Strophanthus: The Little-Known Plant Behind Heart Remedies

While most definitions of cardiovascular disease refer to a lack of oxygenation in the blood vessels, Dr. Thomas Cowan views it differently, backed by scientific evidence. He states that the direct cause of cardiovascular diseases—including heart attack, unstable angina, and angina—is reduced parasympathetic nervous system activity, and that the Strophanthus plant is a safe and effective treatment for targeting the parasympathetic nervous system.

If you want to learn more about why heart disease is best treated by targeting the nervous system, please read this blog: Click here.

What is Strophanthus Plant

The Strophanthus plant, also known as ouabain or g-strophanthin, helps treat cardiovascular diseases by acting on the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs the body’s “rest and digest” functions. It is available in the form of capsules or extracts.

G-strophanthin is an endogenous hormone made in the adrenal cortex from cholesterol, and its production is inhibited by statin drugs.

How it Works

It performs two functions that are crucial to heart health, which no other medicine can do.

First, it stimulates the production and release of acetylcholine, the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Second, it converts lactic acid—the main metabolic poison in this process—into pyruvate, one of the primary and preferred fuels of myocardial cells. In other words, it converts a poison into a nutrient.

Strophanthus Plant vs Pharmaceutical Drugs

The Strophanthus plant acts similarly to conventional drugs but without adverse effects.

Aspirin and statin drugs are commonly used for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack. They stimulate the production of nitric oxide and acetylcholine—the two principal mediators of the parasympathetic nervous system. However, they cause a rebound decrease in these substances, which further reduces parasympathetic activity.

Beta-blockers, used to manage cardiac arrhythmias, work by blocking the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

How Safe Is It

According to Dr. Cowan, very few of the Strophanthus preparations have caused any serious side effects. However, as with any medicine, it should only be taken as needed, and you should consult a physician before using any form of Strophanthus.

Reference:
Human Heart, Cosmic Heart by Dr Thomas Cowan