Traditional practise has used herbs like Polygonum Multiflorum, Panax Notoginseng, Schisandra Chinensis and Saposhnikovia Divaricata for treating heart and liver problems. Scientific research has showed and proven the validity of these beliefs that herbs like Polygonum Multiflorum, Panax Notoginseng, Schisandra Chinensis and Saposhnikovia Divaricata are truly effective for improving liver and heart functions and they are truly longevity herbs. Scientists have proven that these herbs can increase red blood cell productions as well as improving the functions of these cells.  They have been proven to have the following functions: anti-aging, improve immune system through its antioxidant effect, treat cholesterol problem, retard and treat arteriosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels) protect liver, regulate and nourish blood and improve its circulation, anti-tumor effect, treat breathlessness, treat cardiac insufficiency, treat edema and hypertension.

Scientists have shown these herbs can be used to treat the following cardiovascular disease problems:

• For treating high blood pressure

• For treating high cholesterol 

• For rejuvenating blood vessels (arteriosclerosis) 

• For improving blood circulation 

• For cold hands and feet

• For protecting cardiac muscle from ischemic injury (strengthen heart)

• For increasing red blood cells 

• For cancer inhibitive functions (anti-tumor effect)

• For breathlessness

• For anti-fatigue

• For angina

• For cardiac insufficiency

• For improving immunity

1. Radix Polygonum Multiflorum

Applications:

• Polygonum multiflorum can strengthen the tendons, ligaments and bones and prevents premature aging. It is commonly called a longevity-promoting herb.

• Formulated Radix Polygonum multiflorum is used to treat hypertension.

• It is used to replenish the vital essence of the liver and kidney and to nourish the blood for the treatment of anemia

Function of the herb :

• To tone up liver and kidney and replenish their vital essence
• Treat fatty liver, increase red blood cells and reduce blood fats
• Exert same effect as adrenoticortical hormone
• Nourish blood
• For aching back and knee
• Treat tiredness and exhaustion
• Protect heart from damage from free radicals
• Anti aging function
• Improve immune system through its antioxidant effect
• Treat cholesterol problem
• Retard and treat arteriosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels)
• Protect liver
• Regulate blood
• Increase red blood cell production

Polygonum Multiflorum:

Clinical research by western scientists have shown the anti-arteriosclerosis, hypoglycemic properties, anti-tumor activities and anti-hypertension functions of Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu). These research were published in scientific papers below.

• Chen F.C. 1987. “Recent Status on Chemical and Pharmacological research on Natural Hypoglycemic Drugs” Chinese Traditional Herbal Drugs 8: 39 – 44.

• Deng W. C. and S.R. Gong 1987 “Progress in research on He Shou Wu” (Polygonum Multiflorum Thumb). Chinese Traditional Herbal Drugs 3:42 – 46 .

• Jiang J.W. 1984 “Achievements in new drugs development from Chinese Herbal Drugs during a 35 year period since the establishment of the Peoples’ Republic”. Chinese Traditional Herbal Drugs 10:1 – 10, 19.

• Li  C.L., 1982 “Research Status on anti-tumor drugs of Plant Origin”. Chinese Pharma Bulletin 2: 19 – 23.

• Song X.P.,  P.P Chen and X. S. Chai 1988. “Effects of puerarin on blood pressure and plasma renin activity in spontaneous hypertensive rating”. Acta  Pharmacol. Sin. 1:55 – 58 (English abstract)

• Wang W and H. D Jin 1984. “Effect of alcoholic extract of prepared Radix Polygonum Multiflorum on preventing arteriosclerosis in Japanese quail”

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that the extract of the root of Polygonum multiflorum exhibited a significant antioxidant activity. Research have shown a stilbene glucoside, (E)-2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (1) as the active constituent responsible for the antioxidant property. 33196

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Polygonum Multiflorum increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, reduce total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycerides, retard atherosclerosis, protect the heart, strengthen the membranes of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and has powerful natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger and these have powerful anti-aging benefits in humans. Foster

2. Radix Panax Nototginseng

Applications:

• To treat various types of internal and external bleeding syndromes:
  This herb cannot only arrest bleeding, but also dissipate blood stasis, producing outstanding curative effects.

• To treat traumatic injuries and blood stasis with pain:
  This herb can promote blood circulation by removing blood stasis to subdue swelling and kill pain, It is a popular traumatological herb.
  Combined with other herbs it is used for promoting blood circulation and lipid (fat0 control

• It is used as hemostatic and anodyne by eliminating blood stasis

• It is used for angina pectoris and ischemic cardiovascular diseases

Function of the herb:

• It expands coronary arteries
• It prevents angina pectoris
• It promote blood circulation
• Increase and protect blood platelets

• It has anti-blood clot effect

• It can reduce cardiac load, lower arterial pressure and improve micro-circulation in and around damaged heart tissue
• It produces anti-carcinogenic effect on some form of cancer
• It relieves chest pain associated with angina
• It improves heart function
• It has anti-inflammatory effects
• It strengthens the immune system
• It increases blood circulation in the heart and brain while lowering elevated heart pressure
• It prevents arteriosclerosis and inhibits the progression of arteriosclerosis lesions
• It prevent arrhythmias due to lack of oxygen in the heart (improves heart function)
• It improves memory and reverses dementia by regenerating injured brain cells
• It lowers elevated blood lipids

It is referred to as “the most valuable Chinese herbal medicine" and is nicknamed “priceless” (Compendium of Material Media). Research by Kunming Plant Research Institute of China Academy of Science, Kunming Medical College and scientists from Japan and America prove that P.N. has 20 types of saponin active mass, 17 types of amino acids, 11 types of trace elements, lumpy proteins, abundant vitamins, polysaccharide and 3 kinds of anticancerin mass: active selenium, notoginseng - polysaccaride A, B-element. Studies at Wuhan Medical College showed that it enhanced oxygen supply function of the heart muscle, protect cardiac muscle cell from ischemic injury. California Applied Biology Scientific Research Institute of America proves that P.N. possesses distinct effects on controlling body weight and reducing fat. This has also been proven by a Japanese scholar. The Rg (Ginsenoside Rg) Saponin of P.N. improves the composition of DNA of the brains and proteins, has anti-fatigue function and enhances the activities of brain, thus helping memory.

Experiments and modern clinical trials have shown that Panax notoginseng is immunologically active. Panax notoginseng stimulates macrophages, promotes antibody formation, activates complement and increases T lymphocyte proliferation.  (T lymphocyte: a small lymphocyte developed in the thymus; it orchestrates the immune system's response to infected or malignant cells) and protected animals from liver intoxications. 41992

Clinical research  by western scientists have shown that Panax Notoginseng has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (reduces pain) and immunomodulatory action. 44000

Clinical research  by western scientists have shown that Panax Notoginseng reduces thrombogenicity (blood clot) and arrhythmias (improves blood and heart function), increases erythrocyte deformability (causes the ability erythrocytes cells to change shape as they pass through narrow spaces, such as the microvasculature i.e. improves blood flow), is an antioxidant, which can counteract free radical damage associated with atherogenesis and myocardial damage seen with ischemia (reduce blood supply) and reperfusion (damage to tissue caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia). 66054

Several studies have shown that notoginsenoides lower elevated blood lipids (cholesterol). Studies have shown that notoginsenoides improve diastolic function in hypertensive subjects, induce the fibrinolytic system in in vitro models and act as antiproliferative agents on vessel leiomyocytes. 01683

Clinical research  by western scientists has shown that Panax Notoginseng  increasing the resistance to anoxia (a region of the body where there is complete deprivation of oxygen supply), increase blood circulation in the heart and brain while lowering elevated blood pressure. 18584

Clinical research by western scientists has shown that Panax Notoginseng may prevent atherosclerosis and inhibit progression of the atherosclerotic lesions by interfering with the proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cell. 49623

Clinical research by western scientists have shown the extract of the roots of Panax notoginseng (Araliaceae) exhibited a significant anti-tumor-promoting activity on two-stage carcinogenesis of mouse skin tumors. 49877

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that ginsenosides Rg1 from Panax Notoginseng has estrogen-like activity and should be classified as a novel class of potent phytoestrogen. Ginsenosides have demonstrated pharmacological effects in the central nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. 61497

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Panax Notoginseng has anti-inflammatory effect. 78152

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Panax Notoginseng reduce cell damage after heart attack and protect nerve and brain cells from the damage of stroke. Panax Notoginseng improves energy metabolism and preserves the structural integrity of neurons (restore and prevent nerves damage). 01752

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Panax Notoginseng prevents dementia. Research done by: Professor Dr. Jinzhou Tian, Junxiang Yin, Ph.D.; Huan Liu, Ph.D.; Chengzhi Yang, Ph.D.; Jing Shi, Ph.D.; and Yongyan Wang, M.D.

3. Fructus Schisandra Chinensis

Application:

• It is used to treat cough, asthma, night sweating
• It is used as a tonic

Function of the herb:

• Effective heart tonic
• Improves liver function
• Used to treat liver and gall bladder stones
• Used to treat insomnia and forgetfulness
• Used to treat for neurasthenia (tiredness and exhaustion)

• Researchers now recognize it is an “adaptogen” herb – capable of increasing the body’s resistance to disease, stress and other debilitating process, boosts recovery after surgery and improves health of adrenals.

• It is used as an adjuvant herb to treat liver disease

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed the validity of the historical use of Schisandra Chinensis, in particular the lignans gomisin A and gomisin N, are hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative agents. 75889

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Schisandra Chinensis protects the heart against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (damage to the heart tissue caused by reduced blood supply) injury. 48914

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Schisandra Chinensis have protective effect against oxygen radical induced mitochondrial toxicity on rat heart and liver and is a potent antioxidant activities. It was found that Schisanhenol from Schisandra Chinensis strengthen the heart. 86468

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed the validity of the historical use of Schisandra Chinensis, in particular has strong hepatoprotective functions and is an adaptogenic and antioxidative agent. 24122

Clinical research by western scientists from China confirmed the validity of the historical use of Schisandra Chinensis, in particular as a hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative agent and the lignans from this herb is more potent then Vitamin E. The actions of lignans from 7 herbs were compared and research found the lignans, schisanhenol from Schisandra Chinensis was the most active. Clinical research proved the lignans, schisanhenol from Schisandra Chinensis   prevented the decrease of membrane fluidity of liver microsomes and inhibits superoxide anion production (superoxide anion reduce oxygen supporting cellular respiration). 32091

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed the validity of the historical use of Schisandra Chinensis, in particular as a hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative agent. It was found the lignans, schisanhenol, increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in rat liver cytosol. 49050

Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Schisandra Chinensis protects the heart mitochondrial toxicity. 5