Herbs and Supplements for Hypertension

High blood pressure is a heart condition, also known as hypertension. Many call it a “silent killer.” It can give birth to other diseases if you do not keep the blood pressure levels under control. The world has the two greatest lifestyle disease killers. They are diabetes and hypertension.

Once affected, no medication can cure hypertension, can manage it well. You can deal with it with medication and natural remedies with lifestyle changes.

Let’s look at some herbs that aid hypertension management at the prescribed level.

Prescribed Blood Pressure Levels

• Systolic blood pressure, the higher level, up to 130 mm Hg

• Diastolic blood pressure, the lower level, up to over 80 mm Hg

• Systolic and diastolic values above the prescribed limits (80 mm Hg – 130 mm Hg) are considered high blood pressure or hypertension.

Basil

The scientific name is Ocimum Basilicum. It is a herb with a strong flavour and comes in various forms. It is rich in potent compounds and high in antioxidants. Sweet basil is rich in eugenol. Studies suggest eugenol aids in reducing blood pressure on the principle of a natural calcium channel blocker.

Since the herb is unavailable in many countries, you can take it as a supplement available in the open market.

Parsley

The scientific name is Petroselinum crispum. People have used it in Middle East, European, and American cuisine. It contains many nutritional compounds, including vitamin C, and dietary carotenoids may help reduce blood pressure.

Research shows carotenoid antioxidants reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol (LDL). LDL is one reason for heart attacks. Parsley help reduce both systolic and diastolic levels by acting as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blocker medications relax and dilate blood vessels.

Celery Seeds

The scientific name is (Apium graveolens). It is a spice loaded with nutrients, including iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and fibre.

A study in rats with normal and high blood pressure shows it lowered blood pressure in rats with high blood pressure. It has not reduced blood pressure in rats with normal blood pressure.

The celery seed active compound behaves on the principles of a natural calcium channel blocker. Celery seeds are rich in fibre, helping in lowering blood pressure.

Chinese Cat’s Claw

It is a wondrous herb that helps treat serious diseases, including blood pressure reduction. It has active compounds known as hirsutine and rhynchophylline.

These reduce blood pressure by behaving like natural calcium channel blockers. These active compounds stimulate blood vessels and produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a compound found to relax and dilate blood vessels and help blood flow.

Bacopa Monnieri

We find the herb to grow in South Asia’s marshy region. It is a popular medicine in Ayurveda to treat anxiety, depression, memory problems, and high blood pressure.

The herb helps stimulate blood vessels to create nitric oxide, thus reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A human study of 54 adults found the effects on memory loss, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure.

Although there is no apparent effect on blood pressure, you can buy it as a healthy superfood in powder and capsule forms.

Garlic

The herb used as a spice in many cuisines has many compounds for the heart. We know the active sulfur compound as allicin. It increases blood flow and relaxes blood vessels. Because of these factors, we see a significant reduction in blood pressure.

Researchers have conducted many studies on garlic and received promising results on blood pressure reduction.

Researchers conducted 12 studies on 550 individuals with high blood pressure levels. It lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressures after taking garlic. It significantly reduced systolic by an average of 8.3 mm Hg and diastolic by an average of 5.5 mm Hg.

A 24-week research in 30 individuals suggests a garlic extract of 600-1500 mg is just as good as the drug Atenolol to reduce blood pressure.

Thyme

The flavoured herb contains several active compounds, including rosmarinic acid. Thyme helps reduce inflammation and blood sugar levels. It increases blood flow, lowering blood pressure.

An animal study suggests rosmarinic acid reduces systolic blood pressure significantly by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE contributes to increased blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels.

The study shows that thyme extracts lower the risk factors of having heart diseases, including high cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure. However, there isn’t much research on humans on thyme.

Cinnamon

An aromatic spice, cinnamon, is a popular spice extracted from the inner bark of Cinnamomum genus trees. We have been using it for a long in traditional medicines to treat heart conditions, specifically high blood pressure.

An animal study shows the herb dilates and relaxes blood vessels, but the actual mechanism is still unknown.

In 9 studies, over 641 individuals found that taking cinnamon lowered the systolic blood pressure level by an average of 6.2 mm Hg. Diastolic blood pressure came down by an average of 3.9 mm Hg. The cinnamon effect becomes stronger if consistently consumed for over 12 weeks.

In 3 studies of 139 individuals having type II diabetes, taking cinnamon of 500-2400 g of daily intake over 12 weeks found their systolic blood pressure level reduced by an average of 5.39 mm Hg. Diastolic blood pressure came down by an average of 2.6 mm Hg.

Ginger

It is a staple, versatile herb used as alternative medicine. For centuries, ginger helped in blood circulation and reduced cholesterol levels and high blood pressure levels.

Ginger follows the principles of natural calcium channel blockers and natural ACE inhibitors. Many modern-day blood pressure medicines work on the principles of calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.

Taking ginger by over 4000 individuals in 2-4 g/day had the least risk of blood pressure.

Cardamom

Cardamom is delicious and taken in its natural forms. Loaded with natural antioxidants, it aids in reducing blood pressure.

In a 12-week study on 20 individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure, taking 3 g of cardamom reduced the blood pressure, bringing it back to safe blood pressure levels.

Animal and test tube researches suggest cardamom behaves as a natural calcium channel blocker and diuretic. Diuretic compounds remove excess water through urine.