High Blood Pressure Herbal Remedies

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common disorder that, if left untreated, can lead to heart disease and stroke. Your blood pressure reading consists of an upper number, the systolic pressure caused by your heart beating, and a lower number, the diastolic pressure exerted when your heart is resting. Mayo Clinic warns that a reading of 140 over 90 or higher may indicate hypertension. Doctors can prescribe medication to eliminate excess fluids, and relax and widen blood vessels, but medications can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs can be effective in preventing and treating high blood pressure.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is a cardiotonic, diuretic and strong hypotensive herb. The plant contains flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants and have a positive effect on your heart. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann recommends using an extract of the whole plant, since the individual plant chemicals do not work in isolation. Hoffmann states that hawthorn increases contractions of the heart muscle and dilates coronary arteries. A study published in the February 2010 issue of Phytomedicine found that an extract of the antioxidant-rich Crataegus oxycantha enhanced contractions in hearts damaged by insufficient blood supply, and helped heal tissue damage to the heart muscles. Consult a doctor before combining hawthorn with other heart medications.

Linden

Linden (Tilia platyphyllos, T. cordata), also known as lime blossom, is a deciduous tree whose flowers and bark are used medicinally in traditional medical systems of Europe and Asia. Linden is a hypotensive and relaxing nervine herb. David Hoffmann states that linden is typically used for high blood pressure associated with arteriosclerosis and nervous tension. In his 2001 book, "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook," herbalist Alan Tillotson states that linden lowers blood pressure and that a linden-rauwolfia tincture combined with a lower dose of prescription blood pressure medicine often works in cases of moderate hypertension.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a strong hypotensive and nervine herb. Traditionally, it is used to treat cancer because it has immune stimulating properties, but mistletoe also has an effect on blood viscosity, or the thickness of your blood. If your blood is too thick, its flow through blood vessels can be reduced, putting more pressure on the arteries and raising your blood pressure. A study in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that an extract of mistletoe prevented changes in blood viscosity.

Yarrow

The yarrows consist of about 85 species in the genus Achillea. Achillea wilhelmsii and Achillea millefolium are two popular yarrows with hypotensive properties. Herbalist David Hoffmann states that A. millefolium lowers blood pressure by dilating the peripheral blood vessels. A study published in the 2000 issue of Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research found that A. wilhelmsii was effective in lowering the diastolic and systolic blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. The researchers attribute the hypotensive action to the flavonoids and lactones in the plant.