High Blood Pressure

The number of people suffering from hypertension is growing at an alarming rate and the culprits are the lifestyles that we lead and the kind of food that we eat. So what is this blood pressure that we keep referring to? The blood circulating in the body exerts a certain force on the walls of the arteries, veins and the heart chambers. If the force increases, then the blood pressure increases and high blood pressure can trigger the formation of plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis), which can later lead to heart attacks and strokes. So, high blood pressure needs to be controlled. Let us look at some of the natural remedies that may help to combat this condition.

 

Managing stress, which has become an everyday affair plays an important role in controlling high blood pressure. Breathing exercise like Pranayam, meditation and doing yoga have helped to combat high blood pressure. The benefits of regular exercise cannot be overlooked. It helps to lower blood pressure and decrease the resting heart rate, which is important for the health of the heart. In combination with other techniques, high blood pressure can be controlled.

 

Aromatherapy is now being associated as a remedy for high blood pressure. The oil of blue chamomile is said to be beneficial under stressful conditions when inhaled directly. A combination of lavender oil and olive or sunflower oil with  blue chamomile massaged under the collarbone every night is said to afford relief from high blood pressure. Next to exercise, managing your diet is the next important step towards achieving control of blood pressure.

 

Consumption of adequate Sodium, potassium and magnesium help to lower blood pressure. The dietary ratio between sodium and potassium and sodium and magnesium has got to be narrowed. This can easily be done. Bananas, melons, grapefruit, oranges, cabbage and cauliflower and other fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in potassium Magnesium is present in nuts, rice, wheat germ, beans, soy and also in bananas. So go ahead and increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

Supplementing with oral calcium will also help. Celery and celery oil helps in the dilation of the muscles that regulate blood pressure and is considered to be very beneficial. Celery juice in combination with carrot juice and water makes a nutritious and beneficial drink..

 

Cloves of garlic, which we use regularly in Indian cooking, helps to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase circulation of blood. Garlic pills or powder help to make blood thinner but you have to be careful when it is combined with prescription drugs.

 

Ayurvedic treatment of high blood pressure is very common in the Indian set up. The treatment is highly individualized according to what is referred to as"dosha" or in more common parlance one's constitution. A diet low in salt and fat and herbs like Sankhapuspi and ashwagandha are supposed to be cardio protective and help in the strengthening of heart muscles. The bark of the Arjuna tree is said to induce a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries are useful in combating mild high blood pressure by improving heart function and in treating irregular beating of the heart and angina. Dandelion is a popular home remedy which more or less acts as a diuretic and thus helping to lower high blood pressure. As there is no loss of potassium and as dandelion leaves are easy to attain, it does seem an easy remedy. Reishi, the Japanese mushroom reduces the amount of bad cholesterol and also helps to combat high blood pressure. Homeopathy is just as popular in India as Ayurveda or Allopathy.

 

Sound therapy and imagery are gaining in popularity as  natural remedies for high blood pressure. It has been found that listening to relaxing music  for about 20 to 30 minutes a day slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Just close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply, lie down in a comfortable position and let your body absorb the sound energy. Use headphones and you will find that the music soothes you and helps you to relax. Imagery psychiatrists say when practiced for 3-5 minutes a couple of times a day does help to combat high blood pressure. Of course it involves visualization of the sense of coolness pervading every pore of your body and imagining it to enter your blood stream and sensing that your elevated blood pressure is being lowered. Reflexology has its share of helping to stablise  blood pressure by focusing on foot reflexes. No one can deny the power of yogic postures.

 

"Shavasana" and the Knee squeeze help in the circulation of blood , relieves tension and both in turn help to combat high blood pressure. Grandma's remedies especially in India still have a following. Equal amounts of melon seeds and khus khus ground into a powder are a favorite. A teaspoon early in the morning and late in the evening is effective.  The juice of curry leaves mixed with water and limejuice has its own potency. It is said that coriander and fenugreek leaves also produce the same effect and as they are harmless it is worth the try. Grandma also says that honey, ginger juice and cumin powder is an excellent natural remedy for high blood pressure. Whatever remedy you choose, the bottom line is this ---changing your lifestyle, managing your stress and controlling your diet are all in your hands.