Cardiac Cordials:Tonic Herbs For Your Heart



Herbs that strengthen the heart and the circulatory system are called cordials. These herbs work by supporting the heart muscle and/or stimulating heartbeat in manner beneficial to the body. Hawthorn is condidered one of the premium herbal heart tonics because of its effectiveness and safety.


  • Herb Properties
  • Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name


    • See List Herbs by Botanical Name
  • Agrimony Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria L. : Liverwort, cockleburr, sticklewort
    Herbaceous Perennial : This most famous of the medieval wound herbs is a member of the rose family and like all it's more glamorous relatives is highly astringent. Agrimony is mild enough to use for children and strong enough stop bleeding from cuts and heavy menstruation. Agri...
  • Angelica root Angelica root, Angelica archangelica : Choraka
    Biennial/Tender Perennial herb : Angelica is a good herb to add to treatments for colds, congestion, and fevers. Angelica root is warming and stimulating to the lungs, helping to ease chest congestion...
  • Arjuna Arjuna , Terminalia arjuna :
    : Arjuna is among the most frequently prescribed herbs for cardiovascular health in ayurvedic medicine...
  • Artichoke, Globe Artichoke, Globe, Cynara scolymus :
    Perennial thistle : The artichoke is a common vegetable that also had traditional uses in herbal medicine. A tea made from the leaves of the artichoke plant is a traditional tonic for the liver and gallbladder. The diuretic properties of the artichoke are useful in ki...
  • Benzoin Resin Benzoin Resin, Styrax benzoin : Friar's balsam
    tree : The dark, vanilla-like resin acts as an anchoring base note in aromatherapy blends, and is soothing and warming to the skin....
  • Bilberry Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus : Huckleberry
    Shrub : The huckleberry, cranberry and blueberry, native to North America are close relatives of the bilberry of England. All of these species are members of the Vaccinium genus and share many common traits and healthy properties....
  • Bugleweed Bugleweed, Lycopus spp. : Water Horehound, Gypsywort
    Perennial herb : Bugleweed is useful in many heart and vascular system disorders ,hyperthyroid conditions and breast pain. ...
  • Butterbur Butterbur, Petasites vulgaris : Langwort, Umbrella Plan
    : Butterbur is thought to work by reducing spasms in muscle tissues, including blood vessels. However, there are concerns about possible liver damage....
  • Camphor Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora :
    Evergreen Tree : When first applied camphor oil numbs and cools the peripheral nerve endings, then warms the painful area as it stimulates circulation to cold, stiff muscles and limbs....
  • Coleus Forskohlii Coleus Forskohlii, Plectranthus barbatus : Forskolin, Indian Coleus, False Boldo
    tropical perennial plant : Traditional Ayurevedic medicinal plant used to treat high blood pressure, help in losing weight, improving digestion and nutrient absorption, fighting cancer, and immune system support....
  • Devil's Claw Devil's Claw, Harpagophytum procumbens : grapple plant, wood spider
    perennial vine : Devils claw offers slow but sure relief of joint pain caused by both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and it has also been shown to relieve muscle pain and enhance mobility ...
  • Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo biloba L. :
    Tree : Allergies and asthma improve with ginkgo. The leaves contains anti-inflammatory chemicals and natural antihistamines...
  • Hawthorn Berry Hawthorn Berry, Crataegus monogyna : Mayblossom, whitethorn, Red Haw; Mayflower
    Tree : Hawthorn berries have been used as a heart tonics for thousands of years, and remain one of our most valued herbal heart tonics. ...
  • Hyssop Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis :
    Woody perennial : An aromatic and medicinal herb, Hyssop is a good expectorant and antiviral commonly used to treat respiratory conditions such as influenza, sinus infections, colds and bronchitis ...
  • Jiaogulan Jiaogulan, Gynostemma pentaphyllum : Jiao Gu Lan, Amachazuru, Herb of Immortality, sweet tea vine
    Perennial vine : Jiaogulan (Jiao Gu Lan)is an adaptogen and antioxidant with properties similar to that of ginseng....
  • Kola Nut Kola Nut, Cola acuminata :
    Tree : Kola nuts contain caffeine which may explain their popular use in energy tonics. Native to Africa....
  • Lavender Lavender, Lavandula spp :
    Woody Perennial Herb : Lavender can lift your spirits, help you sleep, relieve pain, kill germs, heal burns and rashes, and help keep annoying insects at bay. Lavender oil is also antibacterial and healing to the skin...
  • Lemon Balm Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis : Melissa
    Perennial herb : Lemon balm is an aromatic mint with soothing, calming properties. Drink lemon balm tea when nerves, headaches or mild depression are preventing you from getting a good night's sleep...
  • Linden Linden, Tilia spp : Lime tree, Basswood
    Deciduous tree : Herbalists recommend linden as a mild tonic for nervousness, insomnia as well as colds and fever. You will find linden often combined with yarrow flowers and sage in cold remedies....
  • Lotus Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera : Indian lotus, sacred lotus
    Perennial dicot : The lotus is one of the worlds most sacred plants and has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years....
  • Marjoram,Sweet Marjoram,Sweet, Origanum majorana :
    perennial herb : Sweet marjoram is a fragrant culinary herb and the sweet, herbaceous essential oil is used in aromatherapy for emotional uplift and soothing nerves...
  • Motherwort Motherwort, Leonurus caridica L. : Lion's tail, lion's ear
    Perennial herb : The use of motherwort is an old one, the ancient Greeks and Romans honored it for a remedy for both physical and emotional heart troubles, especially when associated with anxiety...
  • Myrtle Myrtle, Myrtus communis :
    Evergreen shrub : In traditional herbal medicine myrtle has been taken internally for urinary infections, digestive problems, bronchial congestion, and dry coughs....
  • Nard Oil Nard Oil, Nardostachys jatamansi : nard, nardin, muskroot, spikenard
    rhizomatous herbaceous perennial : Nard oil was once one of the most widely used oils in ancient Egypt and Biblical times....
  • Orange Orange, Citrus sinensis, Citrus spp. : Mandarin Orange, Tangerine
    tree : Oranges are a healthy source of vitamin C and other nutrients, as well as one of the most versatile aromatherapy oils. Orange peel is used as a zest in cooking and as a tea....
  • Peppermint Peppermint, Mentha piperita : Yerba Buena
    Perennial Herb : Peppermint has an antispasmodic effect that soothes stomachaches and relieves gas. Peppermint oil is cooling and analgesic, relieving heat and inflammation while it increases blood flow to the painful area....
  • Reishi Mushroom Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum : Ling-zhi, ling chih, ling chi mushroom
    Fungus : Reishi, or Ling zhi mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines for thousands of years, who place it in the highest class of tonic medicines, those who benefit the vital life energy or Qi. ...
  • Rhodiola Rhodiola , Rhodiola rosea : Golden Root, Roseroot, Aaron's Rod
    Flowering perennial : Rhodiola is an adaptogen, and acts in a similar fashion as ginseng. Rhodiola extracts may help those suffering from mild to moderate depression....
  • Rose Rose, Rosa spp :
    Perennial : Rose petals suitable for medicinal purposes are deeply rose-colored and fragrant....
  • Rosemary Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis :
    Woody perennial herb : Amazing, versatile rosemary is valued by cooks, herbalists, aromatherapists, and gardeners alike. Rosemary oil combats mental fatigue, increasing concentration and memory...
  • Saffron Saffron , Crocus sativus :
    crocus : Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus. Traditional uses of saffron extend far beyond the kitchen. ...
  • Salad Burnet Salad Burnet, Sanguisorba minor : Lesser Burnet
    Perennial herb : Salad burnet, while not considered one of the major additions to the herbal pharmacopoeia, is still a decorative and endearing herb...
  • Sea Buckthorn Oil Sea Buckthorn Oil, Hippophae rhamnoides : Sallow Thorn, Yellow Spine
    deciduous shrub : Sea Buckthorn oil is used in healing skin injuries, burns, wounds, eczema, lesions, sun damaged skin, and abrasions. ...
  • Turmeric Turmeric, Curcuma longa L. : Curcuma, Indian saffron
    herbaceous perennial plant : Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in the manufacture of curry powders and mustards.The curcumin in turmeric has recently been shown effective in the fight against breast cancer, Alzheimer's and arthritis...