What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
The first number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic pressure and the second number is called the diastolic pressure. According to general medical guidelines:
- Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg
- Prehypertension is systolic pressure between 120 to 139 or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89
- Stage 1 hypertension is systolic pressure between 140 to 159 or diastolic pressure between 90 and 99
- Stage 2 hypertension is systolic pressure higher than 160 or diastolic pressure of 100 or higher
Causes of high blood pressure
In most cases of high blood pressure there is no single identifiable cause. This type of high blood pressure is known as primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It is usually caused by a combination of factors that can include:
- Body mass. The greater the body weight, the more pressure there is on artery walls. That is due to the fact that a greater volume of blood is required to supply oxygen and nutrients to body tissues
- Activity level. Low physical activity tends to result in an increase in heart rate, which elevates the pressure of blood in vessels
- Smoking. Nicotine in tobacco causes constriction of blood vessels. Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco can damage artery walls
- Salt intake. Excessive salt in the diet can result in fluid retention and high blood pressure, especially in individuals sensitive to sodium
- Potassium intake. Low potassium can result in elevated sodium in cells
- Stress. Stress can result in elevated blood pressure
- Alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of heart disease
- Aging. The risk of high blood pressure increases with age
- Family history. High blood pressure can be hereditary
High blood pressure can also result from an underlying health condition, such as thyroid disease, adrenal gland disease, kidney disease, hormonal disorders. It can also be caused by usage of certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, or some herbs such as licorice. This kind of high blood pressure is termed secondary hypertension.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
In the early stages there are usually no symptoms associated with high blood pressure. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nosebleeds
Herbal treatments for high blood pressure
Lowering blood pressure through herbs is viewed by many as an accepted alternative to diuretic drugs. The following herbs are often used to treat high blood pressure. However, they can have serious side effects if taken in large doses. It is recommended that these herbs only be taken under the supervision of a physician:
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is an herb that is commonly used to reduce blood pressure. It is believed to strengthen veins and arteries. Studies have shown that carboxypeptidase, which is a compound contained in Aloe Vera, can inactivate a compound called bradykinin, a group of proteins that dilate blood vessels. If there is too much bradykinin in the blood, it can weaken and damage blood vessels. Aloe Vera juice can be taken 20 ml twice daily diluted with equal water.
Ashwgandha (Indian Ginseng): This is an herb believed to reduce blood pressure. Its adaptogenic properties are said to be the factor that helps the body adapt to stress. The root powder can be taken at a dose of 3-6 grams daily with lukewarm water or milk.
Bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus): Compounds contained in bilberry, for example anthocyanosides, have been shown to help strengthen blood vessel walls, thereby aiding circulation.
Butchers Broom (Ruscus aculeatus): Butchers broom can inhibit blood from forming clots, reduce vascular permeability and boost the circulation. The herb can relieve the discomfort of circulatory conditions such as chronic venus insufficiency and varicose veins.
Coleus (Coleus Forskohlii): Coleus has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat high blood pressure. It can work synergetically with other herbs and is an inhibitor of blood platelet cell aggregation. Coleus’s blood pressure lowering effects appear to be due to relaxation of the arterial vascular smooth muscle.
Cayenne (Capsicum annuum): The hot fruit of the cayenne plant has been used as medicine for centuries. Cayenne is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat diseases of the circulatory system and as a circulatory tonic. The active ingredient in cayenne is a pungent compound known as capsaicin. Capsaicin appears to alter the action of “substance P” a compound that transfers pain messages to the brain. Thus capsaicin can reduce pain and inflammation by short-circuiting the action of substance P. Cayenne can improve blood circulation and normalize both high and low blood pressure.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties. It can prevent and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol. Garlic can protect against infectious organisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi and blocks the enzymes that enable organisms to enter body tissue. It is believed that Garlic may inhibit cholesterol being released into the blood. Clinical studies have shown that garlic supplements can induce a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Garlic can reduce the ability of blood to clot. This herb may interact with drugs and supplements such as prescription blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, and also vitamin E and gingko.
Ginger (Zingiber Oficinale): Ginger can thin the blood and lower cholesterol. This herb also helps in stimulating the circulation, especially to the extremities. Ginger inhibits cholesterol production in the liver, which produces the bulk of the cholesterol in circulation in the blood stream. Ginger also decreases the activity of plate-activating factor (PAF), a blood clotting agent.
Gotu Kola or Indian pennywort: This plant is also believed to be effective in treating high blood pressure. Gotu Kola grows in the swampy areas of Asia, Africa and the tropics. It is best known as a rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda. It should be prepared by boiling it in water or directly ingesting the juice. The juice is can be taken at a dosage of 20 to 30 ml twice daily with an equal quantity of water, while the powder can be taken at a dose of 3 to 6 grams per day with lukewarm water.
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha): This herb can stimulate the heart and arterial circulation and is considered by herbalists to be the best cardiac tonic. Hawthorn promotes healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels by relaxing blood vessels, increasing metabolism in the heart muscle and improving blood supply to heart muscles. The herb is also used to treat insomnia, nervousness, poor digestion, and obesity. About 160 to 900 mg of hawthorn leaf and flower extract is suggested to be taken daily for six weeks.
Kelp (Laminaria digitata): Kelp contains iodine and is believed to beneficial for the thyroid gland. One Japanese scientist confirmed that by taking a hot water drink with extract of kelp, blood pressure was significantly reduced with no side effects. Others have isolated hypotensive (blood-pressure-reducing) chemicals, including histamine, from kelp.
Mistletoe (Viscumalbum): This herb has been shown to lower blood pressure.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): This herb functions as a circulatory stimulant and can reduce blood pressure. Some studies have shown that motherwort can lower cholesterol levels.
Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina): This is considered to be the most powerful hypotensive herb in common use. Only a small dose is required to achieve results and to avoid side effects. Nasal congestion is the most common side effect.
Natural treatments for high blood pressure
Natural remedies can help to control high blood pressure. It is important to consult with a medical doctor before trying these remedies. Poorly controlled high blood pressure may result in damage to body organs and increase the risk of stroke, brain hemorrhage, heart attack, kidney disease and vision loss.
Calcium: Calcium supplementation appears to produce a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure (a drop of around 2.5 mm Hg).
Niacin: Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a colorless, water-soluble organic compound with the formula C5H4NCO2H. This vitamin is essential for various biochemical processes to take place in the body, one being the metabolism of fat. Niacin may also lower blood pressure, particularly at higher doses administered over a longer period of time.
Potassium: A number of clinical studies have indicated that potassium supplementation a reduction in systolic blood pressure (a drop of about 11 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (a reduction of 5 mm Hg). Unfortunately these reductions in blood pressure were not found to be statistically significant.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): There is evidence which indicates that CoQ10 can help to reduce high blood pressure. In placebo-controlled clinical studies after a three month period of taking the supplement, at a dose of 60-100 mg twice daily, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 6-18 mm Hg in the CoQ10-treated groups.
Fish oil: Preliminary research indicates that fish oil may have a modest effect in reducing high blood pressure. Fish oil supplements contain DHA (docohexaenoic acid). There is some evidence that DHA can depress high blood pressure.
Folic acid: Folic acid is a B vitamin important in the formation of red blood cells. It may help to reduce high blood pressure, possibly by moderating elevated homocysteine levels. One clinical study involving cigarette smokers found that a 4 week course of folic acid significantly lowered blood pressure.
Herbs and supplements that can cause high blood pressure
Herbs that have been found or suspected to cause high blood pressure include: Licorice, ephedra, Asian ginseng and rosemary essential oil.
NOTE: This information is given for educational purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease. It should not be used to replace the services of a qualified practitioner.