High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against arterial walls is excessive. Generally, a diagnosis of this condition occurs if your systolic pressure is above 140 mmHg or your diastolic pressure exceeds 90 mmHg. The usual course of action requires a change in lifestyle and diet, as well as prescription medication. Hypertension often exhibits no symptoms, which makes regular checkups paramount in safeguarding your health. Under the supervision of your physician, you may be able to supplement your diet with herbs that can reduce blood pressure.
Step 1
Grate fresh ginger and add it to boiling water for a blood pressure-lowering beverage. According to an October 2005 study published in "Vascular Pharmacology," an aqueous ginger extract markedly lowered blood pressure by blocking calcium channels and muscarinic receptors responsible for increased force in the arteries.
Step 2
Slice fresh ginger and sprinkle it over vegetables, fish or other dishes.
Step 3
Brew hawthorn tea using the dried flowers and leaves. To dry the fresh foliage, hang the leaves and flowers from the stem upside down in a warm attic with a temperature of about 95°F. If this is not available, use a hair dryer or a dehydrator.
Step 4
Add fresh hawthorn flowers and leaves to salads to acquire the health benefits. A June 2006 article published in "British Journal of General Practice" found that 1,200 mg of hawthorn leaves, berry and flower extract lowered blood pressure in diabetic patients.
Step 5
Use Rauwolfia serpentina, also known as Indian snakeroot, as a garnish or as part of a salad. It has a slightly bitter taste similar to mustard greens. R. serpentina has a longstanding medicinal use in Indian folk medicine and is often used in cooking ghee, curry and stew. You can add fresh Indian snakeroot to soups, pot roasts or baked dishes.
Step 6
Take about 50 to 200 mg of R. serpentina each day to reduce blood pressure. A 2006 article published in the "Texas Heart Institute Journal" says that supplementing your diet with this herb may reduce systolic pressure by 21 mmHg and diastolic by 11 mmHg in about four weeks.
References
- MedlinePlus: Ginger
- "Vascular Pharmacology"; Cardiovascular Effects of Ginger Aqueous Extract and its Phenolic Constituents Are Mediated Through Multiple Pathways; M.N Ghayur; October 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- "British Journal of General Practice"; Hypotensive Effects of Hawthorn for Patient with Diabetes Taking Prescription Drugs: A Randomized Controlled Trial; A.F Walker, et al.; June 2006
- "Texas Heart Institute Journal"; The Texas Heart Institute Award for Undergraduate Writing in the History of Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery; Rustom Jal Vakil; 2006
- American Cancer Society: Indian Snakeroot
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