Hypertension is a condition in which a person has high blood pressure. High blood pressure occurs from plaque buildup in the artery walls. As plaque continues to accumulate, the heart needs to pump harder to accommodate the increased need to push blood through the arteries. This leads to hardening of the arteries and ventricles of the heart, which can eventually lead to a heart attack. Some herbs have been shown to help reduce hypertension and improve cardiovascular health.
Garlic
Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a natural herb that is linked to several health benefits, including reduction in hypertension and cancer fighting properties. The compound linked to garlic's beneficial attributes is its hydrogen sulphide properties. Clinical trials have been conducted on garlic, and studies have shown that the herb is a viable natural herb for treatment and prevention of high blood pressure. Fresh garlic is the source of the natural medical benefits, so patients who are trying to control hypertension need to ensure they include fresh garlic instead of the prepackaged cans or bottles found on grocery store shelves.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn, or Crataegus monogyna, is an herb that is mostly known as a natural treatment for congestive heart failure, but it also has properties that help hypertension patients. Treating hypertension helps reduce the chances of heart failure, so it can be used as a preventative measure. It is hypothesized that the active ingredients in hawthorn help relax the endothelial tissue within arteries, helping reduce the obstruction of the blood and relieving the heart from the amount of work it needs to do to pump blood in the body.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is extracted from the flaxseed plant, or Linum usitatissimum. This oil is shown to reduce bad cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure and avoiding the chances of heart disease. Alpha-linolenic is the active component in flaxseed oil, and it also helps lower the level of inflammation from inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Flaxseed also contains lignans, which is shown to lower the chances and risk factors for cancer.
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