Having hypertension increases your risk of several health problems such as: heart failure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and vision loss.
However, I like to share with you some natural remedies commonly used to treat high blood pressure.
1. Garlic
Garlic is a herb that will help to expel excess sodium and water from the body into your urine. This takes away pressure from your overworked heart and decreases blood pressure.
You can either eat garlic raw, suck the juices, or take a glass of water containing finely minced pieces of garlic.
2. Carrots
Carrots contain high levels of electrolyte, potassium. This will keep fluid balanced in your body and stabilizes your blood pressure. Drink 1-3 glasses of organic carrot juice a day, without adding any sugar.
3.Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E, potassium, and antioxidants. All these are effective in lowering high blood pressure. Therefore, eat a cup of fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, or blended tomato juice, everyday.
4. Celery
Celery is a fibrous vegetable that flushes out excess water from the heart and the body. This lowers high blood pressure, especially of the liver. It is commonly used in the Asian countries.
You can mix celery seeds into your tea or cooking; or drink the juice thrice daily.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is rich in health benefits: it improves the functions of the heart and blood vessels, lowers high blood pressure, and reverses the effects of arterial blockage.
You can juice pomegranate seeds into your drink, or add the seeds to your salad.
6. Beets & Radishes
Beets & radishes are vegetables with high nitrate content, and are great at lowering high blood pressure, by improving the widening of the blood vessels. Both the leaves and the roots decrease elevated blood pressures.
Add the fresh vegetables to your dish, or simply drink a glass of the blended vegetables’ juice daily.
7. Sesame
Sesame oil contents are effective in reducing blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
In particular, a lignan compound in sesame oil, called sesamin, has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels, and reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body.
Therefore, use an ounce of organic unrefined sesame oil or seeds in your daily cooking, for at least 2 months.
8. Ginger
Ginger prevents blood clots on arterial walls that can lead to increased blood pressure. It is popularly used in Asian and Indian cultures to enhance heart health.
Simply add fresh ginger to your juices or beverages for a refreshing taste. You can also chop, mince, or grate it into stir-fries, soups, desserts, noodle or vegetable dishes.
9. Coconut Water
Coconut water lowers blood pressure by removing excess water from the body, while retaining the required potassium. Coconut water is best when taken in its raw form. Drink 8 ounces of the water, 1-3 times a day.
10. Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)
Cayenne pepper is known to quickly expand blood vessels, and improve blood flow fast. This takes pressure off the arteries, and decrease your blood pressure.
Take one teaspoon of organic cayenne pepper a day, and gradually increase it to one teaspoon, 3 times a day.
11. Dark Chocolate (Cocoa)
Several studies in humans have found that eating dark chocolate or cocoa products enriched with flavanols may slightly lower blood pressure in hypertensive people.
However, this is inconclusive because not all the studies have found an effect. Nevertheless, experts agree that dark chocolates contain at least 50-80% of cocoa; which makes it nutritious for body health. Dark chocolate can actually enhance blood circulation if eaten moderately.
12. Cardamom
Cardamom is a spice that is known for its numerous antioxidant properties. These include causing dilation of blood vessels, and allowing blood to flow more easily, thus lowering blood pressure.
Simply mix 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder with raw organic honey in a cup of warm filtered water, and drink twice daily.
13. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus is widely used around the world to manage blood pressure. It will flush out all the excess fluid in your heart and tissues. Vessel walls are relaxed and blood volume is decreased, thus lowering your blood pressure.
A study performed in 2008 shows that 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily lowers systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 7 mm Hg, after only 6 weeks. Simply soak dried hibiscus leaves into a cup of hot filtered water. Add raw organic honey and lemon for taste.
14. Hawthorn
Hawthorn contains antioxidants that help dilate blood vessels, improve the flow of blood, and protect against blood vessel damage.
The berries of the plant are effective in treating high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Drink hawthorn tea 1-3 times a day.
15. Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is a popular herb for treating high blood pressure in Asian, South and Central American countries. It keeps blood pressure under control by inducing the blood to flow in a healthy, smooth manner.
Simply prepare your tea from the inner bark of any cat’s claw plant.
16. Mistletoe
Mistletoe boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and helps treat cancer and hepatitis. It acts gradually, but with a long-lasting effect on blood pressure.
17. Turmeric (Curcumin)
Turmeric is a spice and also a natural blood thinner; it improves blood flow, and lowers blood pressure.
So, add turmeric powder to your tea, and flavor it with ginger and raw organic honey.
18. Fish/Omega-3 (Fatty Acids)
Fish and some plant foods carry Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for human health.
Flaxseeds, in particular, have been found to lower blood pressure significantly. The best way to enjoy it is to buy ground flaxseed or grind it yourself in a coffee grinder and add it to your home-cooked meals. Always store flaxseed in your freezer to retain its potency optimally.
Therefore, include in your diet fatty fish such as salmon, herring, trout, krill, canned tuna, sardines, as well as flaxseeds which contain a good amount of Omega-3.
19. Flaxseed
Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to lower blood pressure significantly.
The best way to enjoy it is to buy ground flaxseed or grind it yourself in a coffee grinder and add it to your home-cooked meals. Always store flaxseed in your freezer to retain its potency optimally.
20. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a “sun vitamin” that is responsible for proper cell growth and development. Human bodies take 50-90% of this vitamin directly from the sun, and the remainder from our diet.
Deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to hypertension, as well as numerous other diseases. Therefore, expose your skin to direct sunlight at least 30-minutes daily.
21. French Lavender
Lavender is a popular herb known to help decrease blood pressure, and heart rate. Its fragrance is also used as a relaxer of the mind, body and soul.
One study shows that aromatherapy with certain essential oils can lower blood pressure. Therefore, use lavender oils, or incorporate lavender into your baked foods and daily cooking for 4 weeks.
22. Relax & Listen to (Classical) Music
Music has a calming effect; and the right type has been proved to lower blood pressure slow down heart rate, and decrease anxiety.
One study shows that slower tempo classical music leads to a significant decrease in blood pressure, while rap, pop, jazz, and rock music have the opposite effect.
Therefore, set aside some time everyday to just relax and listen to some classical music like Giuseppe Verdi or Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
23. Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body interventions, particularly praying, meditation, autogenic training, and biofeedback have been found to modestly lower high blood pressure. These may be helpful as part of a treatment plan.
24. Exercise – Walking
One study shows that light exercises help in decreasing elevated blood pressure, and enhances sleep; whereas a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of having high blood pressure by thirty percent.
Therefore, practice brisk walking, or light jogging for 30 minutes daily.
25. Quit smoking
Quitting smoking helps your blood pressure return to normal. Each cigarette you smoke increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish. People who quit smoking, regardless of age, have substantial increases in life expectancy.
26. Get support
Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They will encourage you to take care of yourself, and keep your blood pressure low.
If you discover that you need support beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support group. The group will help you to manage your hypertensive condition.
Final Note
There are many natural remedies that can help lower your blood pressure. The idea is for you to identify the ones that will work best for you, and discontinue lifestyle choices that may be the cause of your hypertension.
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Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine.
