Natural remedies for hypertension

What is hypertension?

What are the blood pressure values of hypertension?

What are the main herbal remedies for hypertension?

What are the properties of hawthorn?

Why is hawthorn useful for high blood pressure?

What is garlic used for?

What are the properties of the olive tree?

Blood pressure is the force that the heart exerts to promote blood circulation in our body. It is a value directly proportional to the force (in this case that exerted by the heart) and inversely proportional to the surface (in this specific case the surface of the blood vessels).

Therefore, the greater the force of contraction of the heart, the greater the blood pressure. On the contrary, if the surface on which the blood will flow increases, the pressure will decrease (in case of vasodilation).

When we talk about blood pressure, we must distinguish systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the pressure corresponding to the contraction of the heart, more precisely to the contraction of the left ventricle with subsequent release of blood into circulation. Diastolic pressure, on the other hand, is the pressure measured between one contraction and another, i.e. when the heart relaxes and refills in preparation for a new contraction.

Blood pressure is considered hypertension when systolic pressure values exceed 140mmHg and diastolic values exceed 90mmHg.

More precisely, we are talking about 3 levels of hypertension which can be summarized as follows:

-1st Level Systolic 140-159 Diastolic 90-99

-2nd Level Systolic 160-179 Diastolic 100-109

-3rd Level Systolic >180 Diastolic >120

Arterial hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases which in turn represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in adult patients. There are many therapies and are established by the cardiologist based on the situation of each individual patient. As a result, taking an antihypertensive is not like taking a headache tablet.

Herbal remedies

In this article we will examine what the main phytotherapeutic remedies are to combat hypertension. The information provided must not replace the doctor's opinion or ongoing therapies but nevertheless constitutes important information, in particular for subjects with a borderline normal-high blood pressure level (systolic 130-139 diastolic 85-89) where no action has yet been taken a pharmacological therapy.

The phytotherapeutic remedies that have the most cardioprotective properties are hawthorn, garlic and olive.

The Hawthorn

The leaves and flowers of the hawthorn constitute what in pharmacognosy is defined as a "drug", that is, that part of the plant richest in active molecules. The main classes of molecules responsible for the antihypertensive and cardioprotective effect of hawthorn are flavonoids, procyanidins, amines, sterols and terpenes.

Thanks to the presence of these active ingredients, hawthorn is able to:

-Perform an important protective and antioxidant action.

-Regulate the entry of calcium into cells.

-Relax the coronary and peripheral blood vessels.

Thanks to its particular biological mechanisms, hawthorn carries out an action:

►Positive inotrope (stimulates heart contraction).

►Positive dromotropa (stimulates the cardiac electrical impulse).

►Negative chronotropic (reduces heart rate).

►Negative batmotropic (reduces the excitability of the heart).

It is therefore considered a cardiotonic and antiarrhythmic phytoremediation. It also has sedative and anxiolytic properties. It is therefore useful in cases of mild hypertension (particularly if associated with anxiety or stress), tachycardia, heart failure, palpitations, anxiety and insomnia.

Like most phytotherapeutic remedies, it is available in the form of mother tincture, glycerine macerate, infusion or dry extract in capsules or tablets. We recommend taking formulations with hyperoside titrations between 1 and 2.5%. To obtain an antihypertensive and cardioprotective effect, we recommend taking 15-30mg of hyperoside per day for 3 months, monitoring the parameters and doing cycles. It is not recommended to take it with other antihypertensive, anxiolytic and sedative drugs.

The garlic

Garlic is a bulbous herbaceous plant belonging to the Liliaceae family. The part of the plant used is the bulb, a rich source of various phytonutrients which give garlic an important pharmacological action. This important activity is due to the presence of thiosulfinates, volatile sulfur-based compounds also responsible for the characteristic pungent flavor and odor of this plant.

Thanks to the presence of these active ingredients, garlic has various properties:

-Antiplatelet action

-Hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic action

-Antihypertensive action, promoting vasodilation

-It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral action

It can be taken as a liquid extract, infusion or in capsules/tablets.

We recommend taking 500-750mg of dry extract titrated at 2% alliin.

Garlic should not be used with other antihypertensive drugs and especially with other antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.

The olive tree

Olive leaves contain several active ingredients such as flavone pigments, oleuropeoside, choline, oleanolic acid, saponins and alkaloids.

The olive tree contributes to normal blood circulation, promotes the regularity of blood pressure, promotes the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids and has an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Thanks to the presence of these active ingredients, the olive tree is useful as a phytotherapeutic remedy in mild hypertension and atherosclerosis. The association with Hawthorn is very useful.

It is recommended to take it as a decoction, liquid extract or dry extract in capsules/tablets.

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