Tea For Heart Disease

Various types of tea remedies have been recommended for use to prevent, treat and combat heart diseases and other cardiovascular ailments. Of late, tea and other traditional methods have gradually been gaining mainstream recognition in the efforts to avoid and fight heart diseases.

Cardiovascular Diseases include the following:

•     Coronary Heart Disease (Heart Attacks)
•     Cerebrovascular Disease
•     Raised Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
•     Peripheral Artery Disease
•     Rheumatic Heart Disease
•     Congenital Heart Disease
•     Heart failure

Heart attacks are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart.
The most common cause is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain.
The blood vessels become narrower and less flexible, also known as atherosclerosis (or hardening of the arteries).
The blood vessels are then more likely to become blocked by blood clots.

The major causes of these blockages and heart disorders are:

•     tobacco use;
•     physical inactivity, and;
•     an unhealthy diet.

One of the ways to fight Heart Disease is to embark on a diet that's friendly to the heart.
Teas and herbs have always been recommended as a valuable component of an overall healthy diet.

This is because certain compounds found in teas and herbs have been shown to help lower the risk for heart and cardiovascular ailments through the following actions:

•     scavenging free radicals in the blood;
•     dilating the blood vessels;
•     'thinning' out the constituency of the blood; and
•     helping lower the LDL or bad cholesterol levels.

    

It is very important that consultation and coordination be made with doctors and physicians before trying out any of these teas for heart disease.
Special care ought to be made by people who are on medication, those with known allergies to certain herbs, or women who are pregnant and nursing.

List of Teas for Heart Disease

Here are the top teas and herbal drinks that are typically used to help prevent heart ailments, as well as fight against heart disease:


Hawthorn Tea - this may help improve overall cardiovascular functions. It is a very popular 'Heart Tonic' in China and the Far East. Made from the berries, flowers and leaves of the hawthorn plant, this is rich in antioxidant flavonoids that help dilate the blood vessels, improve blood flow, & protect blood vessels from damage.

Ginkgo Biloba Tea - this tea is popular in China and the Far East. A brain stimulator, numerous studies have shown this tea to cause dilation & increase the blood flow in the arteries, capillaries and veins. It may also inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood clotting.


Bilberry Tea - a tea from this blueberry-like plant may help improve blood circulation to the capillaries and assist in strengthening the vascular walls, as well as stimulate the formation of new capillaries.

Turmeric Tea - this tea contains the antioxidant curcumin which gives off its yellow color. The curcumin has been shown to help the heart against damage from low oxygen supply. It may also be helpful in preventing blood clotting.

Green Tea - this tea is known to fight the toxins and free radicals in the blood stream. It is very rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that may help protect the heart from all the materials that tend to damage it.

White Tea - this tea undergoes less oxidation than green tea and therefore is known to retain more antioxidant content than its green counterpart. Its antioxidant content is known to scavenge the toxins and free radicals in the blood caused by various factors.

Motherwort Tea - this tea contains bitter glycosides that may help reinvigorate the cardiac system. These may help lower blood pressure and manage conditions related to stress. Many practitioners also use this to treat heart palpitations and arrythmias.

Rooibos Tea - this tea from South Africa has a remarkable antioxidant content that may help fight free radical damage to the heart and to other organs. It may also help ease hypertension.

Pu erh Tea - this tea comes from the large leaf variety of the camellia sinensis plant. It possesses many antioxidants and is believed to be effective in 'melting' away fat and is typically served after heavy meals.

Here are other herbal teas whose constituents may have beneficial effects on heart health.

Abuta Tea - this tea is believed to have heart-supportive qualities.

Acai Tea - this tea comes from the South American berries that possess high antioxidant content. The antioxidants collect the destructive free radicals that may damage the heart.

Agaricus Tea - the tea from this mushroom may help fight hardening of the arteries.

Alfalfa Tea - this may help lower blood cholesterol levels and help prevent calcification in arteries.

Angelica Tea - this may have heart-strengthening properties

Artichoke Leaf Tea - this may help lower levels of bad cholesterol.

Blackberry Tea - this is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients to help maintain heart health

Cat's Claw Tea - this contains alkaloids that may be beneficial to the heart

Chaga Mushroom Tea - this tea may be helpful in lowering blood pressure & regulating heart rhythm.

Chai Tea - due to its abundant spice content, this may have a variety of heart-protective properties.

Chrysanthemum Tea - this may help enhance heart health.

Cornsilk Tea - this may have heart stimulating properties.

Cramp Bark Tea - this may help lower blood pressure.

Cranberry Tea - this may help increase good cholesterol levels.

Dogbane Tea - this tea is believed to help relax blood vessels and fight hypertension.

Dong Quai Tea - this is also regarded as heart tonic in many parts of Asia.

Elecampane Tea - this may be helpful in overall efforts to combat cardiovascular disease.

Epimedium Tea - this may be promising in treating congestive heart failure

Eucommia Tea - a decoction from the bark may help fight hypertension and high cholesterol levels.

Fenugreek Tea - this may help lower levels of bad cholesterol

Flax Tea - its high fiber content is ideal for prevention of heart disease.

Forsythia Tea - this may help regulate cholesterol and blood pressure.

Gentian Tea - this may help facilitate better blood flow.

Goji Tea - this contains compounds that beneficial to the health of the arteries and the heart.

Goldenseal Tea - this contains the compound berberine which may be helpful in thinning the blood as well as being a cardiac stimulant

Gynostemma Tea - this may be helpful in reducing blood cholesterol which may in turn lower heart disease risk.

Hibiscus Tea - this tart and tangy tea may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is quite popular in Asia and may be taken hot or cold.

Helichrysum Tea - this may help prevent the development of atherosclerotic plaque. The herb possesses anti-coagulant properties that helps thin the blood and prevent the development of blood clots.

Honeybush Tea - this may help lower cholesterol and lower fat levels.

Hyssop Tea - this may help regulate blood pressure.

Kudzu Tea - this may help in assisting blood flow to the brain for those with arteriosclerosis.

Lemongrass Tea - this exotic brew may help reduce excess fat and cholesterol.

Linden Tea - this tea has a restorative and healing effect on the blood vessel walls.

Mistletoe Tea - this may help in lowering blood pressure.

Neem Tea - this Ayurvedic brew may help with lowering blood pressure and reducing clots.

Oatstraw Tea - its high fiber content makes it a heart-friendly tea.

Olive Leaf Tea - this ancient brew may be helpful in fighting bad cholesterol.

Oolong Tea - this tea helps scavenge toxins and free radicals in the blood stream.

Orris Tea - this has been traditionally used for congestive heart failure.

Passion Flower Tea - this is known as a highly-relaxing tea and may be helpful against high blood pressure.

Plantain Tea - this may help lower blood pressure.

Psyllium Tea - this has high fiber content which may help in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol.

Red Clover Tea - this tea may help reduce levels of bad cholesterol.

Rehmannia Tea - this is a famous tea for well-being in China and has constituents that may help strengthen the heart.

Reishi Mushroom Tea - this is a very powerful tea that's highly-regarded in Asia. It is a potent tea for overall well-being and may have equally potent heart-protective properties as well.

Rosemary Tea - this tea may help in countering poor blood circulation.

Rue Tea - this tea may help against irregular heart palpitations.

Safflower Tea - this tea may help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Schizandra Tea - this tea may be highly helpful for patients with coronary heart disease. It is believed to possess vasodilating properties that increase blood supply to the body, thus normalizing the blood pressure and improving heart function.

Shepherd's Purse Tea - this tea may help regulate blood pressure.

Skullcap Tea - this tea may have strong preventative properties against heart diseases.

Stevia Tea - this tea may help lower blood pressure.

Tribulus Tea - may be helpful against coronary heart disease

Triphala Tea - this Ayurvedic brew may be rejuvenative to the heart.

Tulsi Tea - another Ayurvedic tea, this may help keep the blood pressure even.

Valerian Tea - this is known as a relaxing tea and may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.

Wheatgrass Tea - this helps alkalize the system, thus producing healthier blood.

Wood Betony Tea - this tea is a mild heart stimulant. It is sometimes used to treat palpitations.

Wild Yam Tea Benefits - this tea shows some promise in lowering levels of bad cholesterol.