| Herbs are often used to help lower and | | | | have not acquired a taste for garlic, |
| control blood pressure levels in high-risk | | | | consider taking a garlic capsule. |
| individuals. A variety of herbs can be taken | | | | |
| as herbal supplements made into a tea or even | | | | Other herbs that are excellent for decreasing |
| added as ingredients to a soup. This article | | | | blood pressure include valerian, kudzu and |
| will take a closer look at the effect of | | | | celery. Each of these contains a substance |
| herbs on lowering blood pressure. | | | | called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that |
| | | | helps to maintain normal levels of blood |
| To begin our look at blood pressure, we start | | | | pressure. |
| with coenzyme Q10 (which is also referred to | | | | |
| as Co Q10). A study that looked at 59 males | | | | The herb valerian (valeriana officinalis) is |
| who were taking medication for high blood | | | | composed of a substance known as valerenic |
| pressure yielded the result that 120 mg of | | | | acid that serves to inhibit a particular |
| coenzyme Q10 on a daily basis taken for a | | | | enzyme that breaks GABA down in the body. |
| period of eight weeks was able to reduce high | | | | Consuming valerian helps to reduce blood |
| blood pressure by approximately 9 percent. | | | | pressure and maintain higher levels of GABA |
| This was compared to a placebo group, which | | | | in the system. Valerian is also an herb that |
| had no benefit on their cholesterol level. In | | | | is commonly prescribed by herbal |
| order to be of benefit to an individual, a | | | | practitioners to patients for sleep |
| typical dose of Co Q10 is 30 to 100 mg of the | | | | difficulties. It acts as a sedative, which in |
| herb three times per day. Although it is | | | | turn also brings about a reduction of blood |
| generally safe to take, Co Q10 is believed to | | | | pressure. |
| interact negatively with the drug Coumadin | | | | |
| (warfarin), and is therefore contraindicated | | | | Kudzu (pueraria lobata) is a "weedy vine" |
| for patients on this or other blood thinners. | | | | that Chinese herbalists have long been |
| | | | recommending to patients to help maintain |
| Garlic is also an herb that is particularly | | | | normal blood pressure. The chemical pueraria |
| helpful in reducing blood pressure. Garlic | | | | is believed to have over 100 times the |
| (allium sativum) has been shown to have | | | | antioxidant capabilities of vitamin C and it |
| several beneficial effects on the circulatory | | | | is known to help fight cancer and heart |
| system, including normalizing blood pressure | | | | disease as well. |
| and lowering cholesterol. Garlic can reduce | | | | |
| inflammation, which is thought to be a major | | | | Our last herbs blood pressure is celery. |
| cause of 'sudden,' or | | | | Celery (apium graveolens) is a well-known |
| | | | remedy in Chinese traditional medicine for |
| 'silent' heart attacks. It is also a good | | | | lowering blood pressure levels. Celery is a |
| preventative of strokes. Studies have shown | | | | very versatile vegetable that can be eater |
| that garlic can start its protective effects | | | | alone or used in a variety of recipes. It is |
| in a short period of time. One clove of | | | | believed that consuming four celery stalks |
| garlic a day is recommended for best health | | | | per day can have a positive impact on blood |
| benefits. You can easily add garlic to salad, | | | | pressure. |
| soups, casseroles and other recipes. If you | | | | |