The 6 Best Herbs to Lower Blood Pressure
Some herbs can help lower blood pressure but it’s also important to make lifestyle changes and improve eating habits. In fact, in some cases, your doctor may prescribe certain medications in order to avoid complications. Ok so, what are these herbs?
Well, in the popular literature there are several herbal remedies that seem to serve as adjuvants for high blood pressure. However, they aren’t substitutes for medical treatment and you should use them with caution. Below we’ll tell you more about them.
How to lower blood pressure
High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is one of the most dangerous cardiovascular disorders in the world. It puts the lives of millions of people at risk.
It can be caused by age or other pathologies. Depending on this, it’s said to be primary or secondary, respectively. As a result, your heart muscle weakens and compromises the health of other organs — kidneys, pancreas, and brain.
When not controlled in time, hypertension increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems that affect quality of life. Because of this, it’s crucial to improve your habits and resort to some remedies that can help control blood pressure.
In this respect, a publication at the Mayo Clinic recommends:
- Reducing excess body weight and fat
- Getting regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy diet, such as the DASH diet
- Limiting sodium intake in your diet
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Managing your stress
- Consulting your doctor
This last recommendation is important since your physician has the power to establish precisely what the blood pressure levels are and if the administration of drugs is necessary. Although many cases can be treated with non-pharmacological solutions, some do require medication.
Considering this, it’s fundamental to keep in mind that natural remedies can help to control this problem, but they don’t replace the measures suggested by a professional. In fact, before taking them as a supplement, it’s best to consult them.
Herbs to lower blood pressure
As detailed in a publication in the medical journal Pharmacognosy Reviews, there are several natural herbs that have beneficial properties against blood pressure disorders. Many have even served as adjuvants in the treatment of blood pressure.
However, this type of option isn’t exempt from side effects, especially when consumed in excess and without medical supervision. For this reason, it’s essential to find out about those cases in which their use is not recommended and, above all, to use them moderately.
If possible, you should consult your doctor, as they often have interactions with prescription drugs. If there aren’t any problems, their consumption can be useful to lower the pressure to stable levels.
However, you must make sure you complement their consumption with other healthy lifestyle habits, especially in terms of diet and physical activity. All this, together, helps reduce the risks of high blood pressure.
1. Oregano is one of the herbs to lower blood pressure
Oregano contains something called carvacrol, which gets assimilated into your body and helps lower high blood pressure. A study published in the journal Planta Medica agrees on these benefits. However, there’s no strong evidence to prove these effects in humans yet.
In any case, this spice contains potassium, which also helps control of high pressure. Although in most healthy adults its consumption isn’t a problem, pregnant or lactating women should skip it.
How to use it
- It tastes great, so use it to season meat, stews, soup, and other dishes
- Also, you can drink it as an infusion or add it to your shakes
Learn about Eight Natural Medicinal Uses for Oregano Oil
2. Valerian
As detailed in a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, valerian is an herb with sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. Its natural active ingredients help decrease the tension caused by stress and thus, help restore the normal heart beat.
On the other hand, it’s a natural tranquilizer that can reduce muscle pain, depression, and insomnia. Furthermore, according to this same research, it may also have beneficial effects on the regulation of blood lipids and blood pressure.
How to use it
- Consume 10 drops of valerian extract per day
- Prepare a tea from it and have an hour before bed
3. Lavender
Although there is no evidence to support this, some say that a body massage with lavender essential oil can help stimulate blood flow in order to lower blood pressure.
In addition, as detailed in a publication in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, these types of therapeutic options may be useful in improving the quality of life in patients with hypertension.
How to use it
- Buy lavender oil, combine 8 or 10 drops with a carrier oil (olive or coconut) and massage the whole body, two to three times a week
4. Horsetail
A large number of cases of hypertension are directly related to continual fluid retention. This disorder, also called edema, affects blood flow through your arteries and overworks your heart.
According to information published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, horsetail is a diuretic. Because of this effect, people believe its consumption can stimulate the elimination of retained fluids and provide relief.
How to use it
- Make a tea out of dried horsetail and have 2 or 3 times a day
- Repeat at least three times a week
5. Dandelion
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine highlights the diuretic properties of dandelion. Considering this property, many believe it may also support blood pressure regulation. However, it’s best used in moderation, for specific purposes.
How do I use it?
- Have two cups of dandelion tea every day
- Finally, drink it as an infusion or add it to your juices and shakes
Also read Five Reasons to Drink Dandelion Tea
6. Passionflower is one of the herbs for lowering blood pressure
Passionflower is a natural ingredient that has been used for decades as a supplement in treating depression, anxiety, and stress, as detailed in research published in Phytomedicine.
Its sedative qualities help relax your body and mind. Also, at the same time, it significantly reduces your production of cortisol. Various studies have attributed it anti-inflammatory and vasodilator properties. Thus, it can have a positive in people with high blood pressure.
How do I use it?
- Passionflower tea is the solution to anytime you’re feeling stressed or anxious
- Keep in mind it’s best to drink it at night as it helps induce sleep
Are you worried about high blood pressure?
As a first step, consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Also, tell them about your intention to try these herbal supplements. These herbs might be a good aid to lower blood pressure if they recommend them.
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.
- Tabassum, N., & Ahmad, F. (2011). Role of natural herbs in the treatment of hypertension. Pharmacognosy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79097
- Aydin, Y., Kutlay, Ö. ̈, Ari, S., Duman, S., Uzuner, K., & Aydin, S. (2007). Hypotensive effects of carvacrol on the blood pressure of normotensive rats. Planta Medica. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-990236
- Santos, M. R. V, Moreira, F. V., Fraga, B. P., de Sousa, D. P., Bonjardim, L. R., & Quintans, L. J. (2011). Cardiovascular effects of monoterpenes: A review. Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2011005000119
- Chen HW, Wei BJ, He XH, Liu Y, Wang J. Chemical Components and Cardiovascular Activities of Valeriana spp. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:947619. doi:10.1155/2015/947619
- Tesch, B. J. (2002). Herbs commonly used by women: An evidence-based review. Disease-a-Month. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-5029(02)90011-8
- Ju MS, Lee S, Bae I, Hur MH, Seong K, Lee MS. Effects of aroma massage on home blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure, and sleep quality in middle-aged women with hypertension. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:403251. doi:10.1155/2013/403251
- Nagai, K., Niijima, A., Horii, Y., Shen, J., & Tanida, M. (2014). Olfactory stimulatory with grapefruit and lavender oils change autonomic nerve activity and physiological function. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2014.06.005
- Wright, C. I., Van-Buren, L., Kroner, C. I., & Koning, M. M. G. (2007). Herbal medicines as diuretics: A review of the scientific evidence. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.07.023
