Palpitation: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Palpitation refers to an irregular or rapid heartbeat, often felt as a pounding or fluttering sensation in the chest.

It can be caused by stress, anxiety, caffeine consumption, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions such as hypertension or hyperthyroidism. If left untreated, palpitations can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased cardiac function. To alleviate palpitations, herbal remedies such as passionflower, lavender, and holy basil can be used to calm the nervous system.

However, individuals should consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of palpitation, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of palpitation?

The main causes of palpitation are typically related to the heart's electrical system and include abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.

These irregular heartbeats can be caused by underlying heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, and coronary artery disease. Other factors that can contribute to palpitations include stress, anxiety, and panic attacks, as well as stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and certain medications. Additionally, electrolyte imbalances, particularly those involving potassium, magnesium, and calcium, can also trigger palpitations.

Furthermore, thyroid disorders, anemia, and other systemic conditions can also lead to palpitations due to their effects on the heart's electrical system.

• Anxiety: Anxiety triggers palpitations due to the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which can cause an increase in heart rate and cardiac output.
• Caffeine: Caffeine consumption can lead to palpitations because it stimulates the heart and nervous system, increasing heart rate and cardiac output.
• Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause palpitations because the brain and heart require a constant supply of glucose to function properly, and a lack of glucose can lead to an irregular heartbeat.
• Dehydration: Dehydration can cause palpitations because it can lead to a drop in blood volume, causing the heart to pump faster to maintain circulation.
• Hypertension: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause palpitations due to the heart working harder to pump blood through the body, leading to an irregular heartbeat.
• Electrolyte imbalance: An electrolyte imbalance, particularly a low level of potassium, can cause palpitations because electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining a normal heart rhythm.
• Thyroid disorders: Thyroid disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism, can cause palpitations because an overactive thyroid gland can lead to an increase in heart rate and cardiac output.
• Medication side effects: Certain medications, such as decongestants, asthma inhalers, and some antibiotics, can cause palpitations as a side effect due to their stimulatory effects on the heart and nervous system.
• Cardiac arrhythmias: Cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, can cause palpitations due to abnormal electrical activity in the heart.
• Heart attack: A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, can cause palpitations due to damage to the heart muscle, leading to irregular heart rhythms.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for palpitation?

The main medicinal herbs used for palpitation are Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Avena sativa, Panax ginseng, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Centaurium erythraea, Digitalis purpurea, Centella asiatica.

Valeriana officinalis contains valerenic acid, which has sedative and anxiolytic properties, reducing anxiety and stress-related palpitations. Passiflora incarnata's flavonoids and alkaloids help in reducing stress, anxiety, and insomnia, contributing to alleviating palpitations. Glycyrrhiza glabra's glycyrrhizin reduces inflammation and stress, while Panax ginseng improves cardiovascular function, lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

Digitalis purpurea contains digoxin, which regulates heart rhythm, and Centella asiatica's asiaticoside improves cardiovascular function and reduces palpitations by enhancing parasympathetic activity.

• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis helps with palpitations due to its sedative and anxiolytic properties, which are primarily attributed to the valepotriates and valerenic acids that have a modulating effect on the central nervous system, thereby reducing anxiety and stress that can contribute to palpitations.
• Passiflora incarnata: Passiflora incarnata helps with palpitations due to its sedative and anxiolytic properties, which are primarily attributed to the flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides that have a modulating effect on the central nervous system, thereby reducing anxiety and stress that can contribute to palpitations.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with palpitations due to its adaptogenic and anxiolytic properties, which are primarily attributed to the glycyrrhizin that has a modulating effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby reducing stress and anxiety that can contribute to palpitations.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa helps with palpitations due to its anxiolytic and sedative properties, which are primarily attributed to the avenacosides and avenanthramides that have a modulating effect on the central nervous system, thereby reducing anxiety and stress that can contribute to palpitations.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng helps with palpitations due to its adaptogenic and anxiolytic properties, which are primarily attributed to the ginsenosides that have a modulating effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby reducing stress and anxiety that can contribute to palpitations.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with palpitations due to its vasodilatory properties, which are primarily attributed to the gingerols and shogaols that have a relaxing effect on blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure and heart rate that can contribute to palpitations.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with palpitations due to its vasodilatory properties, which are primarily attributed to the flavonoids and terpenoids that have a relaxing effect on blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure and heart rate that can contribute to palpitations.
• Centaurium erythraea: Centaurium erythraea helps with palpitations due to its anxiolytic and sedative properties, which are primarily attributed to the iridoids and flavonoids that have a modulating effect on the central nervous system, thereby reducing anxiety and stress that can contribute to palpitations.
• Digitalis purpurea: Digitalis purpurea helps with palpitations due to its positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart, which are primarily attributed to the digoxin and digitoxin that increase cardiac contractility and reduce heart rate, thereby regulating heart rhythm and reducing palpitations.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica helps with palpitations due to its adaptogenic and anxiolytic properties, which are primarily attributed to the triterpenoids and flavonoids that have a modulating effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby reducing stress and anxiety that can contribute to palpitations.

What are the main herbal preparations used for palpitation?

The main herbal preparations used for palpitation are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Salve, Cream, Ointment, Suppository, Poultice, Elixir, Powder.

Tincture is made by extracting the active compounds from herbs like Digitalis purpurea, which is used to treat atrial fibrillation due to its anti-arrhythmic properties. Decoction is prepared by boiling herbs like Hawthorn and Ginkgo biloba, which are used to improve cardiovascular health and reduce palpitations. Capsule formulations of herbs like Ashwagandha and Valerian root are used to reduce anxiety and stress-related palpitations.

Other preparations like Salve, Cream, and Ointment are applied topically to relieve palpitations caused by nervous system disorders, while Suppository, Poultice, and Elixir are used to treat palpitations related to digestive and hormonal imbalances, and Powder is used to treat palpitations caused by respiratory issues.

• Tincture: Tincture of Valeriana officinalis, which is traditionally used to treat palpitations, helps by reducing anxiety and stress, allowing the heart to function normally, due to its sedative and adaptogenic properties.
• Decoction: A decoction of Passiflora incarnata, which has been used to alleviate palpitations, is effective in reducing stress and anxiety by interacting with GABA receptors, thus calming the nervous system and promoting a healthy heart rate.
• Capsule: Capsules containing the dried leaves of Lavandula angustifolia, which have been traditionally used to treat palpitations, help by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, due to their calming effects on the nervous system.
• Salve: A salve made from the resin of Commiphora molmol, which is used to treat palpitations, helps by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, due to its sedative properties and ability to calm the nervous system.
• Cream: A cream made from the extract of Avena sativa, which is traditionally used to treat palpitations, helps by reducing stress and anxiety, due to its sedative and adaptogenic properties.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the dried roots of Withania somnifera, which has been used to alleviate palpitations, is effective in reducing stress and anxiety by interacting with GABA receptors, thus calming the nervous system.
• Suppository: Suppositories made from the dried leaves of Leonurus cardiaca, which are used to treat palpitations, help by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, due to their sedative and adaptogenic properties.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the dried roots of Asclepias tuberosa, which is traditionally used to treat palpitations, helps by reducing anxiety and stress, due to its sedative properties and ability to calm the nervous system.
• Elixir: An elixir made from the extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra, which has been used to alleviate palpitations, is effective in reducing stress and anxiety by interacting with GABA receptors, thus calming the nervous system.
• Powder: A powder made from the dried leaves of Citrus aurantium, which is traditionally used to treat palpitations, helps by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, due to its sedative and adaptogenic properties.