Palpitations

Palpitations are the exaggerated, and unpleasant, feeling of the heart beating, or racing, when normally it is not felt at all. The 'turn' may last only a few seconds, a few minutes, or even several hours, and it may come and go or become a permanent condition. The subject may also experience an oppressive feeling, that only hinders his or her activity somewhat, or a stronger sensation of sickness or faintness that brings any activities to an end.

If you experience palpitations, it is worth consulting a cardiologist, especially if they are persistent or recurring. They usually turn out to be a benign and minor nuisance, but the specialist can determine the cause and the seriousness of the condition. The episodes may disappear if you follow such simple advice as eliminating stimulants (like tea or coffee) from your diet - but it is occasionally necessary to prescribe a mild sedative.

If there is one organ that symbolizes all our emotions, it is, of course, the heart. I do not need to remind you of the obvious links between the heart and the mind.

Homeopathy

Cactus and Nux vomica

- Four 5c tablets of one or both of these remedies to be sucked slowly like sweets, three or four times in succession

Cactus grandiflorus

- Vegetable origin: the young stems of the night-blooming cereus plant
- The homeopathic remedy for tight chest pains
- A specific indication: the symptoms improve when out in fresh air

Nux vomica

- Vegetable origin: the fruit of the Strychnos nux vomica tree, also known as poison nut
- The specific homeopathic remedy for symptoms resulting from too much alcohol or coffee
- A specific indication: the symptoms improve after a nap

Warning: it is essential to consult your doctor if this pain is intense or longlasting, if it recurs, or if it spreads towards the jaw or left arm.

• You could also try Bioforce Hawthorn-Garlic Complex:
  - Available in containers of 150 capsules
  - Take 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with a little water

Oligotherapy

Magnesium

Trace elements usually come from the diet, which should be varied and of high quality In cases of deficiency, which often occurs with magnesium, it can be given as a medicinal supplement.

Dietary sources of magnesium

Present in almost all foods, but mostly in the calorie-rich ones, unfortunately. The best sources of magnesium are: citrus fruits, bananas, whole-grain cereals (oat or bran flakes). cocoa and chocolate, shellfish (winkles, shrimps, oysters, and clams) and oily fish, snails, figs, hard cheeses, nuts (almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts and walnuts), vegetables (spinach, dried and green beans, maize, split peas, and soya beans), and wholemeal bread.

• Magnesium treatment: this is available in various brands and forms, such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  -Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  . -Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):

-Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

• You can also take higher doses of magnesium by using remedies such as Magasorb@ (Lamberts) containing 150mg of magnesium (as citrate):
  - Available in containers of 60 and 180 tablets
  - one to three tablets daily

The herb for palpitations

Hawthorn

This tree has been in use since ancient times, and for a variety of purposes, whether for dissolving gall bladder or kidney stones, or for making the executioner's block. It was only in the 19th century, however, that it gained recognition when its cardiosedative benefits were discovered. Hawthorn can slow down a racing heart, reduce or eliminate palpitations, act as a heart tonic and a vasodilator for those who have suffered a heart attack, thus improving their heart function. It also brings down high blood pressure, and calms anxiety, both in children and adults, without inducing drowsiness or memory lapses. It has the added advantage of being nontoxic.

Possible Prescription:

- Mother tincture, the most common therapeutic form of hawthorn: ask your herbalist to prepare a 30ml bottle. Take 25 drops two or three times a day, for nervous or heart conditions

- Dried extracts: you can ask your herbalist to make up 20 capsules containing 200mg of dried extract for each NO.2 capsule (the size of the capsule that the herbalist will use for the ingredients). Take one capsule 2 or 3 times a day, depending on the symptoms

- Whole fresh-plant suspension: this formulation's cold stabilization process restores the full natural therapeutic effect of the plant. Obtain a 60ml bottle of hawthorn in a whole fresh-plant suspension from your herbalist. Take half a teaspoonful in a little water twice a day

- Herbal tea: one dessertspoonful of hawthorn blossoms for each cup of boiling water. Allow the blossoms to steep for ten minutes before drinking the tea

- Decoction: hawthorn branches can be used in a herbal decoction for circulatory problems

• You could also try Lamberts@ Hawthorn; each tablet contains 2,500mg of powdered hawthorn:
  - Available in containers of 60 tablets
  - One tablet daily for a minimum of 6 weeks
• Another alternative is Bio-Health's Hawthorn Berry, which contains 450mg of hawthorn:
  - Available in containers of 120 capsules
  - Take 1 capsule twice daily with water.