A Natural Approach to Treating Hypertension

There are many ways to lower one's blood pressure. Each of us is an individual and each individual with hypertension requires an individualized approach to their high blood pressure. Some people will develop hypertension secondarily to other conditions such as renal disease and diabetes. Others acquire high blood pressure do to fluid retention, this can relate to cardiovascular and circulatory issues, or often it can be related to electrolyte imbalances. A very common cause of hypertension is nervous stimulation and low grade anxiety.

Each of these different causes may require different interventions. Most patients will have more than one of these aspects interacting in their life and manifesting as high blood pressure. When working with my patients, we address their personal needs and the specific issues in their life that relate to their health. From this knowledge, I develop a personalized approach to return them to normal physiological and psychological functioning.

Following are some basic interventions I prescribe for my patients with hypertension. This is only a sampling and I may not use all of these with any one patient. I may also use other interventions with some patients that I have not covered in this posting. The natural approach combines a number of interventions blended together to add up to a safe and simple healing effect. By supporting a number of systems in the body and addressing health conditions from a variety of directions, natural medicine assists the body's attempts to heal and normalize itself.

CoQ10
CoEnzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) is a wonderful nutritional supplement. It is used in every cell throughout the body for energy production. There are a number of studies showing its healing effects. Research has shown benefit for failing kidneys. It has been shown to help with heart disease and arrhythmias. There is much interest in amongst the anti-aging crowd. And yes, studies have shown it to be a helpful supplement for high blood pressure as well (Hodgson JM et al 2002).

One study of 109 patients with high blood pressure were given 225 mg of CoQ10 daily. Many were able to gradually reduce their medication over a one to six month period. Fifty-one percent of the subject were able to completely discontinue some of their medications after they began CoQ10 supplementation(Langsjoen P et al 1994).

Another study confirmed this blood pressure lowering effect (Burke BE et al 2001). Blood pressure was significantly lowered by an average of 17.8 mm HG amongst test subjects.

CoQ10 is relatively safe and helpful for a number of conditions. Cost is the most prohibitive factor -- a good dosage is 100mg, 2-3 times daily.

Magnesium
Another set of nutritional supplements to consider for hypertension are the minerals - calcium, potassium and magnesium. Numerous studies have connected low dietary magnesium to increased an risk of developing hypertension. A recent review (Champagne CM 2008) suggests that magnesium plays a major role in blood pressure regulation. Some research is based on understanding the biochemical and physiological mechanisms related to magnesium and blood pressure (Touyz RM 2006). Most all studies show a clear relationship between low magnesium levels and high blood pressure. A good dose is 500mg daily taken at night.

Olive Leaf Extract
Herbal supplements have shown real promise in controlling hypertension. One such herb is olive leaf. A few studies have shown an anti-hypertensive effect (Cherif S 1996) (Perrinjaquet-Moccetti T et al 2008). Do to no adverse reactions to taking olive leaf extract, it seems worth a try. A common dose would be 500mg daily.

Hawthorn Berry
An herbal extract of hawthorn berries (Crataegus oxycantha) can be great for cardiovascular support. Hawthorn berries are full of anti-oxidants with protective qualities particular to the blood vessels and cardiovascular system. These delicious red berries also have a mild anti-anxiety effect - this relates to hypertension. Many patients with hypertension have an over active sysmpathetic nervous system. Some older studies of hawthorn indicated lowering of blood pressure. A more recent pilot study supports these older less controlled experiments (Walker AF et al 2002) indicating a blood pressure lowering effect.

Motherwort
As an herb, motherwort ( Leonurus cardiaca) has many useful purposes, many of which relate to heart health. It normalizes heart function, and it is a nervine and general tonic to the heart. Traditionally, motherwort has been used for a number issues related to mothering -- either difficulties being a mother or issues with one's mother. It's relaxing qualities over time returns a heart to a normal rhythm and lowers high blood pressure. This herb is supported more by traditional and clinical use then from modern scientific research. Most of the research has looked at this herb's ability to relax the nervous system. Here is a nice description of this herb's background, research and uses (click here).

Linden Tree
The flowers of Tilia europaea, or Linden trees have traditionally been used for nervous tension and high blood pressure. The blossoms have a relaxing quality and have been used as a mildly anti-anxiety herb. Though there are not many scientific studies to support its use, there is a long tradition. Linden blossoms work well combined with other blood pressure lowering herbs.


Often I will combine a number of these interventions for any one patient. For example, I might prescribe 100mg of CoQ10, twice daily and 500mg of magnesium once daily at night.
And then I might suggest mixing equal parts of Tilia, Leonurus and Crataegus tinctures together and dose 30-60 drops of the herbal blend 3-4 times daily.

The important part is to work with the patient and continually check to make sure any strategy developed for an individual patient is actually working. Over time the methods used may be altered as the patient's body normalizes and healing moves on to deeper and deeper levels.

Keep in mind -- always work with your doctor to develop a strategy best suited to your individual needs.