There’s no doubt about it: the typical American lifestyle has lead to an abundance of angry, obese people roaming the streets (driving in the newest luxury SUV is a more accurate statement) with dangerously high blood pressure. 

            Before we discuss some solutions to this epidemic, let’s take a look at some possible causes:

Stress: anger and frustration are infection millions, probably even billions of people every day.  These powerful negative emotions cause overwhelming tension throughout the body.  This tension is expressed as constriction in the blood vessels.  A constriction in the vessels means less blood moving through a tighter tube with much greater force.  This is similar to attaching a high-pressure nozzle to a garden hose!

Excess Sodium: No secrets here…excess sodium will lead to an imbalance between sodium and potassium ions.  Sodium attracts and holds water therefore; excess sodium in the blood will increase blood volume by attracting and holding water.  This is basically the same effect as the example above only, instead of a reduction in the size of the garden hose (with the nozzle), there is an increase in the volume of water within the hose.

High Cholesterol: Cholesterol takes up space within the arteries.  Too much cholesterol can, literally choke the heart.  This is the same situation as stress…constricted arteries.  Rather than a constriction in the smooth muscle tissue which controls the size of the vessels, the constriction is caused by a build-up within the arteries; like an obstruction in the garden hose.
Cholesterol formation is a result of inflammation and oxidative damage to the arteries.  Cholesterol is produced by the body for the purpose of repairing damaged arteries.  LDL, or “Bad Cholesterol” is what contributes to heart attack and stroke.  The HDL, or “Good Cholesterol” is like a tow truck which transports the LDL back to the liver and out of your blood vessels.  It is important to lower the LDL as well as raise the level of HDL.

            We’ll address all three causes with supplemental magnesium, passion flower, hawthorn, and guggul:

Magnesium: In addition to magnesium’s many roles within the cells, magnesium is imperative to muscle relaxation and relief of tension!  Magnesium is needed for muscle relaxation, and this includes the smooth muscle of the arteries. 

Passion Flower has a relaxing, stress-reducing effect on the nervous system.  Passion Flower is used to induce feelings of peace and relaxation.

Hawthorn is perhaps one of the greatest heart-health herbs.  Not only does hawthorn have a vasodilatory (it dilates the vessels) effect, it also directs blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.  Hawthorn seems to have an immediate effect and is well know for calming heart palpitations.
Hawthorn has proven itself to be much more effective when combined with other circulatory-enhancing herbs like ginkgo biloba.  Hawthorn works in a number of ways including: relaxing the vessel walls which allows more blood to flow, and hawthorn also acts as a mild diuretic which rids the blood of excess water, thus reducing volume and pressure.

Guggul is a small, thorny tree native to India.  The resin, which is extracted from beneath the bark has been the subject of numerous human trials which prove guggul to be a potent herbal therapy for significantly lowering high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising levels of HDL (“Good Cholesterol”).  Scientific studies have shown guggul (commonly referred to as guggulipid) to be just as effective, if not more effective than drugs…without the side effects.  In India, guggul has been approved by medical authorities as a lipid-lowering drug.

 

Guggul Lipid Concentrate (100 Capsules)  - $27.95                                                                   

1000mg/2 capsules
Standardized to 25mg guggulsterones/2 caps

 
Magnesium Complex (100 Capsules) - $13.95                                                                    

Magnesium Complex combines two excellent forms of magnesium—citrate and malate. Studies show that magnesium citrate and malate are soluble and among the best forms of magnesium. Each capsule provides 100 mg magnesium. 

 
Hawthorn Berries Extract (100 Capsules) - $12.95                                                                  

Extracts are rapidly assimilated by the body and can be mixed in liquid or taken directly under the tongue. 
Each capsule contains 450 mg hawthorn berries

 
Hawthorn Berries Liquid Extract
(2 fl. Oz. – no alcohol) -  $16.95                                                                   

1ml. equals 2 capsules
The liquid extract should be held under the tongue for approximately 30 seconds for maximum absorption.
 
 
Hawthorn & Ginkgo (100 Capsules) -  $15.95

Ginkgo & Hawthorn Combination [Circulatory] contains Ginkgo leaves concentrate (Ginkgo biloba), hawthorn berries and olive leaf extract, used in many cultures to support the circulatory system. 
This herbal combination supports increased blood circulation and oxygen utilization in the heart muscle. 
This combination is quite popular in Europe.


Passion Flower (100 Capsules) - $15.95

Each capsule contains 360 mg passion flower.
Passion flower supports the nervous system in a variety of ways. Many have found that it helps with relaxation of tense muscles. It is widely used to promote a restful night’s sleep.