Herbal Remedies as a Treatment for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Medicinal herbs for high blood pressure relief can often be used with success as part of an overall lifestyle assessment.

Today most natural treatment to relieve high blood pressure symptoms will almost certainly contain the herb hawthorn along with magnesium, coenzyme Q-10, and vitamin E.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, where a consistently high blood pressure reading, taken over a number of occasions has a systolic reading of over 140mm Hg.

Lifestyle, including diet, alcohol, and stress should form a major part in addressing hypertension; taking time out to look at what factors are adding to this condition should be a priority for anyone diagnosed with this ailment.

Herbs for high blood pressure are usually taken in relatively low doses and many herbs for hypertension treatment need to be monitored for their drug interactions.

These herbs should always be taken under the supervision of a professional health care practitioner and before using medicinal herbs for high blood pressure treatment, it is vital to seek out professional help and get a full diagnosis of hypertension.

It should also be kept in mind that if an increase in the severity of the symptoms associated with high blood pressure occurs it is important to seek proper medical care as soon as possible.

Natural Herbs For High Blood Pressure Treatment

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)

Hawthorn berries are known to relieve hypertension and reduce high blood pressure and also to treat orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops abnormally upon standing.

Hawthorn works by increasing stroke volume, where the amount of blood per heart beat is increased, and lowering blood pressure and pulse rate. Hawthorn also dilates the peripheral blood vessels which improve circulation.

Coleus (Coleus forskholii)

Like hawthorn, coleus increases stroke volume; it also reduces the risk of blood clots and lowers blood pressure by acting to relax the arterial walls. Coleus is a unique herb for high blood pressure as it elevates Cyclic Amp which boosts the body’s metabolism.

Olive Leaves (Olea europaea)

Olive leaves have been a traditional Tunisian folk remedy for hypertension and have gained attention in studies where this herb has shown to be effective in treating moderate hypertension.

In one study, participants showed a progressive decrease in their blood pressure over the treatment period. On average, total reductions were about 18mm Hg for systolic blood pressures and about 10 mm Hg for diastolic pressures.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Roselle has been used traditionally as a medicinal herb for high blood pressure for centuries.

In recent times, studies done on the herb have validated some of its alleged therapeutic properties and traditional uses.

Roselle has diuretic properties and draws sodium from the bloodstream, thus decreasing the pressure on the arterial walls.

Substances found in the plant have been shown to have a similar, but weaker, effect as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE).

ACE inhibitors are a conventional medication used as a treatment for high blood pressure. They work by slowing down or inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, a vital part of the renin-angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Due to this inhibition, blood vessels relax and blood volume is lowered, decreasing blood pressure.

While roselle is certainly not as effective as ACE drugs, it can still be quite effective. The herb is mostly used in tea form. One or two teaspoons of the dried herbs can be added in one cup of hot (not boiling) water.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

This herb acts in a similar way to coleus and hawthorn, it is indicated where a diuretic action is also of benefit where the pulse is feeble and weak.

Convallaria slows and regulates the heartbeat and lowers blood pressure. Lily of the valley is often prescribed where there is mild heart failure associated with aging and is considered to be safer and to have fewer side effects than foxglove.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic has been used for a long time to lower blood pressure. The garlic’s medicinal effects are mainly due to the sulfur-containing substance allicin, but also to some extent to diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide.

Allicin is also responsible for the strong and distinctive odor associated with garlic.

Cooked garlic, odorless garlic supplements or aged preparations do not contain enough allicin for medicinal purposes so it is recommended to use raw fresh garlic.

One to four cloves should cover the daily dosage in order to achieve the desired medicinal effect.

Other natural herbs for high blood pressure are

• Bilberry – (Vaccinium myrtillus)
• Chinese Knotweed or Fo-Ti –(Polygonum multiflorum)
• Stinging Nettle – (Urtica dioica)
• Buchu – (Agathosma betulina)
• Barberry – (Berberis vulgaris)
• Juniper – (Juniperus communis)
• Hyssop – (Hyssopus officinalis)
• Pau d’Arco – (Tabebuia avellanedae)
• Wild Yam – (Dioscorea villosa)
• Sweet Orange – (Citrus sinensis)
• Biting Stonecrop – (Sedum acre)
• Black Walnut – (Juglans nigra)
• Dandelion – (Taraxacum officinale)
• Yarrow – (Achillea millefolium)
• Cat’s Claw – (Uncaria tomentosa)
• Mistletoe – (Viscum album)
• Lemon Grass – (Cymbopogon citratus)
• Flaxseed – (Linum usitatissimum)
• Self Heal – (Prunella vulgaris)
• Borage – (Borago officinalis)
• American Ginseng – (Panax quinquefolius)
• Amur Cork Tree –(Phellodendron amurense)
• Dong Quai – (Angelica sinensis)
• Asafetida – (Ferula assa-foetida)
• Parsley – (Petroselinum crispum)
• Ashwagandha – (Withania somnifera)
• Cicely – (Myrrhis odorata)
• Motherwort – (Leonurus cardiaca)
• Kudzu – (Pueraria lobata)
• Avocado – (Persea americana)
• Chicory – (Cichorium intybus)
• Purslane – (Portulaca oleracea)
• Periwinkle – (Vinca minor)
• Red Sage – (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Other Natural Supplements for High Blood Pressure

In addition to using herbs for high blood pressure, the amino acid, Carnitine (one gram twice daily), is of benefit for congestive cardiac failure (CCF) and hypertension.

Coenzyme Q-10 (15 to 100mg daily) in combination with Hawthorn will improve oxygen utilization and energy production, especially targeting heart muscle.

Magnesium (450-600mg daily) will relax the blood vessel walls and help to regulate blood pressure. Herbal remedies for high blood pressure can be used in combination with these supplements to enhance their action.

Long term, low doses of Vitamin E (50iu per day) and fish oil have also shown to ease hypertension symptoms.

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Thordur Sturluson

Thor Sturluson has a BS in Biology, majoring in Botany, from the University of Maine and a masters degree in Zoology from the Open University in London. He's an experienced Biologist with a history of working in the environmental services industry. A trained scuba diver and researcher, Thor's has a keen interest in nature conservation and animal/plant protection. His work and botany passion has made The Herbal Resource what it is.

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