Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Herbal Remedies
for High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure which the blood exerts against the walls of the blood vessels. During cardiac cycle, the peak pressure of the arteries is known as the systolic pressure. The lowest pressure, on the other hand, usually during the resting phase of the cardiac cycle is called the diastolic pressure. When resting, a healthy adult has approximately 110 mmHg systolic and 70 mmHg diastolic (written as 110/70 mmHg).

Problems can occur with blood pressure. There are moments when the blood pressure is lower than normal. This state is called hypotension and is normally characterized by lightheadedness, weaknesses, and fainting. When the blood pressure far exceeds the normal values, then hypertension occurs. Blood pressure problems occur the behavior of the endothelial lining, the walls of the arteries are altered. This then results in complications such as atherosclerosis.

Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension when mild (140-159/90-99 mmHg) may be treated by higher intakes of calcium and magnesium. Studies have shown that calcium can lower blood pressure while magnesium relaxes the muscles that control the blood vessels. If after a month of taking calcium and magnesium your blood pressure does not decline, you can start with vitamin C and the herbal hawthorn. Both can widen blood vessels and the herbal aids in regulation of the heart rate.

More than a third of people with high blood pressure are said have inadequate supply of the coenzyme, Q10, so taking this herbal supplement may help. You can also add other herbal products rich in essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil and fish oils. These two herbals help foster good circulation.

Other herbals that are shown to lower down blood pressure are baical skullcap, black cohosh, borage, celery, Chinese angelica or dong quai, chrysanthemum, and many more. Before trying any of those though, consult your doctor first or research more on the herbs for any side effects.

Herbal Remedies for Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure or hypotension is considered by most physicians as a symptom of some other disorder. Others however treat it as a separate form of disorder with its own symptoms, such as lethargy, fatigue, and depression. Generally, hypotension occurs when the pressure of the blood is always low, less than 90/60 mmHg.

There are herbal ways to treat low blood pressure. If tolerated, coffee in the mornings may result in improvements of the blood pressure values. Other herbs, such scots broom (Cystisus scoparius) also have well-known effects in raising pressure of the blood. Scots broom has a mild peripheral vaso-constricting action, which when combined with a gentle cardiotonic effect can help combat hypotension.