Considering Taking Saw Palmetto for High Blood Pressure?

While certain ingredients like St John's Wort may not be suitable for treating high blood pressure, some herbs such as saw palmetto for high blood pressure may be an option for those interested in using more natural remedies to treat their condition.

What does a palmetto look like and how can it lower blood pressure? Saw palmetto (botanical name: Serenoa Repens) is a small green palm plant found in America. Give plants contain active ingredients used for herbal medicine. Although it is recommended and used primarily for its effectiveness in treating larger prostrates in men caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), viewing palmetto for treatment of high blood pressure is not uncommon.

The reason why this ingredient is used to treat high blood pressure, in some cases, is because it is a diuretic ingredient that has active anti-androgen properties which helps to reduce water retention and control high blood pressure. Diuretic treatment has a direct effect on the cells and tissues of the body. They increase blood flow to the kidneys, which in turn improves urine, allowing excess salt and toxins to be released from the kidneys, which helps lower overall blood pressure.

Keep in mind, however, that like water pills (prescribed diuretic drugs), seeing palmetto and other blood pressure reducing diuretic herbs, such as ginger, are commonly used to treat mild cases of high blood pressure, and are used in conjunction with dietary changes, exercise, and possibly other high blood pressure drugs to control high blood pressure.

While you should practice other lifestyle changes to help lower your blood pressure when taking a palmetto saw for high blood pressure, you should know that some studies have found this ingredient to interact with certain antihypertensive drugs, such as terazosine, which are used to treat blood pressure height.

In addition, because of the potential hormone active ingredients, seeing palmetto can also alter the effects of hormone replacement therapy and hormone birth control. Therefore, while seeing palmetto does not interfere with all medications, you should consult with your doctor to make sure this is a safe and effective treatment option for you.

Saw palmetto is taken orally and is available in tablets, capsules, tea and natural compounds. You can find this ingredient at your local health store. Both men and women may take this herb, though, due to the fact that it has the potential to affect hormones, pregnant women should not take this medicine. Saw palmetto should only be taken as directed by the package, or as recommended by a qualified herbalist or health care professional.

You should also be aware that although looking at palmetto for high blood pressure is a possible treatment, in very rare cases some side effects of increased blood pressure have been reported by patients taking this ingredient. Other rare side effects include headaches, stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea, decreased libido, impotence and urinary retention. So make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before using herbs or other treatments for your high blood pressure.

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