Significance

• High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently higher than normal, which can increase the risk of other, more serious health disorders.
  
  

Considerations

• High blood pressure that has no known cause is referred to as primary hypertension and responds well to natural treatments. Meanwhile, high blood pressure that arises as a result of another condition, such as pregnancy, is called secondary hypertension and must be evaluated more closely by a physician.
  
  

Types

• There are a number of all-natural herbs that are effective in combating high blood pressure: coleus forskohlii is a member of the mint family and is used to improve heart function; hawthorne has the ability to dilate the coronary blood vessels, which leads to lower blood pressure; and mistletoe and rauwolfia can both be used to lower blood pressure.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• In addition to following a regular exercise regimen, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding salt, drinking plenty of water and eating lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can aid in the prevention of high blood pressure.
  
  

Warning

• Consult a physician for the recommended dosage of each herb and to discuss the possible risks and side effects that can be associated with herbal medicines.