High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious disorder that can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. The Mayo Clinic states that treatment for hypertension includes thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers and vasodilators. Some patients must take several of these drugs together to lower their blood pressure, and these medications can have unpleasant side effects. Plants have been used traditionally to reduce blood pressure without dangerous side effects. The most potent and effective plants for hypertension lower blood pressure and support the overall health of the cardiovascular system. Consult a professional before beginning treatment for hypertension.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn, or Crataegus, is a genus of several hundred shrubs and small trees with white flowers and red berries that is native to Europe and Asia. Hawthorn is rich in flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins, which have potent antioxidant activity, and hawthorn also has diuretic and vasodilator actions. The leaves, flowers and fruits are used in Western, Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine as a cardiotonic to treat hypertension, atherosclerosis and angina. A study published in the June 2006 issue of the British Journal of General Practice compared hawthorn extract to a placebo in patients with type-2 diabetes who were also taking prescription medicine for diabetes. The study found that the group taking hawthorn had a greater reduction in blood pressure than the placebo group. The study also showed no herb-drug interactions with the medication taken by these patients.
Linden
Linden, or Tilia vulgaris, also called lime blossom or basswood, is a deciduous tree with pale yellow flowers that is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The dried flowers, leaves and inner bark contain volatile oils, glycosides and flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hypotensive and antioxidant activity. Linden is used medicinally to treat nervous tension and high blood pressure. Herbalist David Hoffmann, in his book, "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," states that linden is a valuable cardiotonic that is used specifically for high blood pressure, especially when accompanied by arteriosclerosis and nervous tension.
Olive Leaf and Oil
The olive tree, or Olea europaea, is native to the Mediterranean region, where it is used as a food and medicine. The olive plant contains such chemicals as rutin, apigenin, oleuropein, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, which have potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasodilator and hypotensive actions. A study published in the 2003 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that an extract from African wild olive leaves, containing oleanolic and ursolic acids, and extracts from Greek and Cape Town olive leaves, containing only oleanolic acid, prevented the development of severe hypertension and atherosclerosis in test animals. An article published in the April 2006 issue of Public Health Nutrition found that the monounsaturated fatty acids found in virgin olive oil were a major factor in the lower levels of hypertension among people in Italy, Greece and Spain.
References
- Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure
- British Journal of General Practice: Hypotensive Effects of Hawthorn for Patients with Diabetes Taking Prescription Drugs
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Antihypertensive, Antiatherosclerotic and Antioxidant Activity of Triterpenoids Isolated From Olea Europaea, Subspecies Africana Leaves
- Public Health Nutrition: Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Olive Oil and Blood Pressure: Epidemiological, Clinical and Experimental Evidence
