Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is a serious condition that can have many different causes. Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the vessels in the body. Low pressure, or hypotension, while not as common as high pressure, can cause serious problems for those who suffer from it. With this problem, it is difficult to get enough blood to the brain and other areas of your body to function properly.
Symptoms
Symptoms of low blood pressure may include dizziness, fatigue, blurry vision, an inability to concentrate, nausea, weak muscles, fainting, a rapid or weak pulse, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing and headache.
Causes
This condition can be caused by fever, anemia, medications like diuretics, antidepressants and others; dehydration, heart failure, heart attack, anaphylaxis and infections. It may become a problem in advanced cases of diabetes, shock or stroke.
Cautions
See your doctor if you think you have symptoms of low blood pressure for a diagnosis. This condition can easily become more serious.
| Hypotension | < 90 | or < 60 |
| Normal | 90 - 119 | and 60 - 79 |
| Prehypertension | 120 - 139 | or 80 - 89 |
| Stage 1 Hypertension | 140 - 159 | or 90 - 99 |
| Stage 2 Hypertension | = 160 | or = 100 |
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Rosemary – this herb can help with low blood pressure. Take up to 10 ml of tincture per day or drink an infusion.
- Motherwort – take an infusion or tincture of this herb. The infusion is very bitter, so most people choose the tincture.
- Hawthorn – while this herb is also used to treat high blood pressure, it has the capability to normalize blood pressure and bring it to the proper place it should be.
- Ginger – another herb commonly used for high blood pressure, ginger can both raise and lower blood pressure as needed.
- Ginseng – this herb is an adaptogen, which helps normalize the function of the body. Ginseng is useful in normalizing blood pressure.
- Siberian ginseng – similar yet different from other varieties of ginseng, this herb has been shown in studies to raise the blood pressure only in people suffering from low blood pressure.
- Coffee – if you only have mild low blood pressure, coffee in the morning may be enough to normalize your blood pressure if you tolerate it.
- Scotch broom – this herb has a mild vaso-constriction action, which can help raise the blood pressure.
- Indian spikenard – take 30 to 40 grains with a little cinnamon and camphor for this problem. Alternatively, you can steep 15 to 20 grams of the herb in 250 ml of water three times per day.
- Stinging nettle – this nourishing herb helps build the blood and can help with blood pressure. Take as a tincture, as a tasty tea or in capsule or tablet form.
External Applications
- Rose geranium – inhaling the scent from the rose geranium is said to adjust the blood pressure either up or down, as is needed by the patient. This herb is currently being studied in Europe. The essential oil can be used as well as the potted plant.
- Rosemary – to make an oil to rub on the chest, add ¼ cup dried rosemary to a ½ cup of olive oil and let it steep in the sun or other warm place for two days. Strain out the herbs and massage the oil over the heart.