Increase Nitric Oxide Levels Naturally

Nitric oxide, or NO, is a gas molecule that sends signals to your muscles and blood vessels. It helps athletes maintain stamina, and treats a range of heart and circulatory problems, including angina and hypertension. Herbs may help increase your nitric oxide levels naturally. Consult a health care professional before employing natural ways to boost nitric oxide.

Herbal Actions

Herbs promote nitric oxide in different ways. Some increase NO in the tissues of your blood vessels, leading to vasodilation and improved blood flow. Other herbs help convert the precursors nitrite and nitrate to NO. Too much NO can be harmful, so check with a knowledgeable practitioner for advice about proper dosage and preparation of herbs that boost nitric oxide.

Red Sage

Red sage, or Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a perennial herb and an important remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also known as danshen, and practitioners use the roots to treat angina, high cholesterol and acute ischemic stroke. A study published in the May 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Physiology -- Heart and Circulatory Physiology" found that an antioxidant called tanshinone IIA increased NO production and reduced blood pressure in test animals. Red sage may interact with anticoagulation drugs, such as warfarin, and may increase the anticoagulant effects. These effects may depend on the dosage, so check with your doctor before using this herb.

Garlic

Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a cooking and medicinal perennial herb native to the Middle East. It has a long history of use in treating colds and coughs, and herbalists also find it useful for lowering cholesterol. A report in the June 2002 issue of "Life Sciences" found that aged garlic extract increased NO in test animals by 30 percent to 40 percent within one hour after dosing. Researchers said aged garlic might be useful in preventing cardiovascular disease. Garlic may interact with anticoagulant drugs and enhance their potency, depending on the amount you ingest. Consult your health care provider before using garlic if you are taking these drugs.

Hawthorn Berries

Hawthorn, or Crataegus spp., is a small tree found throughout Europe and Asia. The herb improves circulation, and herbalists use its leaves, flowers and berries to treat heart problems. Active ingredients include procyanidins and flavonoids, which interact with enzymes and receptors involved in heart rhythm and contractions. A study published in the April 2011 issue of "Nutrition Research" found that hawthorn berries were able to reduce the nitrates in beetroot to NO, thus increasing NO levels and decreasing cardiovascular risk levels in patients with three or more high-risk symptoms. Hawthorn may enhance the effects of prescription drugs, such as digoxin, beta blockers and channel blockers, and may lower blood pressure excessively. Talk to your doctor before using hawthorn if you are taking heart or blood pressure medication.