Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Herbal Medicine For High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Blood pressure is the force of blood exerting effort against the walls of the arteries as your heart pumps out blood throughout your body. If this pressure becomes elevated and remains high over time, it can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, stroke and coronary heart disease. Hypercholesterolemia or high blood cholesterol is the presence of increased cholesterol in the blood. If you have excessive cholesterol in your blood, the excess may be deposited in your arteries and cause blockages and narrowing which can eventually lead to heart disease. While there are innumerable natural herbs used by herbologists and other alternative health practitioners in treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol, there are five potent ones that a person should be aware of.


Garlic


Garlic has been used in numerous cultures for thousands of years as both medicine and food. Garlic contains a potent active ingredient called allicin which may help prevent heart disease, including high cholesterol, atherosclerosis (disease in which plaque accumulates on the insides of your arteries) and high blood pressure. Garlic can be found in supermarkets and in capsule form in most health food stores.


Gotu Kola


Gotu kola is a medicinal herb that has been used in China, Indonesia and India. It was utilized to improve mental clarity, treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and leprosy and heal wounds. Gotu kola contains an active ingredient called triterpenes, which can help the body fight harmful toxins and treat hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and hypertension (high blood pressure). This herb can be found in tablet form or as a tea.


Hawthorn








Hawthorne is a shrub or small tree and a member of the rose family. It includes a potent active ingredient called hawthorn flavonoid which can treat numerous cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, atherosclerosis and irregular heartbeat. It is especially used by traditional herbal practitioners for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The berries and flowers of hawthorn are both used for treating these diseases. Hawthorne is available as a tea or capsule.








Ginger


Ginger is a thick, beige, knotted underground stem. It is ribbed, long and has green leaves and white flowers. It has been used in food dishes and as a medicine in Asian and Middle Eastern traditions since ancient times. Ginger contains numerous potent active ingredients including volatile oils, gingerol and shogaols. It used by herbologists to treat digestive problems and cardiac illnesses including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Ginger can be consumed alone or in capsule form.


Gingko Biloba


Gingko biloba is one of the oldest living tree species with no close living relatives. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is among the highest selling herbal medications in the world. The leaves of the Gingko tree include two potent substances called terpenoids and flavonoids. Both these substances are believed to treat numerous cardiovascular diseases including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Tags: high blood, high cholesterol, been used, high blood pressure, active ingredient, active ingredient called, blood pressure