Alana Korol
Garlic tops almost every list out there of good-for-your-heart herbs. Garlic is known to help lower bad cholesterol levels and even reduce plaque buildup in the arteries. Some studies even show that garlic improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.
The best thing about garlic is that it's a very flexible herb that tastes good in almost any dish. Mince and add to stir fry, Italian dishes, or even a chicken or steak dish. If you don't like garlic, you can also take a garlic supplement.
More widely known as an herb helpful for better memory, ginkgo also has properties that strengthen your heart. Most notably, the Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract has been shown in some studies to reduce blood clotting and help push through antioxidants to protect our hearts from free-radical damage.
Unfortunately, ginkgo is not as flexible an herb as garlic is when it comes to enhancing meals. However, it makes for a perfect tea, and the Ginkgo Biloba daily supplement is also trendy.
This spicy little addition is a great way to tone your heart muscle. (Eating spicy foods, in general, is a great way to get your heart pumping!) Cayenne also calms heart palpitations, improves circulation, and can help reduce bad cholesterol.
Cayenne is easy to add to your diet! Add it to your next V8 or just about any dish for a little extra kick! It is very spicy, so add only a little to your recipe and slowly work up to more spiciness. Your heart will love you for it!
Known primarily for being tasty on potatoes and proteins, Rosemary is a great way to improve your heart health. It's been linked to a decrease in cholesterol and blood pressure. It is generally good for maintaining a healthy circulatory system.
Rosemary potatoes are a fantastic side item, and Rosemary is also excellent on chicken.
