Lynn Koiner - Astrological Research

This information is not meant to be a cure.

High Blood Pressure should not be taken lightly. One client worked with her doctor in reducing her blood pressure, adding supplements until she could totally get off the medications. Always work with your health practitioner, especially when dealing with High Blood Pressure!!!

I consult with a licensed herbalist, Tina Pirrone, who owns the Sage Moon Herb Shop in Berkeley Springs WV. She is prompt in getting out herbs, teas and supplements that I require, and she knows the interaction with drugs. I receive so many requests for this information but, as Tina says, there is no Magic Bullet and it is not a condition to self–medicate. Please work with your health practitioner!!

I contacted Tina about High Blood Pressure and she gave me the following information:

For High Blood Pressure: It’s not a simple magic bullet approach, though some herbs are specifically hypotensive like Linden, Olive leaf extract, Yarrow and Coleus Forskohlii (Lowers blood pressure and improves heart function). You really have to look at the whole person.

It is important to treat endocrine and nervous system too:
Adaptogens like Ashwagandha (calming adaptogen), or Reishi (calms the “Shen” – mind, good for nerves, or Rhodiola which is kind of specific to Cardio-Vascular issues or Eleuthero also for chronic stress.

Then the Nervous system things like Fresh Oat tincture (this tincture must be made fresh by an herbalist), Linden, Lemon Balm or Chamomile.

Herbs called Cardio-Tonics are useful to strengthen the whole Cardio-Vascular system. Hawthorne is one of the best and can lower BP by improving cardiac function in general. Motherwort is useful as a good nervine and for “white coat” hypertension.

Then, I need to ask: What is going on w/circulation? Do you need to relax the vascular structures and muscles? Or do you need to tone it up?

Tina has recommended HerbPharm tinctures and I am very pleased with their effects.

OTHER SOURCES:

In my medical excerpts, I have found the following information:

1. Substituting soy nuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet appears to lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and also may reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure, according to a report in Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals
2. Eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate was associated with a lowering of blood pressure, without weight gain or other adverse effects, according to a study in the July 4 issue of JAMA
3. Many patients with high blood pressure have sought relief from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In so doing, many have consumed Danshen, a Chinese herb used in Oriental medicine that promotes blood flow and treats cardiovascular disease. (Jan 2007)
4. Dairy peptides significantly decrease blood pressure, British Journal of Nutrition paper – Google this for supplier.
   From Medical News Today: Swanson Ultra C12 Peption could be just what you need! Cardiovascular maintenance is one of the nation’s leading healthcare concerns for both men and women. Fortunately, with healthy lifestyle choices and good nutrition, you can do something about it, and Swanson Ultra C12 Peption may lend the support you need to accomplish this goal. An all-natural peptide derived from milk protein casein, C12 Peption works with the body’s natural enzymatic processes by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Vessels remain relaxed and wide open for a free flow of blood, which is one of the most effective ways to keep blood pressure within the healthy range. MEDICAL NEWS Reports that Peptides boost the immune system.
5. High Blood Pressure can arise from sleep deprivation. Melatonin at night can help with this.
6. Dr. Rind suggested to a friend with HBP: a) L-Taurine is best, b) Magnesium, c) Hawthorne Berry Tinchture, d) CoQ10 but over 100 mgs for effectiveness.
   One client who is on Blood Pressure medicine from her doctor observed a dramatic reduction with L-Taurine. Amino Acids should not be taken with other proteins – take 30 minutes before or 90 minutes after eating protein foods. Hawthorne Berry and the Tincture rebuilds the heart (congestive heart failure).
   This information was presented recently at the American College of Cardiology’s 56th Annual Scientific Session. Rind is an alterative MD in the Washington DC area.
7. Hibiscus Flower lowers blood pressure. This is often taken as a tea.
8. Garlic lowers blood pressure some. I personally take Allicin 4000 Garlic from Vitamin Shoppe. Wild European Garlic is often used in some Blood Pressure supplements.
9. Wild Apocynum is an herb often found in Blood Pressure teas and supplements.
10. There is one unusual theory— “the negative impact of stress-related neurotransmitters on the gut microflora.” Stress causes an increase in bad bacteria in the body, leaving the individual vulnerable to infections, especially from E. Coli. At this point, I recommend Garden of Life’s Primal Defense ULTRA (not the regular Primal Defense).

I take 2 in the morning with FOS and 2 at night. While it does not recommend brands, I enjoyed the book, THE PROBIOTIC REVOLUTION. These books can be purchased with a big discount and no postage at www.deepdiscount.com

FROM THE VILLAGE GREEN APOTHECARY in Bethesda, Maryland:
This is a good place to visit for nutritional consultations with a doctor.

BLOOD PRESSURE SUPPORT:

There are many nutrients that have been found to support healthy blood pressure levels. Pathway BLOOD PRESSURE SUPPORT combines many of these important herbs, vitamins, and minerals into one great formula. Herbs such as coleus forskohlii and hawthorn are included in this formula for their ability to support healthy circulation. Magnesium and hops are added to aid in the relaxation of the central nervous system. In addition, Taurine supports the central nervous system and is thought to be helpful in dealing with anxiety. Pathway BLOOD PRESSURE SUPPORT use the trademark ingredient Forslean® which is the only coleus forskohlii supported by a US patent.

Recommended – Pathway Blood Pressure Support

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Acupuncture may lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure), a new study suggests.

Researchers from Germany investigated whether traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture is able to lower blood pressure.

In the study, 160 outpatients (78 men, 102 women) between 50 and 66 years of age (average age 58) with uncomplicated arterial hypertension were randomized in a single-blind fashion to a six-week course of active acupuncture or sham acupuncture. The patients participated in 22 sessions total that each lasted 30 minutes.

Researchers noted that 78 percent were receiving blood pressure-lowering medication, which remained unchanged. One hundred forty patients finished the treatment course (72 with active treatment, 68 with sham treatment).

The study found that there was a significant difference in post-treatment blood pressures adjusted for baseline values between the active and sham acupuncture groups at the end of treatment. In the active acupuncture group, average 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly after treatment. At three and six months, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures returned to pretreatment levels in the active treatment group.

The study authors concluded that acupuncture according to traditional Chinese medicine, but not sham acupuncture, after six weeks of treatment significantly lowered mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures; the effect disappeared after cessation of acupuncture treatment.

The practice of acupuncture originated in China 5,000 years ago. Today, acupuncture is widely used throughout the world and is one of the main pillars of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture has become integrated with Western medicine as well, and it is often referred to as medical acupuncture in that context.
There is reasonable scientific evidence supporting acupuncture for several indications, including peri-operative dental pain, and several types of nausea and vomiting.

Chinese healers believe there are approximately 360 specific points along 14 different lines, or meridians, that course throughout the body. After making a differential diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and other observable phenomena in situ, acupuncturists choose combinations of acu-points and needle techniques that are thought to restore normal function of the meridians. The body is thereby enabled to relieve what is congested and supply what is deficient, thus achieving a balance between yin and yang.

Other integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the treatment of high blood pressure include omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, calcium, Coenzyme Q10, hibiscus, Qi gong, stevia and yoga.

For more information on the therapies mentioned in this story, please visit Natural Standard’s Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

NOTE from Lynn: I have a friend who works in the trades— not a traditional “New Age” person. His friends started going to an excellent acupuncturist in Columbia, Maryland, for stress, arthritis and for improving their golf game.

Supplement Your Diet:

You can also complement lifestyle changes with dietary supplements. Try supplements for at least a few months to gauge their effectiveness. The following is a list of commonly used supplements:

• Calcium: A relationship exists between calcium and your blood pressure. Studies have shown that calcium reduces blood pressure levels. Calcium is important to the body because it plays a pivotal role in muscle contractions, including heart muscle contractions.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in over 300 different biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium is required to assimilate calcium into the body and regulates the entrance and utilization of calcium in the cells.
• Potassium: Studies indicate that potassium may reduce blood pressure.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant believed to lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. Vitamin E also protects blood vessels from damage.
• Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is believed to help regulate blood pressure by improving the function of the blood vessel walls.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may significantly lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels.

Natural Treatments for High Blood Pressure— Taken from Medical Posts

Lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may also recommend medication to lower high blood pressure. It is important to work with your doctor, because untreated high blood pressure may damage organs in the body and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, kidney disease, and vision loss. See a drawing of a hypertensive heart.

• 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.

More: 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 hypertension.

Garlic supplement 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 “blood-thinners” 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.

• 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% 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 (eicosapentaenoice acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure.

• 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.

Supplements

Supplements are intended to provide nutritional support. Because a supplement or a recommended dose may not be appropriate for all persons, a physician (i.e., a licensed naturopathic physician or holistic MD or DO) should be consulted before using any product. Recommended doses follow:

• Calcium—Take 800-1500 mg daily.
• Vitamin C—Take 1000 mg daily.
• Coenzyme Q10—Take 50 mg two times daily.
• Flaxseed meal—Grind 2–4 tablespoons daily. Flaxseed meal is a better choice due to its fiber, lignan, and vitamin content, but flaxseed oil (1 tbsp daily) can be substituted.