herbs for aneurysm

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Aneurysm

General characteristics

A localised or general swelling of an artery resulting in a bulging or widening with subsequent weakening of the arterial walls. Often caused by plaque on the interior artery walls (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, trauma, infection or congenital weakness of the blood vessels. Blood pressure causes the artery wall to balloon out and there is the possibility that the artery will eventually rupture causing internal bleeding which, depending on its location (head, chest or abdomen in particular), could prove fatal. They can affect anyone but are more common in men, people with high blood pressure and those aged over 65.

Diet and lifestyle

Dietary intake should aim at lowering blood pressure and excluding foods which produce poor and sluggish circulation. Therefore avoid fried foods and processed oils, animal fats, processed foods, sugary snacks, refined carbohydrates (pastries, biscuits etc), coffee and excess alcohol.

Base your eating around fresh vegetables, grains (especially oats), fruit, nuts, sprouted seeds and plenty of culinary herbs and salads. Only use olive oil for cooking.

Foods from the onion family (garlic, onions, leeks, chives etc) are highly beneficial for circulation. Raw garlic thins the blood so eat several cloves daily or add raw to meals at the end of cooking.

Eat oily fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines etc) several times a week.

Take regular gentle exercise such as walking or swimming, avoid strenuous activities generally.

Give up smoking.

Useful herbs

Herbs to thin the blood include and improve the condition of the blood vessels include red clover, hawthorn, cayenne, buckwheat, horsechestnut.

Herbs that help to lower blood pressure include yarrow, motherwort, hawthorn berries and flowers, lime blossom, mistletoe, lemon balm.

Natural healing

Evening primrose oil reduces the stickiness of the blood making it less likely to clot.

Use fresh garlic and put into empty vegetarian capsules, take 2 or more a day.

Take a teaspoon daily of cold pressed vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil, hemp seed oil or fish oils.

Take lecithin as a supplement.