Hypertension is a frequently silent, yet serious health problem that affects many Americans. The Lab Tests Online website states that hypertension is often called silent because it rarely causes symptoms until significant damage -- such as a heart attack, stroke, kidney damage or blindness -- has already occurred. Certain herbal remedies, including cayenne, may be beneficial in treating your hypertension, but you should always clear the use of herbs with your doctor first.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common health problems among Americans, affecting about 31.3 percent of adults in the United States, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Significant risk factors for developing hypertension include diabetes, poor diet, weight gain, sedentary living, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, age, family history, race or ethnicity and excessive sodium consumption. Some people with hypertension may experience dizziness, headaches and nosebleeds.
Plant Information
Cayenne is a shrub that thrives in warm, moist soil in both the tropics and subtropics. This shrub bears hollow fruit that grows into red, orange or yellow pods, and its fruit has long been used for medicinal purposes. The cayenne fruit contains numerous active constituents, including carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins A and C and capsaicin. The cayenne fruit may be consumed in several different ways, including raw or cooked or as a powder. This herbal remedy may also be consumed in capsule form or rubbed onto your skin as a cream.
Herb Uses
Cayenne has historically been used in treating numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, states certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Cayenne helps stimulate blood flow, or circulation, regulates your heart rate and blood pressure and helps cleanse your circulatory system. This herbal remedy has also been used in treating osteoarthritis, diabetes, psoriasis, shingles, neuralgia, cluster headaches, obesity, bursitis, low back pain and migraine headaches. Further scientific scrutiny may be needed to examine the true effectiveness of cayenne in treating hypertension.
Considerations
Hypertension is a serious health problem that may respond to both conventional allopathic therapies and complementary alternative treatment measures. In some cases, a combination of conventional and alternative treatments may produce optimal health benefits, although you should always check with your doctor first. Consider visiting your doctor several times a year to have your blood pressure assessed. Your doctor can provide you with an individualized treatment plan to help prevent or treat elevated blood pressure. Some herbal remedies may not be right for you or your condition.
References
- Lab Tests Online: Hypertension
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Blood Pressure
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
