Click Here for information on Nursing Programs!

Hypertension: Herbal Treatments

There are exciting new herbal hypertension treatments being studied every day. Herbal and alternative treatments tend to have fewer and less severe side effects than

prescription drugs. Everything from vitamin supplements to meditation can improve blood pressure according to recent studies. One easy switch to make in your diet is the addition of olive oil. Reducing your saturated fat intake and replacing them with olive oil can markedly improve your health and blood pressure. There is speculation that the polyphenols in the oil could be the reason it is beneficial. Fish oil is another addition to your diet that has shown promising results. Including salmon twice a week in your nutrition plan or eating other fatty fish like sardines can help lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, though the effect on people with normal blood pressure is not yet clear.

One hypothesis is that some cases of hypertension are caused by a heart dysfunction of the endothelial vasodilator mechanism. The amino acid L-argnine has been shown to be highly effective in reversing this dysfunction. Taken either orally or intravenously it may prevent or correct hardening of the arteries, and increase the coronary blood flow to the heart.

Some herbs showing good preliminary results are coleus forskohlii which may lower blood pressure and improve heart function and hawthorne, which helps dilate coronary blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Rauwolfia is considered the most potent hypertensive herb because only a small dose is required and the side effects are limited, with the most severe being nasal congestion. Finding options in your local health food store can be as easy as a vitamin supplement containing 800-1500 mg calcium and 1000 mg vitamin C.

Working with a homeopathic professional will help you formulate a plan to find what works for you. But do not be afraid to discuss herbs and vitamins with your physician. Eastern style medicine has become more accepted in the American medical community as a complement to routine medical treatments. You also may consider adding yoga, or tai chi, as keeping your body limber and well-stretched will make life easier for your heart by increasing blood flow. With life seemingly more stressful each generation, learning to manage stress naturally is a vital skill to possess. Whether you prefer to write in a journal or becoming familiar and comfortable with meditation, any reduction in stress is good for your entire well-being. Exercise has also been shown to help in dealing with daily stress and along with a healthy diet give you the energy to deal with the rigors of daily life.

Researching herbs and alternative treatments has been made easier recently with the Internet. Even the local public library or bookstore can offer a wealth of information including recent studies of many different herbs and natural alternatives for you to try. Finding a natural method to reduce hypertension, whether it is lifestyle changes or herbal remedies, can save you a lot of money and have potential life changing effects. Remember to speak with your healthcare professional about your interest in alternative treatments and bring the appropriate research to your appointment if necessary.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Privacy Statement

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Subscriptions are $12 a year,
$20 for two years

Lifetime Subscription: $200

Bulk Subscriptions
(5 magazines each issue) $22 a year or
$35 for 2 years

To order, please click to our
Subscription Page

Inside Mother

Home
Subscribe!
What's New?
Mother's Tea
Guest Article
Homebirth
Editorial
Best Articles
Breastfeeding
Dear Mother Dear
Reader Letters
Eternally Pregnant
Circumcision

Site Features

Book Reviews
Mother Books
Cartoons!
Poems
Links
Birth Stories
Site Map
Advertising

Contact Us

Birth, Joy, & Raspberry Leaves
-a new video compiled by Catherine and Amanda Young
of The Compleat Mother

Go HERE for more information on the waterbirth video!

Click here to read: The Farmer and the Obstetrician