Hypertension: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by the sustained elevation of blood pressure in the arteries, exceeding 130/80 mmHg.

This condition is often caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive sodium intake, and stress. If left unmanaged, hypertension can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. To alleviate hypertension, herbal remedies such as hawthorn, garlic, and ginseng can be effective, particularly when prepared as teas, tinctures, or capsules.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they can interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions, and to follow proper dosages to avoid adverse effects.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of hypertension, 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 hypertension?

The main causes of hypertension are multifactorial and include genetic predisposition, with 30-50% of cases attributed to family history, particularly in African Americans and those with a first-degree relative with hypertension.

Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive consumption of sodium and alcohol contribute to the development of hypertension, with a 6-10 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure per 1000 mg of sodium intake per day. Other risk factors include obesity, particularly central obesity with a waist circumference of 102 cm or more in men and 88 cm or more in women, and sleep apnea, with a prevalence of 40-80% in hypertensive individuals. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders, can increase the risk of developing hypertension.

Furthermore, age is also a significant risk factor, with the prevalence of hypertension increasing with age, particularly after 40 years old.

• Family History: Having a family history of hypertension increases the risk due to potential genetic factors that can affect blood pressure regulation.
• Age: Age is a significant risk factor for hypertension, as the likelihood of developing the condition increases with each decade of life after age 40.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese can lead to hypertension due to increased blood volume, cardiac workload, and potential kidney damage.
• Sodium Intake: Consuming excessive sodium can increase blood pressure due to its effects on fluid balance and blood vessel constriction.
• Smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels, increase cardiac workload, and lead to hypertension due to its negative effects on cardiovascular health.
• Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to hypertension by increasing blood pressure due to decreased physical fitness and potential cardiovascular damage.
• Stress: Chronic stress can increase blood pressure due to its effects on the sympathetic nervous system and potential damage to blood vessels.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease can lead to hypertension due to potential kidney damage, fluid retention, and decreased kidney function.
• Sleep Apnea: Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to hypertension due to increased sympathetic nervous activity, inflammation, and potential cardiovascular damage.
• Diabetes: Untreated or poorly managed diabetes can increase the risk of developing hypertension due to potential kidney damage, vascular damage, and increased sympathetic nervous activity.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for hypertension?

The main medicinal herbs used for hypertension are Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Crataegus monogyna, Valeriana officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Rauvolfia serpentina, Centella asiatica, Terminalia arjuna.

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Glycyrrhiza glabra reduces blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which is involved in the conversion of cortisol to its active form. Panax ginseng and Astragalus membranaceus have been found to lower blood pressure by improving cardiovascular function and reducing oxidative stress.

Meanwhile, Terminalia arjuna has been traditionally used to reduce blood pressure by improving cardiac function and reducing inflammation, while the other herbs such as Valeriana officinalis, Rauvolfia serpentina, Centella asiatica, and Ocimum basilicum also contribute to reducing stress and anxiety which is often linked to hypertension.

• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with hypertension due to its flavonoid and terpene compounds, which improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide levels and inhibiting the enzyme ACE, ultimately leading to a decrease in peripheral resistance.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra may help with hypertension due to its licorice root-derived compounds that inhibit the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which in turn reduces the conversion of cortisol to its active form, aldosterone, thereby decreasing aldosterone-mediated sodium retention and blood pressure.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng may help with hypertension due to its ginsenosides that have vasodilatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by activating the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, which ultimately leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus may help with hypertension due to its flavonoid and saponin compounds that have vasodilatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which ultimately leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance.
• Crataegus monogyna: Crataegus monogyna may help with hypertension due to its flavonoid and phenolic acid compounds that have vasodilatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which ultimately leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance.
• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis may help with hypertension due to its valerenic acid and isovaleric acid compounds that have vasodilatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, which ultimately leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance.
• Ocimum basilicum: Ocimum basilicum may help with hypertension due to its rosmarinic acid compound that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improves blood vessel function, and reduces blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Rauvolfia serpentina: Rauvolfia serpentina may help with hypertension due to its alkaloid compound reserpine that inhibits the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals, thereby reducing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica may help with hypertension due to its triterpenoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Terminalia arjuna: Terminalia arjuna may help with hypertension due to its arjunic acid and arjunolic acid compounds that have vasodilatory effects, improve blood vessel function, and reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

What are the main herbal preparations used for hypertension?

The main herbal preparations used for hypertension are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Powder, Tea, Suppository, Extract, Gel, Ointment, Salve.

Decoction involves boiling herbs to extract their active compounds, often used for blood vessel relaxation, such as Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). which helps lower blood pressure by improving cardiovascular function.

Tincture is a liquid solution of herbal extracts in alcohol or glycerin, used for its vasodilatory effects, like Ginkgo biloba, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Capsules and Powder contain concentrated herbal extracts, like Coleus forskohlii, which increases nitric oxide production to relax blood vessels.

Various forms like Tea, Suppository, Extract, Gel, Ointment, and Salve also exhibit potential for blood pressure reduction, particularly those derived from herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which have adaptogenic and anxiolytic properties.

• Decoction: A decoction of the leaves of the Coleus forskohlii plant helps with hypertension by increasing the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which relaxes the smooth muscle in blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
• Tincture: A tincture made from the roots of the Valeriana officinalis plant helps with hypertension by reducing anxiety and stress, which are risk factors for hypertension, through its sedative properties.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the extract of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant helps with hypertension by reducing blood pressure due to its diuretic and antioxidant properties, which help to decrease the levels of sodium and increase the levels of potassium in the body.
• Powder: A powder made from the leaves of the Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) plant helps with hypertension by reducing stress and anxiety, which are risk factors for hypertension, through its adaptogenic properties.
• Tea: A tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant helps with hypertension by reducing blood pressure due to its flavonoid content, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help to improve blood vessel function.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the extract of the Polygonum cuspidatum plant helps with hypertension by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in blood vessels, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.
• Extract: An extract of the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba plant helps with hypertension by improving blood vessel function and reducing blood pressure due to its flavonoid and terpenoid content, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Gel: A gel made from the extract of the Aloe vera plant helps with hypertension by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in blood vessels, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the extract of the Capsicum annuum plant helps with hypertension by reducing pain and inflammation in blood vessels, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.
• Salve: A salve made from the extract of the Lavandula angustifolia plant helps with hypertension by reducing anxiety and stress, which are risk factors for hypertension, through its sedative properties.