People looking for alternative ways to lower their blood pressure may want to consider Chinese herbal remedies such as garlic, ginseng and salvia. Many of these items can be found on supermarket shelves, while others can be found at health food stores, Chinese pharmacies, or at the offices of practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese Herbal Remedies
Chinese herbal remedies are a part of traditional Chinese medicine, which the Chinese have practiced for thousands of years to cure what ails them. Acupuncture and qi gong, a form of exercise, complete this triad. TCM, as traditional Chinese medicine is known as, does not believe in overnight cures, but that achieving a lasting cure is a process that takes time. Western medicine is now beginning to recognize that TCM has a place in its own arsenal of cures.
Chinese herbal remedies are used to treat many diseases, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, nausea and colds. Some herbs may be used to treat more than one condition.
Herbal remedies can be taken in raw form, such as celery and garlic; in teas and as pills.
Herbal Remedies Found in Supermarkets
Garlic, ginger root, celery and cinnamon are common remedies that work to lower blood pressure and which can be found in the supermarket. These foods are used extensively in everyday Chinese cooking. The Blood Pressure Center recommends eating four stalks of celery or one raw clove of garlic a day; tablets are available for those who don't like the taste of garlic.
Other remedies can be found in health food stores, Chinese apothecaries and at Chinese herbal doctors' offices if you live in a big city that has a Chinatown.
Renshen, or ginseng as it is more commonly known, is traditionally used in teas to lower blood pressure. It also is available in tablet form. The Institute of Traditional Medicine in Portland, Ore., does not recommend long-term usage of high doses as it can lead to nervousness.
Danshen, a form of Chinese sage, is gaining recognition among Western medical practitioners for its effectiveness in treating hypertension. Also known as salvia, it is also used to treat degenerative diseases, reduce cholesterol and improve liver function as it promotes blood circulation.
Other herbal remedies to treat hypertension include gingko biloba, hawthorn berry and maitake, a Chinese mushroom. All work to increase blood circulation and strengthen the heart which helps in lowering blood pressure.
FDA Stance on Herbal Remedies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers Chinese herbal medicines to be food, and not medicine, which means they do not need to be prescribed by a physician.
The FDA does regulate what labels may say, and does issue warnings if it believes a particular herbal supplement is harmful.
Anyone considering using Chinese herbal remedies should talk to their health care practitioner or an herbal medicine specialist to ensure that the herbs won't cause a bad reaction with any prescribed medications they may be taking.
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