There’s a ’silent killer’ on the rise and since there aren’t any specific symptoms to alert an individual that they have high blood pressure, close to one-third of people with the condition don’t have a clue they are dealing with something that can cause a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and failed kidneys. What’s worse is that the effects of high blood pressure can wreak havoc for many years without any indication that a problem exists.
What is High Blood Pressure?
In order to understand high blood pressure, you first need to know that blood pressure is the force within the arteries associated with your beating heart (called systolic pressure) and the heart when it is at rest (diastolic pressure). When measuring these values, milliliters of mercury (mm Hg) are used. If you have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), then you are in danger of exhibiting blood pressure that is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure [1].
Causes and Symptoms
Recent numbers suggest that about one in every three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and between 90 to 95% of all cases fail to show a cause. Individuals with unknown causes are diagnosed as having essential or primary hypertension. The remaining cases of high blood pressure patients do experience factors that lead to their condition. Secondary hypertension is often caused by abnormal kidneys, narrowed arteries, and structural deficiencies of the large blood vessel leaving the heart (aorta).
At times, people with high blood pressure may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Headache
High Blood Pressure Natural Remedies
Just as certain herbs and supplements can treat high blood pressure, other selections can actually make matters worse. Try staying away from licorice, ephedra, Asian ginsing, and rosemary essential oil if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. However, to treat your condition with effective natural methods, consider the following suggestions:
a) Garlic:
If you suffer from mild high blood pressure, controlled studies have shown that garlic powder supplement can effectively reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is important to approach the use of garlic supplements with caution, as it does have the ability to thin the blood and could interact with other drugs one may take, such as Coumadin (warfarin).
b) Fish Oil:
Some people have lowered their blood pressure by incorporating fish oil into their diet.
c) Supplementation:
Sometimes, you just need a little boost, which is where supplementation comes in. Evidence has shown that adding calcium supplements to your daily regimen may reduce your systolic blood pressure. Potassium supplements could reduce both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure. You may also consider taking magnesium supplements to treat high diastolic blood pressure.
d) Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Traditional Chinese healers often linked high blood pressure with problems concerning the circulation of vital energy (called qi) in the body. With a combination of herbal treatments and acupuncture, some patients may find relief. Chinese medicine practitioners have also praised the water chestnut, turnip, Chinese celery, hawthorn berries, mung beans, and honey as possessing medicinal components that can ease high blood pressure.
e) Ginkgo [2]:
Take ginkgo biloba tablets or add ½ teaspoon of fluid extract to a glass of water for a twice daily remedy. Use this natural remedy in stretches of two to three months at a time.
f) Buckwheat:
Take the tablet form of buckwheat to aid circulation, decrease blood pressure, and prevent arteriosclerosis from setting in.
g) Vitamin E:
Include 400 IU of vitamin E on a daily basis.
h) Yoga:
So far, preliminary studies done on the effects of yoga on high blood pressure has shown promise in producing lower readings.
i) Folic Acid:
When it comes to the formation of red blood cells, folate serves as a necessary B vitamin and may help lower high blood pressure in some patients.
j) Biofeedback:
Biofeedback teaches people how to assume control over their internal body processes that have the potential to go a bit ‘haywire.’ The technique has been quite helpful for patients battling conditions, such as migraine headaches, chronic pain, and high blood pressure. While some people may choose direct blood pressure feedback or electromyography (associated with muscle tension) to treat their high blood pressure, keep in mind that thermal feedback (which measures skin temperature) and electrodermal activity feedback (that probes sweat responses) has proven more effective.
k) Prepare Hawthorn and Chrysanthemum Tea [3]:
Improving circulation in the coronary region, hawthorn promotes a more efficient heart, while chrysanthemum flowers relaxes the heart and encourages improved blood flow. Use the following recipe to treat mild conditions.
First, gather 30 grams of dried hawthorn flowering tops; 25 grams of Ja Hua (dried, prepared chrysanthemum flowers); 25 grams of dried linden flowers; and 20 grams of dried yarrow. Mix all of the herbs together and store in a dry, airtight container. Add two teaspoons of the mix to a tisane cup (or small teapot). Next, add a cup of freshly boiled water. Steep for 10 minutes, followed by a round of straining. Drink a teacup dose three times per day.
Resources
[1] http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112
[2] The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier; pg. 301
[3] Home Herbal by Penelope Ody; pg. 108.
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