A Complete Guide to Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure + 5 Essential Tips for Preventing Hypertension

People who’re dealing with high blood pressure often stop taking their prescribed medicine after some time, even though it can lead to severe heart disease – why is that?

Drug therapies may be efficient, but the truth is that their continual use may provoke various side-effects. They usually affect other aspects of our health and can potentially damage some vital organs of our body. Hence, more and more patients decide to try herbal remedies for high blood pressure – a safe and effective treatment that provides visible and measurable results in treating hypertension.

Herbs for high blood pressure can help you maintain your blood pressure levels under control without affecting your optimal health. Still, it’s essential to consult your practitioner before starting with any herbal therapy to make sure you’re taking the right formula for your condition.

Let’s learn more about the benefits of Chinese herbs for high blood pressure and their combination with other approaches, such as acupuncture for hypertension.

Symptoms

Although high blood pressure may be symptomless, you may feel certain difficulties when its readings reach dangerously high levels. In such situations, you may notice the following signs:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds.

These symptoms do not necessarily imply hypertension, but you shouldn’t ignore them if they occur frequently.

The Most Common Risk Factors

The most common causes of hypertension include age (primary hypertension) and underlying conditions (secondary hypertension). However, some people are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure due to their lifestyle habits – for example:

• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Too much salt in the diet
• Not enough potassium in the diet
• Alcohol abuse
• Stress

Most doctors and practitioners suggest changes in some lifestyle habits in order to lower blood pressure and keep it under control. It is often one of the most challenging choices a patient needs to make, which is why it’s vital to consider not only your physical health, but also your emotional side.

The most significant benefit of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lies in the holistic approach that encompasses both physical and emotional aspects of the patient’s health. Patients that undergo this type of therapy often become motivated to change lousy lifestyle habits that affect their general health and inspired to adopt a healthier modus vivendi that brings significant improvements.

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Herbal Medicine for High Blood Pressure

Certain herbs and supplements are excellent high blood pressure treatments, but it’s not recommended to take them without consulting your practitioner first. Not all the herbs are equal, and some may even interfere with the medication you’re taking, causing significant side effects.

A Chinese herbalist will consider your overall health before prescribing any herbal formula. Still, the most commonly used herbs for high blood pressure are:

Hawthorn

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory compounds, hawthorn has been used as a heart-disease remedy for centuries. It originates from Northern Europe, and scientists find it incredibly efficient for relaxing the arterial walls and making them more dilated.

It’s critical to talk to your practitioner before choosing hawthorn since it often interacts with medications used to treat particular heart problems.

Basil

Basil is widely used in the kitchen, but it is also beneficial for lowering high blood pressure. It can be easily included in your daily diet since it goes perfectly with a wide variety of foods, such as soups or salads.

Basil is rich in the chemical eugenol, which blocks specific substances responsible for tightening blood vessels. Such an action can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure, so it’s recommended to consider this ingredient whenever you can.

Cinnamon

Apart from being incredibly tasty, cinnamon is also efficient for lowering your blood pressure. You can add it to your oatmeal, cereal, or even coffee to enhance their flavor and bring your blood pressure levels down.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a seasoning typical for South Asian cuisine, and it is commonly used among people who suffer from hypertension. You can find it in forms of seeds or powder, and both of them are equally used in stews, soups, or even baked goods.

Apart from delivering a special flavor, cardamom has a positive health benefit.

Flax Seed

Flax seed is incredibly beneficial for overall health, primarily since it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vital for maintaining optimal blood pressure levels. It’s recommended to take 30-50 grams of whole or ground seeds per day for about twelve weeks so that you get the best and the most visible results.

Flax seed is quite versatile, meaning that you can add it to virtually any home-cooked meal. It acts as a strong antioxidant and prevents the onset of many cardiovascular diseases while reducing cholesterol and improving glucose tolerance.

Garlic

Garlic has the ability to lower your blood pressure by helping to increase the substance in the body called nitric oxide. This substance causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate, letting the blood flow freely. That way, it reduces the signs of hypertension.

Ginger

Ginger can help control blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and relax the muscles that surround blood vessels. This famous ingredient goes well with most of the dishes, allowing you to add it anywhere you want – vegetables, noodles, tea, etc.

Celery

Celery has been used in China for centuries, and it is believed to be pretty efficient in treating common signs of hypertension. Celery is also a potent diuretic, which is why it is beneficial for lowering blood pressure. According to the researchers, celery is rich in substances that play a vital role in improving a person’s overall health.

French Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful herb that has been used for lowering heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used as a culinary herb, but you can also add it to baked goods in the same way you use rosemary.

Cat’s Claw

According to the Eastern Medicine practice, cat’s claw is one of the best Chinese herbs for high blood pressure and neurological health problems. It helps reduce signs of hypertension by acting on calcium channels in your cells.

Chinese medicine for high blood pressure is considered one of the best treatments for cardiovascular conditions, mainly because it provides nature-based therapies that cannot harm your organism.

Herbal Supplements for Hypertension

Apart from herbal formulas and mentioned ingredients, you are encouraged to include some herbal supplements for high blood pressure to your daily diet and improve overall health and well-being.

For example:

Fish Oil

You are encouraged to take fish oil as your dietary supplement since it is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and other anti-inflammatory properties. It is also beneficial for lowering the number of triglycerides, which can be quite dangerous at high levels.

Magnesium

Magnesium is vital for lowering hypertension risk as it plays a significant role in blocking the calcium channels. That way, it relaxes the arterial muscle and improves the high blood pressure levels.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) has a vital role in smooth muscle contraction, it increases the activity in mitochondria (where the energy is made), providing the heart muscle with more energy.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is beneficial because of its effects on arterial walls. People who consume folic acid regularly have fewer chances of developing hypertension, especially when taken in combination with vitamins B6 and B12.

Make sure you talk to your practitioner before you go shopping for supplements. Some of them can have severe side-effects if taken in the wrong way, and manufacturers usually don’t guarantee their safety and effectiveness.

Natural Cure for High Blood Pressure: 5 Essential Tips for Reducing the Signs of Hypertension

The best way to lower your high blood pressure is by introducing specific lifestyle modifications that encompass habits, diet, and exercise. These changes can significantly improve the symptoms provoked by hypertension.

Here are the 5 crucial things you should change in order to live a happier and healthier life:

1.      Drink Less Alcohol

Unfortunately, alcohol abuse has become a common issue among people. It affects the entire organism, but it’s especially harmful to people with high blood pressure. If you drink more than five drinks per day, you are prone to developing hypertension.

On the other hand, if you drink moderately, you will have fewer chances of endangering your organism and overall health.

2.      Quit or Reduce Smoking

Smoking increases blood pressure over time, so it is essential to quit it or limit its use. Besides, people with hypertension who smoke are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

3.      Lose Weight

Excess weight is associated with hypertension, and the first thing your practitioner may suggest includes weight loss. The extra fat around your vital organs (visceral fat) can be quite dangerous and lead to severe health problems, which is why you should lose at least 10 pounds to improve your condition and prevent the progression of any potential underlying disease.

4.      Get Physically Active

Physical activity will help you lose weight and maintain optimal levels of blood pressure and blood sugar. Professionals suggest exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day, but if you have never been active before, you should ask your practitioner about a safe exercise plan. Apart from the gym, you can exercise outside – hiking, jogging, or swimming are perfect outdoor activities for people with high blood pressure. You should also do some muscle strengthening exercises, such as lifting weights, doing pushups, or any other activity that helps build muscle mass.

5.      Eat Healthy Food

Salt (sodium) is a critical factor that impacts the onset of hypertension since it makes your body retain fluid. Therefore, you should eat less salty food and replace it with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat, fish, and nuts.

Make sure you also avoid saturated fats, processed foods, and fatty meats.