| More often than not, stress is a contributory factor | | | | are used medicinally. |
| to high blood pressure. When we feel relaxed, so is | | | | You should never take Hawthorne without the advice |
| everything actually in our body, including our blood | | | | of your GP AND a herbalist. To find a herbalist look |
| vessels. As we have seen, it's the constriction and | | | | at the useful contact listing at the bottom of this |
| restriction of the blood vessels which causes high | | | | article. |
| blood pressure so anything which causes these to | | | | Other Useful Herbs |
| dilate or relax is beneficial. | | | | Fennel, black pepper, ginger, oregano, basil, tarragon |
| Here are some alternative ways to treat high blood | | | | and hyssop all contain compounds which can help to |
| pressure using herbs, aromatherapy and yoga. | | | | lower blood pressure. Fennel and ginger also make |
| Herbs | | | | delicious herbal teas and combine well with lemon |
| Lemon Balm - (melissa officinalis) | | | | balm. |
| This is a green leafy herb, similar in appearance to | | | | Aromatherapy |
| mint and almost as easy to grow. The herb is | | | | Aromatherapy oils are easy and safe alternatives if |
| so-called because it's leaves have a lemony scent. It | | | | they are used correctly. They should never be taken |
| is known for it's calming and relaxing effects, and has | | | | internally or applied neat on the skin, except in the |
| a strengthening effect on the muscles. | | | | case of lavender and tea tree oil. You can either burn |
| It was introduced to Britain in 4th C by the Romans | | | | 5-8 drops in an oil burner or make your own massage |
| and is also good for digestion, abdominal cramps, | | | | oil by diluting 5-10 drops in 10ml of almond oil. |
| stress and nerves. The essential oil is good as an | | | | Choose oils that have relaxing and calming properties. |
| insect repellent but, as with all essential oils, should | | | | Try rose, ylang ylang, marjoram, lavender, cypress, |
| never be taken internally. | | | | chamomille, clary sage and rosewood. |
| Lemon balm leaves are wonderful in salads or used | | | | Yoga |
| as marinade for chicken and fish. | | | | Yoga can also help to reduce high blood pressure |
| This herb should not be used by pregnant women | | | | because it stretches, elongates and massages the |
| because it relaxes the cervical muscles. | | | | blood vessels which improves circulation and |
| Stinging Nettles | | | | encourages the blood vessels to remain soft. Stress |
| Stinging nettles have been useful in the treatment of | | | | can also increase blood pressure and yoga, with it's |
| arthritis and are full of vitamin C. They stimulate and | | | | relaxing principles can help combat that. It is worth |
| cleanse the body and improve heart function. | | | | noting that yoga is also a weight bearing exercises |
| Believe it or not, they actually make good tea. Pick | | | | because some of the poses require you to hold up |
| the top fresh shoots from the plant and follow the | | | | your own body weight. Weight bearing exercise can |
| instructions on the left to make herbal tea. | | | | help to prevent osteoporosis, a disease which |
| Hawthorne | | | | affects one third of women and two thirds of men |
| Hawthorne relaxes muscles, stimulates heart | | | | over the age of 50. |
| metabolism and strengthens heart contractions. It | | | | Remember that all these are only a few from the |
| also causes the blood vessels to dilate and improves | | | | natural ways to lower blood pressure. Many other |
| blood supply to the heart. Hawthorne can be found in | | | | useful information will be published in further articles |
| English hedgerows and was believed to have magical | | | | regarding lowering blood pressure using a natural |
| properties in pagan times. It is usually the berries that | | | | treatment. |