Ayurvedic Herbs For High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure fluctuates daily, depending on your activities and emotional state. But consistently high blood pressure, also called hypertension, can be a dangerous disorder and requires medical attention. Hypertension means that blood flow is exerting an abnormally strong force, or pressure, against artery walls, which may become weakened, enlarged or blocked, leading to potential complications. Ayurvedic herbs have a long history of treating this disorder and may help you to lower your blood pressure. Consult a health care practitioner before starting herbal therapy for hypertension.

Herbal Actions

Indian Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient medical system now used throughout the world. Ayurveda views illness as an imbalance between body, mind and spirit, and it uses herbs to treat the whole person and help restore balance. Ayurvedic herbs for hypertension may be nervines, which act on your nervous system; adaptogens, which help your body cope with stress; or immune modulators. Check with a knowledgeable Ayurvedic practitioner for advice on dosage and use of these herbs.

Rauwolfia

Rauwolfia, or Rauwolfia serpentina, is a woody shrub also known as Indian snakeroot. Traditional healers use the dried roots to treat hypertension and anxiety. The active ingredients include alkaloids called reserpine and rescinnamine, which have potent hypotensive actions. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink state that reserpine lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and sedating the central nervous system. Do not use this herb if you suffer from depression or are taking antidepressants.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola, or Centella asiatica, is a creeping perennial found throughout India. Ayurvedic practitioners use the whole plant as an adaptogen, and to treat hypertension, poor memory, anxiety and skin diseases. Gotu kola is rich in saponins, such as asiaticoside, brahmoside and indocentelloside. Saponins strengthen veins and capillaries, which can contribute to certain types of hypertension if they become enlarged. In a study published in the October 2001 issue of "Angiology," researchers found that after four weeks, patients with venous hypertension who were treated with gotu kola extract had significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Decrease the dose if you experience dizziness, nausea, headache or stomachache. Do not use this herb for more than six weeks, or if you have liver problems or a history of precancerous or cancerous skin lesions.

Arjuna

Arjuna, or Terminalia arjuna, is a tall tree with yellow-green flowers found throughout western India. Herbalists use the powdered bark as a heart tonic and to treat hypertension, heart failure, high cholesterol and angina. The bark contains flavonoids, glycosides and tannins, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hypotensive and cardiotonic actions. In an in vivo study published in the July 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Ayurveda Research," researchers found that after eight weeks, arjuna significantly lowered blood pressure in human subjects. You can take arjuna as extracts, capsules or tinctures. Do not combine arjuna with other heart or blood pressure medications.