High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be a precursor to heart disease and can become life-threatening if left untreated. According to the American Heart Association, 74.5 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure. For some people, changing diet and adding exercise may be enough to lower blood pressure. However, if a person’s blood pressure numbers are very high, medication may also be needed to help lower it. In some instances, changing diet, adding exercise and using a natural remedy may work to lower blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Numbers
A healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 or lower. People who fall into the 120-130 over 80-90 range are considered to have prehypertension. A reading over 140/90 begins to become very serious and should be treated by a doctor. If high blood pressure is ignored, damage can occur over time in the arteries and lead to heart attack, stroke or other health complications. Talking to a doctor is the first step in beginning treatment for high blood pressure.
Treating High Blood Pressure with Herbal Remedies
For people who have pre-hypertension, using an herbal remedy, along with a healthy diet and exercise, may be effective in lowering blood pressure. Always talk to a doctor first to make sure the herbal remedy will not affect other prescription medications that are being taken. For those people with very high blood pressure, it may be necessary to take a prescription blood pressure medication under the treatment of a doctor. Natural remedies that may help to lower blood pressure include:
Dandelion Leaf – Often, a doctor will prescribe a diuretic to lower blood pressure. Dandelion leaf is a natural diuretic that helps to reduce blood volume which results in lowering blood pressure. Dandelion leaf also contains potassium, a nutrient that in generally lost when using a diuretic. Dandelion leaf is available in capsule and tincture form. Tea can also be made from dried dandelion leaves. Use one tablespoon of dandelion leaves per one cup of boiling water and steep for several minutes. Dandelions can be picked right from the yard, however make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides. Do not take dandelion leaf if already taking prescription blood pressure medication.
Hawthorne – According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hawthorn has been used for heart disease since the first century. Hawthorn improves oxygenation which results in increased energy. It also improves blood flow through the coronary arteries, prevents build-up of plaque in the arteries and relaxes the blood vessels. Hawthorn also acts as a mild diuretic to decrease the water in the blood which decreases blood pressure. Hawthorn has been found to be safe for most people in a recent study. Hawthorn is available in capsule, tincture and tea form.
Fish Oil – There have been numerous studies on fish oil and its effect on heart disease and all have found it to be an effective treatment. Fish oil contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids, as found in cold-water fish, as well as two types of fatty acids called Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). EPA and DHA combine to build the immune system, decrease inflammation and thin the blood which can result in lowering blood pressure. Eating cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, halibut and sardines is an excellent way to obtain the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids but taking fish oil supplements is also effective. The standard dose is 500 to 1,000 milligrams of fish oil per day. It is recommended to take one vitamin E capsule a day while taking fish oil supplements because fish oil has been found to lower vitamin E in the body. People taking blood thinners or who are taking a daily aspirin for heart disease should not take fish oil unless prescribed by a doctor.
Coenzyme Q10 – Having adequate amounts of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the body helps the heart beat stronger and increases the amount of oxygen in the blood as well as increasing blood flow which results in more energy. It also improves the health of blood vessel walls and relaxes blood vessels so blood pressure lowers.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one study found that taking CoQ10 lowered systolic blood pressure (upper number) by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (lower number) by 10 mm Hg. It generally takes up to 12 days of taking CoQ10 before seeing results. Taking CoQ10 along with certain blood pressure medications may actually enhance the effectiveness of the medications. CoQ10 has also been found to be safe to use in addition to certain statin medications for cholesterol. Talk to a doctor before combining this with any prescription medication. CoQ10 is available in capsule and tablet form and the recommended dose is 50 to 100 milligrams per day.
Using a natural remedy for high blood pressure may be a good alternative to taking prescription medications in some cases. Talk to a doctor to find out if taking one of these natural remedies is the best solution for your high blood pressure.
Sources:
American Heart Association, “ High Blood Pressure Statistics ” Retrieved June 1, 2010.
American Heart Association, “ Understand Blood Pressure Readings ” Retrieved May 31, 2010.
MayoClinic.com, “ High Blood Pressure – Hypertension ” Retrieved May 31, 2010.
The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines Charles W. Fetrow, Juan R. Avila
Published by Pocket Books, 2000
University of Maryland Medical Center, “Dandelion” Retrieved June 1, 2010.
University of Maryland Medical Center, “Hawthorn” Retrieved June 1, 2010.
University of Maryland Medical Center, “Coenzyme Q10” Retrieved June 1, 2010.
Deanna Lynn Sletten - Deanna Lynn Sletten has been a freelance writer for newspapers, regional magazines and websites for 20 years. She specializes in the ...
