3.

Herbs used in the treatment of CVS disorders

Followings herbs are beneficial in various CVS disorders

3.1. Digitalis
3.1.1. Digitalis purpurea

3.1.1.1. Biological source

Digitalis purpurea

3.1.1.2. Common names

Digitalis, purple foxglove, finger flower, lady’s glove, foxglove leaves

3.1.1.3. Family
Scrophulariaceae

3.1.1.4. Part used

Dried leaves

3.1.1.5. Geographical sources

It is mainly found in England, Germany, France, North America, India, Iraq,
Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Spain, Turkey

3.1.1.6. Collection
Collection of these leaves is carried out from September to November by hand
and thus other organic matter and discoloured leaves are avoided. After collection
the leaves should be dried as soon as possible at 60°C. Leaves are packed under
pressure in airtight containers.
3.1.1.7. Chemical constituents
The major glycosides are purpurea glycoside A, purpurea glycoside B,
glucogitaloxin, glucodigitoxigenin-bis- digitoxiside, glucogitaloxigenin-bis-
digitoxiside, glucoevatromonoside, glucogitoroside,glucolanadoxin, digitalinum
verum, glucoverodoxin, stropeside and verodoxin.

3.1.1.8. Mode of action

Digoxin’s primary mechanism of action involves inhibition of the Na+/K+
ATPase, mainly in the myocardium. This inhibition causes an increase in
intracellular sodium levels, resulting in a reversal of the action of the sodium-
calcium exchanger which normally imports three extracellular sodium ions into
the cell and transports one intracellular calcium ion out of the cell. The reversal of
this exchange causes an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration that is
available to the contractile proteins. This leads to increased contractility (the force
of contraction) of the heart.

3.1.1.9. Uses
 The foxglove is a widely used herbal medicine with a recognized stimulatory
effect upon the heart.
 It is also used in allopathic medicine in the treatment of heart complaints. It
has a profound tonic effect upon a diseased heart, enabling the heart to beat
more slowly, powerfully and regularly without requiring more oxygen. At the
same time, it stimulates the flow of urine which lowers the volume of the
blood and lessens the load on the heart.
 It has also been employed in the treatment of internal haemorrhage, in
inflammatory diseases, in epilepsy, and various other diseases.

3.1.1.10. Adverse effects

Serious side effect such as:
 Fast, slow, or uneven heart rate
 Blurred vision,
 Confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
 Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
 Feeling weak
 Digoxin should be used with caution in pregnant women, or in
breastfeeding. 
 Kidney Disease
3.1.2. Digitalis lanata

3.1.2.1. Biological source

Digitalis lanata

3.1.2.2. Common names

Grecian foxglove

3.1.2.3. Family
Scrophulariaceae

3.1.2.4. Part used

Dried leaves

3.1.2.5. Geographical source

It is mainly found in Central and Southern Europe, England, California and India.

3.1.2.6. Chemical constituents

Lanatoside A (acetyl derivative of purpurea glycoside A), lanatoside B (acetyl
derivative of purpurea glycoside B), lanatoside C (digoxigenin), lanatoside E
(gitaloxigenin)

3.1.2.7. Mode of action

Digoxin’s primary mechanism of action involves inhibition of the Na+/K+
ATPase, mainly in the myocardium. This inhibition causes an increase in
intracellular sodium levels, resulting in a reversal of the action of the sodium-
calcium exchanger which normally imports three extracellular sodium ions into
 the cell and transports one intracellular calcium ion out of the cell. The reversal of
this exchange causes an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration that is
available to the contractile proteins. This leads to increased contractility (the force
of contraction) of the heart.

3.1.2.8. Uses
It has gained much importance in recent years because of three to four times
greater activity than D. purpurea. They have the same actions as that of the D.
purpurea. It is the commercial source of digoxin. Employed in the treatment of
atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. Their use should always be
supervised by a qualified practitioner since in excess they cause nausea, vomiting,
slow pulse, visual disturbance, anorexia and fainting

3.1.2.9. Adverse effects

Their use should always be supervised by a qualified practitioner since in excess
they cause nausea,vomiting, slow pulse, visual disturbance and fainting

3.1.2.10. Special precautions & warnings

 Digoxin should be used with caution in pregnant women, or in breastfeeding. 
 Kidney Disease
3.2. Convallaria majalis

3.2.1. Biological source

Convallaria majalis
3.2.2. Common names
Lilly of the valley
3.2.3. Family
Asparagaceae
3.2.4. Parts used
Leaves, roots and flower
3.2.5. Chemical constituents
Cardenolides (roughly 38 different cardiac glycosides), convallamarin,
convallatoxin, majaloside
3.2.6. Mode of action
The numerous cardiac glycosides found in Lily of the Valley have similar
mechanisms. Cardiac glycosides inhibit the trans membrane Na+/K+-ATPase pump.
This inhibition leads to an increase in concentration of Ca 2+ within the cell. The

sarcoplasmic reticulum takes up the increase in Ca2+ resulting in an increase in

myocardial contractility, or the force with which the heart contracts.
3.2.7. Uses
 Lily of the Valley has been used traditionally as a diuretic and as a treatment for
heart ailment and irregular heartbeat.
 Unlike Digitalis lanata, Convallaria majalis was never pharmaceutically
produced.
3.2.8. Adverse effects
The plant can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, reduced heart rate, blurred vision,
drowsiness, red skin rashes.

3.2.9. Special precautions & warnings

This herb should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. The red berries are
highly poisonous
3.3. Urgenia Indica
3.3.1. Biological source
Urgenia indica
3.3.2. Common names
Sea Onion, Jangli pyaj, Indian squill
3.3.3. Family
Liliaceae
3.3.4. Part used
Dried bulb
3.3.5. Chemical constituents
Squill contains cardiac glycosides of bufadienolides types, scillaren A and B and
enzyme scillatenase. The other constituents present are glucoscillaren A (cardiac
glycoside), proscillaridin A, flavonoid, mucilage, volatile substances and sinistrin.
3.3.6. Uses
It is largely used for its stimulating, expectorant and diuretic properties, and is also a
cardiac tonic, acting in a similar manner to digitalis, slowing and strengthening the
pulse. It is considered most useful in chronic bronchitis, and in asthma. It is a
potential substitute for foxglove in aiding a failing heart.
3.3.7. Mode of action
Indian squill contains scillaren-A & Scillaren-B (the cardio active glycosides
producing their effects through inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase pump)
3.3.8. Adverse effects
Vomiting & convulsions, which generally are observed in overdose situations.
3.3.9. Special precautions ad warnings
Documented abortifacient effects. 
3.4. Allium sativum
3.4.1. Biological source
Allium sativum
3.4.2. Common names
Garlic, Lasan
3.4.3. Family
Liliaceae
3.4.4. Part used
Dried bulb
3.4.5. Chemical constituents
Allicin, Alliin, Mucilage and albumin. Essential oil contains allyl propyl disulphide,
diallyl disulphide and allicin.
3.4.6. Uses
 General uses: it prevents rectal, colon, stomach, breast, and prostate and lung
cancer. Also treat prostate and bladder cancer. Other uses include the treatment of
fever, cough, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism,
hemorrhoids, asthma, and bronchitis, shortness of breath, blood pressure and
snake bite.
 For cardiac disease: garlic is used for many conditions related to the heart and
blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
coronary heart disease, heart attack and hardening of arteries.
3.4.7. Mode of action
 As a lipid lowering agent:
Inhibition of HMG CoA reductase ((3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A
reductase) enzyme (statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are
a class of lipid-lowering medications that inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA
reductase which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol)
3.4.8. Adverse effects
Bad odor, bad breath, burning of mouth, throat and stomach, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, sweating, rash.
3.4.9. Special precautions & warnings
Contraindicated if known allergy to garlic and its constituents.
3.5. Punica granatum

3.5.1. Biological source

Punica granatum
3.5.2. Family
Punicaceae
3.5.3. Common names
Pomegranate, anar
3.5.4. Parts used
Fruit
3.5.5. Chemical constituents
Punicalagin, granatin A, granatin B, vitamin B5,rutin, flavonoids, other phenolics,
ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallagic acid, a compound found in many ellagitannins
3.5.6. Uses
 It is an anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive
agent
 Inhibits abnormal platelets aggregation that could cause heart attacks strokes and
embolic diseases.
 Lowes blood pressure
 Reverse the condition of atherosclerotic plaque
3.5.7. Mode of action
 Ellagitanins have free radical scavenging property (anti-oxidant). So act as anti-
cancer, anti-microbial and anti-parasitic ad regulate glucose.
  Vitamin B5 has anti-hyperlipidimic effect, it lowers, LDL and therefore it decreases
risk of stroke, myocardial infarction.
 Rutin prevents blood clot; it could be used to treat patients who are at risk of stroke
and heart attack.
 Flavonoid reduce blood pressure
3.5.8. Adverse effects
Certain allergic reactions may occur due to consumption of pomegranate. Serious
reaction like skin rashes, wheezing, swelling of lips, mouth, throat or tongue may
occur.
3.5.9. Special precautions & warnings
 sPomegranate is avoided in those who are allergic to pomegranate,
 Insufficient reliable information on safety of pomegranate in pregnancy and
lactation