Hypertension and Natural Treatment

Natural Treatment for High Blood Pressure

     High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure is elevated.  Blood pressure readings of 140/90 mm Hg and higher on measurements is considered hypertension. Hypertension is one of the highest risk factors for stroke, heart attack, heart failure and arterial aneurysm. It is a leading cause of kidney diseases.

Essential or primary hypertension has no specific causes; it’s associated with genetics, environment, diet and lifestyle factors, including salt intake, stress and lack of exercise.

Secondary hypertension is a result of other underlying  often serious conditions such as tumours and kidney or liver disorders. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives, can also cause blood pressure.

Below are some remedies for maintaining good cardiovascular health and clean arteries. Do not stop your blood pressure medication on your own - always consult with your family doctor before making any changes to the treatment plan.

HOME REMEDIES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.   Mint Tea: Make a tea by boiling 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup dried chrysanthemum flowers and 2 tablespoons cassia seeds in 5 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 cups a day.

2.    Vinegar & Honey: First thing upon waking, on an empty stomach, drink 8 ounces of warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon honey. Drink this regularly. The honey ensures regularity of the bowels, and is helpful because constipation may aggravate high blood pressure. The vinegar alkalises the body and lowers blood pressure as well.

3.    Celery Juice: Drink an 8-ounce glass of fresh celery juice 3 times a day for 1 to 3 months, until blood pressure is normal. This is one of the most common Chinese folk remedies for lowering blood pressure, and it works despite the sodium content of the celery.

4.   Cucumbers: Eat 2 fresh cucumbers every day for 2 weeks or until blood pressure improves. Since cucumber is a natural diuretic, it will help hydrate the body and lower blood pressure.

DIET FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.   Eat meals at regular times. 

2.   Drink water: at least six 8 ounce glasses a day at room temperature.

3. Consume more leafy green vegetables: celery, spinach, sprouted vegetables, mung beans, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.

4. Eat more fruits such as bananas, apples, plums, watermelon and persimmons.

5.   Eat sun-flower seeds and whole grains.

6.   Season with ginger, garlic, vinegar and lemon.

7.   Drink green tea, flavored with honey.

8.  Favor the following spices that contain active ingredients beneficial for treating hypertension black pepper, basil

9.  Avoid excessive salt, MSG, spicy-hot, fried and greasy foods.

10.  Avoid simple carbohydrates like sugar and white flour.

11.  Avoid cured meats and cheese, as they promote plaque buildup.

12.  Avoid alcohol, coffee and tobacco.

HERBAL THERAPY FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Herbs can be found in health food or vitamin stores, online and at the offices of medicine practitioners. Herbs should be used according to individual needs, consult with a licensed practitioner for a customized formulation.

1.   A traditional Chinese herbal formula called gastrodia gambir is used to support healthy blood pressure. It contains gastrodia, gambir vine, abalone shell, gardenia, motherwort, cyathulae, eucommia, loranthus, polygoni and poria.

2.   Hawthorn berries (150 milligrams) have traditionally been used to support healthy blood pressure levels.

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.  Magnesium (600 milligrams), calcium (1,000 milligrams), Zinc (25 milligrams) and essential fatty acids such as Gama-linoleicacid and omega-3 fatty acids (1,000 milligrams EPA) are essential. Magnesium is a vasodilator and helps regulate calcium levels.

2.   Vitamin B complex helps lower blood pressure. B6 (200 milligrams) acts as a diuretic, while niacin (50 milligrams) relaxes the blood vessels.

3. Taking co-enzyme Q10 (15 milligrams) 3 times a day can reduce blood pressure.

4.  Beta carotene (500 milligrams) taken every other day can reduce incidence of coronary and vascular events.

5.   Folic acid (200 micrograms) taken daily can improve blood flow to the capillaries.

EXERCISE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Physical exercise is essential for promoting circulation and strengthening heart function. Sedentary life inhibits circulation. Doing moderate cardiovascular exercise every day for at least 30 minutes will help reduce hyper-tension. Effective moderate exercise includes walking briskly (3 to 4 miles per hour), general calisthenics, racket sports such as table tennis, swimming (with moderate effort), cycling (at a moderate speed of 10 miles per hour or less), canoeing and rowing (at a speed of about 2 to 4 miles per hour).

Stress Release Meditation for High Blood Pressure

 Many of the patients were taught the following simple Stress Release Meditation to help control their stress and blood pressure.

1.   Sit comfortably or lie down on your back.

2.   Slow your respiration to deep abdominal breathing. Say the word calm in your mind with every exhalation. You’ll be visualizing the relaxation of a specific body part and releasing tension with every exhalation. Trace the following 3 pathways outlined below.

3.   Path 1: start at the top of your head and progress down the front of your body. Inhale, and then exhale and visualize your scalp muscles relaxing. Say calm in your mind. Repeat, saying the word as you move into each body part, down through your face, throat, chest, abdomen, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, and feet. After you’ve relaxed your feet, visualize all the tension leaving your body through your toes in the form of dark smoke.

4.   Path 2: start at the temple region of your head and progress down the sides of your body. This path focuses on the sides and upper extremities. Inhale, and then exhale and visualize your temple muscles relaxing. Say calm in your mind. Repeat, saying the word as you move into each body part, down through your jaws, the sides of your neck, shoulders, upper arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands. Once you have relaxed your hands, visualize all the tension leaving your body through your fingertips in the form of dark smoke.

5.   Path 3: the final pathway begins at the back of your head and progress down the back of your body. This path relaxes the back of your body. Repeat the breathing visualization- word routine, as above, as you go from the back of your neck to your upper back, middle back, lower back, back of the thighs, calves, and heels. Then focus on the acu-point Bubbling Spring on the soles of your feet, for 1 minute. Practice this sequence for at least 15 minutes twice a day.

SELF ACUPRESSURE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.    Locate the acu-point Winding Gulch (LI-11) in the depression at the outer part of the right elbow crease between the elbow tendon and the bone. The point is best located when the arm is bent at 90 degrees with the palm facing the abdomen. Apply steady pressure with your thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 5 minutes. Repeat on the left arm.

2.    Find the acu-point Bubbling Spring (KID-1) on the sole of the
right foot between the bones of the second and third toes, two-
thirds of the distance from the heel to the base of the second toe just below the ball of the foot in a natural indentation. Apply heavy pressure with your thumb for 5 minutes. Repeat on the left foot.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE- THINGS TO AVOID

1.   Avoid sedentary life-style and stress, as they not only increase the risk of heart problems but also cause other disorders such as obesity and diabetes complicating the condition.

2.   Avoid  hurry, worry and curry as they play a great role in  raising the blood pressure to a great extent.

3.   Avoid  drinking and smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, as it may lead to hardening of the arteries and may lead to other complications.