Digitalis Lanata Uses, Benefits, And Remedies
Digitalis lanata, commonly known as the foxglove, is a flowering plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, known for its striking bell-shaped flowers.
This herb has been historically used in traditional medicine for its cardiovascular benefits, including strengthening heart contractions and regulating heart rate.
The bioactive constituents responsible for its therapeutic actions include cardiac glycosides such as digoxin and lanatoside C, which affect the heart's electrical activity.
Herbal preparations such as infusions, tinctures, and extracts can be made from the dried leaves and flowers, though caution is required due to its potent nature.
This page analize the most important medicinal aspects of Digitalis lanata.
The 9 best health benefits of Digitalis lanata are shown in the image below.
The list below give a brief description of the 9 best health benefits of Digitalis lanata.
- Slow Heart Rate: Digitalis lanata herb helps to slow down the heart rate by enhancing the force of heart contractions and reducing the electrical impulses in the heart.
- Treat Atrial Fibrillation: It is used to manage atrial fibrillation by regulating the heart's rhythm and reducing the rapid, irregular heartbeat.
- Regulate Heartbeat: Digitalis lanata herb helps in maintaining a regular and steady heartbeat by affecting the heart's electrical conduction system.
- Lower Ventricular Rate: It helps in reducing the ventricular rate, which is useful in managing conditions where the heart's lower chambers beat too fast.
- Treat Heart Failure: Digitalis lanata herb improves heart function by increasing the strength of heart contractions, which helps in treating heart failure.
- Prevent Arrhythmia: It can prevent abnormal heart rhythms by stabilizing the heart's electrical activity and reducing the risk of arrhythmias.
- Lower Mortality Rate: The herb has been associated with reducing mortality rates in patients with certain heart conditions due to its positive effects on heart function.
- Treat Mitral Stenosis: Digitalis lanata herb can help alleviate symptoms of mitral stenosis by reducing the workload on the heart and improving blood flow.
- Prevent Heart Failure: It may help prevent the progression of heart failure by strengthening the heart muscle and improving its pumping efficiency.
Bioactive Constituents
Digitalis lanata triterpenoids are a class of secondary metabolites found in the plant, contributing to its pharmacological profile.
While triterpenoids are known for their diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, they are not the primary active compounds responsible for the herb's cardiac effects. The main medicinal constituents of Digitalis lanata are cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin and digitoxin, which are potent inhibitors of the sodium-potassium ATPase pump.
These glycosides increase intracellular sodium levels, leading to a cascade of events that enhance myocardial contractility, making them valuable in the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias. Digoxin, in particular, is widely used in clinical settings due to its ability to regulate heart rhythm and improve cardiac output. Digitoxin, although less commonly used today, shares a similar mechanism of action and has been historically employed for similar therapeutic purposes.
Together, these cardiac glycosides highlight the therapeutic importance of Digitalis lanata in cardiovascular medicine, despite the presence of other bioactive compounds like triterpenoids.
The 13 best bioactive constituents of Digitalis lanata are shown in the image below.
The list below give a brief description of the 9 best bioactive constituents of Digitalis lanata.
- Triterpenoids: A class of organic compounds with a complex structure, often found in plants, and may have various biological activities including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
- Digoxin: A cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of heart failure and certain arrhythmias, it strengthens heart contractions and regulates heart rhythm.
- Digitoxin: Another cardiac glycoside similar to digoxin, used to treat heart failure and certain types of irregular heartbeats by increasing the force of heart muscle contractions.
- Cardiac Glycosides: A group of compounds that affect the heart's function, often used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias by increasing the force of heart contractions.
- Digitoxigenin: A secondary cardiac glycoside precursor, which can be converted into active cardiac glycosides like digitoxin and digoxin.
- Digoxigenin: A secondary cardiac glycoside precursor, which serves as a base for the synthesis of active compounds such as digoxin and digitoxin.
- Glycosides: Compounds composed of a sugar molecule attached to a non-sugar component, often having biological activities, including cardiac effects.
- Saponins: Natural compounds found in plants that have surfactant properties and may exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering effects.
- Flavonoids: A group of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and potential health benefits.
- Steroids: A class of organic compounds with a characteristic four-ring structure, often involved in various physiological processes and found in plants and animals.
- Alkaloids: Nitrogen-containing organic compounds found in plants, often with significant physiological effects on humans and other animals.
- Phenolic Acids: Organic compounds containing a benzene ring with one or more hydroxyl groups, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Carotenoids: A group of naturally occurring pigments found in plants, responsible for their yellow, orange, and red colors, and known for their antioxidant properties.
Medicinal Parts
Digitalis lanata leaf has been historically used in traditional medicine for its potential therapeutic properties.
The leaves contain cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin and digitoxin, which are known to affect the heart's function. These compounds can help in treating heart conditions by increasing the force of heart contractions and slowing the heart rate. However, the leaves are highly toxic and require careful handling and precise dosing to avoid adverse effects.
Due to their potency, the leaves are typically processed or extracted to create safer medicinal formulations.
The 1 best medicinal parts of Digitalis lanata are shown in the image below.
The list below give a brief description of the 1 best medicinal parts of Digitalis lanata.
Herbal Preparations
Digitalis lanata tinctures are prepared by soaking the dried leaves and flowers of the plant in alcohol, allowing the active compounds, such as digoxin and digitoxin, to extract into the solvent.
These tinctures are commonly used in herbal medicine for their cardiovascular effects, including strengthening heart contractions and regulating heart rhythm. However, due to the potent and potentially toxic nature of the alkaloids, tinctures must be prepared and administered with extreme caution.
They are typically diluted further before use to minimize the risk of overdose. In contrast, decoctions involve boiling the plant material in water to create a concentrated herbal tea, which is less potent but still effective for mild cardiovascular support. Capsules and syrups offer more convenient forms for regular use, while mucillages, derived from the plant's mucilage-rich parts, are used topically as poultices to soothe skin irritations or reduce inflammation.
Each preparation method has its own set of benefits and risks, requiring careful consideration and professional guidance for safe and effective use.
The 6 best herbal preparations of Digitalis lanata are shown in the image below.
The list below give a brief description of the 6 best herbal preparations of Digitalis lanata.
- Tinctures: Digitalis lanata tinctures are used to support heart function, helping to strengthen cardiac contractions and regulate heart rate, often used in the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias.
- Decoctions: Digitalis lanata decoctions are traditionally used to treat cardiovascular conditions, including congestive heart failure, by improving circulation and reducing fluid retention.
- Capsules: Digitalis lanata capsules provide a concentrated form of the herb, commonly used to support cardiac health and manage symptoms related to heart conditions such as hypertension and arrhythmias.
- Syrups: Digitalis lanata syrups are used to support heart function and are often prescribed for their ability to strengthen the heart muscle and improve blood circulation.
- Mucillages: Digitalis lanata mucillages are used to soothe inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract, providing a protective coating and aiding in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues.
- Poultices: Digitalis lanata poultices are applied externally to reduce inflammation and promote healing in skin conditions, such as wounds and infections, due to their astringent and antimicrobial properties.
Side Effects of digitalis lanata
Digitalis lanata heart beats fast as it acts as a cardiac stimulant, increasing the force and rate of heart contractions.
This effect is due to its active compounds, such as digoxin, which enhance the activity of the sodium-potassium pump in cardiac cells, leading to increased intracellular calcium levels and stronger heart contractions. However, this can also lead to arrhythmias, including irregular or rapid heartbeats, which may be dangerous if not monitored.
In addition to heart palpitations, Digitalis lanata can cause a range of other side effects, such as nausea, vision changes like blurred vision or dimming, and even muscle twitching or dry skin. These side effects are often related to the herb's potent effects on the cardiovascular system and can vary depending on dosage and individual sensitivity.
It is important to use Digitalis lanata under medical supervision to manage these potential risks and ensure safe therapeutic use.
The 11 most common side effects of Digitalis lanata are shown in the image below.
The list below give a brief description of the 11 most common side effects of Digitalis lanata.
- Heart Beats Fast: Digitalis lanata can increase heart rate due to its cardiac glycoside content, which stimulates the heart's contraction strength and rhythm.
- Blood Pressure Drops: The herb may cause a decrease in blood pressure as it affects the heart's function and vascular system.
- Blood Pressure Rises: In some cases, Digitalis lanata may lead to an increase in blood pressure due to its effects on the cardiovascular system.
- Eyesight Blurs: Digitalis lanata can cause blurred vision as it affects the muscles in the eye, leading to temporary visual disturbances.
- Vision Becomes Dim: The herb may result in dimmed vision due to its impact on the eye muscles and the nervous system.
- Heart Beats Slow: Digitalis lanata can slow the heart rate, especially at higher doses, due to its effects on the cardiac conduction system.
- Nausea Occurs: The herb may cause nausea as a side effect due to its effects on the gastrointestinal system and central nervous system.
- Chest Feels Tight: Digitalis lanata can lead to a feeling of chest tightness due to its effects on the heart and respiratory system.
- Muscles Twitch: The herb may cause muscle twitching due to its impact on neuromuscular function and electrolyte balance.
- Skin Feels Dry: Digitalis lanata may lead to dry skin as it affects the body's fluid balance and sweat production.
- Feet Feel Numb: The herb can cause numbness in the feet due to its effects on nerve function and blood circulation.