Ginger Root & Blood Pressure

High-blood pressure, also called hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pumping through your arteries increases, often because the arteries are too narrow. Ginger may reduce blood pressure. But as an herbal remedy, it can't take the place of medical treatment, In addition, it may interfere with blood-pressure medications. High-blood pressure is a serious medical condition that increases your risk heart attack and stroke, so check with your doctor before using ginger therapeutically.

High-Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is indicated in two separate measurements, written one over the other. In a healthy blood pressure reading, the top number, or systolic, is below 120, and the bottom number, or diastolic, is below 80. As the numbers increase, so do your health risks.

Ginger: The Herb

Ginger, native to Asia and India, now grows in many parts of the world. It is cultivated for its culinary and medicinal values. The plant's root, which is thick, beige and gnarled, contains volatile oils, gingerols and gingerdiols, according to the "PDR for Herbal Medicines," which may be responsible for its health benefits. Studies confirming the effects of ginger, however, are lacking.

Potential Benefits

According to MedlinePlus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, taking ginger may reduce high-blood pressure in the same manner that conventional medications reduce high-blood pressure. While this may be beneficial, if you're already taking drugs to reduce hypertension, your blood pressure could drop too low, or you could experience heartbeat irregularities.

Considerations/Precautions

In addition to interfering with blood-pressure medications, the use of ginger in therapeutic amounts could have other side effects. These include bleeding because of the herb's blood-thinning ability, dermatitis and depression of the central nervous system, reports the "PDR." Ginger is also linked with an increased risk of miscarriage.
See your doctor if you think you have high-blood pressure, and use ginger only under your doctor's supervision.