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What herbs should physicians ask their cardiovascular patients about? Which supplements could be useful in treating or preventing cardiovascular diseasse? What scientific evidence supports the use of an alternative therapy? The alternative health fact sheets here are designed for the practicing clinician. These comprehensive pages cover more than 70 herbs associated with cardiovascular health. The fact sheets include information on the approach to the patient, proposed medical uses, the scientific evidence, mechanisms of action, dosage, safety issues and drug interactions.
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- Angina
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperlipidemia
- Obesity
- Peripheral vascular disease
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Primary Proposed Treatments for Cardiovascular Diseases
Other Proposed Treatments for Cardiovascular Diseases
All proposed treatments listed alphabetically
Primary Proposed Treatments for Cardiovascular Diseases
- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
- Arginine
- Aloe
- Artichoke
- Calcium
- Carnitine
- Chromium
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Evening primrose oil
- Fenugreek
- Folate
- Garlic
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
- Guggul
- Gymnema
- Hawthorn
- Inositol
- Lipoic acid
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Niacinamide
- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Policosanol
- Pyruvate
- Selenium
- Soy protein
- Taurine
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Other Proposed Treatments for Cardiovascular Diseases
- Astragalus
- Beta-carotene
- Bilberry
- Biotin
- Bitter melon
- Black cohosh
- Blue-green algae
- Bromelain
- Chondroitin
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Copper
- Creatine
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Fish oil
- Flaxseed
- Flaxseed oil
- Genistein
- Ginger
- Glutamine
- Grass pollen extract
- Green tea
- Horse chestnut
- Kava
- Kelp
- Lecithin
- Lutein
- Maitake
- Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)
- Oxerutins
- Pantothenic acid and pantethine
- Phosphatidylserine
- Probiotics
- Reishi
- Schisandra
- Spirulina
- Suma
- TMG (trimethylglycine)
- Tyrosine
- Valerian
- Vanadium
All proposed treatments listed alphabetically
- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
- Aloe
- Arginine
- Artichoke
- Astragalus
- Beta-carotene
- Bilberry
- Biotin
- Bitter melon
- Black cohosh
- Blue-green algae
- Bromelain
- Calcium
- Carnitine
- Chondroitin
- Chromium
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Copper
- Creatine
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Evening primrose oil
- Fenugreek
- Fish oil
- Flaxseed
- Flaxseed oil
- Folate
- Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
- Garlic
- Genistein
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Glutamine
- Grass pollen extract
- Green tea
- Guggul
- Gymnema
- Hawthorn
- Horse chestnut
- Inositol
- Kava
- Kelp
- Lecithin
- Lipoic acid
- Lutein
- Magnesium
- Maitake
- Manganese
- Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)
- Niacinamide
- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Oxerutins
- Pantothenic acid and pantethine
- Phosphatidylserine
- Policosanol
- Probiotics
- Pyruvate
- Reishi
- Schisandra
- Selenium
- Soy protein
- Spirulina
- Suma
- Taurine
- TMG (trimethylglycine)
- Tyrosine
- Valerian
- Vanadium
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Drug interactions with herbs and supplements
Please refer to HealthGate Editorial Policy on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Content for information on the scientific review process, or get information on our Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board .
ACE Inhibitors, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Acetaminophen, See
Analgesics
Acne Preparations
Interactions With Specific Acne Preparations:
Isotretinoin:
Vitamin A
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Interactions With Specific AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents:
Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors:
St. John’s Wort
Protease Inhibitors:
Garlic
St. John’s Wort
Analgesics
Interactions With Specific Analgesics:
Acetaminophen:
Vitamin C
Narcotic Analgesics:
Cranberry
NSAIDS:
Arginine
Dong Quai
Feverfew
Ipriflavone
St. John’s Wort
White Willow
Note: For NSAIDS (such as aspirin) that have strong antiplatelet effects, see also Antiplatelet Agents . For NSAIDs with photosensitizing effects (such as piroxicam), see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Antacids (Aluminum-Containing)
Interactions with Antacids (Aluminum-Containing) in General:
Calcium
Antiacne Agents, See
Acne Preparations
Antianxiety Agents, See
Sedatives
Antibiotics
Interactions With Antibiotics in General:
Bromelain
Cranberry
Vitamin K
Interactions With Specific Antibiotics:
Erythromycin:
Red Yeast Rice
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics:
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
Nitrofurantoin:
Magnesium
Sulfonamides:
White Willow
Tetracycline Antibiotics:
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
Note: For antibiotics with photosensitizing effects, see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Anticoagulant Agents
Interactions with Anticoagulant Agents in General:
Bilberry
Bromelain
Chamomile
Devil’s Claw
Dong Quai
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Fish Oil
Garlic
Ginger
Ginkgo
Green Tea
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract
OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes)
Oxerutins
PC-SPES
Policosanol
Quercetin
Red Clover
Vitamin E
White Willow
Interactions with Specific Anticoagulant Agents:
Heparin:
Phosphatidylserine
Vitamin C
Warfarin:
Ginseng
Green Tea
Ipriflavone
Red Yeast Rice
St. John’s Wort
Vinpocetine
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Anticonvulsant Agents
Interactions with Anticonvulsant Agents in General:
Glutamine
Interactions with Specific Anticonvulsant Agents:
Carbamazepine:
Folate
Niacinamide
Phenytoin:
Ipriflavone
Magnesium
White Willow
Primidone:
Niacinamide
Valproate:
Vitamin A
White Willow
Antidepressants
Interactions With Antidepressants in General:
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)
St. John’s Wort
Interactions With Specific Antidepressants:
MAO Inhibitors:
Interactions With MAO Inhibitors in General:
Ephedra
Green Tea
Interactions With Specific MAO Inhibitors:
Phenelzine:
Ginseng
Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Interactions With Tricyclic Antidepressants in General:
Yohimbe
Interactions With Specific Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Clomipramine:
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)
Antidiabetic Agents
Interactions With Antidiabetic Agents in General:
Aloe
Bitter Melon
Chromium
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Fenugreek
Ginkgo
Ginseng
Gymnema
Flaxseed Extract
Lipoic Acid
Nettle
Vanadium
Vitamin E
Interactions With Specific Antidiabetic Agents:
Sulfonylureas:
Interactions With Sulfonylureas in General:
Magnesium
Interactions With Specific Sulfonylureas:
Tolbutamide:
Ipriflavone
Antifungals
Interactions With Specific Antifungals:
Azole Antifungals:
Red Yeast Rice
Antihypertensive Agents
Interactions With Antihypertensive Agents in General:
Black Cohosh
Nettle
Yohimbe
Interactions With Specific Antihypertensive Agents:
ACE Inhibitors:
Interactions With ACE Inhibitors in General:
Arginine
Iron
Magnesium
Interactions With Specific ACE inhibitors:
Captopril:
Iron
Enalapril:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Beta-Blockers:
Calcium
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Interactions With Calcium Channel Blockers in General:
Calcium
Vitamin D
Interactions With Specific Calcium Channel Blockers:
Nitrendipine:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Methyldopa:
Iron
Nitroprusside:
Policosanol
Anti-insomnia Agents, See
Sedatives
Antilipemic Agents, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Antimetabolites
Interactions With Specific Antimetabolites:
Methotrexate:
White Willow
Antimanic Agents, See
Mood Stabilizers
Antimigraine Agents, See
Serotonergic Agents
Anti-Parkinsonian Agents
Interactions With Anti-Parkinsonian Agents in General:
Kava
Interactions With Specific Anti-Parkinsonian Agents:
Carbidopa:
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
Iron
Levodopa:
BCAAs
Iron
Policosanol
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)
Vitamin B6
Antiplatelet Agents
Interactions With Antiplatelet Agents in General:
Bilberry
Bromelain
Chamomile
Devil’s Claw
Feverfew
Fish oil
Ginger
Ginkgo
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes (OPCs)
Oxerutins
PC-SPES
Policosanol
Quercetin
Red Clover
Vitamin E
White Willow
Note: For antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin) that have anti-inflammatory properties, see also NSAIDS .
Antipsychotic Agents
Interactions With Antipsychotic Agents in General:
Cranberry
Phenylalanine
Interactions With Specific Antipsychotic Agents:
Atypical Antipsychotic Agents:
Interactions With Atypical Antipsychotic Agents in General:
St. John’s Wort
Interactions With Specific Atypical Antipsychotic Agents:
3Clozapine:
Glycine
Phenothiazines:
Kava
Yohimbe
Antischizophrenics, See
Antipsychotic Agents
Barbiturates, See
Sedatives
Benzodiazepines, See
Sedatives
Beta-Blockers, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Bisphosphonates, See
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Blood Modifiers, See
Anticoagulants
and
Antiplatelet Agents
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Interactions With Specific Bone Metabolism Regulators:
Bisphosphonates:
Arginine
Bromocriptine, See
Dopamine Agonists
Calcium Channel Blockers, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Cancer Chemotherapy Agents
Interactions With Cancer Chemotherapy Agents in General:
Lapacho
Vitamin C
Interactions With Specific Cancer Chemotherapy Agents:
Doxorubicin:
St. John’s Wort
Etoposide:
St. John’s Wort
Mitoxantrone:
St. John’s Wort
Teniposide:
St. John’s Wort
Cardiac Glycosides (eg, Digoxin)
Interactions With Cardiac Glycosides (eg, Digoxin) in General:
Calcium
Eleutherococcus
Licorice
Magnesium
St. John’s Wort
Cardiovascular Agents, See
Antihypertensives
;
Cardiac Glycosides
;
Coronary Vasodilators
;
Diuretics
; and
Hypolipidemics
Chelating Agents
Interactions With Specific Chelating Agents:
Penicillamine:
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
CNS Depressants, See
Sedatives
CNS Stimulants
Interactions With CNS Stimulants in General:
Yohimbe
Coronary Vasodilators (Nitrates)
Interactions With Coronary Vasodilators (Nitrates) in General:
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Corticosteroids
Interactions With Corticosteroids in General:
Arginine
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Licorice
Cyclosporine, See
Immunosuppressive Agents
Digitoxin, See
Cardiac Glycosides
Digoxin, See
Cardiac Glycosides
Diuretics
Interactions With Specific Diuretics:
Loop Diuretics:
Licorice
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics:
Interactions With Potassium-sparing Diuretics in General:
Arginine
Magnesium
Licorice
Noni
White Willow
Interactions With Specific Potassium-sparing Diuretics:
Amiloride:
Zinc
Thiazide Diuretics:
Calcium
Licorice
Vitamin D
Dopamine Agonists
Interactions With Dopamine Agonists in General:
Bugleweed
Chasteberry
Estrogens
Interactions With Estrogens in General:
Androstenedione
Genistein
Hops
Ipriflavone
Isoflavones
Red Clover
Soy Protein
Fibric Acid Derivatives, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Fungal Medications, See
Antifungals
Gastrointestinal Agents, See
Antacids (Aluminum-containing)
;
H2-Blocking Agents
; and
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Glucocorticoids, See
Corticosteroids
Gout Preparations
Interactions With Specific Gout Preparations:
Probenecid:
White Willow
H2-Blocking Agents
Interactions With H2-Blocking Agents in General:
Magnesium
Heparin, See
Anticoagulant Agents
HIV Therapy, See
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Hormonal Therapies, See
Estrogens
;
Progesterone
; and
Thyroid Hormone
Hormone-Replacement Therapy, See
Estrogens
and
Progesterone
Hydantoins, See
Anticonvulsants
Hypnotics, See
Sedatives
Hypoglycemic Agents, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Hypolipidemic Agents
Interactions With Specific Hypolipidemic Agents:
Fibric Acid Derivatives:
Red Yeast Rice
Niacin:
Red Yeast Rice
Statins:
Niacin (high-dose)
Red Yeast Rice
St. John’s Wort
Immunosuppressive Agents
Interactions With Immunosuppressive Agents in General:
Aloe
Echinacea
Eleutherococcus
Ipriflavone
Thymus Extracts
Interactions With Specific Immunosuppressive Agents:
Cyclosporine:
Red Yeast Rice
St. John’s Wort
Insomnia Medications, See
Sedatives
Insulin, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Loop Diuretics, See
Diuretics
MAO Inhibitors, See
Antidepressants
Metabolic Agents, See
Thyroid Hormone
Methotrexate, See
Antimetabolites
Migraine Medications, See
Serotonergic Agents
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, See
Antidepressants
Mood Stabilizers
Interactions With Specific Mood Stabilizers:
Anticonvulsants
Interactions With Anticonvulsants in General:
Glutamine
Interactions With Specific Anticonvulsants:
Carbamazepine:
Folate
Niacinamide
Phenytoin:
Ipriflavone
Magnesium
White Willow
Primidone:
Niacinamide
Valproate:
Vitamin A
White Willow
Lithium:
Dandelion
Goldenrod
Any Herbal Diuretic
Narcotic Analgesics, See
Analgesics
Nitrates, See
Coronary Vasodilators
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Interactions With Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in General:
Arginine
Dong Quai
Feverfew
Ipriflavone
St. John’s Wort
White Willow
Note: For NSAIDS (such as aspirin) that have strong antiplatelet effects, see also Antiplatelet Agents . For NSAIDs with photosensitizing effects (such as piroxicam), see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Opiates, See
Analgesics
Oral Contraceptives
Interactions With Oral Contraceptives in General:
Androstenedione
Genistein
Isoflavones
Milk Thistle
Soy
St. John’s Wort
Vitamin C
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Osteoporosis Preparations, See
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Pain Treatments, See
Analgesics
Penicillamine, See
Chelating Agents
Phenothiazines, See
Antipsychotic Agents
Phenytoin, See
Anticonvulsant Agents
Photosensitizing Agents
Interactions With Photosensitizing Agents in General:
Dong Quai
St. John’s Wort
Platelet Inhibitors, See
Antiplatelet Agents
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics, See
Diuretics
Progesterone
Interactions With Progesterone in General:
Chasteberry
Protease Inhibitors, See
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Interactions With Proton Pump Inhibitors in General:
St. John’s wort
Sedatives
Interactions With Sedatives in General:
Bromelain
Hops
Kava
Lemon Balm
Nettle
Passionflower
Valerian
Interactions With Specific Sedatives:
Alprazolam:
Kava
Zolpidem:
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), See
Antidepressants
Serotonergic Agents
Interactions With Serotonergic Agents in General:
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
St. John’s Wort
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)
Sleep Aids, See
Sedatives
SSRI Antidepressants, See
Antidepressants
Statins, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Stimulants (CNS), See
CNS stimulants
Theophylline
Interactions With Theophylline in General:
Arginine
Cayenne
Ipriflavone
St. John’s Wort
Thiazide Diuretics, See
Diuretic Agents
Thyroid Hormone
Interactions With Thyroid Hormone in General:
Bugleweed
Calcium
Iron
Soy
Thyroid Imaging
Interactions With Thyroid Imaging in General:
Bugleweed
Tranquilizers, See
Antipsychotic Agents
and
Sedatives
Triptan Antimigraine Agents, See
Serotonergic Agents
Uricosuric Agents, See
Gout Preparations
Vasodilators, See
Coronary Vasodilators
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
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