1. Stand by the Mistletoe
Viscum album, also known as European mistletoe, lowers blood pressure in animals. To date, scientists have not yet conducted many human studies. You can buy this as a liquid extract in most health food stores. Sometimes you might find it listed as mistletoe extract.
2. Try Some Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng, a plant that grows in China and Korea, lowers blood pressure. It contains chemicals called ginsenosides that help strengthen the immune system and regulate blood sugar levels as well. You can purchase Asian ginseng in tablets, capsules, extracts or tea form.
3. Magnesium is Key
One study of people with high blood pressure found that low intake of the mineral magnesium was the strongest of 61 dietary factors in determining if a person would have high blood pressure. Some people find that their blood pressure returns to normal when they supplement with magnesium. Because calcium and magnesium should be in balance, take 1,000 to 2,000 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium daily. It can take up to 6 weeks for you to see any effects from this supplement. It is interesting to note that hard water, which contains lots of dissolved calcium and magnesium, is better for the blood pressure than soft water.
4. Eat a Clove of Garlic a Day
Garlic contains a substance known as allin that is helpful in controlling high blood pressure. It also thins the blood and keeps blood platelets from sticking to the arteries. Nutritionists recommend a clove of garlic a day. If that's too much for you, take a garlic supplement in capsule form.
5. Hawthorn Can Help
Physicians in Europe have used extracts from the hawthorn berry and their flowering tops for many years to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. The blood-pressure lowering effect of hawthorn is mild, and it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to take effect. If you are taking hawthorn extract, the recommended dose is 100 to 250 mg three times daily. Although you can control blood pressure with lifestyle changes and herbal remedies, severe hypertension requires treatment with medication. If your blood pressure is greater than 140/105, see your doctor. He will prescribe a medication to control your blood pressure. As you make other changes, you can eventually taper off the medication.
Member Comments