Reliable and Respected: Hawthorn as A High Blood Pressure Treatment

Hawthorn is today widely used by natural health practitioners as a high blood pressure treatment. The herb hawthorn (Crataegus orycantholdes) is one of the most frequently used high blood pressure treatments in Europe and Asia, and has been for many centuries. It is only recently however, that hawthorn's effectiveness and safety was backed up by several scientific studies.

Worldwide, there is a new recognition that herbs and other heart-healthy supplements can assist Western medicine's array of high blood pressure treatments. Hawthorn isn't known to interfere with standard treatments, since there are no documented herb-drug interactions with this supplement.

Hawthorn is used not only as a high blood pressure treatment and prevention; it also treats congestive heart failure, lowers rapid pulse, improves arrhythmias, lowers cholesterol levels, and treats hardening of the arteries. Clinical and laboratory research have shown repeatedly the heart-health benefits of Hawthorn.

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How does Hawthorn Lower Blood Pressure?

Hawthorn dilates blood vessels by blocking an enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). This blocking action improves circulation and reduces blood pressure. Hawthorn is also a mild diuretic, which lowers blood volume, and this is another way hawthorn functions as a high blood pressure treatment.

If your blood pressure is between 140/90 to 160/100mmHg, and otherwise healthy and free of risk factors, it is possible your doctor may hold off on standard high blood pressure treatment to give you a chance to make some try natural herbs like hawthorn instead.

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Other Ways To Treat High Blood Pressure

There are many natural ways to treat the symptoms of high blood pressure--and to prevent it in the first place. Besides hawthorn, natural high blood pressure treatments, and heart-healthy tips include:

- Take a 30 to 60-minute walk every day.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit drinking.
- Actively manage stress. Add a stress-reducer, such as meditation, to your daily routine.
- Maintain a diet with a variety of legumes, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy and lean meat.
- Reduce sodium as well as saturated and trans fats.
- Lose weight if obese.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Check your blood pressure regularly!

Early treatment of mildly elevated blood pressure may reduce the risk of more severe symptoms of high blood pressure in the future. Natural blood pressure treatment and prevention can help you live a long, productive life, especially for mild to moderate high blood pressure. Even patients with chronic Stage II high blood pressure, especially those who are not responding to allopathic high blood pressure treatment, can benefit from natural means.

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How common is hypertension? Today, 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from the symptoms of high blood pressure, something that is highly preventable. Men, postmenopausal women, people with a family history of heart disease, and the elderly in general are at greatest risk from heart disease.

Now's the time to make the commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Hawthorn is yet another way to improve heart health.