Fibrillation or cardiac arrhythmia refers to an irregular and rapid heart beat that is accompanied by unsynchronized contractions. Atrial fibrillation is a lifetime condition that could occur occasionally or frequently enough to require control using anticoagulation medications or electrical cardio-version. It happens when normal blood pumping capacity of heart gets diminished owing to a situation where two upper heart chambers don’t function in sync with lower ones.
Affected individual feels lightheaded and short-breathed. The other type, ventricular fibrillation occurs when heart muscles fail to coordinate with large chambers causing unusual twitching. It’s usually seen to affect people with diseased heart and can cause cardiac arrest. A side effect of fibrillation is blood clot formation. Herbal remedies can help ease the heart rhythm and prevent blood clots. Let’s take a look at several effective herbal remedies for fibrillation.
Herbal Remedies For Fibrillation
Hawthorne Berry
The Hawthorne berry fruit is traditionally used for reducing palpitations and can energize heart while normalizing heart beat. It acts in a gentle but powerful manner and can be taken both as a heart tonic and for AF prevention.
Scientific studies have indicated Hawthorne could modulate ion channels and blood flow while improving oxygen utilization and in this way supporting vascular health. Use the extract of Hawthorne berry fruit in three doses daily amounting to 4,500 mg. It’s also available in capsule form. Another way is taking 20-50 drops of Hawthorne tincture daily.
Lily Of The Valley
Long recognized for its strong anti-arrhythmic effects, Lily-of-the-Valley is believed to be a moderate vasoconstrictor and contains isoflavones that provide nutrition to heart muscle. If used as a whole plant in form of tincture the flavonoids found in the herb help in controlling arrhythmias.
An advised dose of the tincture that should contain 25-30 percent alcohol is three times daily and each dose equivalent to 0.5-1 ml. Steep 1-2 tablespoons of the dried herb in water for 20-30 minutes and drink the concoction. An overdose of this herbal extract should strictly be avoided. Herbalists also warn against taking it with potassium-wasting drugs like corticosteroids.
Motherwort
The extract of fresh flowering buds of Motherwort plant taken in form of tincture helps soothe the unhealthy heart rhythm. An individual suffering from fibrillation can take 20-25 drops of the tincture and mix it with one glass water to drink up. Another dose can be repeated in an hour if needed.
Known as a traditional tonic for heart, motherwort is better taken in regular intervals than in a single large dose. It can be taken 2-3 times daily but if the condition is worse, the dose can be increased to up to 4 times.
Stinging Nettle
Have an infusion prepared from Stinging Nettle or Urtica dioica which soothes anxiety associated with fibrillation. Adding red clover to the infusion makes for a better drink since red clover is a blood thinner. Taking the infusion once or at least three times weekly really helps restore the heart rhythm.
Bilberry
Take Bilberry, the European variant of Blueberry in form of extract in 2-3 doses daily. Alternately a tea or infusion of dried Bilberry can be prepared and taken. This has a heart function strengthening effect.
Bilberry has flavonoids apart from anthocyanosides that work to strengthen capillaries and increase blood flow to heart apart from preventing clotting of blood. Overall it also increases the strength of heartbeat and is known to have no toxicity or side-effects.
