Common, Effective Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure

No pill or herb will lower your blood pressure all by itself. You still have to diet, exercise regularly, lessen or quit smoking and follow your doctor's advice. Some blood pressure medication can have harsh side effects, which is why some people prefer to use herbs that lower blood pressure. Many doctors are open to the possibilities of using herbs that lower blood pressure, but be sure to check with your doctor BEFORE you begin taking the herbs. Some herbs that lower blood pressure do not mix well with some prescription medications.

Garlic

This is one of the most inexpensive and widely available herbs that lower blood pressure that you can find. If you are blood thinning medication, check with your doctor to see if you can eat garlic or take garlic capsules. Garlic has properties that thin the blood, which might interfere with your blood thinning medication. These same properties help lower you cholesterol, as well. You need to eat at least one "pearl" a day from a clove of garlic. There are also many varieties of wild garlic that can be identified by their smell. They look like thick grass blades.

Green Tea

Remember, tea is a plant, so qualifies as one of the herbs that lowers blood pressure. Green tea has many of the properties of garlic, but leaves your breath smelling a lot better. You can drink green tea, take a tincture or take green tea capsules. Japanese neurologist Yoshikazu Sato, M.D., found in a study that green tea did lower blood pressure. It is recommended that you cut down on caffeinated drinks to get the full benefits. Green tea can also thin the blood, so check with your doctor if you are on blood thinning medication.

Ginkgo Biloba

This is one of the most common herbs for treating high blood pressure in the Orient and is now become widely available in the Western world. Ginkgo Biloba helps improve blood flow and free up blood circulation from blood clots. With a more efficient flow of blood, you not only lower you blood pressure, but help your brain function more efficiently, too. This is one of the herbs that lower blood pressure that has been proven to do so not just in traditional medicine, but in scientific studies. Ginkgo Biloba is available in teas and capsules.

With any herbal medicine or tea, be sure to follow the directions. Don't exceed more than the recommended dose - that might make you sick.