Despite the propaganda that comes from the heavily lobbied health industry (in the UK recently there was a call for every single person over the age of 55 to go onto daily blood pressure lowering drugs!), natural methods of defeating hypertension are much preferred. Even if you cannot lower your b.p. enough, natural methods will at least allow you to take a smaller dose of drugs and significantly reduce the side effects.
Before we consider the natural ways of achieving your target, we need to think about what we are trying to achieve. The whole point of lowering your blood pressure is to reduce your levels of cardiovascular disease. So there is no point in doing this if you are going to neglect your cholesterol, for example. So whatever we do should be part of a much bigger plan for better cardiac health. Sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how many people ignore this.
If you are on the drugs and you are not suffering any side effects, and you can afford the medicine, and you are satisfied with “controlling” your high blood pressure rather than “curing” it, then a natural approach probably is of no interest to you.
If on the other hand, you are one of the millions who suffer from light headedness, fatigue, frequent urination, nausea, blurry vision or the more serious side effects like mini strokes or heart attack; you probably would do anything to get off the meds. It’s a health issue but it is also a quality of life issue as well. If your medication has changed the way you live, if you’re not doing what you used to do; if you have to plan your life around them; then your lifestyle has been seriously affected.
The interesting point is that most people are not even aware that they have high blood pressure, unless they measure it. Two numbers measure the blood pressure of a person – where the number on top is the measure of systolic pressure that is the highest count reached every time the heart beats. The lower number is the measure of the diastolic pressure which is the lowest point reached when the heart relaxes in between two beats.
The key to hypertension diets are foods low fat foods and lean meats, to stop additional weight gain and/or lose extra pounds, and eating grains, vegetables, fruits, and proteins to obtain the proper minerals and nutrients needed in one’s daily diet. The DASH nutrition diet for high blood pressure is the most effective way to lower blood pressure or stop one from developing hypertension.
Cut Back Alcohol. Save some money at the bar! Decrease the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed daily, if a typical night out consists of 3 drinks, cut it in half, save some money, and naturally lower blood pressure.
A healthy amount of alcohol varies based on medical conditions, but a healthy male should consume no more than two drinks per day (24 oz of beer, 10 oz of wine, 3 oz of heavier liquor) a healthy female should cut the male’s intake in half.
Stress – Reducing stress is very important. You know that stress can cause your blood pressure to rise, so you really need to get control of it. Exercise, meditation and deep breathing are good ways to get rid of stress.
Herbs – Herbal supplements are very effective in controlling your condition. When combined with other methods, natural herbs will maintain normal blood pressure as well as prescription drugs, without the unwanted side effects.
These are just a few natural cures for high blood pressure that will work quickly when used. There are many other things you can do as well, such as limiting salt intake and quitting smoking.
One of my favorite hypertension home remedies is what I call my herbal remedy soup. Combine onions, garlic, purslane, Maitake mushrooms, and Kaffir potatoes in a large pot. Add water and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste and keep in the refrigerator for your daily dose.
When considering natural cures for high blood pressure, do not overlook the potential in your spice rack. Tumeric is an Indian spice that gives the curry blends their yellow color. In a recent study of herbal hypertension remedies, patients who took a daily dose of Tumeric extract saw their cholesterol drop by 29%.
Magnesium – adding this nutrient to your diet is important as well. Magnesium and potassium work together in your body, and if your magnesium levels are low, most likely the potassium levels are as well. Foods that contain magnesium include oatmeal, yogurt and nuts.
Exercise – Adding light exercise can help dramatically. Simple walking or pilates exercise done 3 to 4 times per week for about 30 minutes is highly beneficial.
Stay Inspired And Motivated. This is something that seems to be unique to each person. For me I find that my motivation comes from my family. Just the thought of not being here when they need me the most causes me to feel upset. When I bring up this point in lectures I am often reminded of a great stay-healthy motto that I once heard. “Life isn’t determined by what happens to us as much as by how we reach to what happens. Its not what life bring us, but by the attitude we bring to life”.
