Lower blood pressure with tea
In addition to the medicinal treatment of high blood pressure, the use of various types of tea is an established therapeutic measure. Meanwhile, there are some varieties which have been proven to have a blood pressure-lowering effect. Besides certain green teas (Dattan Soba tea, Gaba tea, Sencha powder, Tochucha tea), mistletoe, evergreen, hibiscus, hawthorn, olive leaves, garlic, valerian and heart tea (lat.
: Leonurus cardiaca) are suitable. The respective tea varieties vary in how a reduction in blood pressure can ultimately be achieved, but the fact that they all have an influence on this is common to all of them. Hibiscus or Jamaica tea is particularly suitable, and is also easy to make yourself using dried hibiscus flower leaves.
As described above, ginger also has the property of lowering blood pressure, so ginger tea, prepared from a few slices of ginger, can also help. However, ginger should be used with care when taking blood-thinning medication such as aspirin. Especially the different kinds of green tea have interesting effects.
The Gaba tea and Sencha powder are of Japanese origin, the other two, Dattan Soba and Eucommia) come from Asia. The 4 varieties play a central role in hypertension therapy, as they have a positive influence on the cardiovascular system. It is important to know that green tea is not used to fight the symptoms of blood pressure but the causes themselves.
This is possible because it attacks in many places. On the one hand, the flow behaviour of the blood is favourably influenced, on the other hand the vascular architecture is modulated in such a way that there are fewer deposits on the vascular walls and the elasticity is increased. In order to lower blood pressure, the teas intervene in the metabolic processes and support the function of organs such as the liver, kidney and heart.
In combination, a synergistic (“interacting”) effect can be observed, so that the intensity of the effect is increased. More precise mechanisms of action are not known for all tea varieties, but some are noteworthy and have more specific indications than others. Melissa tea is recommended, for example, for symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, heart problems and irritability associated with high blood pressure.
By using the plant hawthorn one takes advantage of its property that it improves the oxygen situation of the heart’s own vessels (coronary vessels) and thus strengthens the heart muscles. It also has a dilating effect on the peripheral vessels and can thus compensate for high blood pressure. For black and green tea, as well as for coffee and also cola, which contain caffeine, there is a short-term increase in blood pressure after consumption, so that these drinks should not be drunk before a blood pressure measurement.
However, there is also a habituation effect of the body on these substances, so that the blood pressure increasing effect of these drinks is negligible after a few weeks, or at least becomes less. On the other hand, there are also studies that postulate a blood pressure-lowering effect of black tea, so that the effect is controversial. In general, it can be said that tea can not only contribute acutely to lowering blood pressure, but is also very well suited for prophylaxis in comparison to drug treatment to counteract an increased cardiovascular risk.
The side effects of herbal-based therapy with tea are limited, so that only dizziness, nausea and a drop in blood pressure can occur. Care should also be taken when taking ß-blockers at the same time, as undesirable effects on the heart have been observed in combination. In this case, it is always important to consult the doctor treating you.
