Ten Natural Herbs That Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure, Unclog Your Arteries and More

During the summer of 2001 I had the wonderfulHawthorn promotes healthy blood pressure and
opportunity to be part of an ongoing clinical herbalcholesterol levels by relaxing blood vessels,
trial here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,increasing metabolism in the heart muscle, and
where I qualified to participate because I happenimproving blood supply to the heart. Also used for
to have high blood pressure. My blood pressuresleeplessness, nervousness, poor digestion, and
can range anywhere from 145 points to as highweight control.
as 175 points at times. When I first came into and• Coleus (Coleus Forskohlii)
began the trial, my blood pressure was taken andHelps lowers high blood pressure, positive inotropic
read at 165 over 95 plus.action on heart, increases force of contraction
I've learned from participating in this clinical trialIdeally suited for treatment of mild congestive
and doing some further research that specificheart failure Works synergetically with other
herbs can help lower your blood pressure in aherbs, potent inhibitor of human platelet
natural way.aggregation. Coleus has been traditionally used to
At the start of the trial, I was asked andtreat high blood pressure and other benefits
instructed by the participating naturopathic doctorinclude help in losing weight, improving digestion
to take every day, an organic liquid herbal extractand nutrient absorption, fighting cancer, and
that included ten herbs (see list below). I wasimmune system support.
directed to take 15 drops under my tongue three• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
times a day for the time duration of the trial forIs a circulatory stimulant, can help lower blood
2 months. I was also asked to take note of anypressure, is a sedative and nerve tonic. It also
changes I might sense or be aware of during theregulates blood pressure and rapid heartbeat and
time as well.tones the heart. Tests show that it treats heart
The liquid herbal blend tasted absolutely horribledisease effectively by reducing cholesterol levels.
where I could hardly take it... but I perseveredIt also treats menstrual irregularities and the
and took the required amount that I was askedsymptoms of menopause.
to take. After a few days, it didn't seem to taste• Bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus)
quite as bad, as I guess I started to get used toVery good for eyes (night vision) inhibits macular
it. I had the sense that because it tasted sodegeneration of the eye Inhibits growth of
strong, it had to be maybe doing something andbacterial cells and dilates blood vessels. Bilberry
hopefully it was good!keeps the blood vessels healthy. The compounds
After the two months time period, I was againcontained in the bilberry, notably the
seen by the naturopathic doctor who tested myanthocyanosides, have been shown to help fortify
blood pressure three times.blood vessel walls, thereby aiding circulation and
I was quite pleasantly surprised to learn that myincreasing blood flow.
blood pressure had actually dropped 24 points. I• Butchers Broom (Ruscus aculeatus)
hadn't done anything differently with my life-styleHelps keep blood from forming clots, reduces
other than take this liquid herbal extract as asked.vascular permeability, assists circulation. It narrows
I had also noticed other benefits that I felt prettyblood vessels and can relieve the discomfort of
soon after taking the herbal blend. I quickly felt ancirculatory conditions such as chronic venus
overall sense of well-being and later noticed thatinsufficiency and varicose veins. It also relieves
an ongoing problem I've had with heart-burnrelated symptoms such as cramping, itching,
wasn't as prevalent and had almost disappeared. Inumbness and swelling.
was also sleeping better.• Mistletoe (Viscumalbum)
I've since learned that some of these ten herbsFor arterial hypertension can help lower high blood
can also help to naturally unclog the plaque in yourpressure and has been shown to affect blood
arteries as well.pressure central arteries in the brain. It's good for
I find it exciting to know that these herbs canhigh blood pressure, cancer and a fast heart rate
offer some alternative help to the many evasivefrom feeling nervous. It may also be used to
drugs that are often prescribed to folks whoimprove the immune system. This system
have no other alternative. I am happy to share anprotects your body from infection.
alternative that may help others as they have• Kelp (Laminaria digitata)
helped me.Used mainly for the iodine and effect it has on
Here is the list of the ten herbs that I was askedthe thyroid gland and is a sustainer to the
to take on the trial:nervous system and the brain. Kelp is also very
Please note that many other benefits may berich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals that it
known for some of this list of herbs - I've prettyworks wonderfully as an all around every day
much listed the benefits specifically related tovitamin.
lowering high blood pressure and general• Ginger (Zingiber Oficinale)
cardiovascular heart health.Helps improves digestion, can help improve liver
• Garlic (Allium sativum)function, nervine, thins blood and lowers
Has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungalcholesterol Stimulates circulation, especially to
properties, drains fluid congestion. Prevents andextremities. It particularly inhibits cholesterol
dissolves clots, lowers blood pressure and reducesproduction in the liver, which makes up to 85% of
cholesterol. Garlic can protect against infectiousthe cholesterol in circulation in the blood stream.
organisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi andGinger also decreases the activity of
blocks the enzymes that enable organisms toplate-activating factor (PAF), a clotting agent that
enter the tissue. It increases the enzymes thatcreates the clot that can result in heart attack of
can detoxify cancer triggers. Garlic works as anstroke.
anticoagulant to inhibit blood clotting and to lower• Cayenne Capsicum annuum)
blood pressure, by widening the blood vessels andEqualizes the blood flow in the body, enhances the
encouraging good circulation. It is believed thateffect of other herbs Stimulates body and organs
Garlic may also facilitate less cholesterol beingproperly so that they heal, cleanse, and begin to
released into the blood. All of these factors makefunction normally. It helps regulate the heart and
Garlic a good nutrient for prevention of heartblood pressure. It can improve blood circulation
disease and other heart-related issues.and normalize both high and low blood pressure. It
• Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)apparently increases heart action without
Helps estore and stimulate the heart and arterialincreasing blood pressure.
circulation Regulates and balances the wholeNOTE: This information is summarized for its
cardiovascular system. Hawthorn can help treateducational value and should not be used for the
heart disease related symptoms. Considered bydiagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. It
herbalists to be the world's best cardiac tonic.should not be used to replace the services of a
Used for beginning heart disease, mildqualified practitioner.
heart-muscle weakness, angina, and arrhythmia.