They also have powerful anti-inflammatory effects that can help calm chronic inflammation in heart disease like atherosclerosis.
In Europe, hawthorn extracts are commonly used for mild to moderate congestive heart failure, a condition where the heart struggles to pump sufficient oxygenated blood throughout the body.
In a review of studies published in the “Natural Medicine Journal”, hawthorn extracts helped regulate heart rhythm, and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, ankle swelling, and nighttime urination in individuals with Class 2 and 3 congestive heart failure.
Furthermore, these berries also boost exercise tolerance, reduce angina (chest pain), and enhance overall quality of life.
Natural health experts recommend using hawthorn extract standardized to 18.5% oligomeric procyanidins in daily doses of 250 to 500 milligrams.
Before you begin taking any new supplements, it’s important to talk to your doctor to make sure they do not interact adversely with your existing health conditions or medications.
This advice applies to all the supplements we’ll mention in the rest of this article.
Our next botanical remedy is commonly found in your local park. Number 5 is “HIBISCUS”.
Similar to hawthorn, hibiscus is a traditional remedy known for its ability to lower blood pressure and support heart health.
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Research published in the journal “Fitoterapia” has demonstrated that hibiscus extracts can effectively reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, performing as well as popular pharmaceutical drugs like Captopril.
In addition, hibiscus extracts have been found to aid in lowering triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels, which are associated with the development of atherosclerosis.
