Chinese Medicine

Herbs that lower blood pressure has long been used in Chinese medicine formulas traditionally. These proven herbs that lower blood pressure include Han Fang Ji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae), Gou Teng (Ramulus cum uncis Uncariae) and Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani Sativi) etc.

Nowadays high blood pressure is a common cardiovascular disease, the serious complications of which have been one of the leading killers. I believe the same situation ever happened to ancient China as well. From the descriptions of ancient documents, we can find a lot of medical cases on how Chinese medicine treated and lowered blood pressure. Of course, there were no exact words and disease documented as high blood pressure in these medical works. The reason is simple there wasn’t blood pressure reader available for them to get the accurate readings from the blood pressure. However, remedies of Traditional Chinese medicine are based on the syndromes. From the descriptions of syndromes, we can infer that a lot of herbs that lower blood pressure had been found and a lot of experiences had been accumulated in long-term clinical practices.

The following are those common herbs that lower blood pressure.

Han Fang Ji, also known as Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae, is one of effective herbs that lower blood pressure. Han Fang Ji woks to induce diuresis for removing edema and dispel pathogenic wind to stop pain. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Han Fang Ji contains tetrandrine, which is the main component that makes Hang Fang Ji one of herbs that lower blood pressure.

Gou Teng, also known as Ramulus cum uncis Uncariae, works to tranquilize liver Yang to stop the pathogenic wind and clear heat to relieve spasm in remedies of Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Gou Teng contains rhynchophylline and rhomotoxine, which are the main components that make Gou Teng one of herbs that lower blood pressure. The mechanism for Gou Teng to lower blood pressure is to inhibit directly or indirectly vasomotor centers or block the sympathetic nerve or nerve ganglion.

Ge Gen, also known as kudzu root, works to resolve superficies to promote eruption and promote fluid production to relieve diarrhea. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Ge Gen contains puerarin and its glycosides, which are the main component that make Ge Gen one of herbs that lower blood pressure. The mechanism behind for Ge Gen is primarily to block ?-receptor to lower blood pressure.

Luo Bu Ma, also known as Herba Apocyni Veneti, woks to induce diuresis for removing edema. Its main active ingredient of iso-quercetin and quercetin glycosides can lower blood pressure. The mechanism behind Luo Bu Ma is related with inhibition of vasomotor center and the expansion of the blood vessels.

Huang Lian, also known as Rhizoma Coptidis, works to clear heat, remove dampness and toxicity. The main ingredient is berberine, which makes Huang Lian one of herbs that lower blood pressure. And Huang Lian lowers blood pressure via many ways.

Lian Zi Xin, also known as Plumula Nelumbinis Nuciferae, works to clear heart-fire. Its main ingredient is liensinine, which has short and weak effect on lowering blood pressure. But after it is changed to Neferine, it has a stronger and lasting effect on lowering blood pressure.

Yin Yang Huo, also known as Epimedium, works to warm kidney to strengthen Yang, dispel pathogenic wind and remove dampness. It is its active ingredient of icariin that makes Yin Yang Huo one of herbs that lower blood pressure. Any forms of Yin Yang Huo, decoction, fluid or icariin, can lower blood pressure, especially in lowering diastolic pressure.

Du Zhong, also known as Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis, works to benefit liver-kidney and strengthen the physique. It is its main ingredient of propane benzene derivatives that make Du Zhong one of herbs that lower blood pressure. The mechanism behind Du Zhong is to lower blood pressure through direct vasodilatation and inhibition of vasomotor center.

Ye Ju Hua, also known as Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, works to clear heat-toxicity. Its ingredient of lowering blood pressure can inhibit sympathetic nerve and blood platelets. In addition, Ye Ju Hua obtains the anti-adrenergic effect, which can decrease peripheral resistance without reducing cardiac output.

Lai Fu Zi, also known as Semen Raphani Sativi, works to promote digestion to relieve stasis and expel phlegm for descending Qi. It is its ingredients of Mustard Seed glycosides, Cryptocarya ketone and asarone that make Lai Fu Zi one of herbs that lower blood pressure.

There are many other herbs that lower blood pressure in the remedies of Chinese medicine. The list would be longer if I list them all. Although it is not a comprehensive list for herbs that lower blood pressure, they can solve most of the problems about high blood pressure if they are used properly. If you are interested in knowing more about them, just feel free to drop me a note.