Mega List Of 30 Herbs Found Beneficial For High Blood Pressure

Mega List Of 30 Herbs Found Beneficial For High Blood Pressure. Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com Image sources – see foot of article

Hypertension (HTN), aka high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition that has been associated with a high-salt diet, emotional stress, alcohol, smoking, inactivity, and caffeine. This disease is also linked to other conditions such as congestive heart failure, stroke, aneurysm, kidney malfunction, and blindness.

Dietary and lifestyle changes and medicines may help you control your blood pressure and reduce the risk of associated health complications. Orthodox medicine prescribes medications for blood pressure control, however, some of these medicines are expensive and have been noted for side effects. However numerous alternative medicines exist; notably plants or herbs found by research to have hypotensive and antihypertensive therapeutic values.

Here is a “master list” of medicinal plants and health foods that have been scientifically studied and are reported to have hypotensive and antihypertensive effects.

1. Garlic

This herb contains an active compound called allicin which gives its characteristic odor and many of its healing benefits. Garlic’s antioxidative and antihypertensive effect has been proven by a 2008 study ^[1] published in the journal BMC Cardiovascular Disorders that found the effectiveness of garlic in reducing BP in individuals with HTN.

2. Celery

Celery is a diuretic which enhances the excretion of sodium and chloride in the urine and may explain the herb’s effect on blood pressure. It is one of the herbs cited by an Indian study ^[2] that have uses related to the symptoms of hypertension.

3. Ginger

Commonly used in Asian cooking, ginger may help control blood pressure and improve blood circulation. The blood pressure-lowering effect of ginger was confirmed by Ghayur and Gilani ^[3] in a study that first appeared in the January 2005 issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. This research was done on rats. There are still few human trials for the hypotensive effect of ginger.

4. Basil

Extract of basil has been shown to have a hypertensive effect, although only briefly. It causes a fall in blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Its cardiovascular effect is linked to eugenol, an essential oil ^[4] that offers a transient reduction in arterial blood pressure.

5. Tomato

This fruit is rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin E, which are known as effective antioxidants. A 2006 study ^[5] showed the correlation between a short-treatment with antioxidant-rich tomato extract and reduced blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

6. Flaxseed

This annual herb has omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to lower blood pressure. Many studies had posited the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on hypertensive patients and those with high-normal blood pressure including one by Mori ^[6] who published his work in the journal Cellular and Molecular Biology in February 2010.

7. French Lavender

This culinary herb contains oil that can also induce relaxation and lower blood pressure. Its crude extract has been reported to reduce BP in a 2007 study ^[7] conducted on rats. French lavender is a culinary herb whose flowers are also used in baked goods.

8. Carrot

Carrots are high in beta-carotene and potassium, a nutrient that is shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure ^[8] . Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant which helps fight disease.

9. Cinnamon

Consuming this tasty herb everyday can lower blood pressure in people with diabetes, according to studies. This has been proven by a 2013 study ^[9] that discovered the association between consumption of cinnamon and reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with type-2 diabetes. Instead of using sugar, you add a dash of cinnamon to your coffee in the morning for a unique taste.

10. Ginkgo Biloba

This herb is rich in antioxidants, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which are not only good for your heart but are also known to lower blood pressure. The antihypertensive effect of ginkgo along with prescribed medications was posited by the University of Maryland Medical Center. ^[10] However, the institution advises the need of monitoring by a healthcare provider.

11. Indian Snakeroot aka. Rauwolfia Serpentina

This tropical plant has been used for years as a traditional medicine for ailments related to the heart. It contains high levels of alkaloid reserpine ^[11] , a powerful compound for normal heart function. Indian snakeroot leaves are useful when high blood pressure is due to anxiety or stress.

12. Olives

This herb has been widely used in traditional remedies as herbal teas and extracts in European and Mediterranean countries. It contains a compound known as oleuropein which possesses a wide range of pharmacological and health-promoting properties including hypotensive effect ^[12] .

13. Onions

This spice is rich in quercetin which is an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke. Quercetin supplementation was found to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive people by a 2007 study ^[13] by Edwards and colleagues.

14. Oregano

Carvacrol is a powerful compound that has been proven to be effective against blood pressure. Oregano is rich in this compound which was also found to reduce heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. ^[14]

15. Dandelion

Found in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, this hardy herb has a high concentration of potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and sodium. Its roots and leaves produce a substance called mannitol ^[15] which is used as a treatment for hypertension.

16. Parsley

Cultivated since ancient times, this diuretic herb is utilized either as a medicine or food. Parsley contains compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and glucosides. You can make a tea ^[16] from the herb’s seed as a treatment for high blood pressure.

17. Lemon Grass

This plant has no cholesterol and is low in calories, making it a beneficial flavoring for cooking and tea. Lemon grass is also a detoxifier that contains a compound called citral ^[17] which removes excess cholesterol, fats, and uric acid.

18. Cilantro aka. Coriander

Cilantro is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This herb has been reported to exhibit antioxidant properties. Its extracts showed diuretic effects as well, which would complement the treatment and management of hypertension. ^[18]

19. Tea

Tea has anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive effects, according to several studies. One study ^[19] noted the hypotensive action offered by tea. Another study demonstrated green tea’s ^[20] ability to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

20. Saffron

The medicinal values of saffron ^[21] have been sought for over four millennia. Recent studies support the use of saffron for anti-hypertensive benefits. One was conducted in 2015 that showed the normalizing effect of safranal ^[22] , the main component of saffron oil, on blood pressure in chronic administration.

21. King Of Bitters

This plant – Andrographis paniculata – has been part of Southeast Asian traditional medicine as a treatment for colds. Its extracts were found to contain several compounds that induce dramatic hypotensive effects. ^[23]

22. Hibiscus

Also sometimes known as Roselle – this plant is used for hypertension, fever, and other diseases in folk medicine. Its buds, flowers, leaves, and petals have varied applications in cooking, personal care, and health. The antihypertensive effect of hibiscus was confirmed by a 2007 study. ^[24]

23. Black Cumin

This spice is an important kitchen item in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In addition to being effective against diabetes, black cumin also has an antihypertensive role. Thymoquinone is a bioactive component that contributes to its healing effects. ^[25]

24. Ginseng

Several studies confirmed the efficacy of this plant in causing ^[26] a significant decrease in systemic and diastolic blood pressures. Ginseng’s hypotensive effect is linked to an improvement in arterial functions.

25. Chinese Sage

This traditional Chinese herb is commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Its antihypertensive effect is widely supported by recent studies including a 2011 research ^[27] published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

26. Chinese Goldthread

Widely used in Chinese folk medicine, this plant contains a compound called berberine which has the ability to lower blood pressure. This hypotensive action was confirmed by Affuso et. al. ^[28] in a 2010 study published in the World Journal of Cardiology.

27. Cardamom

This seasoning from India has been demonstrated to have antioxidant properties. A study that used powdered cardamom ^[29] for its participants daily saw significant reductions in their blood pressure readings.

28. Cat’s Claw

This herbal medicine is used in traditional Chinese practice to treat hypertension. One study linked the plant’s hypotensive activity to a compound called hirsutine ^[30] .

29. Black Plum

Researchers found out that oral administration ^[31] of the extract of this plant had a hypotensive effect on the blood pressure of rats. The extract reduced both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

30. Mistletoe

The aqueous extracts of this plant were studied if it could produce an antihypertensive effect without alteration in heart rate. This 2006 study ^[32] highlighted the therapeutic action offered by prolonged administration of the extract on cholesterol level.