High blood pressure is a condition which afflicts many Americans. If your blood pressure gets to a dangerously high level, you may be diagnosed with hypertension. Hypertension can cause many different health issues such as an aneurysm, heart failure, and massive damage to your arteries. While there are many medications on the market which can help you control your blood pressure, there are also several herbs which may help you lower your overall blood pressure when added to a diet.
Step 1
Start by taking Arjuana. Arjuana is an herb which may help blood pressure by acting as a coronary vasodilator. This herb works to protect the heart, tone and strengthen the heart muscle, and improve circulation. This herb has also been found to be helpful in healing the heart after a heart attack and it can assist in blood clotting and stopping bleeding. This herb has been found to contain Q-10, a co-enzyme which is beneficial to cardiovascular health.
Step 2
Add Guggul to your diet. Guggul is an herb which has been found to have beneficial properties in regards to obesity and cholesterol. A 2003 study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that Guggul helps to reduce blood fat levels and helps to raise LDL, the good cholesterol. Some patients who have added Guggul to their diets have shown a drop in blood cholesterol and triglycerides. The data pertaining to this herb is still unclear, with the 2003 test showing no beneficial properties and earlier case studies showing up to a 30 percent drop (Indian Journal of Medicine, 1986). In some cases, this herb has shown the same effect as a prescription, but is a safer alternative to prescriptions, as this is a natural product.
Step 3
Add garlic to meals. Garlic has many beneficial properties for the heart and has shown to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots and destroy plaque in arteries. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, some patients who have added garlic to their diets have had a significant reduction in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure figures over the course of three months.
Step 4
Get enough Crataegus oxycantha. This herb, commonly known as Hawthorne, has been used as a cardiac medicine and diuretic for centuries. It has been used to treat a variety of heart diseases. It may be effective because it prevents the buildup of plasma lipids which help to raise cholesterol. In addition to this, it may help increase coronary blood flow which helps the blood and heart receive much needed oxygen. This herb works with vitamin C as an antioxidant and helps to create collagen which assists cells with maintenance and repair.
Step 5
Increase your intake of Coleus forskohlii. It is a member of the mint family and grows in subtropical environments like India and Thailand. This herb may help to increase cyclic AMP which helps to inhibit platelet activation and will decrease the likelihood of blood clots. This will also strengthen the force the heart pumps blood and relax the arteries, which helps blood move more efficiently through the body. It has the side benefits of increasing metabolism, increased thyroid functions, and will help with weight loss.
Tips and Warnings
- Speak to your doctor before trying any herbal supplements. A doctor will be able to help you decide which herbs are best for your lifestyle.
- Take moderate amounts of all the herbs. Taking too many of any of these can have adverse affects on your body. Some herbal remedies are not approved by the FDA.
Things You'll Need
- Arijuana
- Guggul
- Garlic
- Crataegus oxycantha
- Coleus forskohlii
