ABSTRACT
Disorders of the cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, and blood circulation) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. With changing lifestyles and diet, as also with increased stress and pollution, cardiovascular diseases are reaching epidemic proportions not only in the developed world but also in the developing world. Plants have been used in Ayurveda for the treatment of heart disease or Hrdroga, as it is known in Sanskrit, both in the form of a single drug and in combination with other plants. There have been several plants that have been listed in ancient treatises as useful for heart problems since the time of Caraka and Sushruta-authors of the first Ayurvedic texts. Several reviews have been published considering the importance of the area. These include plants found useful in cardiovascular conditions,1,2 which have been grouped under four categories depending upon their activity, such as cardioprotective plants that help in the management of ischemia and angina,3 antiplatelet plants,4 antihyperlipidemic plants,5 and antihypertensive plants.6,7 Many of these plants can be included in more than one category.
