Just Six Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure

If you've recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is quite likely that you have also been prescribed medications to bring your numbers down.  However, you should be worried about taking medications that could last lifelong and create a dependency on them. 

High blood pressure, especially in the initial stages can be successfully controlled with a healthy lifestyle and with certain changes in your dietary habits (inclusions and exclusions).  There are also a few herbs and natural remedies that are proven highly effective to check high blood pressure.  This article lists out all that can help you, provided you discipline yourself and have the courage of your convictions to start immediately combined with a strong desire to heal yourself without medications.

Meditation

The American Heart Association in their article on Meditation and Heart Health talk about the promising results about the impact of meditation in reducing blood pressure. A 2012 study showed people with heart disease who practiced Meditation regularly were 48 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.  Yet, inspite of the innumerable techniques that are available, many find it difficult to meditate.  Nirmiti Nidra is one of the easiest, effortless yet effective techniques to de-stress and meditate by using self-hypnosis modalities.   And it takes just half a day to learn the technique.

Morning routine

There are innumerable articles on the beneficial effects of lemons and lemon water especially with regard to pH levels in your body.  The Pectin in lemons can help lower the cholesterol which causes high blood pressure. Flavonoids, as well as vitamin P, also help strengthen the blood vessels themselves and lower the risk of damage to them, due to high blood pressure. It takes just two minutes to prepare a glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed into it and have it first thing in the morning as soon as you get up.  And if you can add 30 ml of Aloe Vera juice to your morning routine additionally, super!

Exercise

Regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes five days of the week can lower your blood pressure.  It's important to be consistent because if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again. The best types of exercise for lowering blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing.  If in doubt or in severe cases, talk to your doctor about developing an exercise program.

Less sodium, more potassium

Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg.  To reduce sodium in your diet, make sure you use minimal salt whilst cooking (those who require more can add salt later to their food) and read food labels especially in case of processed foods.  Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements.

Herbs

The eight herbs that are known to be beneficial in controlling high blood pressure include Basil, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Garlic, Hawthorn, Celery, French Lavender and Cat’s Claw.  Find ways to include small quantities in your diet.

Diet

Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

There are also some herbal and ayurvedic medications / supplements that you can include, which will not cause a dependency and may have little or nil side effects, but I am not including them in this article.