Thursday Blend - Herbal Tea for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (Hypertension) is caused when blood flows through blood vessels, or arteries, at higher than normal pressures. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure is when this force against the artery walls is too high. This tea blend addresses high blood pressure using the following uniquely selected herbs, roots and proportions:

Ashwagandha – Ashwagandha is used to reduce levels of fat and sugar in the blood.  Ashwagandha is also used as an "adaptogen" to help the body cope with daily stress, and as a general tonic. Ashwagandha is used for arthritis, anxiety, bipolar disorder.  Ashwagandha may decrease blood pressure.  Ashwagandha should be used cautiously if you have low blood pressure or take medications for your blood pressure.

Rhodiola – Rhodiola contains salidroside, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, tannins and many other compounds.  Salidroside contributes to reducing blood pressure and alleviating cerebrovascular contractile activity in diabetic rats by inhibition of L-type calcium channel in smooth muscle cells.  Stress negatively affects blood pressure.  The salidroside in Rhodiola protects neurons from oxidative stress by activating antioxidant enzymes.  Evidence suggests that oxidative stress has a key role in the development of hypertension.  Therefore, Rhodiola appears to contribute to reducing blood pressure.

Burdock Root – Burdock root tea contains potassium, which may help to lower blood pressure and open blood vessels to improve blood flow.  Pregnant woman should avoid burdock tea as it may stimulate the uterus and cause premature labor. Burdock root naturally helps to lower blood sugar.  People with diabetes should consult a medical professional prior to use.

Ginger - Ginger may help lower blood pressure. Ginger also contains salicylates, the chemical in aspirin that acts as a blood thinner. Studies show that ginger can reduce blood pressure and may be as effective as some typically used medications. (Study)

Ginko – Ginkgo biloba extract posesses antihypertensive properties and may lower blood pressure.  Taking it with blood pressure medications may cause blood pressure to drop too low.  

Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa) – Nigella sativa has demonstrated antioxidant, hypotensive, calcium channel blockade, and diuretic effects that function to lower blood pressure.  Black cumin seed has the ability to reduce tension of the blood vessel walls.  This effect was the focus of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 70 healthy individuals between the ages of 34 and 63 with systolic blood pressure ranging from 110 to 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure from 60 to 90 mm Hg. Published in the December 2013 issue of Phytotherapy Research, the results suggested that an oral intake of 5 mL of Nigella sativa oil for eight weeks significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures without any apparent adverse effects.

Dandelion Leaf – Traditionally, dandelion has been used as a diuretic, to increase the amount of urine and eliminate fluid in your body. It has been used for many conditions where a diuretic might help, such as liver problems and high blood pressure.  The fact that dandelions are a source of potassium is another plus for promoting a lower blood pressure. The leaves of the dandelion are also used by health care providers to support kidney function.