human heart:
It is about 5 inches in length and three and a half inches in breadth at the broadest part, two inches in thickness. It weighs about 12 ounces, in women about 8 to 10. As we age, the heart increases in length, breadth and thickness. It beats on average 72 times a minute, 104,000 times a day, 38,000,000 times a year. At every stroke approximately 5 cu.in. of blood is forced into the body or 500,000 cu. In a day. This is equivalent to raising one tone to a height of 41 feet every 24 hours
The heart is primarily composed of muscle. There are 4 chambers, two upper and two lower, separated by one-way valves. On the right side the upper chamber, the Right Atrium, receives "used", or de-oxygenated, blood from the body through the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). The blood partially runs and partially is pushed into the Right Ventricle through the Tricuspid Valve (TV) during diastole, between contractions. Then, when the heart contracts in systole, the Tricuspid Valve, a one-way valve tethered to the floor of the Right Ventricle, closes and the Pulmonic Valve (PV) is pushed open. The blood is pumped through the Pulmonic Valve and into the Pulmonary Artery, toward the lungs, to be re-oxygenated.
When the blood has been reoxygenated it is returned to the Left Atrium through the Pulmonary Veins, where it flows into the Left Ventricle through the Mitral Valve during diastole. When the heart contracts in systole the Mitral Valve, tethered to the floor of the Left Ventricle, closes, and the blood is pushed through the opened Aortic Valve (a small portion of which is seen just to the left of the Mitral Valve) into the Aorta, then on to the body. At the end of the contraction the Aortic Valve closes.
Some Basic Terms:
Systolic pressure: has to do with the basic contractile strength of the heart muscle to push blood through the vascular system.
Diastolic pressure: the normal period in the heart cycle where the muscle fibers expand and lengthen causing the blood to flow back into the heart.
Ischemia: lack of blood to the heart
Veins represent those vessels that carry dark, unaerated blood back to the heart.
Aortas are those vessels that carry aerated blood into the body.
Atrium of the heart: upper chambers of each half of the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood (dark red) from the body; the left atrium receive oxygenated blood from the lungs the pulmonary veins.
Left ventricle of the heart: the chamber that receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it out into general circulation through the aortic valve.
Right ventricle of the heart: the part that receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
Heart Valves: the orifices between each atrium and ventricle. The mitral valve for instance controls the left ventricle aorta which receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium connected to the lungs and pumps it into the left ventricle
Coronary Artery Disease
Although the precise pathogenesis of CAD is unclear, the risk factors are well known: high blood levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein a, low blood levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum vitamin E, and poor physical fitness. High blood levels of triglycerides and insulin reflecting insulin resistance may be risk factors, but the data are less clear. CAD risk is increased by tobacco use; diets high in fat and calories and low in phytochemicals (found in fruits and vegetables), fiber, and vitamin E and C or, at least in some persons, diets with relatively low levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); poor stress management; and inactivity. Several systemic diseases (eg, hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism) are also associated with increased CAD risk.
Recent studies have shown an association between CAD and a common variant of the platelet fibrinogen receptor (PlA2), found in 20% of Americans. The presence of this variant may be as strong a predictor of CAD as cigarette smoking and hypertension. Whether giving antiplatelet therapy to persons with this variant can prevent CAD remains to be established.
Homocysteine has recently been identified as a risk factor for coronary, peripheral, and cerebral vascular disease. Patients with homocystinuria, a rare recessive disease, have plasma homocysteine levels 10 to 20 times above normal (hyperhomocysteinemia) and accelerated, premature vascular disease. Homocysteine has a direct toxic effect on endothelium and promotes thrombosis and oxidation of LDL. Normal values range from about 4 to 17 µmol/L. Modest elevations of total plasma homocysteine have multiple causes, including low levels of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, renal insufficiency, certain drugs, and genetically controlled variations in homocysteine metabolic enzymes. Patients with homocysteine values in the top 5% have a 3.4 greater risk of MI or cardiac death than those in the lower 90% after adjustment for other risk factors. Increased homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk regardless of etiology. Recent studies suggest a graded risk even in normal-range homocysteine; thus, reduction of normal plasma levels may be advantageous. The most simple and effective way to reduce plasma homocysteine is administration of folic acid 1 to 2 mg/day, which has essentially no side effects except in untreated vitamin B12 deficiency. Many authorities recommend that patients with CAD be screened for plasma homocysteine levels and, unless the values are in the lower normal range, treatment be initiated with folic acid. (See also Hyperhomocysteinemia in Ch. 132.)
Preventing and Treating coronary artery disease is the best approach to preventing other heart complications. This is where dietary, nutritional and herbal approaches play a major role.
Angina pectoris
A clinical syndrome due to myocardial ischemia characterized by precordial (chest) discomfort or pressure, typically precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest or sublingual nitroglycerin.
Hypertension
Arterial hypertension: Elevation of systolic and/or diastolic BP, either primary or secondary.
Primary hypertension is directly involved with heart function. It can be hereditary or
acquired.
Secondary hypertension is involved with kidney malfunction where there is essentially too much fluid buildup that puts an added strain on the heart.
Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure (congestive heart failure): Symptomatic myocardial dysfunction resulting in a characteristic pattern of hemodynamic, renal, and neurohormonal responses. Because there can be many causes, this condition is not so easily defined.
For further information about Michael Tierra's East West School of Herbology please visit our website: www.planetherbs.com