High Blood Pressure: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a medical condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently elevated, exceeding 120/80 mmHg.

This condition is often caused by a combination of genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and underlying health issues such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, and obesity. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

To alleviate this condition, herbal remedies like hawthorn, garlic, and ginger have been found to be effective in reducing blood pressure. For instance, hawthorn supplements can help lower systolic blood pressure, while garlic can dilate blood vessels and improve circulation.

However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they can interact with medications and exacerbate underlying conditions, particularly when consumed in large quantities or combined with other substances.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of high blood pressure, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of high blood pressure?

The main causes of high blood pressure are complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Studies have shown that excessive sodium intake, typically above 2,300 milligrams per day, can significantly increase blood pressure in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle, defined as less than 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day, is associated with a 20-30% increased risk of developing hypertension. Additionally, obesity, particularly central obesity, has been linked to a 2-3 times increased risk of developing high blood pressure due to insulin resistance and inflammation.

Other risk factors include age, with hypertension affecting 65% of individuals over 60, as well as family history, kidney disease, and certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea and preeclampsia.

• Obesity: Excess body weight, particularly around the abdominal area, can lead to high blood pressure due to increased inflammation, insulin resistance, and decreased kidney function.
• Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to high blood pressure by weakening the heart, reducing blood vessel flexibility, and increasing blood pressure due to muscle inactivity.
• Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, increases inflammation, and causes blood pressure to rise by constricting blood vessels and reducing the efficiency of the heart.
• Family History: Genetic predisposition to high blood pressure can increase an individual's risk due to inherited factors affecting blood vessel function, kidney function, and the renin-angiotensin system.
• Sleep Apnea: Recurring episodes of low oxygen levels during sleep can lead to high blood pressure by causing fluctuations in blood pressure, increasing sympathetic nervous system activity, and promoting inflammation.
• High Sodium Intake: Consuming excessive amounts of sodium can cause high blood pressure by increasing fluid retention, straining blood vessels, and promoting kidney damage over time.
• Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure by releasing stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which increase heart rate and blood pressure, and promoting inflammation and blood vessel constriction.
• Age: As individuals age, their blood vessels naturally lose elasticity, and their kidneys' ability to regulate blood pressure declines, increasing the risk of high blood pressure.
• Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease can lead to high blood pressure by impairing the kidneys' ability to regulate sodium and fluid balance, promoting inflammation, and causing blood vessel damage.
• Thyroid Disorders: Overactive thyroid conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, can cause high blood pressure by increasing heart rate, cardiac output, and renal sodium reabsorption, while underactive thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can also contribute due to decreased kidney function and increased vascular resistance.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for high blood pressure?

The main medicinal herbs used for high blood pressure are Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Crataegus monogyna, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Astragalus membranaceus, Allium sativum, Lavandula angustifolia, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Withania somnifera, Terminalia arjuna.

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Crataegus monogyna has antioxidant properties and may reduce blood pressure by blocking the alpha-adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels. Glycyrrhiza glabra has been found to inhibit the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which is involved in the regulation of blood pressure.

These herbs, along with the others, have been studied and found to have potential in lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with high blood pressure by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and reducing peripheral vascular resistance, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng helps with high blood pressure by reducing the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Crataegus monogyna: Crataegus monogyna helps with high blood pressure by reducing the peripheral resistance and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with high blood pressure by inhibiting the aldosterone-mediated sodium retention and reducing the sympathetic nervous system activity, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus helps with high blood pressure by reducing the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Allium sativum: Allium sativum helps with high blood pressure by reducing the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia helps with high blood pressure by reducing the sympathetic nervous system activity and promoting relaxation, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
• Hibiscus sabdariffa: Hibiscus sabdariffa helps with high blood pressure by reducing the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Withania somnifera: Withania somnifera helps with high blood pressure by reducing the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Terminalia arjuna: Terminalia arjuna helps with high blood pressure by reducing the peripheral resistance and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

What are the main herbal preparations used for high blood pressure?

The main herbal preparations used for high blood pressure are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Cream, Ointment, Gel, Powder, Salve, Extract.

Decoction of herbs like Hawthorn (Crataegus spp. ), which contains flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins that help to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

Tincture of herbs like Coleus (Coleus forskohlii), which contains forskolin that helps to lower blood pressure by inhibiting phosphodiesterase and increasing cyclic AMP. Capsule of herbs like Garlic (Allium sativum) which contains allicin that helps to lower blood pressure by reducing vascular resistance.

Extract of herbs like Olive leaf (Olea europaea) which contains oleuropein that helps to lower blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of Valeriana officinalis helps with high blood pressure by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of Ginkgo biloba helps with high blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and reducing blood pressure due to its flavonoid and terpene content.
• Capsule: A capsule of the extract of the leaves of Coleus forskohlii helps with high blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
• Suppository: A suppository of the extract of the roots of Withania somnifera helps with high blood pressure by reducing stress and anxiety, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Cream: A cream of the extract of the leaves of Hypericum perforatum helps with high blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Ointment: An ointment of the extract of the roots of Aralia quinqueangularis helps with high blood pressure by reducing blood vessel constriction and improving blood flow, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Gel: A gel of the extract of the leaves of Aloe vera helps with high blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Powder: A powder of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus helps with high blood pressure by reducing blood vessel constriction and improving blood flow, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Salve: A salve of the extract of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia helps with high blood pressure by reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel function, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
• Extract: An extract of the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa helps with high blood pressure by reducing blood vessel constriction and improving blood flow, which in turn lowers blood pressure.