Fast and Easy Solutions Part 2 Research, by Dottie Included are: General Information Nutrition Supplements Studies Specific Herbs Dietary Needs |
Asparagus, black cohosh, chrysanthemum, dandelion, digitalis, evening primrose, hawthorn, magnolia , mistletoe, pine, smartweed, wood betony. CAUTION: Mistletoe and Digitalis are poisonous (and I THINK, so is magnolia) and should not be used without supervision of experienced herbalist. All of the above (obviously, except the asparagus) can be made into tea. Dandelions should be readily available, and can be either eaten as salads, or also tea-ed. Pineneedles would also be easy to find, pick the fresh, light green ones and enjoy the tea with a tad bit honey... oh, yum!!! :) |
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GENERAL: When the heart pumps the blood through the arteries, the blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels. In people who suffer from hypertension, this pressure is abnormally high. Whether blood pressure is high, low, or normal depends on several factors: the output from the heart, the resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels, the volume of blood, and blood distribution to the various organs. All of these factors in turn can be affected by the activities of the nervous system and certain hormones. If blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Ultimately, the condition often leads to kidney failure, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, high blood pressure is often associated with coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, kidney disorders, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and adrenal tumors. An estimated 50 million Americans have high blood pressure. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, hypertension affects more than half of all Americans over the age of sixty-five. The percentage of the African-American population with high blood pressure is approximately one third higher than that for whites. African-Americans between the ages of twenty-four and forty-four are eighteen times more likely than whites to develop kidney failure due to hypertension. Men tend to develop hypertension more often than women do, but the risk for women rises after menopause and soon approaches that of men. A woman's risk of high blood pressure also increases if she takes oral contraceptives or is pregnant. Because high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, it is known as the "silent killer." Warning signs associated with advanced hypertension may include headaches, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and visual disturbances. In 1990, nearly 33,000 Americans died of hypertension-related diseases other than heart attack and stroke. Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories, designated primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease. The precise cause is unknown, but a number of definite risk factors have been identified. These include cigarette smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea, drug abuse, high sodium intake, and the use of oral contraceptives, Because too much water retention can exert pressure on the blood vessels, those who consume foods high in sodium may be at a greater risk for high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is also common in people who are overweight. Blood pressure can rise due to stress as well, because stress causes the walls of the arteries to constrict. Also, those with a family history of hypertension are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. When persistently elevated blood pressure arises as a result of another underlying health problem, such as a hormonal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta, it is called secondary hypertension. A person may also have secondary hypertension because the blood vessels are chronically constricted or have lost elasticity from a buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of the vessel, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are common precursors of hypertension. The narrowing and/or hardening of the arteries makes circulation of blood through the vessels difficult. As a result, blood pressure becomes elevated. Secondary hypertension can also be caused by poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body. This increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels. Kidneys may also elevate blood pressure by secreting substances that cause blood vessels to constrict. To diagnose high blood pressure, a physician uses a device called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure is represented as a pair of numbers. The first is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the blood when the heart beats, forcing blood into the blood vessels. This reading indicates blood pressure at its highest. The second reading is the diastolic pressure, which is recorded when the heart is at rest in between beats, when the blood pressure is at its lowest. Both figures represent the height (in millimeters, or mm) that a column of mercury (Hg) reaches under the pressure exerted by the blood. The combined blood pressure reading is then expressed as a ratio of systolic blood pressure to diastolic pressure. Thus, in a person wit normal blood pressure, the systolic pressure measures 120 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure measures 80 mm Hg; together, this is expressed as 120 over 80, or 120/80. Both the systolic and diastolic readings are important; neither should be high. Normal blood pressure readings for adults vary from 110/70 to 140/90, while readings of 140/90 to 160/90 or 160/95 indicate borderline hypertension. Any pressure over 180/115 is severely elevated. It is impossible for your health care provider to make a correct diagnosis of high blood pressure with a single reading. The test must be repeated throughout the day to be accurate. Home testing is best because it enables you to monitor your condition periodically. Measuring blood pressure at home on a regular schedule may: Help determine whether your blood pressure is high only when taken during a medical visit. Enable you to collaborate with your health care provider in controlling your high blood pressure. Reduce the frequency with which you need to visit your health care provider for blood pressure evaluation. Blood pressure monitoring devices fall into two basic categories: mechanical gauges and automated electronic gauges. The mechanical gauge is the type most often used in physicians' offices. It consists of an instrument to measure the pressure, an air bladder (inflatable cuff, and a pressure bulb with a release valve to pump up the cuff. The standard-size arm cuff on blood pressure monitors fits arms up to thirteen inches around (if your arm is larger than this, you will need to obtain a larger cuff). With most of these devices, the pressure is read on a gauge dial. Mechanical gauges are much less expensive than electronic ones and many physicians feel they give more accurate readings, at least in the hands of an experienced user. However, if you use this type of device to take your own blood pressure, you must pump up the cuff with one hand, read a dial, and listen with a stethoscope more or less simultaneously. In other words, using these devices correctly requires dexterity, good eyesight, acute hearing, and some training and practice. An alternative to the mechanical gauge is the digital sphygomanometer. With this device, the machine automatically gauges your blood pressure when the cuff is inflated and presents the result in a digital format. These are more expensive than the mechanical types, but because they are much easier to use accurately, they are generally preferred for home use. There are also other electronic devices available, including wrist and finger cuff monitors. Although they are easy to operate, most doctors do not recommend them because they tend to be less accurate and also more sensitive to the effects of temperature and poor blood circulation. How to Measure Your Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure measurement actually tells you how much pressure it takes to stop the flow of blood through your arteries. This is assumed to be equivalent to the pressure at the pump end, the heart. Blood pressure is measured at two points in the heart's pumping rhythm: systolic pressure is taken at the moment the heart beats; diastolic pressure is taken when the heart is at rest between beats. To measure blood pressure, the soft, inflatable cuff of the sphygmomanometer is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated. Systolic pressure is measured when there is no longer a pulse in the arm beyond the cuff. Then the cuff is deflated and the diastolic pressure is taken when the blood flows freely once more, The combined pressure is usually expressed as a traction-120/180, for example, Ideally, blood pressure should be taken with the arm bare. A tight sleeve may constrict the arm or make it impossible to apply the blood pressure cuff property. The cuff should be placed around the arm about one inch above the bend in the elbow. Before beginning to work with the sphygmomanometer, check the following four items'. 1. Be sure that the sphygmomanometer reads 0 when there is no pressure in the system. 2. Check to be sure that the needle stays in place when the valve is closed. 3. Check the valve screw to make sure that it operates smoothly. 4. Inspect your stethoscope for cracks or leaks in the tubing, ear-pieces, bell, or diaphragm. You should first feel for the blood pressure. Find the radial pulse, on the thumb side of the wrist. Then inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg beyond the point where the pulse is obliterated, Open the valve and release 2-3 mm Hg per second. When the pulsations of the radial pulse again become palpable, this is the systolic pressure. The diastolic blood pressure occurs when vibrations in the artery cease. Diastolic pressure is much more difficult to obtain. Next, use the stethoscope to take the blood pressure. Follow this procedure: I . Position the disc of the stethoscope snugly against the skin where the elbow bends-a little to the left of center on the right arm, and a little to the right of center on the left arm. There should be no gaps between the stethoscope and the skin, but you should not apply any undue pressure. Make sure that the stethoscope is not touching the cuff at any point. 2. Position the ear-pieces of the stethoscope in your ears (with the ear-pieces directed forward). 3. Hold the stethoscope disc snugly in position with one hand while you pump the cuff with the other hand. 4. Pump the cuff until the gauge registers about 30 mm Hg above the point where you felt the pulse disappear earlier, or about 200 mm Hg. 5. Loosen the valve slightly and permit the pressure to drop slowly. Listen carefully for the first sound of a beat-the number on the scale when you hear the first beat is the systolic pressure. (If you think that you missed the first beat or are unsure, tighten the valve again and pump the cuff up; repeat the process, listening carefully.) 6. Continue to deflate the cuff slowly until the last sound of blood pumping through the blood vessels is heard. When you hear no more blood flowing, the number on the scale is the diastolic pressure. When taking your blood pressure, follow these general guidelines for best results: Avoid eating, smoking, or exercising for at least one-half hour before measuring your blood pressure. Test yourself at about the same times each day. Plan ahead to give yourself time to get over any feelings of anger or anxiety. Sit quietly and eliminate extraneous noise. Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully. Position your arm at heart level, palm up. If you are using a cuff device, wrap the cuff just above the elbow with your sleeve rolled up above the cuff-and be sure it is not too tight. Make sure the hoses from the cuff are not tangled or pinched. Take care not to move the hoses during the reading. Wait at least five minutes in between readings, with the cuff fully deflated. Take the device along on medical visits once a year or more to check its accuracy against your physician's measurements. |
Calcium 1,500-3,000 mg daily. Deficiencies have been linked and to high blood pressure. Magnesium 750-1,000 mg daily. Calcium may interfere with the effects of Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), a calcium channel blocker sometimes prescribed for heart problems and high blood pressure. Garlic (Kyolic) 2 capsules 3 times daily. Effective in lowering blood pressure. L-Carnitine 500 mg twice daily, on an Transports long fatty acid empty stomach. chains. Together with L-glutamic acid and L-glutamine, aids in preventing plus heart disease. L-glutamic acid 500 mg each daily, on To detoxify ammonia and aid in and an empty stomach. Take . L-glutamine with water or juice. See AMINO ACIDS. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg vitamin B6 and 100 mg vitamin C for better absorption. Selenium 200 mcg daily. Deficiency has been linked to heart disease. Coenzyme Ql0 100 mg daily. Improves heart function and lowers blood pressure. Essential fatty acids As directed on label. Important for circulation and for lowering blood pressure. Black currant seed: Take before meals. Oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and primrose oil are good sources) Vitamin C 3,000-6,000 mg daily, Improves adrenal function;reduces blood-clotting tendencies. in divided doses. Lecithin granules 1 tbsp 3 times daily, To emulsify fat, improving liver function and lowering blood pressure. lipotropic factors As directed on label. Vitamin E Start with 100 IU daily Improves heart function. Use emulsion form .Those suffering from high blood pressure should start with a small amount and increase slowly to the desired amount. People taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) drugs should not take more than 1,200 IU of vitamin E daily. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor because vitamin E raises your risk of stroke. And if you take blood thinners, also talk to your doctor first since E has anticoagulant effects. Bromelain As directed on label. An enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats. Kelp 1,000-1,500 mg daily. A good source of minerals and natural iodine. Kyo-Green from As directed on label This concentrated barley and wheatgrass juice contains important nutrients. Maitake As directed on label To help reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart desease, Or Shiitake As directed on label. Or Reishi As directed on label. Multivitamin and All nutrients are needed in mineral complex balance. with vitamin A 15,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed and 10,000 IU daily. Zinc 50 mg daily. plus extra potassium 99 mg daily. If taking cortisone or high blood pressure medication, take extra potassium to counteract depletion of this mineral. Proteolytic enzymes As directed on label. Aids in cleansing the circulatory Raw heart glandular As directed on label. Strengthens the heart. Bio-Cardiozyme As directed on label. A complex that strengthens the heart muscle. Heart Science . Contains antioxidants, Source Naturals cholesterol-fighters, herbs, and vitamins that work together to promote cardiovascular function. Vitamin B complex 100 mg twice daily, Important for circulatory function vitamin B3 (niacin) 50 mg twice daily. Take niacin only under the and supervision of a physician. Do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout, or high blood pressure. Choline 50 mg twice daily. inositol 50 mg twice daily. Vitamin B5 50 mg 3 times daily. Reduces water content in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system. Be cautious of taking these supplements: The amino acid DL-Phenylalanine is good for pain relief. Do not take this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you suffer from panic attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, or PKU. Supplemental phenylalanine should not be used by pregnant women or by people who suffer from anxiety attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, PKU (phenylketonuria), or with pre-existing pigmented melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Because the body does not excrete vitamin D, toxicity is not uncommon. Toxicity may occur from amounts over 65,000 IU over a period of years. Symptoms consist of failure to grow normally, kidney stones, high blood pressure, weight loss, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhea, and weakness. Too much vitamin D can be toxic and lead to kidney stones or damage, weak muscles, weak bones, excessive bleeding, high blood pressure and other problems. |
According to Johns Hopkins obesity is the number one controllable cause of hypertension, and second is the consumption of alcohol. Too much alcohol affects the entire circulatory system as well as the heart. It can lead to high blood pressure, an enlarged, weakened heart, and irregular heartbeat.(1) One study showed that drinkers of 3 or more drinks per day had substantially higher blood pressure than people who drank 2 or fewer drinks a day.(2) Another study examined blood pressure in men who drank enough to consume over 100 ounces of pure alcohol each month--equivalent to ten fifths of 80-proof liquor.(3) A noticeable increase in their blood pressures was found. Alcoholics are more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure than non-drinkers (4). Several studies have shown that alcohol is responsible for increasing blood pressure in those people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Birth control pills: A new study by Italian researchers show women who take the birth control pill are more susceptible to heart disease and high blood pressure. Black walnut: Black walnut fruit seems to show promise in the fight against high blood pressure. Although much more research needs to be done, preliminary studies conducted during the 1960s revealed that large doses of the chemicals in the nut could help lower blood pressure. And perhaps even different walnuts don't fall too far from the tree: More recent studies of the English walnut have documented its effectiveness in helping lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet. Calcium: Calcium becomes a potent assistant to decrease blood pressure due to diuretic properties that help the kidneys release sodium and water, causing some experts to suggest that some forms of high blood pressure may be due to calcium deficiency rather than surplus sodium. Sources include dairy products (make low fat choices), green leafy vegetables, broccoli, collard and turnip greens, and kale, as well as canned salmon and sardines with bones, firm tofu, dried figs, chickpeas, and white and pinto beans. In the Nurses Health Study, a four year study of 60,000 women, those who consumed more than 800 milligrams a day were at less risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who consumed less than 400 milligrams a day. Calcium may interfere with the effects of Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), a calcium channel blocker sometimes prescribed for heart problems and high blood pressure. Cat's claw: There exists an alkaloid known as rynchophylline in cat's claw. This alkaloid has been studied at the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to their findings, rynchophylline has demonstrated an ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis, which suggests that it may be useful in preventing strokes and reducing the risk of heart attack by lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, and inhibiting both the formation of plaque on the arterial walls and formation of blood clots in the brain, heart and arteries. Celery: According to Chinese theory, celery is effective for hypertension because it acts upon the liver; one type of hypertension is associated with the liver. In Mainland China, celery juice was useful in reducing hypertension in 14 out of 16 patients. The juice was mixed with equal amounts of honey and about 8 ounces was taken orally three times each day for up to 1 week. Fresh celery juice can be mixed with vinegar to relieve dizziness and headache and shoulder pain associated with hypertension. In cases of hypertension of pregnancy and climacteric hypertension, drink fresh celery juice every day. Scientists at the National University of Singapore researched a celery compound's effect on systolic blood pressure. Using an animal model designed for human assessment of hypertension, they extracted one of the chemicals in celery responsible for its flavor and administered it to genetically hypertensive rats for thirteen days. The researchers found that high daily doses of 2 mg and 4 mg of the compound didn't produce sustained reductions in blood pressure. However, in lower doses of 0.5 mg a day, systolic blood pressure decreased over the thirteen-day period. These unexpected results led the researchers to question whether tolerance is developed at higher doses due to complex biochemistry or whether their equipment was operating properly. More studies are needed. Physicians prescribe diuretics, for high blood pressure. In one study celery oil injections significantly reduced blood pressure in rabbits and dogs. So Chinese researchers gave the fresh juice mix with honey to 16 people suffering from high blood pressure. Fourteen showed significant reductions. You can also just eat 4 stalks of celery a day to get the same effect. Diuretics should be used in consultation with a physician. They can deplete body stores of potassium, an essential nutrient. Those who use diuretics should also eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas and fresh vegetables, to replace lost electrolytes. Celery seed may help manage them, but it should be used in consultation with your physician as part of an overall treatment plan. Chinese traditional healers recommend celery (Apium graveolens) as a treatment for hypertension. Building on this history, scientists at the National University of Singapore researched a celery compound's effect on systolic blood pressure. Using an animal model designed for human assessment of hypertension, they extracted one of the chemicals in celery responsible for its flavor and administered it to genetically hypertensive rats for thirteen days. The researchers found that high daily doses of 2 mg and 4 mg of the compound didn't produce sustained reductions in blood pressure. However, in lower doses of 0.5 mg a day, systolic blood pressure decreased over the thirteen-day period. These unexpected results led the researchers to question whether tolerance is developed at higher doses due to complex biochemistry or whether their equipment was operating properly. More studies are needed. Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 appears to be a giant step forward in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. A six-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas found that people being treated for congestive heart failure who took coenzyme Q10 in addition to conventional therapy had a 75% chance of survival rate after three years, compared with the 25% survival rate for those using conventional therapy alone. In a similar study by the University of Texas and the Center for Adult Disease in Japan, coenzyme Q10 was shown to be able to lower high blood pressure without medication or dietary chances. Coenzyme Q10 is widely used in Japan. More than 12 million people in that country are reportedly taking it at the direction of their physicians for treatment of heart disease (it strengthens the heart muscle) and high blood pressure, and also to enhance the immune system. The use of coenzyme Q10 is a major step forward in the control and prevention of cancer. Be cautious when purchasing coenzyme Q10. Not all products will offer it in its purest form. Its natural color is dark bright yellow to orange and has very little taste in the powdered form. A liquid form or oil is preferable. Look for a brand that contains a small amount of vitamin E as to help preserve the coenzyme Q10. No side effects have been documented to date. It should be kept away form heat and light. Pure coenzyme Q10 will deteriorate in temperatures above 115 øF. Diabetes: People who have high blood pressure often have a tendency toward diabetes according to Michael A Weber, an editor of the American Journal of Hypertension. Diuretics: Michael A. Weber, MD, of the University of California warns doctors may currently underestimate the risk. Treating high blood pressure in older people with diuretics can reduce the risk of heart failure by at least half. In a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers gave diuretics to people with "isolated systolic hypertension", where the top number is high but not the bottom number. In a placebo group, heart failure occurred twice as often. But when a low-dose diuretic was administered to the others who'd already had a heart attack, risk of heart failure dropped by 80%, says John B.Kostis of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. Essential fatty acids: Those fatty acids that cannot be made by the body and which must be supplied through the diet are call essential fatty acids (EFAs), also referred to as vitamin F. These essential fatty acids are also known as polyunsaturates, and are recommended in order to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and to reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke. The most essential of the fatty acids is linoleic acid. The daily requirement for essential fatty acids is satisfied by consuming an amount of vitamin F equivalent to 10 to 20 percent of total calorie intake. The natural form is found in many vegetables and vegetable oils (except coconut or palm kernel oils). If such oils are heated or hydrogenated (processed), the linoleic acid is converted to trans-fatty acids, which are not essential substances and cannot be utilized. These essential fatty acids have desirable effects on many disorders. They reduce blood pressure, aid in the prevention of arthritis, reduce the growth rate of breast cancer, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and help eczema, psoriasis, and arteriosclerosis. Found in high concentrations in the brain, EFAs aid transmission of nerve impulses and are needed for normal brain function. Essential fatty acids are also needed in the treatment of candidiasis and coronary heart disease, and to minimize blood clot formation. Artherosclerosis/Circulation/High Blood Pressure: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), has received much attention recently for its therapeutic benefits. It seems that by manipulating the metabolism of Prostaglandins, GLA inhibits platelet aggregation an essential factor in preventing the development of atherosclerosis. In clinical trials, borage seed oil has been found to attenuate cardiovascular reactivity to stress indicated by a reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate and by increased task performance; a central mechanism of action of the fatty acids was suggested. It is often combined with Evening Primrose oil to help reduce cholesterol deposits. Since EFAs bind oxygen to hemoglobin (made of iron and amino acids, it transports oxygen in the blood), getting more EFAs into the body will improve circulation (and thus heat) to the hands and feet. Garlic: One European study seems to indicate that garlic may also lower blood pressure. In that study 47 people with high blood pressure were given 600 milligrams of garlic powder a day for 12 weeks. When their blood pressures were checked at the end of the study, scientists found that blood pressure had dropped right along with cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Diastolic blood pressure-the bottom number on a blood pressure reading and the one that is most likely to indicate cardiovascular stress-decreased an average of 11 percent. The garlic powder used in these studies may be a little more convenient to use than garlic cloves. The amount used is equivalent to roughly I 1/2 to 2 1/2 cloves of raw garlic. In one four-month German study of 261 people with high blood fat and high cholesterol, cholesterol levels dropped 12 percent and blood fat levels dropped 17 percent in those who took 800 milligrams of dried garlic powder tablets a day. In another German study of 60 people having problems with blood platelet clumping, not only did the problems disappear but blood pressure dropped 9.5 percent, and blood flow in the small blood vessels improved nearly 50 percent. The hitch, however, is that not all garlic preparations are created equal. To be effective, your garlic preparation must have a bit of an odor. Grapefruit: Grapefruit juice when taken with some Calcium channel blockers (for chest pain and high blood pressure) can cause light-headedness, dizziness or fainting. For nearly a decade researchers have known that grapefruit juice, when used to wash down certain drugs, can interfere with the drugs' effects. Unfortunately, this information is not widely circulated and the effect can be so striking that some are calling for warning labels on medicines for which this could cause possible drug overdoses. The drugs that grapefruit and its juice affect most are common and potent, including Plendil for high blood pressure and heart disease, Seldane for allergies, Sandimmune to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and lnvirase for treating AIDS. Grapefruit juice allows less of the drug to be broken down, so more remains in the intestine and more is then absorbed into the bloodstream over a longer period, as though the patient had taken more of the drug. Recently the Food and Drug Administration cautioned allergy sufferers not to drink grapefruit juice if they're using the antihistamine astemizole, or Hismanal. It was the second such warning for hay fever patients, who last year were told not to mix the drink with the drug Seldane. The concern? A single glass of the bittersweet beverage, unlike any other citrus juice, boosts the strength of some medicines; in the case of these two antihistamines, it can set off an abnormal-and possibly fatal-heartrhythm. (Because of its risk to the heart, Seldane was pulled from the market.) Studies show that grapefruit juice tends a kick to other remedies, too, an effect lasting at least 24 hours. Among them are some of the high blood pressure drugs known as calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepine sedatives, and cyciosporin (used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients). In fact, some scientists estimate that the drink interacts with up to a third of all oral prescription medications. These drugs are normally all broken down in the gut by the same enzyme. But bitter compounds that are found mainly in a grapefruit's peel and oil, and that wind up in juice, apparently destroy this enzyme. As a result, more of the medicine is absorbed, heightening its every effect good or bad. The interaction isn't always dire; indeed, some doctors say that a daily glass might enable hypertensives who take calcium channel blockers to get by on less. But that sort of kitchen-table treatment needs to be consistent. Patients who use the beverage every now and then risk sharp, even hazardous, fluctuations in blood pressure. The grapefruit juice effect varies widely from drug to drug and person to person. With so much to be learned, blanket advice is impossible. Still, a good rule of thumb is to check with your doctor or pharmacist, says J. David Spence, the clinical pharmacologist at the University of Western Ontario whose lab first reported the phenomenon. Ask if your medicine interacts adversely with erythromycin, an antibiotic that happens to meddle with drug metabolism in a similar way. If the answer is yes, switch juices Kidney disease: High blood pressure is a known risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have found it elevates the risk of kidney disease as well. Magnesium: Scientist suspect from animal studies that adequate magnesium may help fight atherosclerosis. A four-year study of 58,000 women found that women who consumed 800 milligrams of calcium and 300 milligrams of magnesium reduced their chances of developing high blood pressure by one-third. A survey of seven studies involving 1,31 patients found that only 3.8% of heart attack patients who received magnesium intravenously died, while 8.2% of the patients who were not given magnesium died. Researchers at the State University of New York found that the lower the level of magnesium in the body, the higher the blood pressure. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that taking supplemental magnesium can result in a significant, dose-dependent reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Memory: In a study of hypertension published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was found that unchecked hypertension in middle-age increases the risk of memory loss in old age. High blood pressure could cause small areas of tissue in the brain to die from lack of blood supply, thus leading to a loss of memory. Nutritional strategy: Hypertension researchers, who study the diets, lifestyles and medication of people who have high blood pressure, say that getting enough calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C may be the nutritional strategy your body needs to put the damper on raging blood pressure. Potassium: Potassium, either from fruits and vegetables or in supplement form, can lower high blood pressure. Anyone who already has hypertension "should eat a diet high in potassium or take supplements," says Harvard researcher Frank M. Sacks, MD. In a study of more than 300 women, he and colleagues learned that potassium is more important than magnesium or calcium for blood pressure control. "Surprisingly, when we put the three together, the effect was no greater than potassium alone. In fact, it was a little lower," he adds. About 1,600 milligrams of potassium was given to the study participants. A glass of orange juice or banana contains about 400 milligrams of' potassium. The study is welcome news, because for the first time in 25 years, there has been an increase in the number of Americans who died from disorders related to high blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Several studies confirm the link between potassium and blood pressure. In one study, ten men with normal blood pressure were put on two experimental diets by researchers at Temple University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. One diet provided normal amounts of potassium; the other was low in potassium. After nine days on the normal-potassium diet, the men showed no significant change in blood pressure. But after the same amount of time on the low-potassium diet, their blood pressure went up an average of 5 points. Similar results were observed in men with high blood pressure. In another study, researchers in Italy found that when people with high blood pressure went on a potassium rich diet that included beans, fruits and vegetables, within a year most were able to reduce their blood pressure medication to less than half the dosage they'd been using previously. In one laboratory study, according to Louis Tobian, M.D., professor of medicine and head of the Hypertension Section of the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, a high-potassium diet reduced the build-up of artery clogging cholesterol deposits in animals by 64%. In another study, a diet rich in potassium helped to prevent microscopic thickening and splitting of artery walls that invites cholesterol deposits. Although too much potassium can cause trouble, it’s almost impossible to overdose on this mineral if you’re getting it from food. You would have to eat the dietary equivalent of 21 baked potatoes every day to experience such negative effects as cardiac irregularities. That’s why naturally increasing potassium through diet is the best idea. An ideal potassium target is 3,500 mg--the Daily Value set by the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods rich in potassium include potato, avocado, cantaloupe, soybeans, Swiss chard, apricots, sweet potato, pumpkin seeds, banana, acorn squash, almonds, salmon, herring, peanuts, and milk. Olive oil: Three tablespoons of mono-saturated olive oil per day was found to lower systolic pressure nine points, and drop diastolic pressure six points, according to researchers at the Stanford Medical School. This discovery is echoed by Scott M. Grundy, Ph.D., who finds that a diet with adequate levels of monounsaturated fat lowers total cholesterol levels even better than diets that severely restrict fat, with the big bonus of dropping the LDLs (bad) and leaving HDLs (good) intact. Extra virgin cold pressed olive oil is the best source. Onions: In one study, 2-3 tablespoons of onion essential oil lowered blood pressure in 67% of people with moderate hypertension. Their systolic level fell an average of 25 points and their diastolic readings fell 15 points. Reishi mushrooms: For centuries, reishi mushrooms have been a highly regarded Chinese medical treatment for hepatitis, arthritis and other condition, including hypertension. Now it appears they make a powerful additive to prescription drug treatment of high blood pressure. Researchers at 4 universities in China and one in Japan have found that they act synergistically with medications, according to Herbs for Health newsletter. Investigators tested reishi extract in people who had not responded well to the drugs nimodipine or captopril. Participants continued taking their medications but also took 55 mg. of extract the equivalent of taking 4 grams of raw mushroom daily. The combination produced general improvement of blood pressure within 2 weeks and even greater improvement after 4 weeks. "Salt gene" may affect blood pressure: NEW YORK, Sep 17 (Reuters) -- Genetic variations influence which patients with hypertension will experience a reduction in blood pressure following weight loss or dietary salt restriction, researchers say. The form of angiotensinogen gene a person carries can influence their response to these blood pressure reducing measures. The gene is responsible for production of the hormone angiotensinogen, and it is thought to play a role in the effect of salt intake on blood pressure, leading researchers to dub it the "salt gene." A study team led by Dr. Steven C. Hunt, of the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, reports that high blood pressure is more common but also more treatable among Caucasian adults who have variations of the gene. The team's report appears in the September issue of Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. Hunt's group analyzed the DNA in the angiotensinogen gene in 1,894 men and women. The gene can take three forms, genotypes GG, AG, and AA. The researchers found that 20% of the 1,509 Caucasian study participants had the AA genotype, 32% had GG, and the rest had AG. Only 3% of the African-American participants had the GG genotype, and there were few subjects of other races, so the researchers limited further analysis to the Caucasian participants. At the beginning of the study, all participants were moderately overweight and had high-normal levels of diastolic blood pressure -- the second number in a blood pressure reading. The investigators randomly assigned each participant to one of four groups: low-salt diet, weight loss, both treatments, or no treatment. Over the 3-year study period, the incidence of hypertension (high blood pressure) in the untreated group was greater among individuals with the AA genotype than among those with the GG genotype, the research team determined. Yet individuals with the AA genotype responded more favorably to the antihypertensive measures. In the low-salt group, study participants with the AA genotype had greater drops in their diastolic blood pressure after 3 years than those with the GG genotype. Hunt's team found similar results for the weight loss group, although not for the combined-treatment group. Reduction of systolic blood pressure -- the first number in a blood pressure reading -- was not associated with genotype in any of the treated groups. Individuals with the AA genotype "may be an important subgroup to target for effective diet counseling and weight loss," the authors propose. But in a statement released by the AHA, Hunt cautioned that the study is only a "first step" in defining who is salt-sensitive -- likely to have their blood pressure lowered by a low-salt diet. The research is "not to the point yet where we can say on an individual basis: If you have one particular form of the gene, the AA form, you are salt-sensitive," Hunt added. Hunt and his colleagues recommend that until further research is completed, doctors should continue to recommend sodium reduction and weight loss for all patients with hypertension. "(I)dentification of genetic markers for hypertension and for salt sensitivity of blood pressure may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of hypertension," according to an editorial by Dr. Theodore A. Kotchen, of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. But after reviewing the data published by the Hunt group, Kotchen concludes that "angiotensinogen genotype has, at best, a modest influence on the blood pressure responses to sodium reduction and to weight loss." Taking blood pressure medicine: May 24, 1999 There are a lot of elderly people taking pills for high blood pressure who may be able to control their blood pressure in another way. A new study says as many as 80 percent of people with hypertension can withdraw from medication, providing they go on a controlled program for weight loss and sodium reduction. Now, don’t go chucking your antihypertension pills because of this report. That’s a quick route to a stroke. However, if you have controlled hypertension and want to withdraw from drug use, you have a good chance for success, according to researchers at Wake Forest University. Your chances of withdrawal improve if you have a low baseline systolic blood pressure, fewer years since you were diagnosed with hypertension, fewer years of high blood pressure treatment, and no history of cardiovascular disease. Investigators enrolled 975 elderly patients in the drug withdrawal study and report an 80 percent success rate among those who used weight loss and sodium reduction interventions. This compared to a successful withdrawal rate of fewer than half of patients who didn’t adhere to the interventions. The findings can’t be applied to patients with congestive heart failure, angina or recent myocardial infarction since this sector wasn’t represented, according to the study published in the Archives of Family Medicine. This sounds like a positive lifestyle adjustment to me. All you have to do is go on an eating regimen that’s good for you and cut down on sodium. This is a good program to discuss with your physician. Source: Archives of Family Medicine 1999;8:228-236 Ultraviolet light: Tulane University researchers found signs that ultraviolet light exposure strengthens the heart and enables it to pump more blood. A 1980 study done at the University of Frankfurt in Germany concluded that exposure to sunlight produces benefits similar to exercise, namely increased strength, energy, endurance, stress tolerance and a decrease in resting heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood sugar and lactic acid. Vitamin C: The lack of vitamin C can contribute to hypertension. Recent studies correlate the highest incidences of hypertension and fatalities from strokes among those who consumed the least amount of vitamin C. Foods containing vitamin C include oranges, red peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, grapefruit, Brussels sprouts, kiwis, cantaloupe, pimentos, and broccoli. Vitamin E: In a recent large population study in Europe, it was found that low blood levels of vitamin E were much more predictive of heart disease than were high levels of blood cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. High levels of blood cholesterol were predictive 29% of the time, high blood pressure was predictive 25% of the time, but a low blood level of vitamin E was predictive of a heart attack 69% of the time. In perhaps, the most impressive study of vitamin E, published in the journal Lancet, daily doses of 400-800 IU of vitamin E were shown to decrease the incidence of heart attacks by 77% in a group of 2,000 people. The death rate from all causes was 34% lower in older people taking vitamin E supplements, according to the National Institute on Aging Research. Those suffering from high blood pressure should start with a small amount and increase slowly to the desired amount. People taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) drugs should not take more than 1,200 IU of vitamin E daily. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor because vitamin E raises your risk of stroke. And if you take blood thinners, also talk to your doctor first since E has anticoagulant effects. |
Combine chamomile (2), peppermint (2), caraway, fennel, anise, and milfoil. Steep 1 teaspoon to ½ cup of boiling-hot water. Take 1 to 1 ½ cups a day, in mouthful doses. A study published in Nature shows black cohosh reduces blood pressure by opening t e blood vessels in the limbs (peripheral vasodilation). The herb may help manage high blood pressure. Hops and valerian root are good for calming the nerves. While Dr. Christopher was working in the business world, he was taking Cayenne, and on one business trip, he was traveling with an athlete, a man who had a black belt in karate and who was, in Dr. Christopher’s words, "a husky little guy." Yet he came from a family with a history of high blood pressure, and his uncle had died of varicosity. He was under the care of a doctor at the time. Every morning, Dr. Christopher would take a spoonful of Cayenne in a glassful of water, followed by a few tablespoonsful of wheat germ oil. The young man wanted to know what Dr. Christopher was taking and wanted to try some. "You’re probably too chicken," Dr. Christopher told him! This reverse psychology worked; Dr. Christopher noticed that his Cayenne was disappearing gradually. When they returned from the trip, the man continued taking Cayenne, one teaspoonful three times a day. The doctor was astonished at the young man’s next checkup—after a lifetime of high blood pressure, he now had a clean bill of health. Drink 3 cups of suma tea daily. In Dukes book, 'The Green Pharmacy' he says that chives like garlic and leeks help prevent cancer and treats high blood pressure. Some experiments show that astragalus can help reduce blood pressure, dilate blood vessels, and improve circulation. Since the early 1990s, several Asian research groups have conducted studies showing that astragalus root protects the liver from toxic compounds. Barberry contains chemicals that may help reduce elevated blood pressure by enlarging blood vessels, thus lending support to the herb's traditional Russian use as a treatment for high blood pressure. Cayenne is good for the heart; it helps to regulate the heart and blood pressure. It strengthens the pulse rate while it cleanses the circulatory system. When taken with garlic it helps lower the blood pressure. Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis, as ragweed allergy may result. Avoid it completely if you are allergic to ragweed. Dandelion is useful for P.M.S., menopause, hypoglycemia, recent onset diabetes, high blood pressure and digestive disturbances. You can use dandelion root on a regular basis for cleansing and toning the liver. Clinical evidence found in Chinese and Japanese pharmaceutical and medical journals show that chrysanthemum flowers are excellent for treating high blood pressure and its associated symptoms of headache, dizziness and insomnia. Snip enough mum flowers to equal 6 tbsps, then divide into 4 equal portions of 1-1/2 tbsps. each and set aside for use throughout the day. Beginning in the morning at 8 a.m. and every 4 hours thereafter, put I portion in a cup and pour hot, boiling water over the flowers and cover with a small saucer or piece of aluminum foil, allowing them to steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Repeat this same procedure 3 more times that day for up to one month. In one experiment where a total of 46 hypertension patients were thus treated, 35 of them showed fairly rapid improvement in their symptoms, with blood pressure returning to normal in less than a week. The remaining patients also showed varying degrees of symptom relief and dropping of blood pressure after 10-30 days treatment. This same procedure twice daily in identical amounts brought considerable relief from very severe constricting chest pains in 80% of a group of 61 patients suffering from angina pectoris of the heart. In both applications, the infusions should be taken on any empty stomach preferably for maximum effectiveness. Japanese researchers report that cinnamon helps reduce blood pressure. In China the effects of cinnamon bark on animals indicate it calms the central nervous system in rats and also reduces their blood pressure. Dry cocoa powder is used by some natives in the Philippines for treating high blood pressure. They attribute this to theobromine present, which enlarges the constricted blood vessels common in hypertensive victims. Anyone with insomnia, anxiety problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease should limit caffeine consumption. On the other hand there has been some recent studies that dispute the effects of caffeine. Dandelion is used for high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. In the spring dandelion leaves and roots produce mannitol, a substance used in the treatment of hypertension and weak heart throughout Europe. A tea is made of the roots and leaves are good to take during this period, from about mid-March to mid-May. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, reduce heat and add 2 tblsp. of cleaned and chopped fresh roots. Simmer for 1 minutes, covered, then remove from heat and add 2 tblsp. of chopped, freshly picked leaves. Steep for 40 minutes. Strain and drink 2 cups per day. When injected into laboratory animals, dill extract stimulates respiration, slows heart rate, and opens blood vessels, all of which reduce blood pressure. This suggests that there is more to learn about this herb. Since dill contains the mineral vanadium it may be helpful in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. There may be an interaction between vanadium and chromium. Take extra chromium at a different time. Tobacco decreases uptake of vanadium. EFAs decrease several cardiovascular risk factors; lower high triglycerides; lower high blood pressure; decrease platelet stickiness, making stroke, heart attack, and embolism less likely. In animal tests conducted in Europe, elecampane reduces blood pressure. Garlic therapy has a healing effect on high blood pressure and eliminates angina pain, dizziness and headaches without the side effects of hypertension drugs, thanks to its prostaglandin A content. Ginkgo biloba is a powerful antioxidant herb that is best known for its ability to enhance circulation. It has the ability to squeeze through even the narrowest of blood vessels to increase the supply of oxygen to the heart, brain, and all other body parts. This aids in mental functioning (ginkgo biloba is known as the "smart herb") and helps to relieve muscle pain. Ginkgo biloba also lowers blood pressure, inhibits blood clotting, and has anti-aging properties Gotu kola has been important in the healing arts of central Asia for centuries. It was purported in Sri Lanka to prolong life. Numerous skin diseases, ranging from poorly healing wounds to leprosy, have been treated with gotu kola. Gotu kola is also used in boosting cognitive function and for helping a variety of systemic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous disorders. Some of its common uses in Ayurvedic medicine include heart disease, water retention, hoarseness, bronchitis, and coughs in children and as a poultice for many skin conditions. Clinical research in China and Japan has confirmed hawthorn's benefits to those with heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Instead of taking its extract, the Chinese prefer to decoct the dried hawthorn fruit and drink it as a tea. Recently, the journal, Phytomedicine, published a study bolstering the case for hawthorn. Seventy-eight people suffering the significant heart fatigue known as congestive heart failure were divided into two groups. One received 600 milligrams a day of hawthorn for eight weeks. The other took a placebo. Comparison testing of the two groups on a stationary bicycle showed that those taking hawthorn had significantly more stamina and lower blood pressure. Hawthorn may cause dizziness if taken in large doses. In Europe and China hawthorn has long been used to treat heart disease. It is also used by naturopathic physicians and others to treat angina, cardiac arrhythmia, heart disease, high blood pressure, and intermittent claudication (leg pain cause by partially occluded coronary arteries). The benefits of hawthorn are still largely unknown in the United States, where heart disease tops the list of leading causes of death. According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, congestive heart failure is an increasingly common diagnosis in people over age 65 and is expected to become even more common as the population ages. Congestive heart failure occurs as the heart muscle weakens, gradually losing its ability to pump blood to the rest of the body. The condition is twice as common in those with high blood pressure and five times as common in people who have had one or more heart attacks. For those who have already had a heart attack, tonic use of hawthorn may be one of the best steps to take to help head off future heart attacks and prevent the eventual development of congestive heart failure. Hops and valerian root are good for calming the nerves. Motherwort is an excellent herb to benefit heart function. It inhibits blood platelet aggregation, lowers blood lipid levels, lowers high blood pressure and calms arrhythmias. Physicians often prescribe diuretics to treat this condition, and a published study in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine suggests parsley's diuretic action can help control it. In Germany, where herbal medicine is more mainstream than it is in the United States, parsley seed tea is widely prescribed as a diuretic to treat high blood pressure. Purslane’s essential fatty acid content helps to lower blood levels of cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and blood clotting and enhance immunity. One herb Ayurvedic healing introduced was Rauwolfia serpentina. This plant is the source of resperine, still used in Western medicine to manage high blood pressure. Reishi helps to normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels, reduce serum cholesterol levels, and inhibit histamine release and blood platelet aggregation. For centuries, reishi mushrooms have been a highly regarded Chinese medical treatment for hepatitis, arthritis and other condition, including hypertension. Now it appears they make a powerful additive to prescription drug treatment of high blood pressure. Researchers at 4 universities in China and one in Japan have found that they act synergistically with medications, according to Herbs for Health newsletter. Investigators tested reishi extract in people who had not responded well to the drugs nimodipine or captopril. Participants continued taking their medications but also took 55 mg. of extract the equivalent of taking 4 grams of raw mushroom daily. The combination produced general improvement of blood pressure within 2 weeks and even greater improvement after 4 weeks. High blood pressure can be caused by the kidneys not functioning properly, or from general toxic conditions in the body. Sage has been used for things such as candida, indigestion, and lymphatic congestion and it would seem reasonable to add it to mullein to cleanse the digestive tract and flush the lymphatic system.One of the most effective nervous system relaxants, anti-depressant, soothing to the nerves, relaxing and sleep inducing, as an aid in weaning people from excessive use of valium and from barbiurate addictions, more effective than quinine, neuralgia, aches and pains, PMS, rheumatism, convulsions, severe hiccups, high blood pressure, heart conditions and disorders of the central nervous systems such as palsy, hydrophobia, neurological and neuromotor conditions, including epilepsy, reduces sex desire Scullcap is one of the most effective nervous system relaxants, anti-depressant, soothing to the nerves, relaxing and sleep inducing, as an aid in weaning people from excessive use of valium and from barbiurate addictions, more effective than quinine, neuralgia, aches and pains, PMS, rheumatism, convulsions, severe hiccups, high blood pressure, heart conditions and disorders of the central nervous systems such as palsy, hydrophobia, neurological and neuromotor conditions, including epilepsy, reduces sex desire Drink 3 cups of suma tea daily. A study done by scientists in the Soviet Union found that wood betony contains a mixture of glycosides, which showed some effect in lowering blood pressure. This might explain why infusions of betony have been recommended for headaches and mild anxiety attacks. Combinations: Combine chamomile (2), peppermint (2), caraway, fennel, anise, and milfoil. Steep 1 teaspoon to ½ cup of boiling-hot water. Take 1 to 1 ½ cups a day, in mouthful doses. Heart Tonic 5 tsp. Hawthorn tincture 3 tsp. Motherwort tincture 2 tsp. Gingko tincture 2 tsp. Dandelion leaf tincture Place the tinctures in a 1 oz. amber dropper bottle. Shake well. Take 1 dropperful 3 times daily in warm water or juice. Things to be cautious of: Large doses of angelica can affect blood pressure, heart action, and respiration. Barberry contains chemicals that may help reduce elevated blood pressure by enlarging blood vessels, thus lending support to the herb's traditional Russian use as a treatment for high blood pressure. In high doses, barberry can cause nausea, vomiting, convulsions, hazardous drops in blood pressure, and depression of the heart rate and breathing. Those with heart disease or chronic respiratory problems should be careful not to take large doses and should take this herb only with knowledge and approval of their physicians. Barberry is a powerful herb and should be used cautiously. If it causes dizziness or faintness, stop using it. Should not be used during pregnancy. Bayberry changes the way the body uses sodium and potassium. Those who must watch their sodium/potassium balance, such as people with kidney disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure, should consult their physicians before using this herb. A study published in Nature shows black cohosh reduces blood pressure by opening the blood vessels in the limbs (peripheral vasodilation). The herb may help manage high blood pressure. Lowers cholesterol, lowers high blood pressure (equalizes circulation), helps cardiovascular and circulatory disorders. A word of caution since this herb can depress the heart rate. So consult your physician if you have congestive heart failure before using it. It is potentially hazardous. Despite its traditional reputation as a treatment for high blood pressure, studies show blue cohosh is more likely to cause this than treat it. The inadvisability of using this herb stems from the fact that caulosaponin contracts the blood vessels of the heart, which has a toxic effect on the cardiac muscle. No one with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of stroke should use this herb. In studies with small animals, it has caused intestinal spasms. When powdered, blue cohosh root irritates mucous membranes. Handle with care. Take care not to inhale any or introduce it into your eyes. Blue cohosh should be used only at term to induce labor, and then only under medical supervision. Should be taken for only 1 week at a time. Bupleurum should be avoided in cases of heat such as fever and headache, red irritated eyes, high blood pressure. Long term use may cause dizziness. The flowering stem tops of butcher's broom, when collected before blooming, contains sparteine, a volatile compound that causes diuretic, cathartic, and in large doses, emetic (vomiting) reactions. Scientific research has demonstrated that sparteine both slows down the heart and stimulates uterine contractions. Because of this, it was used therapeutically to slow the pulse in cardiac disturbances and to induce labor. Both uses have been discontinued, however, because they were found to be unsafe. Should not be used in cases of high blood pressure or pregnancy. Physicians prescribe diuretics to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Those with these conditions should consult their physicians before taking buchu. Cola should be avoided if one has high blood pressure, heart palpitations and peptic ulcers. Due to the caffeine content, pregnant women should also avoid. Dyers weed due to its vaso-constrictive activity. EFAs decrease several cardiovascular risk factors; lower high triglycerides; lower high blood pressure; decrease platelet stickiness, making stroke, heart attack, and embolism less likely; EFAs sometimes help, but there is some literature that states that they are not reliable, to lower cholesterol levels. Avoid the herb ephedra (ma huang) as it can elevate blood pressure. Anyone with heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) should exercise caution and not use ephedra. The active chemicals in goldenseal have opposite effects on blood pressure. Berberine may lower it, but hydrastine may raise it. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of stroke should exercise caution and not use it. Gentian bitters are popular in Germany, where herbal medicine is considerably more mainstream than it is in the United States. German physicians discourage its use by people with high blood pressure. They also echo the Eclectics' warning that large amounts may cause stomach irritation with possible nausea and vomiting. Do not use Siberian ginseng if you have hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, or a heart disorder. Ginseng should be used with discretion if suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure. It should not be taken by those with what Chinese medicine call a "yang constitution". A person with a yang constitution is usually large in stature, is aggressive and forceful and often has a red complexion. Some People may find panax ginseng too stimulating, especially if used before bedtime. Therefore, use it early in the day. High doses may make you feel jittery. Do not exceed 5 to 10 grams a day. In rare cases, some people may develop headaches or high blood pressure from panax ginseng. Vitamin C can interfere with the absorption of ginseng, so take Vitamin C supplement either 2 hour before or 2 hours after you take ginseng. In rare cases, ginseng can cause vaginal bleeding in menopausal women. Grindelia helps relax spasms associated with asthma and bronchitis, and smooth muscles, such as the heart. Do not use in cases of weak heart, as it can lower blood pressure. Excessive dosages can irritate the kidneys, due to the herb's resins. Grindelia can collect high doses of selenium from the soil, which may in turn cause large doses of this plant to be irritating. Guarana has shown some ability to inhibit blood platelet aggregation, and the herb is a nervous system stimulant. Can cause nervousness, insomnia, and vitamin B depletion. Can cause caffeine dependency. Avoid in cases of high blood pressure. Because hawthorn acts slowly, it is not appropriate for cases of acute heart failure, which are treated with strong, fast-acting drugs. But clinical research shows that hawthorn can help improve symptoms and slow the progress of mild, early-stage congestive heart failure that does not yet require drug treatment. Active heart disease is a serious condition that is not appropriate for self-diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that you have a heart problem, or are already under treatment for a cardiovascular condition (including high blood pressure), talk to your health-care practitioner before taking hawthorn. In particular, if you have chest pain or pain that spreads from the chest to the arms, neck, or upper abdomen, or if you are having trouble breathing, call your doctor right away. In most of the studies, doctors assessed the effects of hawthorn using a special stationary bicycle that allowed them to measure changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and the working capacity of the heart during exercise. Results of one of these studies showed that hawthorn was as effective as the drug captopril in improving exercise tolerance and reducing heart rate in patients with stage II heart failure. Captopril is a type of heart drug commonly known as an ACE inhibitor (short for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), which is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Captopril reduces peripheral arterial resistance, thereby lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow, but also has the potential to cause serious side effects. Hawthorn, on the other hand, is remarkably well tolerated by patients in clinical trials.Clinical research in China and Japan has confirmed hawthorn's benefits to those with heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Instead of taking its extract, the Chinese prefer to decoct the dried hawthorn fruit and drink it as a tea. Horsetail can have drugs interacts with digitalis and its cardiac glycosides may become more toxic due to the loss of potassium from its diuretic effect. Cunningham recommends avoiding the use of hyssop eo altogether in favor of the fresh herb. He says it may cause epileptic seizures and should never be used by pregnant women. Victoria Edwards says it should be avoided by anyone with high blood pressure and should not be used by anyone subject to seizures.I believe that these warning pertain to using the oil internally, but I wouldn't use it externally for any extended period of time. However, I have seen similar warning for the herb itself. Khat may cause headaches and elevate blood pressure. Large quantities are addictive and withdrawal may cause lethargy. Though most people will experience an amphetamine-like effect, for some people Khat may work as a depressant. Chronic use may lead to tremors in the nervous system and cause one to become more high-strung, constipated and susceptible to disease. Do not use during pregnancy. Use on occasion rather than regularly. Avoid licorice if you have high blood pressure. Excessive amounts or daily use for longer than 6 weeks can cause problems (headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, and loss of potassium and high blood pressure). These side effects can be largely be eliminated by using a processed form of the herb called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Ligusticum dilates capillaries and blood vessels, and helps to lower high blood pressure. It is also said to strengthen the bones and muscles as well as to promote clear vision and good hearing. Ligusticum improves the circulation of blood to the brain. However it should be avoided if one has deficient yin or conditions marked by excessive heat. Avoid in cases of excessive menstrual bleeding. Overuse may result in dizziness and vomiting. Lobelia is contraindicated with high blood pressure due to the x-adrenergic hypertensive effects of lobeline. It is also not for people with an enlarged heart or fatty heart, fluid around the heart, etc. due to the interference of lobeline with the heart's neural conductivity. Night-blooming cereus is not for high blood pressure or heart over-activity due to cardiac-stimulating effect. Because yohimbe is a short-term MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor, it should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure and not be taken with any food or drink containing tyramines (cheese, chocolate, beer, aged meats, nuts), and particularly not with the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine. It may be dangerous if used with antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines, caffeine, or amphetamines. These side effects and cautions need to be given careful attention by each individual, and some people perhaps clearly should avoid using yohimbe products. |