When you have high blood pressure, the first thing you’re usually advised is to take a pill. But have you ever wondered what people did before these pills existed?
Because there are ancient, natural remedies that provide answers to heart issues.
Your heart is the cornerstone of your overall well-being, and heart disease is a silent yet deadly enemy.
For more than 80 years, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming a life every 36 seconds and resulting in 655,000 annual deaths.
To combat this alarming trend, conventional medicine relies on medications such as statins, anticoagulants, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. However, these pharmaceutical drugs come with harmful side effects.
For instance, beta blockers may induce fatigue, headaches, and dizziness, while statins can lead to muscle pain, liver complications, heightened diabetes risk, and neurological issues like memory loss.
Furthermore, specific blood pressure medications have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic, lung, and liver cancer.
So, why not safeguard your heart health with time-tested AND scientifically proven solutions?
Today, we will explore six natural remedies that have been proven to assist in lowering blood pressure, reducing harmful cholesterol levels, and clearing arterial plaque buildup.
You will discover:
A zesty root that helps combat inflammation effectively.
A delicious tea that researchers are considering as a promising solution for heart disease.
A golden root that can reduce cholesterol levels in just 30 days…and much more!
Let’s start with a simple shrub that provides dramatic heart-protective benefits. Number 6 is “HAWTHORN”
Hawthorn berries have been used for centuries to help with high blood pressure.
But first, let’s look at why high blood pressure, or hypertension, is dangerous.
When you have high blood pressure, the sheer force can damage your artery lining, and allow plaque to build up in the damaged areas, leading to atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory condition where plaque accumulates in your artery lining, and reduces blood flow.
Plaque is a sticky substance made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other materials.
Your heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout your body and this can potentially cause chest pain.
Eventually, high blood pressure can knock out pieces of loose plaque which can completely block the artery, causing a heart attack, stroke, or even death.
This is where hawthorn, in the form of tea, or extracts can help.
Hawthorn berries are rich in compounds called procyanidins, that can help dilate coronary arteries, improve circulation, and lower blood pressure.
They also have powerful anti-inflammatory effects that can help calm chronic inflammation in heart disease like atherosclerosis.
In Europe, hawthorn extracts are commonly used for mild to moderate congestive heart failure, a condition where the heart struggles to pump sufficient oxygenated blood throughout the body.
In a review of studies published in the “Natural Medicine Journal”, hawthorn extracts helped regulate heart rhythm, and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, ankle swelling, and nighttime urination in individuals with Class 2 and 3 congestive heart failure.
Furthermore, these berries also boost exercise tolerance, reduce angina (chest pain), and enhance overall quality of life.
Natural health experts recommend using hawthorn extract standardized to 18.5% oligomeric procyanidins in daily doses of 250 to 500 milligrams.
Before you begin taking any new supplements, it’s important to talk to your doctor to make sure they do not interact adversely with your existing health conditions or medications.
This advice applies to all the supplements we’ll mention in the rest of this article.
Our next botanical remedy is commonly found in your local park. Number 5 is “HIBISCUS”.
Similar to hawthorn, hibiscus is a traditional remedy known for its ability to lower blood pressure and support heart health.
Research published in the journal “Fitoterapia” has demonstrated that hibiscus extracts can effectively reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, performing as well as popular pharmaceutical drugs like Captopril.
In addition, hibiscus extracts have been found to aid in lowering triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels, which are associated with the development of atherosclerosis.
These beneficial effects are attributed to the high content of anthocyanins in hibiscus, natural antioxidants responsible for the plant’s vibrant red color.
These antioxidants play a vital role in preventing fat oxidation and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Simply drink one to two cups of hibiscus tea daily to maintain optimal heart and blood vessel health.
Hibiscus tea offers a tart yet pleasant flavor that can be enhanced with a touch of honey or stevia for added sweetness.
Next, is a heart-protective warrior that fights heart disease in multiple ways. Number 4 is “GARLIC”.
Garlic has a long history in traditional medicine for addressing various health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and infections.
The key compound in garlic, allicin, is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are released when garlic is cut or crushed.
Research has shown that garlic extracts can reduce pro-inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin, as well as homocysteine, an amino acid linked to heart disease risk.
Moreover, garlic aids in clearing clogged arteries by enhancing nitric oxide production in the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels.
High blood pressure can harm the endothelium, leading to decreased nitric oxide release in blood vessels, and contributing to plaque accumulation and artery blockages.
To maintain optimal nitric oxide levels, eat 3 to 5 cloves of garlic daily with your meals.
Nitric oxide, functions as a vasodilator that widens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and prevents plaque buildup in arteries.
A study involving individuals aged 40 to 75 revealed that aged garlic extract significantly reduced coronary artery plaque in participants with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, includes obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high LDL cholesterol, conditions that elevate the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Another study published in the journal “Maturitas” demonstrated that aged garlic extract can effectively lower blood pressure in individuals unresponsive to conventional medications.
For supplementation, consider aged garlic extract capsules containing zero point six percent allicin.
This unique extract is derived from organic garlic aged in ethanol for 20 months to enhance its disease-fighting efficacy.
Natural health experts recommend 300 to 1,000 milligrams taken in divided servings for optimal benefits.
Next, this anti-inflammatory root is a staple in soups, salads, and stir fries. Number 3 is “GINGER”.
Ginger is widely revered as the “universal medicine” in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its numerous health benefits.
When ginger is ingested, it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by specifically targeting pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2.
Moreover, ginger’s potent antioxidant properties play a crucial role in combating free radicals, thereby safeguarding your cells and tissues from oxidative stress and damage.
A study demonstrated that individuals who consumed 5 grams of powdered ginger daily for 4 weeks experienced significant reductions in LDL oxidation, a process linked to arterial inflammation.
Furthermore, a review published in the journal “Nutrition” proposed that a daily intake of 2 to 4 grams of ginger could potentially aid in the prevention of high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
For supplementation, the recommended dose is 2,500 milligrams of powdered ginger capsules twice a day.
For more detailed information on health conditions and medications that should be avoided when using ginger, please refer to the link provided in the description.
Our next remedy is a surprising culinary and medicinal superstar. Number 2 is “CAYENNE PEPPER”.
Cayenne pepper is a popular choice among chefs worldwide for its zesty flavor and satisfying heat, thanks to its main active ingredient, capsaicin.
This compound plays a key role in supporting heart health by widening arteries, improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure, and lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
In addition, capsaicin is known for its effectiveness in addressing obesity, a significant risk factor for heart disease.
It works by kickstarting thermogenesis to boost metabolism and calorie burning, while also decreasing the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, thus helping to control cravings.
In a study published in the “International Journal of Obesity”, individuals who consumed a beverage rich in capsaicin during meals, reported feeling less hungry and ended up consuming 16% fewer calories and less fat compared to those who had a placebo.
To incorporate Cayenne pepper into your diet, add this spice to dishes like eggs, marinades, casseroles, soups, chili, and chicken wings for an extra kick of flavor.
For supplementation, consider taking 30 to 120 mg of powdered Cayenne capsules one to three times daily.
Next, a powerful plant pigment that supports heart health. Number 1 is “CURCUMIN”.
Curcumin, the bright yellow pigment in turmeric, is a powerful compound with a wide range of health benefits.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have valued turmeric, also known as haldi, for its healing properties for centuries.
Supported by over 12,000 peer-reviewed studies, curcumin has been found to have various positive effects such as preventing blood clots, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation related to heart health, and improving the condition of arterial linings.
Studies comparing curcumin to pharmaceutical drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen have shown that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are superior without any negative side effects.
In addition, research suggests that curcumin can help prevent the formation of sticky blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke by inhibiting blood platelet aggregation.
A meta-analysis conducted in 2017 revealed that taking 1,000 mg of curcumin daily for 30 days can improve LDL cholesterol levels and offer protection against cardiovascular disease when used alongside standard treatments.
Due to turmeric’s limited bioavailability, it is recommended to choose a supplement containing 95% curcuminoids along with black pepper to enhance absorption significantly.
For maximum benefits, experts suggest a daily intake of 1,500 mg of curcumin in divided doses.
Again, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.