Blood pressure, an important diagnostic tool used by physicians and other health care professionals to gauge your vascular health, is the measure of the force on the walls of your arteries as blood is pumped from your heart to the rest of your body. Prolonged high blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause serious health complications if left untreated. If you are considering taking herbs to reduce your blood pressure, first visit your physician for advice and medical counseling.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure affects 74.5 million American adults, according to the American Heart Association. Although it usually does not cause any symptoms, prolonged elevated blood pressure can lead to serious health complications, including death, if left untreated. Possible health problems associated with increased blood pressure include blood vessel weakening; blood vessel scarring; increased risk of blood clots; plaque accumulation in your arteries; and organ damage to your heart, brain, eyes and kidneys.
Useful Herbs
Certain herbs are classified as hypotensives, or substances that may lower your blood pressure naturally. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopath, botanical medicine expert and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," says that the following herbs may help normalize or lower your elevated blood pressure: ashwagandha, astragalus, black cohosh, cleavers, cramp bark, dandelion, dong quai, garlic, lemon balm, mistletoe, motherwort, passionflower, sage root, skullcap, turmeric and valerian. Some of these herbs may be especially potent when taken together.
Featured Herb
Hawthorn is a commonly used herb to help treat hypertension. Hawthorn has astringent and antioxidant action and helps normalize your blood pressure. Hawthorn has long been used to treat a wide variety of heart- and blood vessel-related conditions, including endocarditis, angina, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension. Hawthorn is a shrub or tree indigenous to the temperate parts of Europe, North America and Asia. Hawthorn helps boost blood flow to your heart by expanding your coronary arteries, or the blood vessels that send blood to your heart.
Warning
You should not take certain herbs if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions, such as hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Before taking herbs to reduce your elevated blood pressure, talk with your doctor about which herbs may be most appropriate for you and your health problem. A health care professional trained in herbal medicine can tell you what side effects you might experience, any drug interactions that might occur and how long you should take herbs to achieve your desired health effect.
References
- MedlinePlus: Blood Pressure
- American Heart Association: What Is High Blood Pressure?
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
