Alternative Medicine for High Blood Pressure

There are two forms of high blood pressure - primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Most people have the former, primary hypertension, of which there is no one identifiable cause. However, there are a lot of things that may factor in towards high blood pressure. These things are lack of physical activity, high sodium intake, being overweight, smoking and excessive alcohol use, not enough potassium intake, stress, age, and genetics. With that list of precursors and a multitude of possible combinations, it's no wonder that millions of Americans have high blood pressure. While there are more and more conventional medicines becoming available for high blood pressure, there are also many other options in the field of alternative medicine. Conventional medicine prescriptions can become very expensive, and most have unfavorable side effects. Alternative medicine usually wins out here, as the treatments are much lower in cost and usually in potential side effects as well. And now on to the remedies...

- Rauwolfia serpentina (also called Indian Snakeroot) is a very powerful herb that has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure with just one dose. It works by controlling the nerve impulses along specific nerve pathways, which then work on the heart and blood vessels to help lower blood pressure. Though in general the effects produced won't be noticed for a few days, usually a small dose is all that is needed to begin lowering blood pressure. Side effects are possible with this herb - nasal congestion being the most common, with a less probable chance of developing dizziness and dry mouth. It is available as a homeopathic remedy in some health stores or can be found easily online, in the form of pills, granules or liquid.