Spices & Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Whether caused by diet, stress or heredity, high blood pressure is a serious ailment that affects 50 million Americans. Changing diet and lifestyles, along with using certain spices and herbs, can help prevent and alleviate high blood pressure. Also referred to as hypertension, high blood pressure requires attention from a health care professional before beginning herbal treatments.

Celery and Celery Seed

• For centuries, celery and celery seed were home remedies to lower blood pressure. Recent scientific studies have supported that celery and celery seed help prevent and treat high blood pressure. The taste and smell of celery comes from 3-n-butylphthalide. Phthalide aids in lowering hypertension by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, enabling the blood to flow normally.
  As reported by Jane Brody in the June 9, 1992 New York Times article "A New Look at an Old Remedy," Quang T. Le and William J. Elliot at the University of Chicago began studying celery after Le's father was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Chinese herbal remedies for high blood pressure include celery. Le's father ate 1/4 lb. of celery a day, and after a week his blood pressure was normal. Elliot and Le discovered that stress hormone production is reduced by the phthalide contained in celery. The sodium content in celery is offset by the potassium, at a ratio of one to three, making celery and celery seed effective diuretics. Caution is advised against toxicity from consuming too much celery, and Le and Elliot both advise against self-treatment with celery without consulting a health care professional.

Garlic

• Garlic is famous in folk lore, where it has been said to stop colds, deter mosquitos and even fight the plague. The active content is sulphur, diallyl sulphide and allicin. Studies have show garlic to be a strong antioxidant and a natural antibiotic. The human body does not build up resistance to the healthy properties of garlic, meaning that garlic properties are consistently effective. Excessive garlic intake can cause garlic breath, garlic-smelling skin and negatively impact the digestive tract.
  In a 2008 series of studies at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, researchers found that garlic lowered blood pressure in humans, as opposed to subjects given a placebo. Dr. George Jacob has noted that one clove of garlic a day can lower blood pressure, and advises that garlic be used in everyday cooking. Jack Challem, in "The Wonders of Garlic," has compiled a comprehensive listing of numerous scientific studies showing the effectiveness of garlic. All the studies indicate that garlic is similar to a wonder drug in lowering blood pressure, as well as preventing cancer and bacterial and fungal infections.

Hawthorn Plant and Berries

• Folk herbalists have used hawthorn for a variety of heart-related ills. Anecdotal evidence relates that any problems related to blood circulation can be improved with hawthorn, including congestive heart failure, blood circulation and irregular heart beat, as well as low or high blood pressure. Hawthorn blocks an angiotensin-converting enzyme, ACE. The blood vessels can then dilate, letting the blood flow normally with lower pressure.
  In his article "Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure," Dr. Ray Sahelian cites a 2002 study in which people with high blood pressure responded to a daily dosage of 500mg of hawthorn extract. With a low dosage, and an apparent lack of interference with other medications, hawthorn is considered a safe herbal treatment for high blood pressure. Children or individuals with colitis or ulcers, or taking medication for the heart, need to consult with a health care professional before taking hawthorn.