Herbal remedies that can lower high blood pressure

Ancient medical systems like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine have used herbal remedies to lower high blood pressure. These medical traditions go back a few millennia. Through trial and error, they discovered effective plant and herb based cures for a wide range of diseases including high blood pressure.

It is debatable whether some of these remedies are effective enough for those with full-blown hypertension. They may however, be useful for patients who are at a pre-hypertension stage, i.e., those with blood pressures above 120/80 mmHg and below 140/90 mmHg. Here are four plants that have been used by traditional medical approaches and the effects they produce in the body.

Ginkgo Biloba
This herb is currently being considered to be a solution to many different health problems. There are even fruit juices and energy drinks that contain ginkgo biloba. Its effectiveness against many illnesses is open to question. Ginkgo biloba is said to dilate blood vessels thus making it easier for blood to flow through them. This helps to lower high blood pressure. In addition, it tones up the body's circulatory system as a whole.

Guelder Rose
Guelder rose is also known as cramp bark. It got the latter name because it was used to obtain relief from cramps. Guelder rose has been found to have a relaxing effect on the body's cardiovascular system. This accounts for its ability to lower high blood pressure. As with many natural remedies, not enough research has gone into uncovering the usefulness of this herb. Native Americans used to add guelder rose to food and drinks for its curative properties.

Dandelion
Diuretics are often prescribed to hypertensive patients to lower their blood pressure. Dandelion is a herb with diuretic properties and is said to be effective against high blood pressure. It eliminates excess fluid as well as impurities in the body. This natural remedy is rich in various vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, potassium and magnesium, among others. These ingredients promote the health of the heart and thus contribute to lowering blood pressure.

Hawthorn
Many distinct plant species are known as Hawthorn. These plants have been used in traditional medical systems for improving digestion and curing a variety of illnesses. One particular species - Crataegus laevigata - is said to lower high blood pressure. This remedy works by inhibiting the production of an enzyme called angiotensin. This enzyme plays a role in elevating blood pressure, so reducing its levels in the body probably helps to control hypertension.

Crataegus laevigata also opens up the body's blood vessels. This promotes easier blood flow and brings down blood pressure. Hawthorn reduces plaque build up on arterial walls thus preventing their narrowing, which helps maintain blood pressure at healthy levels. In addition, hawthorn is said to act as an antioxidant and lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.

Clinical trials conducted to test Hawthorn's anti-hypertensive properties have yielded inconclusive results so far. Some tests showed that patients using Hawthorn experienced a significant lowering of blood pressure as compared to those who took placebos. Other tests showed no major improvement in blood pressure with Hawthorn use.

Never use herbs to lower high blood pressure without consulting a doctor first. Herbs contain active ingredients that may interfere with the action of drugs you may be consuming. Only a qualified medical professional can recommend herbal remedies that can be used together with standard medication.

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