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.
