Are you as tired as I am of seeing promising drugs come and go, mainly due to their adverse side effects? The commercials alone are enough to raise your blood pressure. Keeping this in mind, I have singled out the ten most popular herbs that aide in regulating blood pressure. However, if you are currently taking medication on a regular basis, please ask your doctor if herbal remedies are right for you.
Perhaps one of the most widely used herbs, garlic is known for its heart healthy benefits. It lowers bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels, raises good cholesterol, reduces plaque in the carodid arteries, and as an added bonus, it is linked to the fight against premature aging.
Ginger root is another heart heathy herb. It stimulates and improves circulation, by relaxing the muscles surrounding the blood vessels themselves. The danger of using ginger root is that it also acts as a blood thinner, so be cautious if you are a bleeder.
In recent years, we have adopted green tea from China. It is rich in antioxidents, which lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, in turn lowering blood pressure. Green tea is used in many weight loss programs, and is believed to retard the development of certain types of cancer.
More commonly known for its treatment of memory loss, ginko biloba tightens artery walls, increasing blood flow through out the entire circulartory system. It has successfully aided in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, and is currently being examined as a possible treatment for tennitus.
Familiar to most in the form of an herbal tea, ginseng root is considered to be an adaptogen, which means that it helps the body heal itself. Because it works without side effects, it is used not only to lower cholesterol and relieve stress and fatigue, but to prevent infections as well.
Next on my list is a lesser known herb called motherwort, otherwise known as lions ear, or lions tail. Through the years. midwives have used this herb to help prevent uterin infections, to reduce stress and anxiety during labor, and to regulate menstruation. Motherwort has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles, making it an excellent means to cleanse the heart.
The Hawthorn Berry has been used for many centuries in Europe and abroad, to regulate the cardiovascular system. It has proven useful during congestive heart failure, aides in easing angina, strengthens the heart, and regulates blood pressure. Not bad for a little berry.
Ashwagandha, if you guessed it is indian, you were right. Also known as Indian Ginseng. this herb reduces inflamation and stimulates red blood cell production. In addition, it lowers bad cholesterol,reduces stress and fatigue, is very rich in iron, and is said to improve sexual performance to boot.
For as long as I can remember, extra virgin olive oil, has been accredited to lower cholesterol levels. Olive leaf extract has been found to be even better for you still. It relaxes the arteries and increases blood flow, and as a result, it lowers blood pressure. The antioxident properties of olive leaf extract are said to be twice as effective as those of green tea.
Last but not least, Forskolin, although fairly new, is said to be one of the most versatile herbs in recent years. It relaxes blood vessels, causing them to widen, in turn it is beneficial to every ogan in the human body. It is being tested to aide in the treatment of everthing from allergies, to to weight loss. I expect Forskolin to become very popular with physicians and health wise consumers alike.
I am hopeful that one or more of my suggested herbs will be helpful in regulating your blood pressure. In the spirit, and trying not to preach, please quit smoking, and reduce the use of alcohol, caffeine, and sodium. Every little bit helps, and it is up to us to put forth the effort in the first place.