How to Use Herbs If You Have Atrial Fibrillation
Herbs can promote heart health and may be used in a variety of ways to obtain a broad spectrum of benefits. They can be used to slow or stimulate the heart rate, serve as heart and blood vessel tonics, relieve chest pain, and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Let's take a closer look at herbs for atrial fibrillation.
Please note: You should check with your cardiologist before using herbal therapies, as some herbs may interact with cardiac medications.
How to Get Started
- Know you won’t be giving up your prescription medications (not right away anyway). It would be unwise to think herbs are going to substitute for medications. This would be like thinking that just because you have new orthopedic boots you don’t need your wheelchair anymore.
- You’ll have to determine what herbs to take and how much. This is best accomplished by seeing a professional herbalist. It's a good idea to look for a herbalist with the most extensive training; you want an herbalist who has gone through an official herbal school.
- Lastly, you have to take the herbs as recommended by the herbalist. Keep records of how you are feeling each day. You’ll start to see changes very soon.
Some common herbs for atrial fibrillation treatment are as follows:
1. Astragalus
Astragalus is an herb that promotes a regular heart rhythm. Some irregular heart rhythms are caused by a viral infection; Astragalus destroys the coxsackie virus, which is the organism that often infects the heart and causes an irregular rhythm. The herb improves cardiac output and strengthens the heart.
2. Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms have been used medicinally for thousands of years. In ancient China, reishi was highly valued, and reserved for use by emperors. These mushrooms can help your heart beat in a regular pattern.
Reishi improves the cellular metabolism of your heart, which allows your entire heart to function optimally. Science confirms that reishi reduces episodes of palpitations and shortness of breath, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
3. Pseudo-Ginseng
Pseudo-ginseng is also known as sanchi-ginseng or by its scientific name, Panax noto ginseng. It can normalize your heart rhythm and lower your blood pressure.
Pseudo-ginseng relieves fatigue and anxiety levels and can improve circulation throughout your body. Unfortunately, it is relatively expensive and can be hard to find.
Do not use confuse pseudo ginseng with other types of ginseng, as the actions are not the same. Some types of ginseng may worsen atrial fibrillation and other cardiac conditions.
4. Motherwort
Motherwort is one of my favorite herbs for promoting heart health. Its scientific name, Leonurus cardiaca, indicates the herb’s history as a remedy for heart problems.
Motherwort is a superior relaxant. It does not cause drowsiness but may make you feel less tense. It relaxes all of the muscles of the body, including the heart. Motherwort can reduce your pulse rate, as it strengthens your heart. Combine it with the herb valerian if you experience atrial fibrillation or other types of fast heart rhythms due to anxiety.
5. Chicory
Chicory is another valuable weed. The entire plant may be used medicinally; however, the most commonly employed part is the root. The root is used as a coffee substitute when roasted.
Young chicory shoots and leaves may be added to salads and eaten as bitter greens. Chicory has actions similar to the drug digitalis but is much milder in its effects. Chicory slows the pulse rate, as it improves the heart’s ability to contract forcefully.
