Herbal Therapeutics in Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

Herbal have gained recognition as valuable adjuncts in managing cardiovascular disease (CVD), offering multi-targeted benefits across key risk factors. This review summarizes data from different data bases over the past decade, focusing on herbs with traditional and emerging cardiovascular applications. The selection is supported by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and its Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) monographs. Key herbs include artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. syn. Cynara scolymus L.) turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Citrus bergamia (Citrus bergamia Risso & Poit.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.), danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Terminalia arjuna (Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer.), green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L), and others. These plants are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and organosulfur compounds, which exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and lipid-lowering effects. Clinical evidence supports garlic’s impact on blood pressure and lipids, hawthorn’s benefits in heart failure, and ginseng and ginkgo’s role in vascular function. Curcumin and gingerols contribute to anti-inflammatory activity and improved metabolic profiles. Additional herbs like bergamot and hibiscus also show cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering effects. While the overall safety profile is favourable, herb–drug interactions must be considered. Collectively, these herbal agents offer a natural, accessible, and cost-effective complement to conventional CVD therapies. However, further large-scale clinical trials are essential to confirm efficacy, establish standardized dosing, and evaluate long-term safety in cardiovascular care.