Indications

Cardiac tonic safely consumed long-term. Does not possess cardiac glycosides, however, it has mild positive inotropic effects.

Cardiovascular
• cardiac insufficiency (early stage)
- congestive heart failure (early stage)
- arrhythmias
• dyslipidemia (e.g. hyperlipidemia)
- atherosclerosis
• hypertension - minimal effects
• improves coronary blood flow
• angina
• myocardial infarct (during recovery )

Actions

• Cardiac Tonic
• Cardiac Nutritive
• Cardioprotective
• Inotropic (Positive)
• Antiarrhythmic
• Antioxidant
• Antihypertensive
• Vasodilator (Mild )

Constituents

• Procyanidins
• Flavonoids

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 40% EtOH): 2.5-5 ml tid
• Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% EtOH): 1-2 ml tid
• Infusion: (dried herb): 1-2 tsp tid-qid

Safety

Long-term use: Berries are safe.

Interactions

Cardiac glycosides: caution with patients on cardiac glycosides.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002