Herbs that lower blood pressure quickly in Chinese medicine

High blood pressure is a particularly scary health condition to have. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure often has no symptoms at all, so an individual might not realize just how unhealthy they are until they go for a routine checkup at their physician and discover that they have high blood pressure.

To make matters worse, many of the medications that are typically prescribed for this condition can have side effects that are unpleasant or that affect the individual's quality of life. Use the following herbs to add incredible flavor to meals while also reducing blood pressure quickly.

Ginkgo biloba
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), Ginkgo biloba could be responsible for thinning the blood and dilating the blood vessels, making the blood circulate more easily. In addition, Ginkgo biloba is also high in antioxidants. Called terpenoids and flavonoids, these substances have been shown to lower blood pressure as well as improve heart health, according to the UMMC.

Hawthorn
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook touts the health benefits of this herb. Hawthorn aids in supporting the overall health of the cardiovascular system by strengthening the walls of the heart as well as acting as a tonic for the organ. According to the authors of the aforementioned book, hawthorn can also be used to reduce blood pressure when it is taken as directed. However, the authors do caution that a doctor's supervision should be sought when it comes to taking this herb as a method of improving heart health.

Rauwolfia serpentina
Also called Indian snakeroot, Rauwolfia serpentina has been used for years as a traditional medication to treat a number of ailments related to the heart. It is used to improve cardiovascular health while also lowering blood pressure. This herb contains high levels of alkaloid reserpine, a powerful compound that helps regulate heart function. It is particularly useful when high blood pressure or other heart issues are the result of anxiety and stress.

Garlic
Though listed last, garlic is by far not the least of these herbals powerhouses. Long known to be highly effective for a number of medicinal purposes, its many benefits are still being discovered. Recently, research conducted by the University of Berlin made a connection between garlic and the removal of nanoplaque. Nanoplaque is a substance that can be deposited on cell walls, resulting in the clogging of the arteries and leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. Garlic can help prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol and relieve Hypertension.

For those people who have a family history of High Blood Pressure, or who want to help ensure that their hypertension does not get worse, adding the above herbs to their diet might be able to help.