I have a client that is looking to support overall health and well being while being managed on blood pressure medication. This particular one is something I have never dealt with before because it's not a later life/lifestyle related hypertension and so id love to hear some opinions and suggestions here. He is only 28, and was diagnosed with hypertension and started on medication at age 15 or 16 when going through a physical exam for wrestling. He went through significant other testing at that time to look for other concerns and none were found, and diet changes were tried with no change to BP, so he was started on medication then. He used to get migraines frequently before beginning medication. Now only gets them occasionally (maybe once a month or every other month if he overdoes it with CrossFit, these will start with floaters in his eyes and then progress to a migraine). Long family history of hypertension on both sides. His blood pressure is currently regulated (avg 125/80) on lisinopril 100mg SID and hes ok with continuing to take that, but he would love to consider the possibility of one day not needing it. He has a healthy lifestyle, doesn't drink or smoke, eats well (lots of veggies and lean protein), good digestion (regular bm/elimnates 1-2 times daily, soft well formed stool, no undigested food, and no digestive upset unless he eats something he shouldn't or diverts too much from his normal diet), exercises regularly (CrossFit a little too much, in my opinion), walks, does yoga once weekly and meditates before work daily. He drinks a little too much caffeine, before exercising and throughout the day, and then feels often unrested when he wakes up in the morning, even though he sleeps well throughout the night (7.5-8 hours, uninterrupted) . Has a very demanding job, but he loves it, but it comes with a lot of high highs and a lot of low lows, so it feels energetically draining to him. I want to offer support for his cardiovascular health long term, but with this unique situation, with him having been so young, is it possible for someone diagnosed so young to manage blood pressure without medication? I recommended swapping out some of his CrossFit days (because he tends to overdo it often) for some more therapeutic exercise, like some kind of martial arts and doing yoga more frequently. Also recommended closing off his work day with a meditation to help ground himself back into his body. As far as herbs, my wise woman tradition background has me simplifying things, and going for nourishing and nurture, but I want to really get more comfortable with making complex formulas. But I also want to keep the herbs accessible. So id love to know what you think about my thoughts here on herbs, and also any suggestions you might have. He is open to tinctures and prefers salty/sour tastes My initial thoughts have me here: Nettle infusion - daily, especially in the morning for his "pre workout drink" to replace his excessive caffeine intake For tincture and tea formula herbs I am considering: Ashwaganda and/or Eleuthero are adaptogens im considering for the formula to balance some of his work exhaustion and his vigorous exercise routines Hawthorn Dan shen Kudzu Goji berry Hibiscus thanks for any input and suggestions you have

Familial hypertension (genetic) is definitely a real thing, but he really should have an endocrinological workup to be sure he does not have underlying kidney, adrenal, thyroid or pituitary issues causing his elevated BP. If so and it is treatable, it is possible that he would no longer need his medication. He shouldn’t under any circumstances stop the medication, and if at some point he goes off it , it would need to be a slow, gradual weaning process. In addition reducing sodium, caffeine, taking magnesium, potassium rich foods may be of benefit. Also deep breathing exercise can be useful. Herbs can work, depending on how high his BOP is (Was) before meds. Using simples or nutritive remedies will not work for signifiant hypertension, this is where herbs like Olive leaf, Mistletoe (not with his current meds), Luo Bu Ma, Gou Teng, Suan Zao Ren can be combined with milder herbs such as Dandelion leaf, Hibiscus, Linden flower, Chrysanthemum flower, Hawthorn, etc depending on the specifics of the case. Nettles does not replace caffeine by any stretch off the imagination, but if he will do it, great. All good, but he would need stronger herbs to really drop his BP.

Thank you for your wisdom and response! My intention with the nettles was not to be a substitute for caffeine, but to replace the morning “energy drink” he was drinking, because he was drinking it more out of habit and a lot of his caffeine intake seems to be more habitual to just drink something other than water. Thank you for your input and perspectives. My wise woman background makes me have a hard time wrapping my head around the more heroic approaches to herbal medicine, so I’m grateful for this experience to better understand it and not turn away from it.