Hypertension--- The "Silent Killer"

Hypertension often has no symptoms, hence it is described as the “silent killer,” one that raises risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. This trio of natural remedies is particularly effective, with complimentary benefits.

1. Magnesium Calms

Magnesium, the fourth-most abundant mineral in the body, is indispensable to good health and needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions. Only 1 percent of your body’s magnesium is in your blood, but it is critical that blood levels of magnesium are kept constant.
Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady and promotes normal blood pressure. One 10-year study of women over age 45 found a direct connection between magnesium and lower blood pressure. Another study determined that a diet moderately deficient in magnesium increases hypertension risk.

2. Hawthorn Improves Circulation

Several studies have shown that hawthorn extracts help lower blood pressure and improve circulation. For example, a British study found that hawthorn was successful at reducing blood pressure in diabetics. In other research, hawthorn lowered blood pressure, relieved heart palpitations and improved overall heart function.
Consider hawthorn long-term therapy, rather than an overnight cure. You may have to wait two to four weeks before the herb takes effect and its effectiveness may continue to increase after one to two months.

3. Garlic Reduces Plaque Deposits

Garlic reduces plaque and supports overall heart health. According to published research, garlic appears to reduce blood pressure levels by about 5-10 percent. This may not seem like much, but it is enough to significantly reduce the total chronic damage from hypertension. Clinical herbalists using garlic usually see larger reductions with higher doses.

One trial looked at 47 subjects with mild hypertension. For 12 weeks, half were given a placebo and the other half received a daily dose of 600 mg of garlic powder, standardized to 1.3 percent alliin. Garlic reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number, measuring pressure when the heart beats) by 6 percent and diastolic (the bottom number, representing pressure when the heart relaxes between beats) by 9 percent. A particular form of garlic—aged garlic extract—may be especially beneficial for cardiovascular health. Kyolic now has a special garlic formula called Blood Pressure Health.