Cardiovascular System

CAM
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CAM
Ginseng
Ginseng is a plant that is said to have medicinal advantages. In China, ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for a long time. There are many varieties of ginseng in the world. However, the most popular ones are the Asian, also known as Korean, ginseng, and American ginseng. These two variants are quite different in how they impact the body of those who take ginseng. According to Semeco (2018), Asian ginseng is said to have a more invigorating effect than American ginseng, which has a more relaxing effect.
Effect on the Cardiovascular System
The pharmacological properties of ginseng are widely known, especially the Korean ginseng. Ginseng is known to have an active ingredient known as ginsenoside, which is believed to have several effects, including being an antioxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory (Kim, 2018). Further, ginseng is believed to affect the cardiovascular system positively. According to Lee and Kim (2014), ginseng is known to help individuals suffering from conditions such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Hypercholesterolemia is a condition where blood has high levels of cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for conditions such as myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease (Girod et al., 1999). High levels of cholesterol are quite dangerous because it impedes normal blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. Lee and Kim (2014) note that using ginseng helps to restore normal blood flow because it helps reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood. In doing so, ginseng helps to prevent instances of myocardial infarction.
Anticipated Benefits
The benefits of ginseng are quite many. As already indicated, ginseng contains an ingredient known as ginsenoside. This ingredient is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Lee and Kim (2014) note that ginseng’s anti-inflammatory property is crucial for patients with myocardial ischemia. The researchers indicate that ginseng decreases atherosclerosis with its anti-inflammatory effects, thus ensuring and enhancing blood flow in the body.
Lee and Kim (2014) indicated that other benefits of ginseng include modulating vascular function, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and enhancing vasomotor functions.
Any identified Risks or Adverse Effects
Despite its major pharmacological benefits, ginseng is also known to have some effects on the users. According to Paik and Lee (2014), the abuse and misuse of ginseng could lead to conditions such as gynecomastia, allergies, and even affective disorder, among others. Further, patients could also find themselves reporting instances of genital organ bleeding, reproductive toxicity, and hypertension.
Relative patient education
While numerous studies have been done on ginseng’s efficacy on various conditions, patient education happens to be quite low on ginseng as an intervention. In China, ginseng has been a traditional medicine for a long time. Therefore, patient education happens to be quite high in the region. However, in America, patient education on ginseng is not as widespread as it is in China.
Hawthorn
Like ginseng, Hawthorn is a plant that happens to have medicinal properties. The flowers, berries, and leaves of a hawthorn plant are the main parts that are used to help make medicine.
Effect on the Cardiovascular System
Hawthorn is known to have certain benefits that help enhance the health of the heart while also helping to enhance the condition of the blood vessels. Cholesterol is a major impediment or barrier to a healthy cardiovascular system. Investigations into the effects of Hawthorn on the cardiovascular system reveal that it helps to lower the cholesterol levels in the body. The impact of the above is that it ensures that blood flow is enhanced. According to Wang, Xiong, and Feng (2013), hawthorn has been said to have the potential to help patients with heart disease. The researchers continue to indicate that hawthorn’s efficacy or demonstration of its pharmacological benefits lies in its application to the treatment of congestive heart failure. Pittler, Guo, and Ernst (2008) second the above statement noting that hawthorn extract showcased some benefits in their study, especially when it is used as a supplemental intervention for chronic heart failure.
Anticipated Benefits
According to Wang, Xiong, and Feng (2013), hawthorn has several benefits that are tied to its pharmacological properties. First, hawthorn is known to have the antioxidant property, which helps alleviate oxidative stress common to major cardiovascular conditions. Also, hawthorn has shown some of its anti-inflammatory effects, which is a crucial factor when it comes to dealing with chronic heart failure. Wang, Xiong, and Feng (2013) also include the vasodilating effect of hawthorn.
Any Identified Risks or Adverse Effects
According to the NIH (2020), hawthorn has no known serious or adverse effects on the body. However, it does happen to have some side effects, including nausea, dizziness, and other digestive symptoms. NIH also warns that hawthorn could interact or have a sensitive reaction when used as a supplemental intervention with other drugs.
Relative Patient Education
There seems to be a lot of information on hawthorn and its benefits online. However, the lack of government involvement, especially on supplements, happens to reduce its use and information in the mainstream.
L-Arginine
Unlike ginseng and hawthorn, l-arginine is not a plant. L-Arginine is a building block or an element that is acquired through normal and routine diets. This chemical is quite useful in the body and is found in foods such as poultry, fish, and even red meat.
Effect on the Cardiovascular System
According to Tousoulis et al. (2002), L-arginine has several advantages to the cardiovascular system. First, these advantages or benefits are experienced through the production of nitric oxide (NO). L-arginine is the substrate that is used in the production of nitric oxide (Sudar-Milovanovic et al., 2016). Nitric oxide performs a crucial function in the body which entails helping the blood vessels to relax. This simple function helps ensur...