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Cardiac Glycosides: In most countries the
herbs that contain cardiac glycosides are controlled and scheduled for use by
medical practitioners only.
Cardiac Glycosides stimulate systolic contraction of the
heart. Cardiac Glycosides are mostly prescribed for this reason to patients to
shorten the length of the systolic contraction of the heart so that the heart
muscles has more time to rest between contractions.
All cardiac glycosides are recorded as having a low
therapeutic index. This means that the amount of the substance needed to have a
positive therapeutic impact is very close to a toxic and fatal dose.
Mild overdose can result in nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
headaches, vision impairment and drowsiness. Substantial overdose will cause
cardiac failure and death. | 