Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious health problem which can lead to kidney failure, strokes and heart attacks. Before you start using some of the mentioned natural cures, you need to talk with your doctor about your condition. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or above is considered as high blood pressure. This condition is usually diagnosed when a person has a sustained high reading over a certain period. There are many causes which can lead to high blood pressure such as adrenal disease, kidney disease, pain relievers, birth control pills, stress, lack of aerobic exercise, high salt intake, excessive drinking, genetic factors and obesity. In many cases medications are prescribed for high blood pressure. Following are some of the effective high blood pressure home remedies.
Home remedies for high blood pressure
Coconut water: People, who suffer from high blood pressure, must keep their bodies well hydrated. It is very good idea to drink 8 – 10 glasses of water per day. Coconut water is also a very effective home remedy for lowering the blood pressure. There was one study in 2005 which was published in the West Indian Medical Journal and in it was found that the coconut water is rich in Vitamin C, magnesium and potassium and it can help to decrease the systolic blood pressure [1]. Along with the coconut water, you can use coconut oil in your cooking.
Celery: Celery has high amounts of phytochemical 3 – N – butylphthalide which can help to control the high blood pressure. Phthalides can help to relax the muscles in and around your arterial walls which are creating more space and it is allowing the blood to flow in without difficulty [2]. Also it can help to reduce the stress hormones which constrict blood vessels, which contributes to high blood pressure. You should try to eat one stalk of celery along with one glass of water per day. Also you can munch on celery throughout the day.
Carrot Juice: Carrots are high in fibers, carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and phenolics such as p-coumaric, chlorogenic, and caffeic acids. Drinking 16 fl oz of fresh carrot juice daily significantly increased antioxidant status and suppressed lipid peroxidation without affecting the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride status. Drinking carrot juice may protect the cardiovascular system by increasing total antioxidant status and by decreasing lipid peroxidation [12]
Natural treatments for high blood pressure
Banana: People who have high blood pressure can eat bananas, because they can help to control their high blood pressure [3]. They can eat bananas at regular basis. This fruit is rich source of potassium which lessens the effect of sodium. You should try to eat one to two bananas per day. Along with bananas, you can try dried apricots, currants, raisins, zucchini, orange juice, baked sweet potatoes, zucchini, winter squash and cantaloupe.
Garlic: There are many studies in which is shown that garlic has blood pressure lowering effects [4,5]. You can consume both cooked and raw garlic because they can help to control high blood pressure and at the same time it will reduce the cholesterol levels. This natural cure can help to relax blood vessels by stimulating the production of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide. You should eat 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves every day. You can simply crush these garlic cloves with your hands. When you crush garlic cloves, then this creates hydrogen sulfide, which is a compound that promotes blood flow, reduces the pressure on the heart and removes gas. If you do not like to eat raw garlic or if it is causing you a burning sensation, then you should take it with one cup of milk. Also you can mix 5 or 6 drops of garlic juice in 4 teaspoons of water and you should take this home remedy 2 times per day.
Watermelon seeds: This natural cure has a compound that is known as cucurbocitrin which can help widen the blood capillaries. At the same time, it can help to improve the kidney functioning. This can help with the arthritis and also it can help to reduce the blood pressure. There was one study in 2011 which was published in Florida State pilot in which was said that this natural cure can help to lower the blood pressure because it has vasodilatory effect [6]. You should grind equal amounts of poppy seeds (khus khus) and dried watermelon seeds. You should take one teaspoon of this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach and then again in the evening. Also you can add 2 teaspoons of gently crushed watermelon seeds to one cup of boiled water. You should steep it about an hour and then you should strain it. Take 4 tablespoons of this water at regular intervals throughout the day.
Lemons: This natural cure can help to keep your blood vessels soft and pliable and by removing any rigidity, your high blood pressure will also be reduced. When you consume lemon at regular basis, then it can help you to have lower chances of heart failure because it has Vitamin C. This vitamin is antioxidant which can help to neutralize the harmful effects of the free radicals. Add the juice of half lemon in one cup of warm water and you should drink it on an empty stomach. If you want to have the best results, then you should not add sugar or salt in it. [7]
Onion juice: Onions can also help to lower your blood pressure because they have antioxidant flavonol called quercetin [8]. You should try to eat one medium – sized raw onion per day. Also you can mix ½ teaspoon of onion juice and honey and you should take it 2 times per day for one to 2 weeks.
Cayenne pepper: People, who suffer from mild hypertension, will get the benefits from eating cayenne pepper [9]. It can help to smooth blood flow by preventing platelets from clumping together and accumulating in your blood. Also you can add some cayenne pepper to vegetable or fruit salad or you can add a pinch of it to a bowl of soup. The cayenne pepper is quite spicy and this is a reason why you should use a little bit.
Fenugreek seeds: This is very effective home remedy for lowering the high blood pressure because it is rich in potassium and dietary fiber content. You should boil 1 – 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in water for about 2 minutes and then you should strain it. You should put these seeds in a blender and then mix then into a paste. You should eat this paste 2 times per day, once in the morning on an empty stomach and once in the evening. You should follow this natural treatment 2 – 3 months to notice a significant improvement in your blood pressure level. [10]
Honey: This natural cure can reduce the high blood pressure from your heart. Also it has calming effects on your blood vessels and this can be very helpful in reducing the high blood pressure [11]. You should eat 2 teaspoons of honey on an empty stomach each morning. Also you can mix one teaspoon of ginger juice, one teaspoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of cumin seed powder. You should eat this home remedy two times per day. There is another effective home remedy from honey and that is to mix honey and basil juice in equal amounts and you should take this home remedy on an empty stomach every day.
Increase potassium intake: When you increase the potassium intake, then you can offset the effects of sodium. Also you can get more of this mineral by incorporating foods such as mushrooms, greens, carrots and apricots in your diet.
Exercise regularly: If you want to decrease your blood pressure and to increase your BMI, then you should exercise regularly. There was one study in which was said that the simple aerobic activity such as doing chores around the house or walking, can lower your blood pressure [7]. It is recommended a half hour minimum of moderate physical activity, 5 days per week. When you incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your routine, then you will improve your circulation, improve your heart efficiency and you will increase your lung capacity. These benefits will help you to reduce your blood pressure. It is even better to do the exercises outside. The exposure of Vitamin D in the sunshine can reduce stress and increase happiness. When you are exposed to sunlight, then you should wear sunscreen. If you are not ready to do cardiovascular exercise, then you should start with a simple routine of stretching your muscles. Pilates programs or gentle yoga is a good place to start your exercises. When you are stretching your muscles regularly, then you will improve your circulation, improve your posture, alleviate pain in your muscles and ultimately be able to take steps toward reducing hypertension.
Reduce sodium intake: It is known fact that the salt and the high blood pressure are not together. It is said that if you cut even a little bit of salt from your diet, then you can lower your blood pressure as much as 8 mmHg. It is known fact that in the American diet, the majority of salt comes from prepared foods and restaurant foods. It is recommended to keep your sodium intake to no more than 1.500 mg per day.
References:
[1] Alleyne T, Roache S, Thomas C, Shirley A. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Medical Journal. 2005;54(1):3-8.
[2] Moghadam MH, Imenshahidi M, Mohajeri SA. Antihypertensive effect of celery seed on rat blood pressure in chronic administration. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(6):558-63.
[3] Dayanand G, Sharma A, Ahmed M, et al. Effect of banana on blood pressure of hypertensive individuals: a cross sectional study from Pokhara, Nepal. Medical Science. 2015;3(2):233-37.
[4] Ried K, Fakler P. Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high blood pressure: mechanisms of action and clinical relevance. Integrated Blood Pressure Control. 2014;7:71-82.
[5] Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: An updated meta-analysis and review. The Journal of Nutrition. 2016;146(2):389S-396S.
[6] Figueroa A, Sanchez-Gonzalez MA, Perkins-Veazie PM, Arjmandi BH. Effects of watermelon supplementation on aortic blood pressure and wave reflection in individuals with prehypertension: a pilot study. American Journal of Hypertension. 2011;24(1):40-4.
[7] Kato Y, Domoto T, Hiramitsu M, et al. Effect on blood pressure of daily lemon ingestion and walking. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2014;2014:912684.
[8] Lee C-W, Lee H-S, Cha Y-J, et al. In vivo investigation of anti-diabetic properties of ripe onion juice in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. 2013;18(3):169-174.
[9] Sanati S, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. A review of the effects of Capsicum annuum L. and its constituent, capsaicin, in metabolic syndrome. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2018;21(5):439-48.
[10] Ranade M, Mudgalkar N. A simple dietary addition of fenugreek seed leads to the reduction in blood glucose levels: A parallel group, randomized single-blind trial. An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda. 2017;38(1-2):24-27.
[11] Aluko EO, Olubobokun TH, Atang DE, Nna VU. Honey’s ability to reduce blood pressure and heart rate in healthy male subjects. Frontiers in Science. 2014;4(1):8-11.
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3192732/
