Medicinal Herbs

Herbs For High Blood Pressure

   Below is a reprint from http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Hypertension.htm   about some herbs used for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.   Got to tell you this story though from a person who wanted more informaiton on "high blood pressure herbs".

    One interesting comment from a person who asked a question on our herbfest form for high blood pressure herbs, and did not get an answer back in 7 minutes was this.   "First off try opening a bottle of vino, sit down, take a breath and relax."     That response was given, as said, when the person become upset he had to wait 7 minutes for an answer on a web form on a Sunday afternoon.   This person sent back an email 7 minutes after signing up in CAPS WITH !!!!!!!!! exclamations all over it wondering why I had not responded sooner.   Needless to say I left and went to play basketball, my natural blood pressure activity!!

   I would also add to below one great way, if the problem is not a genetic factor, is to simply go outside in the herb garden, cut and clip some herbs such as lavender, and come in and craft or cook, with a bottle of vino by your side, enjoying the moments.   Often we all make a mountain out of a molehill and then wonder why our blood pressure is so high.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

There is some evidence that the supplement CoQ10 may help to reduce high blood pressure. A 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 people with systolic hypertension examined the effect of CoQ10 supplements (60 mg twice daily). After the 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the Coq10-treated group.

Another study conducted at the University of Western Australia looked at the effect of CoQ10 on blood pressure and glycemic control in 74 people with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100mg CoQ10 twice daily, 200mg of the drug fenfibrate, both, or neither for 12 weeks.

CoQ10 significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure(mean reduction 6.1 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg respectively). There was also a reduction in HbA1C, a marker for long-term glycemic control.
To learn more about CoQ10, read the Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) fact sheet.

Garlic

In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, three trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure. Researchers concluded that garlic powder supplement may be of clinical use in patients with mild high blood pressure.

Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) similar to aspirin. Garlic may interact with many drugs and supplements such as the prescription drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, vitamin E, gingko. It is usually recommended that people taking garlic stop in the weeks before and after any type of surgery.

To learn more about garlic, go to the articles about garlic.

Hawthorn

The herb hawthorn is often used by traditional herbal practitioners for high blood pressure.

In a randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers in Reading, UK, 79 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either 1200 mg of hawthorn extract a day or placebo for 16 weeks. Medication for high blood pressure was used by 71 percent of the patients.

At the end of the 16 weeks, patients taking the hawthorn supplement had a significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure (2.6 mm Hg). No herb-drug interactions were reported.

Fish oil

Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure. Learn more about fish oil.

Folic acid

Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels.

One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure. Learn more about folic acid.

Can Herbs Help With Kidney Stones?

The pain of kindey stones irritating is excruciating and help is needed immediately. Generally speaking herbs are not the first choice of treatment for kidney stone pain since the stones are already there. Herbs are more important in the build up of materials that create the kidney stones with prevention, not dissolution. However once the stones have dissolved or passed then go to the herb based diet to prevent new kidney stones from reoccurring.

The red print below is reprinted from MotherNature.com and may be of interest to those who suffer or have suffered from kidney stones and don't want to suffer again.

In some herb books, it is said that lemon juice reduces the size of kidney stones, but most herbal remedies, including those based on lemon juice and hydrangea, do not actually dissolve stones. Instead, they help eliminate the stones and reduce or relieve the pain that occurs as they are eliminated. The larger the stone, the more uncomfortable this can be. Herbs that reduce infection, pain and spasms are cramp bark, goldenrod and joe-pye weed, aptly nicknamed "gravel root" for its ability to get rid of stones.

Goldenrod has received official recognition in Germany for its effectiveness in getting rid of kidney stones. Several species of the plant are used for this purpose throughout Europe, although it is not as popular in North America. This is too bad, considering that goldenrod is an excellent urinary tract herb that grows wild throughout much of North America. Several scientific studies support goldenrod's action.

Agrimony, horsetail, yarrow, shepherd's purse, Saint-John's-wort and nettles can also be used to reduce bleeding caused by kidney stones.

At least 75 percent of kidney stones are composed of calcium combined with phosphate or oxalic acid. Medical experts believe that these stones result from an accumulation of unused calcium, and lack of exercise is generally thought to be a factor. A study conducted in 1973 showed that cranberries help prevent stones in some people by reducing the excessive amounts of calcium commonly found in the urinary tract. There is some scientific evidence that this may also be true of rose hips, which have traditionally been used to ease various urinary tract infections. Since the calcium-phosphate stones are most common in alkaline urine, cranberries and other herbs that acidify urine also help prevent stones.

For more information on herbs to prevent kidney stones see below:

Fertility & Pregnancy Herbs To Use & To Avoid

List Of Pregnancy and Fertility Herbs Historically Used and Avoided

Fertility Herbs & Pregnancy Herbs Historically Used and Avoided

Origin of Formula For Vick's Vapor Rub Using Eucalyptus Oil

As my wife and I enjoyed the 26th "Jazz Festival" in Greensboro, N.C. this past Saturday we find this historical landmark sign.

We discuss often at HerbFest the use of the Eucalyptus plant for the inhalation oil for Vick's Vapor Rub and now we see this.

Hope you enjoy knowing Vick's formulation was originally the idea you see below.

Using Basil Mist For Prevention of Acne

This comes from a weekly email series on Ayurevedic medicine and periodically find some interesting tidbits of info. that blend in with our herbal theme. By typingin "tea tree" on our search you will find a previous article about the use of Tea Tree Oil for acne rather than using the brand name pharmaceutical Accutane, with a myriad of potential harmful side effects. Tea Tree is a well known and well used antibacterial for topical administration. Below is a post on treating acne ayurevedically. Found another use of that wonderful herb BASIL!!!!!

Prevention of Acne Using Basil

We all have one or the other health problem, acne is most common issue. Beauty being skin deep, having acne on your skin makes people consider themselves as unattractive. You need not lose your beauty sleep over skin troubles, as acne natural remedies are here. First you must understand why do we have acne? It is due to sebaceous glands that are overactive especially on face, chest and neck during adolescence and hormonal imbalances. Sebum produced by these glands gets trapped in layers of skin causing acne.

Keeping your skin clean will be a positive step towards preventing acne outbursts. Natural remedies for acne includes following:

Use antibacterial natural material as face mask like honey, basil etc.
Have balanced diet and rest as your system may be over or under producing hormones due to lack of proper nutrition or sleep.
One of the most basic as acne natural remedies, supplement of vitamins - like A, E or multi and minerals - Zinc and chromium will benefit your skin to fight acne. Talk to your doctor for age limits and prescription medicines.
Avoid makeup or heavy cream that clogs pores of your skin. You may just want to cover up a patch but it will harm your delicate skin.
Acne removal soap can be used to wash your face twice a day; overuse may leave your skin dry and flaky.
Steam can do wonderful work with your skin. Add some basil leaves to water and bring it to boil. Allow vapors to unclog all pores in your skin; you will know why steam baths became so popular.
Never try to break or squeeze the acne on your skin it may leave permanent spots or increase acne formation on your body.
Cleanse your face with a good cleanser before you go to bed to remove all dirt and extra oil from your skin.
Weekly exfoliation of your skin will keep away the dead layers to allow new skin to be less oily but be gentle.
And finally, the last of all acne natural remedies, exercise or perform some physical activity like cycling, jogging, and aerobics to improve blood circulation and keep your skin breathing happily.

Follow these acne natural remedies, you need to take long-term care of your skin without worrying much about instant solutions gradually results are bound to show. Skin is the longest organ the body has and whatever you put inside your body shows on the outside.

(Ditto that's the same thing my dermatologist tells me but heck they in the business of saying that!!! :)

Read complete article by Hilton Pagley @ http://www.ayurhelp-shop.com/articles/acnenatural.htm