As you may recall, I declared my independence from blood pressure (BP) drugs—in consultation with my personal physician—more than two years ago on July 4, 2019.
We both had growing concerns about the cancer-causing chemicals contaminating many popular generic BP medications at the time. And even the brand-name drugs have a long and growing list of serious side effects!
Not to mention, people with the coronavirus who took BP drugs developed more severe pulmonary infections and suffered poorer outcomes.
Of course, what really gave me the confidence to run with this drug-free approach was all the emerging science showing that certain nutrients and botanical remedies—which I had already been taking—can safely lower BP as well as, or better than, most drugs…for most people…most of the time.
In fact, two recent studies suggest that a traditional botanical extract can CONTROL high BP in people with Type II diabetes.
I’ll tell you all about those findings in just a moment. But first, let’s back up to discuss the origins of this amazing natural remedy…
A natural wonder from the East
Berberis vulgaris, commonly known as barberry, is a shrub that grows wild in much of Europe and West Asia. People commonly use the berries that grow on the shrub to make pastries, syrups, jams, and teas.
In Iran, they use the berries in traditional Persian dishes, such as in rice pilaf, and for seasoning poultry. And in Iranian markets, they often sell dried barberries, called zereshk.
Like many plants from the natural world, barberry has also been used for centuries to treat various health problems, including constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, infections, and malaria. It’s even been used topically to help with chronic skin conditions, like eczema.
Now, modern science is discovering that the polyphenols in barberry, including berberine, have extremely potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-histamine actions. Berberine also seems to work as a relaxant and lowers blood sugar, blood lipids (fats), and blood pressure.
This brings me back to the recent research on barberry and blood pressure in people with Type II diabetes…
An effective treatment option for people with (and without) Type II diabetes
As you know, Type II diabetes is a serious metabolic condition. When someone develops it, they also run a much higher risk of developing heart disease. In fact, the two conditions go hand-in-hand so often, there’s even a name for it: cardio-metabolic syndrome.
Therefore, if you have Type II diabetes, you not only have to monitor your blood sugar carefully…you should also pay close attention to managing your blood pressure.
The problem is, high blood pressure alone typically doesn’t cause symptoms. (That’s why it’s often called the “silent killer.”)
But when you start taking a prescription drug to lower your blood pressure, you may suddenly feel worse because of the associated side effects I mentioned earlier.
That’s where barberry can come in…
In the first study, researchers randomly divided people with Type II diabetes into two groups. The first group took 200 mL (about 1 cup) of barberry juice daily for eight weeks. The second group received no treatment.
The researchers also took BP readings of both groups at the study’s outset and at the end of the eight-week treatment program.
It turns out, the barberry group experienced “significant reductions” in both systolic and diastolic BP readings in just eight weeks!
In the second study, researchers again divided patients with Type II diabetes into two groups. Similarly, one group received 200 mL of barberry juice for eight weeks. And the second group received no treatment.
But this time, the barberry group not only “significantly reduced” both their systolic and diastolic BP readings…they also “significantly reduced” their fasting blood sugar and triglycerides (blood fats). All within just eight weeks!
Many natural, safe, effective options to help lower BP
Clearly, barberry is a safe, effective, and time-tested herbal remedy that can help you manage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels…even if you haven’t been diagnosed with a clinical disease.
But unless you live in Iran or somewhere in the Middle East, you’ll have a hard time finding fresh barberries or barberry juice at your local market. So, I recommend taking it as a supplement instead, which is much easier to find and use.
I recommend finding a high-quality formula from a trusted brand that contains 500 mg of barberry in combination with other helpful nutrients.
I also suggest adding some mind-body approaches—biofeedback, bodywork, massage, meditation, and yoga—into your routine to help lower stress, the No. 1 hidden cause of high blood pressure. You can take this short quiz to learn which approach may work best for you.
Lastly, you can learn much more about barberry and the other natural approaches for preventing and reversing high blood pressure and heart disease (without risky prescription heart medications or surgeries) in my Heart Attack Prevention and Repair Protocol. Click here to learn more or to enroll today.
Sources:
“Effect of barberry juice consumption on blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.” Research in Medicine. 2016; 39 (4):183-188. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.009.
“The barberry juice effects on metabolic factors and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.” Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2018 May;31:170-174. doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.009. Epub 2018 Feb 17.