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  Alternative Pharmacy: Supplements to Open the Heart

Alternative Pharmacy: Supplements to Open the Heart

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Try these herbs and supplements for the physical body and homeopathics and flower essences for the emotional and spiritual body.

This article first appeared in the March/April 2006 issue.

We asked our favorite pharmacist, James Mattioda, PhD., owner of Arnica Pharmacy at The Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, to suggest the best herbs and supplements for opening the heart. We learned that this question could take a lifetime to answer. The heart contains tubes that can clog and muscles that can tire. It is a confluence of two acupuncture meridians where energy flow may become blocked or out of balance. The heart is also the center of spiritual energy, known as Chinese medicine as shen, where disturbances affect not only the physical part but the higher aspects of self such as reason, morals, and inspiration.

Mattioda compile this list of herbs and supplements for the physical body and homeopathics and flower essences for the emotional and spiritual body.

Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals

Hawthorne from Ortho Molecular works as a cardiotonic, strengthening the contractile force of the heart while increasing blood flow and normalizing blood pressure.

Corvalen from Valen Labs is a purified a D-ribose, a naturally occurring sugar that increases energy stored in the heart muscle. Good for chronic fatigue or for an extra boost for working out.

Profusia from Thorne is an L-arginine sustained-released amino acid that aids circulation. It helps to convert and produce nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels to literally open the heart.

Magnesium glycinate from Metagenics as a fully reacted amino acid chelate of magnesium that works on the pathway of a muscle bands of the heart, allowing relaxation and improving transmission of signals through nerves.

Anyronex from Standard Process may lower blood pressure by detoxifying a congested liver. Take two tablets and wait 10 minutes, then take two more. If your blood pressure drops significantly, the product has worked.

Homeopathics

Aurum metallicum is use for psychological patterns of exaggerated sense of duty and a tendency to react with indignation, which can be central to cardiac or vascular complaints.

Cactus grandiflorus can help a heart that feels contracted, congested, or clutched. Taking it may result in dreams of falling, or weeping in the daytime.

Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) is for the sensation when one worries that the heart might stop beating or for fear of death. Helps break isolating behavior patterns.

Flower essences from FES Quintessentials

Bleeding heart releases co-dependence and neediness, allowing unconditional love with an open heart.

Evening primrose releases emotional coldness or feelings of rejection based on childhood issues. Promotes awareness of early emotions observed in the heart from parents.

Consult your physician before taking any supplements; inform supplement providers of any other drugs that you are taking.

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