Home remedies for Hypertension

High blood pressure (commonly known as High BP or Hypertension), often does not present any symptoms; but it is one of the top-most risk factors associated with heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure. It is estimated that one in three adults in the USA suffer from high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure can be defined as the force exerted by blood on the arterial wall during its normal flow through them. The pressure is measured as the ratio: systolic by diastolic. Normal value of blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. But when it rises above this value it is called Hypertension or High Blood Pressure.

The opposite of Hypertension is called Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). This is also a major health condition.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Hypertension is one of the most distressing diseases it doesn’t present many symptoms but ultimately affects heart and may result in heart attack.

In many cases, stress in day-to-day life leads to increase of adrenaline in blood stream that eventually leads to rise in blood pressure. Diastolic pressure between 80-95 mm Hg is considered as “mildly” hypertensive; and above 95 mm Hg as hypertensive. Similarly, systolic pressure between 140 to 160 mm hg is considered as “mild” hypertensive and above it as hypertensive.

Causes of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

There has been no single exact cause of high blood pressure. However, most important risk factors are:

• Excessive stress
• Narrowing of blood vessels and obesity: as the heart needs to pump more blood to supply
• High regular intake of salt
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Consuming high amount of sodium enriched food
• Frequently consuming large amounts of caffeine
• Lack of physical exercise
• Hereditary (genetic) reasons
• Hormonal changes

Home Remedies for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

In most instances, hypertension can easily be treated (in fact, controlled or prevented) using a variety of natural diet and simple changes in lifestyle. Medication is often prescribed for serious cases of high blood pressure.

• Celery for High BP: Celery can help to lower blood pressure. Compounds found in the oil of celery can relax and dilate the muscles that line the arteries. This helps to regulate blood pressure.
• Consuming garlic is very effective in decreasing the hypertension as it prevents thrombosis and deposition of plaque in the arteries.
• Potassium in diet: Taking potassium-rich foods (e.g. bananas, oranges, spinach, and zucchini) can help to lower blood pressure.(CAUTION: Potassium rich foods can prove harmful to kidney patients. Consult a doctor before trying this home remedy)
• Grape juice is also a good remedy which helps maintain normal blood pressure
• Black Seed Oil: Active ingredients in Black Seed oil are known to help reduce cholesterol and control high blood pressure. Take one teaspoon of Black Seed oil daily (raw oil directly or mixed into fruit juice or tea)
• Indian gooseberry (Amla) is considered very effective in Hypertension treatment.
• Ginkgo Biloba (Chinese/Japanese): The medicinal herb Ginkgo Biloba helps increase blood circulation in our body by dilating our blood vessels. A simple remedy is to take 120mg of Ginkgo Biloba in empty stomach.
• Consuming baked potatoes is also effective treatment for curing hypertension.
• Drinking lime water 4 to 5 times a day helps prevent hypertension.
• Fenugreek seeds should be taken twice daily, empty stomach.
• Watermelon is another good remedy for avoiding high blood pressure. Also, dried seeds of watermelon and and kus-kus grass, when powdered and consumed empty stomach twice daily with water, helps prevent high blood pressure.
• Holy Basil (Tulsi, Indian) and Neem leaves (1-2 numbers), consumed empty stomach, helps relieve from high blood pressure.
• Consumption of raw Papaya empty stomach for 15 to 20 days helps in curing hypertension.
• Yoga, physical exercises and even walking barefoot, are very effective in bringing down factors contributing to Hypertension.

Be Happy. Take problems lightly. The psychological effect would be much stronger than most of the remedies listed above.