Herb Chemistry Herbal Chemistry Herbal Cardiac Glycosides
Herbal Cardiac Glycosides |
What Are Herbal Cardiac Glycosides?Herbal cardiac glycosides belong to an important category of herbal drugs whose bipolar actions include both beneficial and toxic effects on your heart. Herbs that contain cardiac steroids and glycosides have been used in many ancient civilizations since 1500 BC. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans initially employed plants containing cardiac glycosides as medicines for heart ailments. Higher toxicity levels from herbal cardiac glycosides was established in 1785, by William Withering, when he published his legendary literary work on the herb Foxglove. Use of Herbal Cardiac Glycosides Cardiac glycosides are in essence very effective herbal remedies with varied actions like poisons, emetics, diuretics and heart tonics. Modern cardiac steroids are also used as drugs for treating congestive heart failure and for reducing the ill effects of atrial fibrillation. However, their extreme toxic levels still remain a serious and critical problem. Herbal Cardiac Glycosides CautionsMost of the herbal glycosides are water and alcohol soluble, and it is very easy to create drug formulations from glycosides. A special class of glycosides is cyanoglycosides, which are found in many rose family plants. These glycosides are in fact, dangerous to your health, as they contain some amounts of cyanide. On the other hand, anthraquinone glycosides are excellent contact laxatives for your digestive system. These glycosides are found in herbs like Senna, Rhubarb, and in barks of Frangula. Most of these strong glycosides are rapidly addictive and habit forming. Where Are Herbal Cardiac Glycosides Found?Herbal Cardiac glycosides are found in a number of plants including Foxgloves, Common Oleander, Yellow Oleander, Lily of the Valley, Squill, Ouabain, Dogbane, and Wallflower. Therapeutic and medicinal uses of herbal cardiac glycosides continue to be a source of debate, and people still contest their use in medical fraternity. Cardiac glycosides have been also repeatedly found in Asian herbal preparation and they do cause a matter of great anxiety. Toxicity and poisonous reactions may result after consuming herbal teas prepared from herbal leaves, seeds and flowers that contain copious amounts of cardiac glycosides.Herbal cardiac glycosides mainly create cellular and pharmacological effects on your cardiovascular system, neurological structures and gastrointestinal systems. However, their effect on your heart and circulatory system is radical and often highly toxic. |
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