New on list

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

I just joined today, and I'm researching the web on natural remedies

for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I would like to get

off the medications that I am on, since I think they do " other " harm

to the body. I was wondering if any of you had success with herbs

you have taken to lower cholesterol and/or high blood pressure, and

what brand(s) you were using. There are several different companies

out there with different combinations of herbs, and it's like

finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Just looking for some

suggestions.

 

Thanks!

 

Cathy

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathy, Welcome!

 

For high cholesterol and high blood pressure, I would start on cayenne

and garlic immediately. You can get/make a tincture of cayenne and take

that in some water or juice (or straight if you're brave!) or some

people mix cayenne powder in their tea. I personally go with the

tincture. On the garlic, I would recommend at least 4 whole raw cloves

per day, more if you can take it. Cut it into " pill sized " pieces and

swallow them. If the clove is small, at least cut it down the center

once. You can " lube it " with olive oil to help it go down easier.

 

For a longer term handling of the situation, I would recommend a total

body cleanse.

 

If you'd like other suggestions, you can tell us what you've been

eating, drinking, lifestyle (exercise?) etc...

 

Best,

Kelli

 

|

| Cathy [cathkmo2000]

| Sunday, March 20, 2005 8:30 AM

| herbal remedies

| Herbal Remedies - New on list

|

| Hi everyone,

|

| I just joined today, and I'm researching the web on natural remedies

| for high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

[Guest guest]

The best way to lower cholesterol is with digestive bitters and

lecithin granules. Digestive bitters are sold in health food stores

under names like Grape Bitters, Ginger Bitters, and Swedish Bitters.

These bitter compounds work by stimulating the bitter receptors on

the back of the tongue. This is turn stimulates the vagus nerve. The

name digestive bitters comes from the fact that this action aids in

digestion by elevating stomach acid, bile secretions, and pancreatic

enzymes. Though it also has a cleansing effect on the liver helping

the liver work more efficiently. The liver is the cholesterol

regulator for the body since it both creates cholesterol and breaks

down excess cholesterol. Statin drugs, which are prescribed to lower

cholesterol, work by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis by the liver.

Though they can lead to liver damage, which will raise your

cholesterol in the long run. In addition, statins can lead to heart

failure by reducing levels of CoQ10 in the body.

Lecithin is a fatty acid that works as an emulsifier. In other words

one end of the lecithin molecule attracts fats and the other end

water, so it acts as a bridge to link fats and water together. This

helps make cholesterol water soluble making its elimination more

efficient. Lecithin also helps to clean plaque off of the arteries,

prevents gallstones, keeps the organs supple, helps insulate nerves

and build brain tissue, aids in the formation of the neurotransmitter

acetylcholine, etc.

Granules are stronger than liquid lecithin and softgels. Crude

lecithin is extremely thick and sticky. So the crude lecithin is

thinned out with soy oil to make it fluid enough for use. Though this

also dilutes the active components. Lecithin granules are made by

removing the oil component of the lecithin, which concentrates the

active constituents. Recommended dose if 1 tablespoon with each meal

blended in a drink or sprinkled on food. High doses can have adverse

effects on the bone due to the high phosphorus content.

My favorite way to control blood pressure is with magnesium, in the

absence of calcium. Magnesium relaxes muscles, such as blood vessels,

while calcium contracts muscles. Therefore magnesium works similar to

calcium channel blockers, prescribed for high blood pressure.

Acidified forms of magnesium should be used such as magnesium malate,

or magnesium citrate. Avoid magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate.

Recommended dose is 300mg 2 to 3 times a day on an empty stomach to

prevent calcium from food interfering with its action. Start out slow

to reduce the risk of the magnesium from having a laxative effect.

I also like herbs such as coleus forskohlii and kudzu root.

Forskohlii has an action very similar to cardiac glycosides (lowers

blood pressure, slows the heart, strengthens contractions), though it

is not a source of cardiac glycosides. Kudzu works through dilation

of the blood vessels. These would be my choices for a substitute for

ACE inhibitors prescribed for hypertension.

If your blood pressure is elevated due to sodium retention, such as

from the use of steroids like Prednisone, then I recommend upping

your potassium intake. Potassium helps to displace sodium from the

body. Parsley, orange juice, and ripe bananas are good potassium

sources. Potassium supplementation is a good substitute for loop

diuretics, such as Lasix (furosemide), which by the way depletes

potassium from the body.

If your hypertension is due to diabetes then the elevated insulin

levels needs to be addressed.

If you are on a beta blocker then my recommendation would be

ashwagandha. This herb is an adaptogenic herb, which supports adrenal

function, and prevents it from overreacting with epinephrine

secretion.

 

 

herbal remedies , " Cathy " <cathkmo2000>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just joined today, and I'm researching the web on natural

remedies

> for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I would like to get

> off the medications that I am on, since I think they do " other "

harm

> to the body. I was wondering if any of you had success with herbs

> you have taken to lower cholesterol and/or high blood pressure, and

> what brand(s) you were using. There are several different

companies

> out there with different combinations of herbs, and it's like

> finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Just looking for

some

> suggestions.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Cathy