High blood pressure, or hypertension, describes the pressure that builds up against artery walls when blood moves through. Some people explore taking botanicals along with prescribed medication and lifestyle changes, but always ask your doctor before attempting any herbal self-remedies. Cranberry pills, normally used for urinary tract infections, may provide some antioxidant protection against high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Condition
Hypertension arises from either too much blood being pumped into the arteries, overly-narrow arteries, or both. In some cases, hypertension is hereditary, but illness or poor lifestyle choices can also raise your blood pressure. Because the causes of blood pressure vary, treatment options are wide. Medications include beta-blockers to slow heart rate, vasodilators to enlarge blood vessels and diuretics to flush sodium and extra fluids from your system. The "DASH" or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension meal plan, is low in fat and high in whole grains and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. The diet is another part of hypertension therapy.
Cranberry Pills
Manufacturers make cranberry pills from the dried fruit of the common cranberry bush, Vaccinium macrocarpon. Cranberries are high in two antioxidants, vitamin C and the flavanol proanthocyanidin. A standard dosage of cranberry capsules may be 300 or 400 mg, in up to six divided doses, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Depending on the medicinal use, you may choose to drink cranberry juice or dishes containing cooked or dried cranberries. If you need to avoid sugar, you may find cranberry pills are a better choice than sweetened cranberry juice.
Primary Uses
Cranberry pills are mainly recommended for urinary tract infections, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Substances in the cranberries keep harmful bacteria from attaching themselves to urinary tract walls. UMMC notes that promising research indicates that cranberries may protect against ulcers in a similar way, in this case by preventing a different kind of bacteria from adhering to the stomach.
Possible Hypertension Connection
The antioxidant properties of cranberry juice, fruit or supplements can theoretically play a supportive role in lowering blood pressure, notes UMMC. Antioxidants prevent build up within the arteries related to cholesterol, and also help relax blood vessel walls, allowing more blood to circulate through them. As with potential antioxidant protection against cancer, not enough research currently exists to recommend cranberry pills as an antihypertension treatment.
Hypertension Herbs
Cranberry pills don't currently make the list of natural remedies for lowering blood pressure compiled by institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, National Center for Complementary or Alternative Medicine or UMMC. Instead, ask your doctor if hibiscus tea, reishi mushrooms, psyllium, cod liver oil, garlic, cocoa or calcium may help support other treatments for lowering blood pressure.
