High blood pressure.

Newsgroup: alt.folklore.herbs
From: vandy.avana.net (Vandy)
Date: 31 Jan 1996 22:41:16 GMT
Subject: Re: high blood pressure

>I have high blood pressure. I have had it since the age of 29. My family has a history of it. I have tried many of the medications used to treat high blood pressure. I have had a reaction to every medication. I would like to try an herbs to lower it. I am currently taking, cayenne, garlic, and dandelion.
>I have tried black cohosh, but it gives me a severe headache. Is there something else that I can do?

What is causing the high blood pressure? Yes, a predisposition to high blood pressure can be inherited, but you have to do something to trigger the tendency. Weight control, ample exercise, avoiding anti-histamine drugs (cold tables, sleep aids, diet aids), avoiding foods/beverages containing stimulants (caffeine containing drinks, chocolate, high processed sugar contents) are all a part of proper body maintenance. Taking some drug/herb to reduce the blood pressure with out removing the causal agent, confuses the normal body functions leading to an ever greater need for more drugs to control the unwanted bad condition.

If you have done all of the above, think about changing jobs or life styles to a less stressful mode. Try some of the teas that are used to sooth children to sleep. Research your condition and discover the 'root' problem, then solve it. Too many doctors (IMHO) prefer to hand out pills, rather than actually heal the patient. Find a good doctor that will work with you to overcome the condition, rather than just treat it.

From: Maggie Houston <maggua.vnet.net>

One of the best herbs for high blood pressure comes from Europe. Many women were claimed to be witches because they had this bush growing in their yards. I've used hawtorneberry tincture and cayenne for several years on and off as I've needed it. Several years ago I was dizzy and the problem was very high blood pressure. Instead of checking into the hospital I went home and started taking these two tinctures several times a day. I would take as much cayenne as I could stand each time. Within 4 days my blood pressure returned to normal. Also I added meditation to my routine and I can't tell you the major benefits I have received. I have learned that for many women high blood pressure comes as a symptom of menopause.

From: Michael Wedge <mikew.alaska.net>

There are a variety of ways to control blood pressure. The best approach is a comprehensive one taking iinto consideration diet, exercise, stress, nutritional supplementation and herbs. Supplementation or incresed dietary intake of potassium and magnesium are important. From the herbal perspective use European mistletoe and hawthorn berry. If stress is a contributing factor add valerian or skullcap. Dandelion leaf as a diuretic may be needed. There are a varity of other Western herbs that can be used. Whatever herbs you use keep in mind that the specific mix and ration are adjusted in an attempt to correct the hypertension.

From the Chinese herbal perspective, there are also many effective herbs and combinations of herbs to correct hypertension. For this approach you should see a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine.

Mike M.Ac.O.M., L.Ac.