Heart & Soul

CONSIDER SOME HEAR-AND LUNG-HEALTHY HERBS

- DAWN COMBS

Some plants could be helpful for those of you looking to support the health of your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Here are some of my favorites to help keep your heart pumping and lungs breathing.

HEART HELP

The first step toward a healthier heart is a healthier diet. It's true that eating lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, healthy fats - such as olive oil - and lean protein can't be beat. But how you prepare these foods also makes a big difference. Consider that a variety of herbs have been shown to give your heart an additional health boost. Here are some of my favorites.

Cleavers (Galium aparine): The leaves and stems of this plant have successfully been used in the circulatory system to clear cholesterol deposits. It's also been shown to benefit the liver, as well as remove stones and calculus in the urinary tract. Cleaver seeds are a little difficult to find the plant is classically a weed but they can be found. In the spring, check your property for these grasping plants, which appear to be sticky and grab onto your clothes and even your hands with their modified tiny hooks.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Also called "roselle," the use of the calyx around these flowers has been studied extensively for its historic use in blood pressure regulation, liver issues and fever reduction.

In 2008, a study at Tufts University saw that using hibiscus blossom led to a 13.2% reduction in blood pressure. That same year another study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension showed a reduction in blood pressure between 8.1% and 15.4% on average among their study participants. There is further evidence that serum cholesterol may be reduced as well.

A Few More: There are a handful of additional herbs that studies have found successful in demonstrating healthy benefits to the cardiovascular system: