9 Herbal Remedies for the Treatment of Hypertension
There are some herbs that can be used to combat hypertension. As is known, this is a disease that can put people’s health at risk, so it’s best to keep it under control as soon as the diagnosis is received.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension affects millions around the world, some even without knowing it. Sometimes it goes unnoticed, since symptoms do not always appear, according to experts from the Spanish Heart Foundation.
However, this does not mean that it is no longer dangerous. Therefore, different measures must be taken, which implies changes in lifestyle and the use of medications. You can also consume some home remedies, for example, herbal preparations to combat hypertension, such as the ones you will see below.
When do you need to combat hypertension?
High insulin, leptin, and uric acid levels are associated with the manifestation of hypertension. Their levels rise when your diet is rich in sugars and processed foods. If a person is also overweight, has arteriosclerosis (arterial stiffness), and is stressed out, hypertension begins taking a silent toll on their health.
Now, all treatment to combat hypertension requires that you adopt a diet rich in fresh foods, balance your sodium and potassium intake, and increase your intake of magnesium and healthy fats. It is also necessary to exercise and lead a calmer life.
According to research, a person begins to be prehypertensive when the systolic blood pressure is between 120 to 139, and the diastolic pressure is between 80 to 89. This prehypertensive state should not be treated with medication yet, but with the necessary change in diet and daily routines.
But, when the pressure is between 140/90 and 159/99, it’s called primary hypertension. It is the one that affects 90 or 95% of cases and is associated with several factors, such as stress, and lifestyle, among others.
Herbs and plants that you can prepare to combat hypertension
In a complementary way, you can resort to the consumption of some drinks prepared from plants and herbs to combat hypertension. We’ll discuss them below.
1. Olive leaf infusion
The olive tree isn’t only the source of olive oil, one of the healthy fats that every person should consume to prevent arteriosclerosis. According to beliefs, the infusion of its leaves can also contribute to the normalization of blood pressure.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (500 ml)
- 1 tsp. of olive leaves (5 g)
Preparation
- Firstly, boil the water and add the olive leaves.
- Then, remove from heat and let stand for about ten minutes. The water will turn amber when it’s ready.
- Finally, strain and drink it in moderation.
2. Chamomile and horsetail tea
This chamomile and horsetail tea is excellent for hypertension. Chamomile is widely recognized for its soothing properties. Likewise, horsetail’s diuretic properties are valued because they help control blood pressure.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (500 ml)
- 1 tbsp. of horsetail leaves (15 g)
- 1 tbsp. of dried chamomile flowers (15 g)
Preparation
- Firstly, heat the water and, when it comes to a boil, add the herbs.
- Then, infuse for about three minutes, strain, and drink.
- Furthermore, it’s a great tea to start or end your day with.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary has great hypotensive and diuretic properties. It’s also rich in flavonoids, which help improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of arterial stiffness.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water (1 liter)
- 1 tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves (15 g.)
Preparation
- Heat the water until it boils.
- Add the rosemary leaves and garlic cloves and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Then, remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes before straining.
- Finally, drink throughout the day.
4. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are fruits rich in antioxidants and potassium, which is why they can help fight hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and bad cholesterol (LDL).
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
- 1 tbsp. of pomegranate seeds (15 g)
Preparation
- Blend the pomegranate seeds along with a glass of water and drink, you don’t have to strain.
- Also, you can extract pomegranate juice with an orange juicer.
Take a look at these Effective and Natural Ways to Fight Hypertension
5. Bay leaf
According to beliefs, bay leaves aren’t only for seasoning Mediterranean dishes. It actually contains potassium and magnesium, two essential minerals for cardiovascular health and, therefore, blood pressure. Interestingly, according to some research, bay leaf essential oil may be beneficial to health.
Ingredients
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
- Firstly, add the bay leaves to a cup of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
- Drink in moderation
6. Licorice
Licorice is a herbaceous plant with various uses and medicinal applications. Above all, its root is consumed, which is rich in glycyrrhine. This substance is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties.
How to consume it
- One option is to take a piece of the root, remove the bark, wash it and chew it.
- The other is, with the same root, washed, to prepare an infusion.
- It can be consumed twice a day.
7. Hawthorn
This is one of the most used herbs to combat hypertension. Both the flowers and leaves of this plant are used, as well as the fruits and, sometimes, the bark. It contains various polyphenols (flavonoids) and triterpene derivatives.
It’s thought that it can increase the coronary blood supply, acting on the cardiac muscles and increasing the force of contraction. In addition, it has a relaxing effect and is diuretic.
Preparation and consumption
- It can be prepared as an infusion, with the herb (dried flowers and leaves). Add one teaspoon per cup of water.
- It also comes as anextract. It’s recommended to consume about 600 mg.
Caution: you must take this under the supervision of the doctor. It may interact with benzodiazepines.
8. Passionflower
This is another plant with sedative properties. It is anxiolytic, so it can help control stress-related blood pressure surges.
Preparation and consumption
- It’s also found in extracts and in dried form (leaves and flowers).
- With this, you can prepare an infusion, adding a tablespoon for each cup of boiled water.
- As for the extract, if it’s in capsules, two to three per day; if it’s in drops: 30 to 40 diluted in a glass of water.
9. Garlic
This is one of the most consumed natural remedies to combat tension. It contains an active substance called alliin. It has a hypotensive, bradycardia, and anticoagulant effect. It’s also hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antiseptic, diuretic, bactericidal, antifungal, and antiviral.
As for how to use it, there are several options:
- Some people peel a clove of garlic and take it with water, like a pill.
- Others place the slightly crushed clove in a cup of boiled water and drink it as an infusion.
- This infusion can be made with half a teaspoon of garlic powder.
- There are also garlic supplement capsules.
Caution: it is contraindicated in the case of hyperthyroidism as well as in people with anticoagulant treatment.
Good habits to control hypertension
In addition to the natural herbal remedies that you can prepare to combat hypertension, there are other measures that we can take, with a view to keeping it under control.
This requires maintaining good lifestyle habits. In this regard, take note of the following measures:
- Stay within a healthy weight;
- Get regular exercise or physical activity;
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables;
- Avoid trans and processed fats;
- Limit the amount of caffeine;
- Reduce salt intake;
- Moderate alcohol;
- Stop smoking;
- Manage stress.
Fight hypertension on all fronts
Before starting to consume herbal beverages to combat hypertension, it is important to consult with your doctor. It must be borne in mind that, for herbal treatments to be useful, it is essential to use them with caution.
On the other hand, it’s opportune to remember that the recommended home remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment. Thus, the most advisable thing is to consume them as an adjuvant treatment (as long as the health professional authorizes it).
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Gómez Alarcón E, Olivo Madera L, Guevara Soláez A. Sobrepeso y obesidad, diabetes e hipertensión como factor de riesgo de alteraciones cardiovasculares. Bogotá: Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, 2020.
- Mateo-Rivera I, Jiménez-Corona A. Plantas medicinales usadas en la terapéutica de pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo II, de la región indígena Tepehuana. Boletín Científico de la Escuela Superior de Huejutla. 2019; 13(7): 30-36.
- Muñiz Guille Magalis, Romero Muñiz Yilian. Control de hipertensos con fitoterapia y auriculoterapia. Rev Cubana Enfermer. 2004; 20(1): 1-1.
- Pacheco-Romero J. Hipertensión arterial en diferentes edades de la mujer. An. Fac. med. 2010; 71(4): 257-264.
