Side Effect of Prescription Blood Pressure Drugs

Many of the drugs are very effective to lower blood pressure because they are efficient inhibitors in certain pathways in the body. These drugs work by blocking or inhibiting natural processes in the body with an unnatural way. This seems to be one of the reasons why their negative effects can build up to become life-threatening problems over time. They completely block certain pathways, which may be necessary for normal functioning of the body. There are different types of the prescription blood pressure drugs. Most of them have known short-term side effects on heart and possible long-term effects on heart, brain and kidney (see Table for details).

Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), high blood pressure is classified into different subtypes based on the overall condition of the patient. High blood pressure is a result of disturbance or imbalance of Yin-Yang within the Organ system or Meridian system, which are the two principal systems that regulate the functions of the body and mind. The disharmony of the Liver system is the most common reason causing high blood pressure. Either deficiency of the Liver Yin energy or excess of the Yang energy can cause irregular Qi flow and Blood stasis, and accumulate Heat inside the Liver system. Both the Qi stagnation and Heat accumulation may result in high blood pressure. The Liver type of high blood pressure may show mild to severe headache, agitation or insomnia in conjunction with dry mouth and willing to drink ice cold water, reddened tongue with thin coating, and taut pulse. Deficiency of the Kidney Yin energy is another common reason to cause high blood pressure. Kidney deficiency may result in the Liver disharmony and trigger high blood pressure. The Kidney type of high blood pressure shows mild headache, dizziness or insomnia and is commonly in conjunction with weakness of lower back, low energy, dark and red tongue, deep and weak pulse.

Common Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Chinese herbal medicine is a common therapy for high blood pressure. Chinese herbs have been used to balance the body for thousands of years. The principle of treatment for high blood pressure is to clear the Liver Heat and gain more Kidney Yin energy. The prescription is based on specific pattern of each patient. The following herbs are commonly used in the formula to lower blood pressure:

Eucommia ulmoides comes from the bark of a tall rubber tree and looks like dried snakeskin. Throughout the centuries, it has been given to people with blood pressure difficulties and related heart problems with great deal of success. Since early 50s, numerous clinical trials have been conducted in China and in the US using Eucommia to treat high blood pressure. Most of these trials showed promising results. According to Chinese theory Eucommia works by not just lowering blood pressure, but balancing it and adapting your body’s needs. As opposed to the Western view of "overkill", the same amount of Eucommia will work just as well for someone with slightly high blood pressure as it will for someone with severe problem.

Uncaria rhynchophylla is a common climbing vine with little hooks. The plant has been used for hundreds of years by people with stress, anxiety and fever. Research studies indicate that it contains powerful nutrients that work on both the heart and the brain. It opens up blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely throughout the body and prevents clogging, pooling and pressure build-up. Uncaria also increases the respiratory rate, so that more oxygen could be delivered by the blood to the organs that needed it the most, like the heart, brain and kidneys. Uncaria has multiple sites of action. In other words, it not only relaxed blood vessels and normalized blood pressure, but also balanced heart rate and cholesterol, two key causes of blood vessel stiffening. Overall, Uncaria lowered blood pressure by an average of 33%.

Apocynum venetum not only grows in China but also across the continent of Europe, especially in Italy. Physicians around the world have found that the leaves of this plant have multiple benefits for people with blood pressure problems. Apocynum helps the body get rid of extra fluid in your body. Unlike harsh diuretic proscription drugs, it acts along with the body to pass this excess fluid naturally. Apocynum also increase the amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol in the blood. Your body needs HDL to counter the LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) that can cause your blood vessels to thicken, harden and build up pressure.

Cassia obtusifolia, known as sicklepod, grows throughout China and also in the Southeastern United States. Cassia contains some powerful nutrients that can counteract the adverse effects of blood pressure problems in more than 85% of those who use it. It also balances cholesterol. According to ancient Chinese literature, Cassia can solve eye problems. Chinese doctors noticed that Cassia could help maintain healthy blood pressure in the eyes and also could improve the eye’s sensitivity to light and alleviate the soreness of red, swollen eyes in people with high blood pressure. In fact, when translated directly into English, the Chinese word for Cassia means "seeds of realized brightness."

Chinese herbal medicine is the core therapy to balance your body and lower blood pressure. It significantly reduces the symptoms caused by high blood pressure and helps the body to heal. Chinese herbs also balance your cholesterol level and prevent heart disease. The duration of Chinese herbal treatment is usually 2-3 months and also depends on individual patient's response to the herbs. Chinese herbal medicine can be an effective natural therapy for mild and moderate hypertension. It also helps server hypertension patients and works as a complementary therapy to pharmaceutical drugs to lower blood pressure and reduces the side effects of the drugs.

Other Chinese Therapies for High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture is another popular complementary therapy to lower blood pressure. Acupuncture stimulates your body to produce endorphin and monoamine, which lead the body to a deep relaxation. Sometimes a single acupuncture treatment can lower blood pressure by 10-20 mmHg. Ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy) also shows promising results in reducing the symptoms caused by high blood pressure. Certain acupuncture points along your ear have specific effects to balance your body and lower blood pressure.

Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese technique to actively promote circulation of Qi in the body and adjust the body inner clock to the natural clock. It is a Chinese way to control and cultivate the energy of your body and also serves as relaxation technique to lower blood pressure. The tense lifestyle in the modern society is possibly one of the reasons causing high blood pressure for some people. A regular Qi Gong exercise helps your body to adapt the tense lifestyle and also balance your blood pressure. Many high blood pressure patients found benefits from the ancient Chinese technique and would like to continue to practice Qi Gong for the rest of their lives.

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