Patient's question:
Recently, I had some dizziness in my head and felt a bit weak and unable to stand firmly. I went to the hospital for a thorough check-up and found out that I had high blood pressure. I don't really want to take Western medicine and would like to try traditional Chinese medicine to nourish my body first and see how it goes. I would like to consult about what traditional Chinese medicine is effective for high blood pressure.Doctor's answer:
First of all, let's make it clear that under accurate syndrome differentiation and treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can lower blood pressure. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that herbs like selfheal, Eucommia ulmoides, and senna have hypotensive effects, and there are also some classic formulas. However, the effect of TCM on lowering blood pressure is unstable, and blood pressure can fluctuate easily. It is recommended to combine TCM and Western medicine, taking stable and regular oral Western medicine, while TCM can play a synergistic role in improving the efficacy and reducing the side effects of Western medicine. Hypertension medication is only a small part; lifestyle improvements are also essential, such as a low-salt, low-fat diet. Some patients have salt-sensitive hypertension, so increasing salt intake should be avoided. Weight control, ensuring sufficient deep sleep, and avoiding overexertion are also important preventive measures.