In keeping with its reputation of "silent killer," high blood pressure can wreak havoc in your body without warning signs or visible symptoms. Yet, regular check-ups can easily help diagnose it. What's more, losing excess weight, dietary changes and physical activity can go a long way in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure, or hypertension. Unless your hypertension is connected to an underlying condition, herbal remedies can also help control your blood pressure, according to physician Julian Whitaker.
Blood Pressure Basics
To the rest of your body, your cardiovascular system is like a well of life. For, the blood that circulates within this system carries oxygen and nutrients to all the organs and transports waste and carbon dioxide away from them. At the core of this "well" system is a pump that continually receives and pushes blood out into supply pipes that transport the blood to and from organs. Your heart is that pump, while your arteries and veins are the pipes. Whenever your heart contracts to push blood out, it applies pressure onto your blood vessels: this is your systolic pressure. In contrast, in between contractions, your heart exerts a lower pressure called diastolic pressure.
What Your Numbers Mean
Your blood pressure readings typically feature your systolic pressure as the first number, followed by your diastolic pressure. Physicians consider an adult's blood pressure normal if it is lower than 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. If your systolic pressure consistently falls between 120 to 139 or your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89, you're pre-hypertensive. Stage 1, or mild, hypertension features a systolic pressure consistently ranging from 140 to 159 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure between 90 and 99 mm Hg. In stage 2 hypertension, systolic and diastolic pressures are consistently above 160 and 100 mm Hg, respectively.
Garlic
Several research studies have shown that garlic supplements can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In a 2007 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine," Jeffrey Knox and physician Barak Gaster note garlic's natriuretic or diuretic effects. By definition, a natriuretic increases the excretion of sodium by your body, while a diuretic increases urine output. Garlic might also boost the production of hydrogen sulfide, which relaxes your blood vessels. The result of the above-mentioned three actions is blood pressure reduction. Whitaker recommends getting as much garlic in your diet as you can, whether in the form of fresh cloves, juice, oil, dehydrated granules, powder, or puree.
Green Tea and Pine Bark Extract
Physician Robert Rakel also includes green tea and pycnogenol as useful tools in your arsenal against hypertension. Indeed, research studies have shown that habitual consumption of three or more daily cups of green tea can help reduce both your blood pressure and risk for stroke. Pycnogenol is a pine bark extract of a tree known as Pinus pinaster that helps improve blood flow. However, Rx List limits safe levels to daily doses of 120 to 450 milligrams for up to six months.
Hawthorn
In spite of conflicting scientific evidence, hawthorn is a popular herb for lowering blood pressure. Knox and Gaster propose that hawthorn works against hypertension by activating relaxing factors from the inner lining of your blood vessels, and by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase. A a result of these two actions, blood vessels relax, leading to blood pressure reduction.
Soy
In a 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," scientist Gong Yang and colleagues report studies indicating that women who habitually eat soy foods tend to have lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures. They further note that daily consumption of 25 grams of soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease in adults. Although Yang's study involved female subjects, Rakel remarks that soy can help reduce your blood pressure, regardless of gender.
Considerations
In addition to herbs, a number of other natural remedies may help control high blood pressure, says Rakel. These include vitamins C and E, as well as nutraceuticals, such as CoQ10 and fish oil. However, remember that "natural" does not always mean "harmless," especially if you are already taking prescription medications. To avoid drug interactions, consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your drug regimen.
References
- "Reversing Hypertension"; Julian Whitaker, M.D.; 2000
- "Textbook of Family Medicine" (7th Edition); Robert E. Rakel, M.D.; 2007
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: "Dietary Supplements for the Prevention and Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease": Jeffrey Knox, B.A. and Barak Gaster, M.D.; 2007
- Rx List: Pycnogenol
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:" Longitudinal Study of Soy Food Intake and Blood Pressure Among Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Women"; Gong Yang, et al.; 2005
