Ginseng
Scientific research ranks Cardiovascular Diseases(CVD) among the leading cause of death on the planet. World Health Organization numbers show, 17.8 million people died of Cardiovascular Diseases in 2017 (Farzadfar, 2019). Unless there are improvements in the treatment options for all the types of CVDs, it will certainly remain to be the leading cause of health loss in both developed and developing countries (Roth et al., 2017). Numerous studies show that different varieties of ginseng roots contain medicinal properties that are essential in managing certain medical conditions including Cardiovascular Diseases. Ginseng is a popular traditional herbal medicine that is endorsed by health experts globally. The popular herbal medicine is believed to contain medicinal properties that can aid in reducing stress levels, boosting energy, management of heart-related diseases among many other health conditions.
WebMD classifies ginseng into two groups; the Panax quinquefolius and the Panax ginseng. In Greek, Panax refers to ‘all-cure’ (Tan & Vanitha, 2004). The term was borrowed based on the traditional belief that the plant could cure virtually all types of diseases. Panax ginseng is deemed the most valuable herbal plant in Asian countries (Lee & Kim, 2014). Researchers opine that the two types of ginseng (Asian and American) pose different medicinal properties and benefits. For instance, in China, Asian ginseng is considered more effective compared to American ginseng. However, both types have been used as the most popular traditional Chinese medicine for the last 5000 years (Mancuso & Santangelo, 2017). Certainly, there is an urgent need for more scientific research on the effectiveness of this popular herbal plant as far as medicinal properties are concerned.
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Clinical research shows that both the American and the Asian Ginseng roots have compounds that have been proven to cure different cardiovascular diseases. Their effects on the circulatory system include; reduction of cholesterol, lowering of blood glucose as well as improvement of blood flow (Luo & Luo, 2009). According to WebMD, the sugar-lowering compounds in Ginseng roots are not uniformly the same in all the plants therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor before trying them. Ginseng roots have a number of health benefits. Both the Asian and the American Ginseng plants have tested positive in improving health conditions such; improved brain function, boosting of the immune system, lowering of blood sugar, improve male sexual dysfunction and reduce stress levels.
Ginseng should be taken just like any other prescribed medicine. Intake of Ginseng without consulting a medical expert may worsen the health condition. The risks and side effects of Ginseng include but not limited to; diarrhea, headaches, increase or decrease heartbeat, insomnia, digestive and sleeping problems, bleeding, dry mouth and blurred vision.
In the traditional setting, Ginseng was believed to cure every type of disease. However, the effectiveness of this popular traditional herb in curing different types of disease seems to follow a different path from concepts of western medicine. Having been used for different traditional medicinal purposes for centuries, the effectiveness of Ginseng in curing diseases should not be disapproved. The high number of deaths reported since the beginning of the 21st century resulting from cardiovascular diseases has contributed to the rise of the consumption of herbal remedies.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is another popular traditional Chinese herb. The plant grows in temperature regions in Asia, Europe, and America. The medicinal properties of hawthorn make it one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world. Virtually every part of this plant (flowers, leaves, and berries) is used for making medicine. The plant is believed to contain compounds that are essentially required in managing cardiovascular diseases. According to Wang, Xiong & Feng (2013), a number of clinical trials and laboratory tests have shown that hawthorn contains compounds that may prevent or and treat cardiovascular diseases. More scientific research is needed to support the evidence and efficacy of this herb in managing cardiovascular diseases.
Hawthorn has several benefits that make it a trusted and respected natural herb on the planet. Clinical trials have shown that hawthorn berries are loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize excess molecules in the body, also known as radicles and that may cause harm to the body. In other words, antioxidants help in reducing excess radicles in the body to the required number. As a result, they also reduce the risk of other types of diseases such the coronary heart disease (Yeung et al., 2013). Additionally, more anticipated health benefits include; decreasing of blood fats, lowering of blood pressure, aiding in digestion, prevent hair loss as well as reducing anxiety.
Clinical research shows that hawthorn may have no significant side effects when using according to prescription. Limited research has been conducted on this traditional herb and therefore, it is highly recommended to seek professional healthcare guidance before trying it. When taken according to the dosage recommended by the doctor, the patient may experience no side effects. Some of the commonly reported side effects associated with hawthorn include but not limited to; headaches, insomnia, nausea, stomach upsets, and sweating. Moreover, hawthorn usage is highly prohibited for pregnant or and breastfeeding mothers and surgery patients. For patients with heart conditions, it is also advisable to avoid mixing the prescribed medication with hawthorn.
Certainly, hawthorn is one of the most popular, trusted herbal medication on the planet. The plant has been associated with numerous health benefits. It is believed to contain crucial compounds that are essential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Supporting evidence shows that the use of hawthorn as a cardiovascular medication dates back to the late 19th century (Wang et al., 2013). More advanced research ought to be conducted to investigate the efficacy of hawthorn in managing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
L-Arginine
All the cells in the human body require an important component called protein. According to the Mayo Clinic, the human hair and nails are made of proteins. The body needs lots of protein to build and maintain damaged tissues. Ideally, the role of proteins in the growth and development of various body parts is indispensable. For the body to make enough protein it requires an amino acid by the name L-Arginine. The Mayo clinic opines that; L-Arginine is a protein building block that is manufactured by the body. This amino acid can also be supplemented by protein-rich foods such as eggs, peanuts, walnuts, red meat, milk, fish, dairy products among others. Studies show that L-Arginine can be used to treat various medical conditions like angina, hypertension and male impotence.
L-Arginine is highly needed for healthy growth and development of muscles. The evidence and efficacy of L-Arginine in treating different medical conditions have been supported and by health experts across the globe. Some of the benefits of taking this amino acid orally include; reducing high blood pressure, controlling blood sugar levels, treating erectile dysfunction among others.
L-Arginine can be taken orally, applied on the skin or inhaled. All these methods are medically proved to be safe. However, it should be taken appropriately. Health experts always advice the public to familiarize with the possible side effects of taking L-Arginine as a supplement. Some of the possible side effects include but not limited to; diarrhea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, deteriorating of asthma and allergies. For patients who have just undergone surgery, L-Arginine is not recommended. Clinical research shows that L-Arginine may interfere with blood pressure. Also for patients who suffer heart attacks, L-Arginine is prohibited. Moreover, too much intake of L-Arginine may worsen health conditions or even increase the risk of death. Therefore, it should only be taken appropriately.
Generally, L-Arginine is an important protein-building block required for the healthy development and repair of damaged body tissues. Additionally, it helps in maintaining the health status of other body organs such as joints, muscles, and skin as well as maintaining the body’s immune system in good shape (Arya, Salve & Chauhan, 2016). The human body converts Arginine into nitric acid thus, acting as a vasodilator for dilating blood vessels (Pahlavani et al., 2014). The human body produces Arginine naturally but it can also be taken as a supplement in protein-rich foods. Appropriate use of the amino acid in supplements is recommended to avoid potential risk and side effects.
St. John’s Wort
St John’s Wort is an herbal therapy used in Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and America. This popular natural herb with star-shaped flowers grows in sunny but well-drained regions. Surprisingly, the herb grows in the wild in the majority of the places in the United States. In most cases, the herb is sold without a prescription. But, the lack of a prescription does not imply that the herb is harmless. Clinical research has associated this popular traditional herb with various adverse events (Hoban, Byard & Musgrave, 2015). The major part of the interest of this traditional plant is the flowers. The beautiful yellow flowers are harvested and squeezed to produce liquid extract which is used to make pills and teas. Research shows that St John’s Wort does not react positively with other medications making it unsuitable for use by the majority. Although the plant is considered for the treatment of depression and other medical conditions, health experts warn that it may affect the cardiovascular system in a negative way.
The expected health benefits of this famous natural herb are its effectiveness in alleviating depression. Some communities use the herb to treat skin wounds and fresh cuts. Clinical evidence shows that this plant is effective in speeding up the healing of wounds and fresh cuts (Nayak, Isik & Marshall, 2017). Extreme care and caution should be observed when considering taking this herbal remedy.
Before taking this herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek medical guidance from a certified healthcare professional. Studies show that this natural herb does interact well with the majority of other prescriptions such as antidepressants and therefore, it is deemed safe to first seek help from a doctor. The side effects of this natural herb include; increased blood pressure, insomnia, diarrhea, increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, stomach discomfort, frequent headaches, low blood sugar level among many more. Certainly, the safest way to take this traditional herbal remedy is by informing the doctor first before taking the herbal remedy.
References
Farzadfar, F. (2019). Cardiovascular disease risk prediction models: challenges and perspectives. The Lancet Global Health , 7 (10), e1288-e1289. doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30365-1
Roth, G. A., Johnson, C., Abajobir, A., Abd-Allah, F., Abera, S. F., Abyu, G., ... & Alla, F. (2017). Global, regional, and national burden of cardiovascular diseases for 10 causes, 1990 to 2015. Journal of the American College of Cardiology , 70 (1), 1-25.
Lee, C. H., & Kim, J. H. (2014). A review on the medicinal potentials of ginseng and ginsenosides on cardiovascular diseases. Journal of ginseng research , 38 (3), 161-166.
Mancuso, C., & Santangelo, R. (2017). Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius: From pharmacology to toxicology. Food and Chemical Toxicology , 107 , 362-372.
Tan, B. K., & Vanitha, J. (2004). Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of some traditional Chinese medicinal herbs: a review. Current medicinal chemistry , 11 (11), 1423-1430.
Luo, J. Z., & Luo, L. (2009). Ginseng on hyperglycemia: effects and mechanisms. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine , 6 (4), 423-427.
Wang, J., Xiong, X., & Feng, B. (2013). Effect of crataegus usage in cardiovascular disease prevention: an evidence-based approach. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine , 2013 .
Yeung, A. W. K., Tzvetkov, N. T., El-Tawil, O. S., Bungǎu, S. G., Abdel-Daim, M. M., & Atanasov, A. G. (2019). Antioxidants: scientific literature landscape analysis. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity , 2019 .
Arya, S. S., Salve, A. R., & Chauhan, S. (2016). Peanuts as functional food: a review. Journal of food science and technology , 53 (1), 31-41.
Pahlavani, N., Jafari, M., Sadeghi, O., Rezaei, M., Rasad, H., Rahdar, H. A., & Entezari, M. H. (2014). L-arginine supplementation and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in healthy men: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. F1000Research , 3 .
Hoban, C. L., Byard, R. W., & Musgrave, I. F. (2015). A comparison of patterns of spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting with St. John's Wort and fluoxetine during the period 2000–2013. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology , 42 (7), 747-751.
Nayak, S. B., Isik, K., & Marshall, J. R. (2017). Wound-healing potential of oil of Hypercium perforatum in excision wounds of male Sprague Dawley rats. Advances in wound care , 6 (12), 401-406.
