Herbal high blood pressure medications can help lower blood pressure, what are they?

According to data from the Indonesian Society of Hypertension, one in four adults in Indonesia has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. There are many ways to treat hypertension, including lifestyle changes and / or medications. Apart from these two options, you are actually surrounded by many choices of herbal high blood pressure medications that are known to be able to lower blood pressure.

Herbal high blood pressure medication that can be used to lower blood pressure

If you are thinking about trying herbal high blood pressure medications for medical reasons, whether it's herbs or dietary supplements, discuss it with your doctor first. Some spices, especially when consumed in large amounts, can produce unwanted side effects or interfere with the effectiveness of other medicines.

Here are some herbal high blood pressure medications that are commonly used to help lower your blood pressure.

1. Garlic

Garlic has the ability to relax and dilate blood vessels thanks to the active compound allicin. This effect allows blood to flow more smoothly, which in turn lowers blood pressure. However, the reduction in blood pressure was small, at less than 10 percent.

You can add fresh garlic to a number of your favorite food recipes. If the garlic taste is too strong for you, you can grill it first. And if you are completely against eating garlic, you can get garlic in the form of a medicinal supplement.

2. Ginger

Ginger is known as a herbal high blood pressure remedy because it can help control blood pressure by increasing blood circulation and relaxing the muscles around blood vessels. You can add fresh ginger slices to any of your favorite soup or noodle recipes. Or, you can add chopped ginger to warm tea for an afternoon snack time.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another kitchen spice that can lower your blood pressure. Consuming cinnamon every day has been shown to lower blood pressure in diabetics. Include cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling ground cinnamon on breakfast cereals, oatmeal, and even in your coffee.

4. Cardamom

Cardamom is a spice native to India which is usually used for cooking curries, and has been known as a herbal high blood pressure remedy. One study found that participants who were given powdered cardamom every day for several months experienced a drastic drop in their blood pressure readings. You can include whole cardamom seeds or seasonings in your braised chicken marinade, soups, and drinks.

5. Chocolate

Several human studies have found that eating dark chocolate or cocoa powder, or cocoa products fortified with flavanols can lower blood pressure slightly lower in people with hypertension and those with pre-hypertension.

Chocolate can affect the body's nitric oxide system resulting in dilation of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Chocolate can also inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Meanwhile, further research is still needed because not everyone experiences the same blood pressure-lowering effect.

One thing to keep in mind is that chocolate also contains caffeine and sugar. Large amounts of caffeine (greater than 400mg a day) can raise blood pressure and sugar levels can affect blood sugar levels.

6.Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

People with mild hypertension who took the CoQ10 supplement reported a drastic reduction in their blood pressure with the side effect of drinking it. In addition, the efficacy of CoQ10 in reducing blood pressure also arises from a different mechanism from the main antihypertensive drugs.

7. Omega 3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids found in oily fish such as salmon and tuna, and some plant foods. Research shows that omega-3s can be used as herbal high blood pressure medications to help lower blood pressure, although the effect of lowering blood pressure is small.

To achieve a blood pressure-lowering effect that is significant, you need to take higher omega-3 supplements as needed, but high doses can cause an increased risk of bleeding in susceptible people. This includes people with bleeding disorders or who are taking medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or ginkgo.

8. Amino acids

Many studies have suggested that L-arginine supplements can lower blood pressure; However, the effects last only a short time and can sometimes get out of hand. Other amino acids, such as L-taurine, may also have a similar effect on lowering blood pressure.

9. Magnesium

Magnesium as a herbal high blood pressure medication is known to be able to reduce blood pressure, although it only has a small effect. Magnesium is especially beneficial for people with high blood pressure who are deficient in magnesium, and magnesium sulfate infusions are commonly given to treat preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnancy.

10. Green coffee

Several studies have found that chlorogenic acid, a component in green coffee extract, can lower blood pressure. Ferulic acid, a 5-caffeoylquinic acid metabolite, may also be responsible for the blood pressure-lowering effect of green coffee extract.

More research is needed in particular with regard to side effects and drug interactions - for example, one study found that high doses of chlorogenic acid (2g per day) raised plasma homocysteine levels (a risk factor for heart disease), whereas lower doses did not. Green coffee extract is also said to promote weight loss, a lifestyle change that can help manage high blood pressure.

Herbal high blood pressure medicine is not to cure high blood pressure

Food supplements or herbal high blood pressure medications cannot cure hypertension. Some natural supplements can trigger dangerous interactions with high blood pressure medications. Others have been shown to help increase your blood pressure, such as yohimbine root. So, always consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Do not easily believe the advertisements for diabetes cure drugs that are widely circulating in the market. The original drug that actually makes diabetes go away has certainly been tested successfully over and over again in clear clinical trials.

High blood pressure cannot be cured because it is not an independent disease, but a collection of syndromes or symptoms of other diseases. So it is very important to continue to regularly take your high blood pressure medication that has been prescribed according to the doctor's dosage. Supplements and other forms of alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care (for example, statin drugs) to treat high blood pressure. Hypertension that is not controlled can actually cause an increased risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke or even death.