In the first century A.D., the Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides wrote a book called "De Materia Medica," which influenced herbal medicine throughout Europe. In modern times, Greek herbalists use many of the same remedies that other European herbalists use for high blood pressure, but some of the herbs have varieties that you may find only in Greece. Consult your health-care provider before starting herbal treatment for high blood pressure.
Herbal Actions
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, damages your artery walls and can lead to kidney disease, heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease. Herbs for hypertension act in several ways. Some relax the smooth muscles in the walls of your blood vessels, thus dilating blood vessels to improve circulation. Others reduce stress, which is linked to hypertension. Check with a qualified practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of Greek herbs for blood pressure.
Yarrow
Yarrow, or Achillea spp., is a perennial herb found throughout Europe and western Asia. Its Latin name comes from the Greek hero, Achilles, who used yarrow to staunch the wounds of his soldiers in battle. In his 1993 classic book, "The Greek Plant World in Myth, Art and Literature," Hellmut Baumann notes that Greek yarrow, or Achillea ageratifolia, grows on Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the twelve Greek Olympian gods. Yarrow is known as "chiliofila" in Greek, and herbalists use it to treat arthritis, colds and hypertension. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, explains in his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," that yarrow lowers blood pressure by dilating peripheral blood vessels. Do not use this herb if you have allergies to plants in the aster family. Don't combine yarrow with other medicines for high blood pressure.
Valerian
Valerian, or Valeriana spp., is a European perennial with a long history of use as a calming herb useful for heart and blood pressure problems. Hellmut Baumann notes that Dioscorides cited the Greek species known as Valeriana dioscorides as an important sedative in Greek herbal medicine. Herbalists use it to treat insomnia, hypertension, menstrual disorders and nervous problems. Valerian is rich in valepotriates, which act on benzodiazepine receptors to relax muscles and nerves. Herbalist David Hoffmann recommends valerian as a nerve relaxant that helps to reduce hypertension. Do not combine valerian with other sedatives or antidepressants.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe, or Viscum album, is a semi-parasitic shrub that grows on certain species of trees. Known as "elatinos," ancient Greeks considered it a cure-all for aging problems, including heart-related problems and high blood pressure. Modern herbalists use it to treat poor circulation, high blood pressure, cancer and nervous disorders. In their 2001 book, "Herbal Remedies," naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli state that mistletoe lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety and enhances sleep. Consult an experienced practitioner for a recommended dosage.
References
- "The Greek Plant World in Myth, Art and Literature"; Hellmut Baumann; 1993
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Herbal Remedies"; Asa Hershoff, N.D., and Andrea Rotelli, N.D.; 2001
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