The cardiovascular system or circulatory system consists of the heart, blood and a series of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The blood vessels include the arteries, arterioles (smaller arteries), veins, venules (smaller veins) and capillaries. The functions of the circulatory system are:
That is why our blood circulation, both the macro-circulation (arteries and veins) and micro-circulation (capillaries) is often called the River of Life.
Good blood circulation is the very foundation of good health as it affects the health of every cell in the body. When the blood circulation become sluggish, our cells, tissues and organs do not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients. In addition, waste products of metabolism are not efficiently removed. We begin to experience aches, stiffness, numbness in hands and feet, ringing in the ear, poor memory, and other effects. We start to age prematurely.
The main causes of poor blood circulation are a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise and a diet high in fat and cholesterol but low in fresh fruits and vegetables. Ageing will also impede our blood circulation as our blood vessels become less supple. Fortunately, nature has provided several herbs that can improve our blood circulation and alleviate the above symptoms.
Ginkgo biloba
The most widely studied and well-documented herb for improving blood circulation is Ginkgo biloba. The last surviving member of the Ginkgoaceace family, Ginkgo biloba is unrelated to any other plant species alive today. Hence, it is also often called the “living fossil”.
The first green growth to appear at the centre of Hiroshima after the atomic explosion which wiped out all the flora and fauna in the city was the sprout of a Ginkgo tree in 1946.
The two key groups of biologically active compounds are Ginkgoflavonglycosides and Terpene lactones. Standardised Ginkgo biloba extract contains 24% Ginkgoflavonglycosides (consisting of Quercetin, Kaempferol and Isorhamnetin) and 6% Terpene lactones (consisting of Ginkgolide A,B, C and Bilobalide) with less than 5ppm of Ginkgolic acid. Ginkgolic acid may cause allergic reaction to some sensitive individuals.
Ginkgo biloba extract enhances our health in the following ways:
As with other phytomedicines, all the constituents of Ginkgo extract contribute in their totality to the therapeutic effect. The toxicity and side effects of therapeutically applied Ginkgo extracts are very low. The minor side effects reported are nausea, headache, stomach problem, diarrhoea, allergy and sleep disturbances.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus oxycantha)
Hawthorn is a tall shrub, distributed throughout Europe. The name of the plant derives from its fruits or haws and its sharp thorns. Only the white blooming hawthorn is used therapeutically; the red blooming variety of hawthorn has no medicinal use.
The German Commission E monograph recognises the water/alcohol extracts of dried hawthorn leaves and flowers as having therapeutic efficacy.
The key constituents of hawthorn are the flavonoids (calculated as hyperoside) and oligomeric procyanidins (calculated as epicatechin).
Hawthorn has been shown to increase coronary blood flow and force of myocardial contractions. There are no known risks, contraindications or drug interactions.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
A member of the lily family, garlic traces its origins to central Asia. Some of the earliest references to its medicinal and culinary uses are found on Sumerian clay tablets dating from 2600 to 2100BC. The Greek historian Herodotus, who travelled through Egypt during 450BC reported that the workers who built the pyramids were given large rations of onions, radishes and garlic to protect them from febrile illnesses.
The key constituents of garlic are divided into two groups: sulphur containing compounds (alliin) and non-sulphur containing compounds (alliinase enzyme). Commercial garlic preparations are often adjusted or standardised to alliin. Alliin is separated from alliinase while it is still in the cells of an intact garlic bulb. But when the bulb is chopped or crushed, damage to the cells allows the alliin to react with alliinase producing allicin that gives the typical garlic odour.
To date, some 100 original papers have been published on the experimental pharmacology of garlic and its preparations. Garlic has been shown to have the following pharmacological activities:
The side effects of garlic are characterised as infrequent gastrointestinal complaints, allergic reactions, and a garlic odour to the breath and skin.
Onion (Alliin cepa) like garlic is useful for the prevention of atherosclerosis. It is described as having antibacterial, lipid-reducing, antihypertensive properties as well as inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Centella asiatica (Gotu kola, Pegaga)
Centella has a remarkable history of use in India, China and Southeast Asian countries. The biologically active ingredients are asiaticosides and other triterpenes. Centella has been used for a wide range of conditions, especially for its wound healing ability. It is also reported to improve blood circulation in the lower limbs by stimulation of collagen synthesis in the vein wall resulting in an increase in vein tonicity and a reduction in the capacity of the vein to distend.
References:
1. Rational phytotherapy, Schulz et al.
2. Next Generation Herbal Medicine , David B. Mowrey.
The above article is contributed by Thomson panel of health professionals. The information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body. Individuals suffering from any diseases, illness or injury should consult their physicians.
For more information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my .
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
