Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff, sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis, but the terms are often used interchangeably. Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fats in and on your artery walls (plaques), which can restrict blood flow. These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis is a preventable and treatable condition.

This damage to the arteries doesn't happen overnight. It takes years for them to become hard, brittle and furred up.

Increasing age and family history are risk factors for atherosclerosis that can't be eliminated, but other major risk factors can be dealt with. These include smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Other contributors to heart disease and stroke include inactivity and being overweight.

One of the most effective home remedies for arteriosclerosis is the lemon peel. It is believed to be one of the richest sources of vitamin P. It strengthens the entire arterial system. Shredded lemon peel of one lemon may be added to raw soups and shakes, or sprinkled over salads. To make a medicine, the peel of one or two lemons may be cut up finely, covered with warm water and allowed to stand for about twelve hours. A teaspoon may be taken every three hours, or immediately before or after a meal.

Parsley is another effective remedy for arteriosclerosis. It contains elements which help to maintain the blood vessels, particularly the capillaries, and arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken in smoothies with other green leaves or just on its own with 2 or 3 different fruits in shakes. This can be taken two to three times daily.

Raw Beet Juice, taken daily, has been found valuable in arteriosclerosis. It is an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. The juices of carrots and spinach are also beneficial if taken once a day. These juices can be taken individually, 500 ml or as a combination. When taken as a combination, they should be in the following proportion: 300 g carrot juice and 200 g spinach to prepare 500 ml of juice.

Honey is also considered beneficial in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. It is easily digested and assimilated. The patient should take a glass of water with one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice in it, before going to bed. He can also take it if he wakes up at night.

Psyllium husk, botanically known as Plantagoovata, has been found valuable in arteriosclerosis. The oil of the seeds of this plant should be used. It contains 50% of linoleic acid, an unsaturated fat and is, therefore, helpful in the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Note: Ispaghula, also known as spogel seeds, is a small stem less plant covered with dense and soft hairy growth. It has very narrow leaves and tiny flowers in oval or cylindrical spikes. The upper half of its fruits open like a lid and its seeds are boat shaped. The seeds of this plant, also known as fleaseeds, constitute the drug. Ispaghula is indigenous to India, and has been used extensively in the Indian system of medicine from ancient times. It was prescribed by ancient physicians as a cure for inflammatory and functional derangements of the mucous membranes of the gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary system. The seeds contain a large amount of mucilage and a small amount of holoside planteose. The seeds also show the presence of a number of amino acids in the combined form, namely valine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, cystine, lysine, leucine and tyrosine. Valine, alanine and glutamic acid are also found in their free form. The Ispaghula embryo oil has been reported to be a good source of linoleic acid.

Recent investigations have shown that garlic and onions have a preventive effect on the development of arteriosclerosis. They should be included in the daily diet, raw in salads, soups, teas, and other recipe according to individual taste.

Not smoking is essential if further damage to the arteries is to be avoided. Keeping cholesterol levels and weight at safe levels can be achieved by eating a healthy Raw Food Diet and taking regular exercise. Regular exercise and avoiding obesity will also reduce the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

*Taken from: http://www.divineremedies.com/ispaghula.htm.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari