High blood pressure is an increase in the force of blood against the arterial walls. It is a serious condition that can raise the risk for cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke and renal failure. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. The body needs some cholesterol to function normally. But, high cholesterol levels can be life-threatening and increase the chance of coronary heart disease and stroke, according to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Many herbs have antioxidant properties that can lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Of course, you should note use herbs to treat any condition without your doctor's approval.
Wild Yam
Wild yam is a medicinal herb used for centuries. They are grown across the midwestern and eastern United States. The findings suggest that the natural ingredients in wild yam can stimulate the opening of blood vessels, which promotes greater blood flow and a resultant lowering of blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Wild yam also contains diosgenin, a natural precursor to progesterone, which is thought to reduce high blood cholesterol. Ask your doctor if it is OK to use wild yam for high blood pressure.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is known in many cultures. It grows in the temperate regions of Europe, North America and Asia. Hawthorn can control high blood pressure in a number of ways. It primarily dilates the larger blood vessels and promotes the heart's functional capacity, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. There is also good evidence indicating that eating hawthorn lowers high blood cholesterol levels. It acts to block an enzyme needed by the body to make cholesterol. Before you ingest hawthorn, get your doctor's approval.
Guggul
Guggul, a purified extract of mukul myrrh tree, is increasingly being used as dietary supplement. Evidence points to guggul's ability to reduce fatty buildups, also called cholesterol, in the walls of the arteries, according to the New Jersey Medical School. In fact, the herbal extracts of guggul have been widely used in Asia as cholesterol-lowering agent. Guggul is also frequently used to decrease high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about using guggul for high cholesterol.
References
- The Franklin Institute: Hypertension
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: High Cholesterol
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Wild Yam
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- New Jersey Medical School: Three Dietary Supplements and Herbs for Cholesterol Lowering -- One Potentially Good, One Undocumented, One Probably No Good
Member Comments