“Farmer’s herb” gives your heart a much-needed TUNE-UP

Maintaining a healthy HEART is a lot like keeping your car running properly.

Whether you buy a brand-spanking new car with all the bells-and-whistles… or a pre-owned one that may have a few dings…

It’s important that you routinely take care of what’s under the hood and keep your engine running efficiently.

If you don’t, you’ll inevitably notice that your car just doesn’t run like it “used to.”

Well, your heart isn’t much different. But, unlike a car engine, your heart is an engine that is CONSTANTLY running.

Today I’ve got the scoop on the “farmer’s” herb that can give your heart a much-needed “tune up” to help it start performing BETTER in as little as two weeks.

Astragalus is a Chinese herb and a member of the legume family.  In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s usually referred to as huáng qí or milkvetch.

Historians have traced the use of astragalus as far back as 2,800 B.C. During that time, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong – known as the “Divine Farmer” – noted that he used astragalus as part of his medicinal herb regimen.

Similar to many herbal remedies, astragalus works by fighting free radicals and reducing INFLAMMATION – which is critical for maintaining a healthy heart.

Inflammation causes the walls of your blood vessels to THICKEN, which in turn shrinks the width of the passageway through the vessel. This causes blood flow to become restricted and can result in organ and tissue damage.

But studies on humans with heart failure have found that astragalus can WIDEN your blood vessels and INCREASE the amount of blood pumped from your heart.

In one clinical study publishing by the National Library of Medicine, patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure were given 2.25 grams of astragalus twice daily for two weeks (along with conventional treatment).

The study found that patients experienced GREATER improvements in heart function and DECREASED levels of the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha just by adding astragalus to their diet – to coincide with their regular treatment.

The same study also found that with LESS inflammation came BETTER cardiac function.

This includes IMPROVED left ventricular ejection fraction (the percentage of blood that’s pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat) and LONGER walking distance.

Astragalus extract can be found in many different forms – including capsules, liquid extracts, and even powders that can be brewed into tea.

In addition to adhering to the dosage listed on the product label, you should also talk to your doctor about what is appropriate for you – especially if you’re on other heart medications.

To heart health maintenance,

Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Meixner, Makayla. “Astragalus: An Ancient Root With Health Benefits.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/astragalus

PubMed. “[Effects of astragalus on cardiac function and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha level in patients with chronic heart failure].” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20929124/