HYPERTENSION HERBAL TREATMENT

Herbal Treatment, Herbal Remedies in Use

Herbal treatment using herbal remedies made of herbs, plants and even fruits has been a long practice for thousand of years in the eastern part of the world, China, India and Indonesia in particular. The knowledge about healing herbs, formula compounding and the art of healing from ancient time has been recorded neatly in manuscripts and other means of written knowledge.

Our ancestors have taught this precious knowledge from generation to generation and at present are well known as the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and Indonesian Traditional Jamu Healing.

The similarity of each healing tradition lies in their basic concept which put forward the holistic approach when curing a disease or disorder. This is a holistic approach which balances the inner power or energy of a human being with the nature represented by the healing herbs and plants as a gift of God.

Each healing herb or plant has their own characteristic translated into the warm-cold, sweet-bitter, dry-wet, positive and negative, and so on, as the great principle of equilibrium. On the other hand, diseases or disorders are also translated similarly according to this principle.

The following are some well known healing herbs that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of hypertension in those three long proven effective tradition of healing:

HYPERTENSION HEALING HERBS

ALFALFA (Medicago satina)

Indian Name: Alfalfa. This is a leguminous herb that grows up to 50 cm in height. It has rich green alternate leaves, purplish flowers and adapts itself to widely varying conditions of soil and climate. Alfalfa is an effective remedy for high blood pressure. It contains all the elements necessary for the softening of hardened arteries, which characterize high blood pressure. Alfalfa is an effective diuretic and acts gently upon the kidneys. It is used in the treatment of the inflammation of the bladder and dropsy, a disease marked by the accumulation of the fluid in the body.

ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis)

Chinese name: lu hui. Indications: Internal: chronic constipation and related skin problems; gastritis, ulcers, indigestion abdominal pains and heartburn, high or low blood pressure; headache, dizziness, and irritability due to liver inflammations; intestinal parasites. External: premature baldness; scrapes, burns, sunburns, skin blemishes, and frosbite; athlete's foot; insect bites; acne; hemorrhoids 

Medicinal part: condensed juice of fresh leaves. 

Therapeutic effects: helps regulate blood pressure by clearing debris from veins and arteries 

Dosage: Condensed juice purchased from Chinese pharmacy should be taken in the following dosages for internal use, mixed with a few ounces of water: Stomachic 0.1-0.2 gram, Laxative 0.3-0.6 gram, Purgative 0.8-1.0 gram 

Contra-indications: children with empty-cold constitutions (very pale, frail, prone to respiratory disorders) should not use aloe; adults should not exceed the daily dosages suggested above

ARJUNA (Terminalia arjuna).

Arjuna is a coronary vasodilator. It protects the heart, strengthens circulation, and helps to maintain the tone and health of the heart muscle. It is also useful in stopping bleeding and to promote healing after a heart attack.

Current scientific research has proved that T.arjuna contains specific medically active constituents namely triterpine glycosides like arjunetosides I, II, III, IV, arjunine and arjunetein. Bark of Arjuna tree has been found to be rich in Co-enzyme Q-10 which is frequently prescribed in departments at this time to prevent heart problems

ASTRAGALUS (Astragalus hoantchy)

Chinese name: huang chi (huang qi). Indications: immune deficiency; cancer; chronic fatigue; high blood pressure; prolapse of internal organs; diabetes; cold and weak limbs; cold and flu; bronchitis; hepatitis; adrenal deficiency. 

Medicinal part: root 

Dosage: decoction : 8-12 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach. Liquor: steep 80-100 grams of the sliced root in 1 liter of spirits for 2-3 months; take 1 ounce, twice daily, on an empty stomach, straight or diluted with 1-2 ounces pure water; for better results, also add 40-50 grams ginseng. 

Contra-indications: none

BLOODWORT (Achillea millefolium)

Indian Name: Rojmari or Gandana. Bloodwort is an erect herb that grows up to 30 to 60 cm high. It is bitter, aromatic, stimulant and tonic. It has leafy, grooved stems and alternate, oblong tapering leaves, 5 to 10 cm long. Its flowers are small and crowed with thin scales. The fruits are flat, oblong shaped and shining.

It is also used for treating high blood pressure. It encourages blood flow to the skin whichhelps lower blood pressure. It is the alkaloid in bloodwort which has been reported to lower blood pressure.

CELERY (Apium graveolens)

Indonesian name: Seledri. Celery has long been recommended in Jamu traditional medicine for lowering high blood pressure, and experimental evidence bears this out. In one study, injecting laboratory animals with celery extract significantly lowered their blood pressure. In humans, eating as few as four celery stalks is showing the same result.

CHINESE JUJUBE (Ziziphus vulgaris)

Chinese name: da dzao (da zao). Indications: fatigue; insomnia; hypertension; physical exhaustion; malnutrition 

Medicinal part: Fruit 

Dosage: Decoction: 6 – 12 fruits, crushed (use pliers to crush the kernels inside as well), in two doses, on an empty stomach 

Contra-indications: Gastritis, bloating, and other stomach disorders

CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Chinese name: ju hua. Indications: headache; dizziness; eye aches, and blurry vision due to kidney and liver dysfunctions; high blood pressure; numbness of extremities. 

Medicinal part: flower 

Dosage: infusion: in a large teapot or similar non-metallic vessel, put 8-10 grams of dried flowers and add about 1 liter of boiling water: steep 15-30 minutes, then pour into a separate pot; drink frequently throughout the day, either warm, room temperature, or slightly chilled; the herb can be steeped up to three times; to further improve the flavour and enhance the therapeutic benefits, you can add 4-5 grams of either licorice or Chinese wolfberry (but not both) to the pot. 

Contra-indications: none

CODONOPSIS DANGSHEN

Chinese name:dang shen. Indications: chronic fatigue; hypertension; loss of appetite; indigestion due to hyperacidity; loose bowels; pale complexion; exhaustion after surgery or childbirth; body bloating and facial swelling due to edema; immune deficiency; hyperglycemia 

Medicinal part: root 

Dosage: decoction: 10-15 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach; for digestive ailments, spleen dysfunction, and chronic fatigue, add 6-8 grams of Chinese jujube (crush the flesh and kernels with pliers first) 

Contra-indications: none

EAGLE WOOD (Aquilaria agallocha)

Chinese name: chen hsiang (chen xiang). Indications: pains in chest and abdomen; angina; hypertension and nervous exhaustion, with related symptoms of frequent urination, diarrhea, and gastritis; numbness and paralysis in extremities; neurosis; fatigue 

Medicinal part: Heavy resinous wood 

Dosage: Powder: plain, capsules, pills, or paste; 1 – 3 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach 

Contra-indications: None

GARLIC (Allium sativum)

Chinese name: da suan. Indications: tumors and swelling; tuberculosis; hook-worm, pinworm, and other parasites; diarrhea and dysentery; nosebleed; bacterial infections; abscesses; high cholesterol; arteriosclerosis; high blood pressure; colds and flu; vaginitis; candida and other fungal infections; athlete's foot 

Medicinal part: Bulb 

Dosage: Fresh cloves: 3 – 5 per day; taken raw in food, or in capsules. External: puree of fresh garlic cloves can be applied to abscesses as an antiseptic and healing agent, also to ringworm on the head; for athlete’s foot, apply liberally to infected area and wrap well with a clean, dry cloth for 1 – 2 hours, then remove and wipe away excess garlic with dry cloth (but no water) 

Contra-indications: Excessive use of garlic is said to be harmful to the eyes, cause dizziness, and scatter energy; in TCM, it is said to cause ascending fire energy 

Incompatibles: Honey

GINSENG (Panax ginseng)

Chinese name: ren shen. Indications: nervous exhaustion; lack of appetite; night sweats; cold extremities; recuperation after surgery, long illness, or childbirth; short-term memory loss; impotence; stroke; diabetes; high blood pressure; anemia; heart palpitations; adrenal deficiency; immune deficiency; high or low blood pressure; gastritis; morning sickness 

Medicinal part: Root 

Dosage: Decoction (use ginseng cooker to steam decoct for 30 – 60 minutes): 5 - 10 grams, in one dose, on an empty stomach in the morning.  Acute cases: in cases of hemorrhage, stroke, heart palpitations, and other acute conditions, use 15 – 30 grams.
Liquor: steep 50 – 60 grams of high grade ginseng in 1 liter spirits for 2 – 4 months; take 1 ounce, one or two times daily, on an empty stomach 

Powder: capsules, pills, or paste; 3 – 6 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach 

Contra-indications: Colds, pneumonia, and other lung infections 

Incompatibles: Iron and other metal compounds and utensils; amethyst; Veratum nigrum ; opium; dairy products; tea; white turnip

HAWTHORNE (Crataegus xyantha)

Hawthorne is one of the safest herbal remedies on the market. Hawthorne berries are used to treat cardiovascular disease in many different cultures. In Europe, it is one of the most popular herbs used in alternative medicine today. Studies have shown that Hawthorne berries protect arterial walls, lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels, and strengthen the heart's pumping ability. The full effect usually takes several weeks to months to develop.

INDIAN SNAKEROOT (Rauwolfia serpentina)

This is a powerful herb that can significantly lower blood pressure with only a small dose. The effects of the herb are usually not seen until a few days after the initial administration and have a cumulative effect. Rauwolfia has some side effect the most common is nasal congestion. Less common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.

JAUNDICE BERRY (Berberis vulgaris)

Indian Name: Ambarbaris. Jaundice berry is an erect thorny shrub with stalked, thin and egg shaped leaves in bunches of 10, with yellow flowers and red, oblong berries. It has dark brown bark and yellow wood. 

Jaundice berry is very useful in the treatment of high blood pressure. Research has shown that it dilates the arteries thereby lowering blood pressure.

KUDZU (Pueraria lobata)

Chinese studies suggest that this weedy vine helps normalize blood pressure. In one study, a tea containing about eight teaspoons of kudzu root was given daily to 52 people for two to eight weeks. In 17 people, blood pressure declined significantly. Thirty others showed some other benefits.

Kudzu contains a chemical (puerarin) that has decreased blood pressure by 15 percent in laboratory animals. With 100 times the antioxidant activity of vitamin E, puerarin also helps prevent heart disease and cancer. (antioxidants are substances that neutralize cell-damaging oxygen molecules known as free radicals.)

SAFFRON (Crocus sativus)

This expensive herb contains a blood pressure ­lowering chemical called crocetin. Some authorities even speculate that the low incidence of heart disease in Spain is due to that nation's high saffron consumption. You can use saffron in your cooking or make a tea with it.

TUCKAHOE (Porio cocos)

Chinese name: fu ling. Indications: hypertension; heart palpitations; scant urination; indigestion and lack of appetite; insomnia; excess fluid in stomach; spermatorrhea 

Medicinal part: tuberous fungal body] 

Dosage: decoction : 8-15 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach.
powder : plain, capsules, pills; 5-10 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach. 

Contra-indications: none. 

Incompatibles: vinegar and any food prepared with vinegar; Ampelopsis serjanaefolia ; Sanguisorba officinalis; Justicia gendarussa ; tortoise shell; bear gall.

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis)

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a substance found in our body that helps control blood pressure. Valerian contains a chemical called valerenic acid that inhibits an enzyme that breaks down GABA. Ingesting something containing valerenic acid would, in effect, ensure higher levels of GABA and lower blood pressure. Valerian is also a tranquilizer/sedative, which also helps reduce blood pressure.

WILD CHINESE JUJUBE (Ziziphus jujuba)

Chinese name: suan dzao ren (suan zao ren). Indications: insomnia; neurasthenia; heart palpitation; hypertension; profuse prespiration; chronic thirst; malnutrition 

Medicinal part: seed (kernel of the pit) 

Dosage: decoction : 6-12 grams, in two doses, on an empty stomach. 

Contra-indications: none. 

Incompatibles: Cocculus japonicus; herbs of Menispermaceae family.

Remarks: This is one of the most popular herbs for insomnia, hypertension, and other nervous disorders, Nontoxic and nutritious, it can be used long-term, and regular use is said to brighten .

Article by: Uno Birawan