Q & A: Herbs for Heart Arrhythmia and Viral Myocarditis

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My son, a twenty-nine-year-old healthy athletic fellow, has had some problems with heart arrhythmia. His first attack came about two years ago and frightened him terribly. He was put in the hospital for two days and was diagnosed as having a virus in his heart muscle. He rested a lot (he is a volleyball player and coaches volleyball as well) and over the course of many months the doctor felt that his heart had healed but not totally and maybe never would. What can you tell me about herbs in relation to heart arrhythmia/virus healing, etc.? Thanks for any help.
—P. F., Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

Keville responds: There are several good herbs for the heart. For example, astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), a Chinese root best known for its ability to increase the production of immune cells in the bone, is also traditionally used to treat heart problems such as a heart arrhythmia or viral myocarditis. Physicians in China use it as their primary treatment when certain viruses infect the heart and cause an irregular heartbeat. Another Chinese herb, reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), and two popular Western heart herbs, hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), help regulate the heart and are regarded as heart tonics. Another good herb is a special type of ginseng known as Tienchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng). It not only normalizes heartbeat and improves circulation but helps relieve fatigue and stress.

Antioxidant herbs such as ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) also help strengthen the entire cardiovascular system. However, rather than determine what’s best for your son based on a little bit of information, I’d like to see him receive more personal care by working with a natural practitioner. An acupuncturist or herbalist won’t have the same limitations as a doctor because he or she will treat your son’s basic constitution to strengthen him rather than just treating his symptoms. I suggest that your son find a local practitioner. He can inquire at his local health-food store; contact the American Association of Oriental Medicine at (888) 500-7999, www.aaom.org; or find a naturopathic doctor through the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at (703) 610-9037, www.naturopathic.org.

Khalsa responds: The condition you are describing, viral myocarditis, is typically thought to be caused by the Coxsackie virus, a common respiratory bug. Recent research also shows that adenovirus and enterovirus, common human pathogens, can infect heart muscle. You are right to be concerned about this disorder. When previously healthy high school athletes collapse suddenly during competition, this condition is often the reason.

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