These Herbs Support Both Your Blood Pressure and Mental Health!

Everyone is different, which means we all have unique wellness goals. You might want to improve your health in several ways, but it’s hard to find a treatment that can serve them all at once. Thankfully, there are lots of herbs that offer health benefits for multiple parts of the body.

Millions of people struggle with high blood pressure, and even more are looking for ways to boost their mental health. If you’re looking for help with both, you’re in luck. Several herbs are known to lower blood pressure and support a calm mindset.

1. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for supporting healthy blood pressure. When taken regularly, this powerful root may reduce your chances of developing heart problems later in life. People living with high blood pressure should consider taking ashwagandha to protect their heart and support the cardiovascular system.

Ashwagandha is also the most well-known adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs that relieve stress and improve your overall wellbeing. Ashwagandha keeps you in good spirits by reducing cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers your fight-or-flight response. This herb also protects your body from the negative effects of stress, such as weight gain and poor sleep quality.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the easiest spice to get ahold of. In fact, you probably already have a canister of it on your spice rack! Not only is cinnamon super flavorful, it also comes with several health benefits like promoting healthy blood pressure. Cinnamon supports heart health by dilating blood vessels. This increases blood circulation, allowing your heart to more effectively pump nutrients to all the parts of the body.

It’s no wonder that cinnamon is also used for stress relief. The spice has a comforting aroma, making it the perfect addition to coffee or hot cocoa. The taste itself is enough to put you in a good mood! Cinnamon supports your mental health in other ways, too—namely through your digestive system. The gut and brain are intimately connected, so easing indigestion can put you at ease mentally, as well.

3. Ginger

Much like cinnamon, ginger is a common cooking ingredient that’s also found in herbal teas. Ginger is best known for its strong flavor, but the herb can also support healthy blood pressure. It’s one of the few natural ways to block calcium channels, which contribute to chronic heart problems. By blocking calcium channels, ginger relaxes the blood vessels for increased circulation.

Ginger indirectly boosts your mental health by supporting the digestive system. Your gut and brain health are closely tied to each other. Ginger dissipates symptoms of indigestion, which can have a calming effect on your mood. In other words, a healthy gut usually creates a healthy mind!

4. Cardamom

Similar to ginger, cardamom is also a natural calcium channel blocker. Its antioxidant properties control calcium levels to help support good blood pressure. This channel-blocking effect allows the bloodstream to more efficiently filter in and out of the heart. In turn, cardamom boosts the heart’s ability to deliver vital oxygen and nutrients to bodily cells.

Cardamom is usually found in chai, a drink traditionally used for mental and physical relaxation. Few things compare to curling up with a warm cup of chai after a long day! Aside from cardamom’s refreshingly sweet taste, the herb promotes a sense of peace by supporting your digestive health. Due to its effects on the gastrointestinal tract, cardamom is best ingested after eating a meal.

5. Bacopa

Bacopa—also known as bacopa monnieri and water hyssop—is an herb you probably won’t find in your kitchen. The herb is most recognizable for its tiny, light purple flowers. While it’s less common than others on this list, bacopa has been a part of alternative medicine for thousands of years. One practice called Ayurveda praises bacopa for supposedly reducing high blood pressure. However, studies have yet to draw conclusions about bacopa’s effects on the cardiovascular system.

One thing is for sure—bacopa carries many benefits for the brain. The herb has been known to ease anxious thoughts, reduce stress and encourage positive thinking. Bacopa also boosts cognitive function by supporting memory, concentration and mental sharpness. Bacopa’s overall usefulness makes it a popular ingredient in stress-relieving supplements.

Conventional medicine isn’t your only option for healing both the mind and body. A daily dose of these herbs may reduce your risk of chronic heart problems and help you enjoy life to the fullest. As with any herbal supplement, check with a doctor to make sure you’re taking the right amount and that these herbs don’t conflict with any other health concerns. Professional guidance will ensure you get the most out of natural remedies.


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