About 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, which is defined by most physicians as a systolic reading greater than 140 and a diastolic reading greater than 85, as cited in "Professional Guide to Diseases." Hypertension plays a significant role in many heart attacks and strokes, but most mild to moderate cases of the disease respond to lifestyle changes and herbal treatment. Herbs that lower blood pressure are usually vasodilators that promote relaxation. Always consult a health care professional if your blood pressure is not considered normal.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract displays strong antioxidant and vasodilating properties. Dilation of blood vessels reduce blood pressure because the diameter of the vessels increase, which reduces strain on the heart. According to "Medical Herbalism," ginkgo biloba also inhibits clumping of platelet cells in the blood, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Ginkgo is not a cure for hypertension and your medical doctor should be consulted before any supplement regimen is embarked upon.
Chamomile
Chamomile reduces stress, anxiety, muscle tension and promotes restful sleep, all of which have been shown to impact high blood pressure, according to "Human Biochemistry and Disease." With severe hypertension, chamomile might be contraindicated because it contains coumarin, a closely related compound to coumadin, a known blood thinner. Thin blood has a greater chance of leaking from blood vessels that are under high pressure.
Valerian Root
Valerian root extract has the ability to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which reverses the flight-or-fight stress response. Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system promotes vasodilation of the larger centralized arteries, which then reduces blood pressure. Valerian is also a natural sedative because of its actions upon the neurotransmitter GABA, which reduces anxiety and depression according to "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine." Valerian utilizes the same chemical pathways as the drug, Valium, although it is non-addictive and does not cause any serious side effects.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn contains flavonoid glycosides, procyanidins, saponins and tannins, which display antioxidant and ACE inhibiting properties. ACE inhibitors inhibit or block angiotensin converting enzymes, which are responsible for changing the substance angiotensin-1 into angiotensin-2. This biochemical change causes the smooth muscle of blood vessels to contract, which is the opposite of vasodilation. Natural inhibitors, such as hawthorn, block the conversion to angiotensin-2 and promote relaxation within the cardiovascular system, which reduces blood pressure. According to "The Way of Chinese Herbs," hawthorn improves blood flow, energizes the heart and protects coronary arteries against plaque formation.
References
- "Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition"; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
- "The Way of Chinese Herbs"; Michael Tierra; 2008
