ABSTRACT
Botanical medicine, also referred to as herbal medicine or phytotherapy, utilizes plants, plant parts, and preparations made from them for therapeutic and/or preventive purposes. Hibiscus and beetroot lower blood pressure. From the broad to the narrow, from crude plant to highly refined extracts, the field of botanical medicine has much to offer for the promotion of cardiovascular wellbeing. Preclinical data demonstrates that hawthorn extract increases the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and potentially inhibits its degradation. Grapes, especially grape seeds, are a rich source of potent polyphenol antioxidants that may have a beneficial effect on numerous risk factors involved in the metabolic syndrome such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Hibiscus is consumed in the Middle East, Central and South America, India, and other parts of the world, as both a tasty beverage and herbal medicine. Beetroot is gaining popularity for its purported benefits on cardiovascular function and athletic performance.
