Natural Herbs to Help Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a growing problem in the U.S., thanks to our on-the-go lifestyle and addiction to fast foods. Luckily, naturally treating primary hypertension by adding recommended dosages of herbs to your diet can help you lower your blood pressure with few, if any, side effects.

Significance

• High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently higher than normal, which can increase the risk of other, more serious health disorders.

Considerations

• High blood pressure that has no known cause is referred to as primary hypertension and responds well to natural treatments. Meanwhile, high blood pressure that arises as a result of another condition, such as pregnancy, is called secondary hypertension and must be evaluated more closely by a physician.

Types

• There are a number of all-natural herbs that are effective in combating high blood pressure: coleus forskohlii is a member of the mint family and is used to improve heart function; hawthorne has the ability to dilate the coronary blood vessels, which leads to lower blood pressure; and mistletoe and rauwolfia can both be used to lower blood pressure.

Prevention/Solution

• In addition to following a regular exercise regimen, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding salt, drinking plenty of water and eating lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can aid in the prevention of high blood pressure.

Warning

• Consult a physician for the recommended dosage of each herb and to discuss the possible risks and side effects that can be associated with herbal medicines.