High blood pressure: The herb that 'significantly' lowers hypertension (2024)

High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce reading

High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease by forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood around the body. To stave off the threat of serious health complications, it is therefore vital to reverse a high blood pressure reading. Certain dietary items have been promoted for their blood pressure-lowering process.

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One that has attracted the interest of researchers in the field is ginger; a flowering plant that is mostly cultivated for its root.

There are some animal studies that hint at the blood-pressure lowering mechanism of ginger but human studies have been found wanting.

The aim of a systematic review in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) was to review the existing evidence on human applications.

Researchers sifted through a number of databases, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify notable research in this area.

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High blood pressure: The herb that 'significantly' lowers hypertension (4)

High blood pressure: Ginger has been shown to lower hypertension (Image: Getty Images)

After analysing full-text papers, one study stood out.

The study examined the effects of 50 and 100mg/kg of ginger and placebo in healthy subjects.

During the study, 100 mg/kg dose significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure diastolic within two hours.

What these numbers mean

Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.

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    The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.

    They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

    Despite the encouraging finding, "more human trials studying the effect of ginger on hypertensive patients using different dosages of a standardised extract are needed", the researchers concluded.

    General tips to lower high blood pressure

    One of the most important countermeasures against high blood pressure is to cut back on salt.

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    Worst offenders: Salt raises blood pressure (Image: Getty Images)

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    Why? "A high salt diet disrupts the natural sodium balance in the body," explains Action on Salt, a group of specialists concerned with salt and its effects on health.

    The health body continued: "This causes the body to retain water, which increases the pressure of the pushing of blood against the vessel walls."

    "As a nation, if we can cut one gram of salt from our average daily salt intake, there would be approximately 6,000 fewer deaths from strokes and heart attacks each year in the UK."

    According to UK health guidelines, you should aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.

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    High blood pressure: The herb that 'significantly' lowers hypertension (9)

    High blood pressure: How to assess a high blood pressure reading (Image: Getty Images)

    "Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure," says the NHS.

    You should aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, notes the health body.

    "Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time."

    Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:

    • Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
    • Spread your drinking over three days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week.

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    High blood pressure: The herb that 'significantly' lowers hypertension (2024)

    FAQs

    High blood pressure: The herb that 'significantly' lowers hypertension? ›

    Thyme is a very effective herb to reduce high blood pressure. It provides many healthful compounds, typically rosmarinic acid. This compound works to reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, increase blood flow, and lower high blood pressure thanks to its ability to inhibit ACE.

    What is the most effective herb for high blood pressure? ›

    That said, there are several promising herbs and spices you can incorporate into your diet that may help lower your blood pressure. They include basil, parsley, celery seeds, Chinese cat's claw, Bacopa monnieri, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, to name a few.

    Which herb is an effective remedy against hypertension? ›

    Home remedies for lowering hypertension include a number of herbs, such as cinnamon, ginger, garlic, and more. High blood pressure (BP), or hypertension, is a major risk factor for various health conditions such as: Heart attack.

    What's the best natural remedy for high blood pressure? ›

    Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
    • Balance nutrients. Go for less sodium (under 1,500 mg per day) and more potassium. ...
    • Put probiotics on your side. Eating food that contains probiotics—consumable live bacteria—has been linked to healthier blood pressure. ...
    • Lose even a little weight. ...
    • Move more. ...
    • Relieve stress.

    How can I bring my BP down quickly? ›

    How to lower your blood pressure immediately without medication
    1. A 60-second trick to lower blood pressure immediately is to take a deep breath and try to relax. ...
    2. Drink some water. ...
    3. Try some mild physical activity. ...
    4. Eat some dark chocolate. ...
    5. Take a cold shower. ...
    6. Get some sun. ...
    7. Drink beetroot and apple juice.
    Apr 1, 2024

    What is Chinese medicine for high blood pressure? ›

    The trial demonstrated that a Chinese herbal patent formula, Songling Xuemaikang Capsules (SXC), was noninferior to losartan in reducing office diastolic BP after an 8-week treatment. The results of all BP outcomes consistently showed that SXC had similar effects as losartan in lowering BP.

    What tea lowers blood pressure fast? ›

    Green tea. Green tea is a popular beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It contains bioactive compounds called catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been associated with various health benefits, including blood pressure reduction.

    What should I do if my blood pressure is 160 over 100? ›

    Combination drug therapy — If a person has very high blood pressure (eg, 160/100 mmHg or higher), then combination therapy with two drugs at the same time rather than monotherapy (treatment with a single medication) may be the initial step in blood pressure treatment.

    What is the number one thing to lower blood pressure? ›

    Reduce salt (sodium) in your diet

    Even a small reduction of sodium in the diet can improve heart health and reduce high blood pressure by about 5 to 6 mm Hg . The effect of sodium intake on blood pressure varies among groups of people. In general, limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less.

    What African herb is good for high blood pressure? ›

    Several scientific studies have established the potency of African bitterleaf (Vernonia amydalina) in reducing blood pressure with little or no side effects. The bitterleaf plant is indigenous to Africa and has been commonly used as traditional medicine for centuries.

    How quickly does CoQ10 lower blood pressure? ›

    High blood pressure

    However, it may take 4 to 12 weeks to see any change. In one analysis, after reviewing 12 clinical studies, researchers concluded that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg, without significant side effects.

    What is the best drink in the morning for high blood pressure? ›

    There are a range of drinks that may help lower a person's blood pressure in the morning. If a person with hypertension usually drinks coffee or sugary juice in the morning, it may be beneficial for them to swap it for beetroot juice, unsalted tomato juice, green tea, or unsweetened pomegranate juice.

    What food lowers blood pressure quickly? ›

    No single food can quickly lower blood pressure. However, some foods may help a person lower their blood pressure in general. These include anthocyanin-rich berries , bananas and other foods containing potassium, beetroot juice and beets, leafy green vegetables , and more.

    How quickly does ginger lower blood pressure? ›

    One study has found that taking a ginger supplement daily for eight weeks significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Additionally, ginger may be able to support high cholesterol levels, and in turn, overall heart health.

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