Blood Pressure Lowering Herbs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 33% of American adults suffer from hypertension.

If you’re not aware of what constitutes hypertension, or high blood pressure, it is what happens when the blood pushes against your arterial walls with too much force. The American Heart Association says that this force causes damage to those walls if it is too high for too long. The tissues stretch beyond what they’re meant to stretch.

When this force is recorded, it is done by looking at two numbers. Systolic pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It measures arterial pressure when the heart’s ventricles contract. Diastolic pressure is the bottom number and measures arterial pressure between heartbeats when the heart’s ventricles relax. If the systolic pressure is over 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is more than 90, a person is classified as having high blood pressure.

Contributors to High Blood Pressure and Risks

A person can develop high blood pressure for several reasons. They include poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, and smoking. Unfortunately, hypertension doesn’t have any symptoms until it is too late. This is why it is considered a silent killer and why regular checkups are important, especially as you age.

If you have high blood pressure, you are at risk for the following health problems:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Vision loss
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure

To get high blood pressure under control, you can test your blood pressure at home and also at your doctor’s office.

Herbs and Supplements That Treat Hypertension

There are prescription drugs that are designed to treat hypertension, but some people prefer natural remedies over artificial ones, or they wish to combine natural herbs and supplements with their medications. PD120 is the perfect example of a supplement that can be used alone or taken with existing medications. It contains natural ingredients that the body needs to keep blood pressure and cholesterol low. The ingredients also help with arthritis, mental health, and more. The ingredients are CoQ10, L-Theanine, Sea Buckthorn, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, and Flax Seed Oil. Other herbs and supplements that have proven to be effective for the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure include:

• Basil – Basil is used in many foods and is also known to lower blood pressure. Although basil extract reduces blood pressure for just a short time, it is a nice addition to your diet.

• Cinnamon – Cinnamon is another delicious seasoning that has health benefits. For those with diabetes, consuming cinnamon daily has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Cinnamon can be consumed in several ways, such as on oatmeal, toast, cereal, and in coffee. Cinnamon can also be added to stews and other dishes.

• Flaxseed – Flaxseed is one of the ingredients in PD120 and deserves another mention because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for lowering blood pressure. There is also evidence that flaxseed may reduce serum cholesterol, which protects against cardiovascular disease. When you consume flaxseed by itself, you can stir it into practically any food.

• Cardamom – Cardamom is an Indian seasoning that is usually used in Asian dishes. A study that was published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics in 2009 showed that participants that consumed powdered cardamom every day for a few months saw a significant reduction in their systolic and diastolic pressures. Cardamom is ideal for stews, soups, baked goods, and spice rubs.

• Garlic – Garlic doesn’t always smell nice, but it is powerful in that it dilates and relaxes blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. When blood flows freely, the pressure on artery walls is greatly reduced.

• Ginger – In an article published by Nahida Tabassum and Feroz Ahmad in 2011, they reported that there was evidence that ginger relaxed the muscles around blood vessels, which improves the circulation of the blood. Ginger is commonly used in Asian foods, but it is also used in beverages and sweets. Ginger can be grated or chopped and placed in vegetable dishes, noodle dishes, soups, or added to tea.

• French Lavender – Everyone hears great things about lavender because the scent is relaxing. It is also possible for the herb to lower blood pressure. While most people don’t think of lavender as something that can be consumed, the leaves can be used in dishes and the flowers in baked goods.

• Celery Seed – Celery seed is commonly used in stews, soups, casseroles, and other dishes that need a taste of celery. Many years ago, the Chinese used celery seed to treat high blood pressure. Tabassum and Ahmad’s study showed that the seeds can be effective, but the entire plant can be juiced. The effect celery has on blood pressure is probably due in part to it being a diuretic.

• Hawthorn – Hawthorn is a herb that the Chinese have used for thousands of years because of its medicinal properties. It is a high blood pressure remedy because of its positive effect on the cardiovascular system. It helps prevent clots and increases circulation. Hawthorn can be taken as a liquid extract, tea, or pill.

• Cat’s Claw – Another traditional Chinese medicine, Cat’s Claw has been known to treat high blood pressure and neurological issues. It takes on the calcium channels in the cells and is available at most health food stores.

Explore Natural Options

It is important to explore natural options, as humans discovered thousands of years ago or more that the earth yielded herbs that had medicinal properties. While high blood pressure is silent prior to the damage it causes becoming evident, modern research has shown how these ancient remedies can positively influence the cardiovascular system and have a positive impact on high blood pressure. From trying these herbs individually to taking PD120 for all its benefits, you have options when treating high blood pressure. Just be sure to inform your doctor of any supplements that you consume to ensure you are doing so safely and so there are no conflicts with any medications you may be taking.