Herbal Strategies to Help with High Blood Pressure

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Herbs for High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure by the Numbers

The CDC reports that 75 million Americans have high blood pressure. That equates to 1 in every 3 adults. Only 54% of those cases are believed to be “under control.” Perhaps this is why I am so often asked for natural solutions that can help.

When speaking about any health issue, it is important to keep the situation monitored in some way. It can be very helpful to work with a doctor to track your blood pressure statistics even if you aren’t interested in pursuing pharmaceuticals,

It is the 46% that are not “under control” that disturbs me. We can only guess at what sort of situations may make up this group:

  • perhaps folks for whom the currently available pharmaceuticals are not working,
  • folks who do not monitor their health,
  • and maybe folks who don’t want to use pharmaceuticals and don’t know (or don’t think) there are any other options.

Monitoring Blood Pressure

It is never smart to be unaware of the condition of your body. It’s just too easy to obtain a blood pressure cuff for home use! Once you have a plan for keeping track of your numbers you can move forward with what to do about them.

  • 120/80 or less is considered normal
  • 120/80 – 139/89 is considered pre-hypertension
  • 140/90 and above is considered to be high

Whether you take pharmaceuticals or prefer to avoid them, it is never ok to do nothing. Supplementing can support either way and knowing what your options are can be truly helpful. Beyond the typical advice to get your body moving and reduce your intake of refined/iodized salt, here are some herbs that my help.

Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Diuretic Herbs

One of the most common natural (and medical) solutions for high blood pressure is to relieve the water pressure in your cells. When we retain water there is pressure on our blood vessels, causing our blood pressure to rise in response. These are a few common diuretics that you might add to your food or make into tea on a regular basis to move water out of the body and relieve this pressure:

  1. Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale)
  2. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
  3. Corn silk (Zea mays)
  4. Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Hypotensive Herbs

Various studies have shown these herbs to reduce blood pressure numbers by varying degrees. Use these with a bit more care if you are already taking pharmaceuticals (to ensure that blood pressure does not drop inappropriately).

  1. Linden (Tillia spp.)
  2. Cabbage
  3. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
  4. Crampbark (Viburnum opulus)
  5. Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
  6. Sesame Seed and Sesame Seed Oil
  7. Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
  8. Garlic (Allium sativum)
  9. Triphala
  10. Orange Peel
  11. Beets

Closing Notes

Whenever I write one of these general health pieces, my intention is to share some of the known options with you. This condition affects people for many different reasons. Each individual must research for themselves the herbs for high blood pressure listed above.

If you have a doctor who is open to holistic conversations, share with him/her your desire to supplement in this manner. They can help you do so safely with or without your medication.

Do you use herbs for high blood pressure? If so, how’s it going?

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About Dawn Combs

Dawn is a wife, mother, farmer, author, ethnobotanist, professional speaker, and educator. She has over 20 years of ethnobotanical experience, is a certified herbalist, and has a B.A. in Botany and Humanities/Classics. Dawn is co-owner of Mockingbird Meadows Farm. Her books include Conceiving Healthy Babies and Heal Local.

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Comments

  1. Avatar photoAnn Browning says

    Wish there were a more trustworthy way to measure blood pressure. The fact is that many of the wrist-cuffs, blood pressure machines at the pharmacy, etc., are not entirely reliable, so how do you know what’s working? You can reduce the risk by making sure that you always use the same arm (left is usually best), and that it’s at the same height and position each time. Also, it’s a good idea to take the cuff to the Dr. with you, and see if you get the same reading on their machines.

  2. Avatar photoTherese says

    As Jeanne already mentioned I would also recommend taking around 200mg Coenzyme Q10 daily. Besides that I like to eat a raw garlic from time to time. Take a good look that you don’t have any important meetings after that 😉

  3. Avatar photoT.GNANAVEL says

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  4. Avatar photoShirley Alberty says

    I have made my own herbal bp capsules for years. I use a 00 and mix nettle, mint, elder, chamomile, lobelia. and valerian root. Have great results. As I said have used these herbs since about 1986. Of course, I always recommend that someone on bp meds should consult with their doctor about adding herbs.

    • Avatar photoDonna says

      Hi Shirley,
      I’m not on bp medicine and trying to stay away from any prescription medication. My bp has been running around 140. Do you make your own supplement capsules. I have never done this before and am looking for guidance and supplement suggestions. How much of each supplement do you put in a capsule. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
      Many thanks for your time,
      Donna

    • Avatar photoLaura Poveromo says

      Hi Shirley, Intrigued…what does “00” mean? also what amounts of each do you find beneficial? ` Thx , Laura

      • Avatar photoKellie says

        Hello, my blood pressure flexuaute’s from day to day, sometimes high and sometimes normal, I am 53 now, would rather try natural herbs first, I have never smoked, I am a very healthy eater, excercise everyday! Would Love to learn how to make own capsules and recipe for that, Thank you, Kellie Koonce.