Hawthorn berry, leaf and flower (Crataegus monogyna)*

Indications include functional and organic heart weakness with pain, weak tonus of the heart muscle, angina, valvular insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse, heart murmur, venous stasis, poor capillary and venous integrity and varicose veins.  Hawthorn mildly lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure and prevents deposition of plaque on arterial walls. This herb may potentiate other heart medications, i.e. beta blockers.

Night Blooming Cereus fresh stem (Selenicereus grandiflorus)*

Indicated for heart diseases of nervous or drug origin (coffee, tobacco, etc.), nervous tachycardia, palpitations, feeble and irregular pulse and shortness of breath with mild exertion. It combines well with Hawthorn to strengthen the heart and reduce anxiety and depression.

Ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba)*

Indicated in cases of chronic cerebral vascular insufficiency such as vasculsar insufficiency headaches, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitis, poor memory and senility. It has bronchiodilator, anti-inflammatory and platelet aggregating factor antagonist properties that make it useful in treating asthma. Ginkgo is also used for peripheral arterial insufficiency such as peripheral neuropathies, varicose veins and impotence caused by impaired circulation (diabetes or atherosclerosis).

Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum)*

A pungent carminative and circulatory stimulant. It increases the activity of digestion in cases of achlorhydria with a white coated tongue, gas and malabsorption. Prickly ash also increases peripheral circulation and is indicated for people with cold extremities, Raynaud's disease, as well as nerve pain such as sciatica, peripheral neuropathies, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tienchi Ginseng root (Panax notoginseng)

One of the great cardiac tonics in Traditional Chinese Meedicine. It increases cardiac blood flow and decreases myocardial oxygen consumption. It is frequently used for Ischemic Heart Disease such as angina and for mild congestive heart failure.

Bibliography:

Beek, Bombardelli,et al, Ginkgo biloba, Fitoterapia vol LXIX #3, 1998

Lloyd, J.U.  A Treatise on Cactus grandiflorus, Lloyd Brothers, 1908

Lloyd, J.U.  A Treatise on Crataegus, Lloyd Brothers, 1917

Neiderkorn, J.S.  A Handy Reference Book, Lloyd Brothers, 1905

Weiss, R.  Herbal Medicine, Ab Arcanum 1985

Winston, D., Herbal Therapeutics, Herbal Therapeutics Research Library, 2003