Herbs and Plants That Will Lower Your Blood
Pressure Naturally
Nearly one third of adults have high
blood pressure, or hypertension. A quarter of all prescribed medications are for
high blood pressure and long-term use often leads to heart failure, heart
attacks, and interference with calcium metabolism. If you are thinking of
turning to herbal treatments for lowering your blood pressure, you have many
options and there are many effective remedies at your disposal.
1)
BASIL
Basil is a delicious herb that goes
well in a variety of foods. It is originally native to Iran, India, and other
tropical regions of Asia, but now it is widely available throughout the world.
Basil has antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumorigenic, antiviral, and
antibacterial properties. It also helps lower your blood pressure. Extract of
basil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Adding fresh basil to your
diet is easy and certainly can’t hurt. Keep a small pot of the herb in your
kitchen garden and add the fresh leaves to pastas, soups, salads, and
casseroles.
2)
CINNAMON
Cinnamon is another tasty seasoning that requires little effort to include in your daily diet and that may bring your blood pressure numbers down.Cinnamon combined with magnesium, diet, and lifestyle changes may lead to overall reductions in blood pressure up to 25mm Hg. Consuming cinnamon every day has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with diabetes. Include more cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling it on your breakfast cereal and even in your coffee. At dinner, cinnamon enhances the flavor of stir fries, curries, and stews.
3)
CARDAMOM
Cardamom is a seasoning that comes from India and is often used in the foods of South Asia. As with many spices, cardamom has been demonstrated to have antioxidant properties. Kikuzaki, Kawai, and Nakatani (2001) examined extracts from black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) for their ability to scavenge radicals. A study investigating the health effects of cardamom found that participants given powdered cardamom daily for several months saw significant reductions in their blood pressure readings. You can include cardamom seeds or the powder in spice rubs, in soups and stews, and even in baked goods for a special flavor and a positive health benefit.
4) HAWTHORN
Hawthorn is an herbal remedy for
high blood pressure that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for
thousands of years. Decoctions of hawthorn seem to have a whole host of
benefits on cardiovascular health, including reduction of blood pressure, the prevention
of clot formation, and an increase in blood circulation. You can take hawthorn
as a pill, a liquid extract, or a tea.
5) CELERY SEED
Celery seed is an herb used to
flavor soups, stews, casseroles, and other savory dishes. James Duke, Ph.D.,
author of The Green Pharmacy, found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in
celery and celery seeds, including a substance called apigenin, which is
powerful in its anti-inflammatory action. Celery has been long used to treat
hypertension in China, and studies have
shown that it is an effective agent with cardioprotective properties. You can
use the seeds to lower blood pressure, but you can also juice the whole plant.
Celery is a diuretic, which may help explain its effect on blood pressure.
6) DASHEN
Danshen is not technically an herb or plant but a dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. It has been widely used in China and, to a lesser extent, in Japan, the United States, and other European countries for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Danshen has been used for millennia in Chinese Medicine for circulation problems, stroke, chest pain, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is also used for menstrual disorders, chronic liver disease, and trouble sleeping caused by complaints such as rapid heartbeat and tight chest.
7) FRENCH LAVENDER
The beautiful, perfume-like scent of
lavender is not the only benefit of the plant. Oil of lavender has long been
used as a perfume ingredient and also to induce relaxation. The herb may also
lower your blood pressure. Although not many people think to use lavender as a
culinary herb, you can use the flowers in baked goods and the leaves can be
used in the same way you would use rosemary.
8) HIBISCUS
Hibiscus tea (from the plant Hibiscus
sabdariffa) and supplements have been found to lower blood pressure in
human studies. A systematic review of four randomized controlled trials found
that in two studies testing the effects of hibiscus tea to black tea, hibiscus
tea was associated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Two
studies comparing hibiscus extract to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors (captopril or lisinopril) also showed reductions for hibiscus tea
groups, but the effects were generally less than those of the ACE-inhibitor
groups.
9) CAT’S CLAW
Cat’s claw is an herbal medicine
used in traditional Chinese practice to treat hypertension, as well as neurological
health problems. Studies of
cat’s claw as a treatment for hypertension indicate that it may be helpful in
reducing blood pressure by acting on calcium channels in your cells. It also
contains an anti-inflammatory agent that blocks the production of the hormone
prostaglandin, which contributes to inflammation and pain. You can find cat’s
claw in supplement form from many health food stores, but it is also widely
available as a tea.
No comments:
Post a Comment