The Use Of Natural Herbs To Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the silent killer, and is a scourge of modern living. It is dangerous, because the heart is forced to pump harder in order to circulate blood around the body, leading to the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is caused by numerous factors including smoking; the high fat, high sodium Western diet; and the stresses of our post-industrial lifestyle. Whilst living more healthily is probably the best remedy for high blood pressure, for many of us, that isn't an option. Healthy organic food costs a lot more than supermarket mystery meat, and while a lot of people fantasize about "downshifting" to a simpler life, but few actually do it, and even fewer survive more than a year or two. Many orthodox medicines exist to treat hypertension, but some people prefer to take the natural route. This article will look at using natural herbs to lower blood pressure.

The Effectiveness of Natural Herbs in Lowering Blood Pressure

First, a word of caution. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of natural herbs to lower blood pressure is somewhat limited when they are used by themselves. It is best to use the herbal remedies mentioned in this article as a supplement to orthodox medicines rather than as a substitute for them. Many practitioners of alternative medicine prefer the term "complementary medicine" for precisely that reason.

The Best Natural Herbs for Lowering Blood Pressure

Having got that disclaimer out of the way, we can now turn to the business of outlining those natural herbs which are used to lower blood pressure. Hawthorn berries are a safe, natural herb used by herbalists to treat disorders of the circulatory system, including high blood pressure. They are available in the form of capsules, a liquid extract, or an herb tea. Or they can be simply be eaten as a fruit – hawthorn jams and jellies were a popular foodstuff in colonial times.

Clinical trials have found garlic to be effective in lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, unlike hawthorn, it can sometimes interact with prescription blood thinners, so consult your doctor before taking it.

Turmeric is a traditional Indian spice that has been shown to help lower cholesterol and thin the blood. It is available in tincture form, but since garlic is also used in the treatment of hypertension, and eating more rice is a dietary change that is often recommended for hypertension sufferers, it makes a strong case for replacing that burger you were going to have for supper tonight with a nice, healthy lean meat or vegetable curry!