Lower Blood Pressure Naturally!
Do you want to learn how to lower blood pressure naturally?
Did you know that one out of every three people in the US has high
blood pressure? This often symptomless condition can cause increased
risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure then
you deserve to address the root cause of the problem so that you can
continue to live a long life with your healthy heart!
article you can read a brief description of western medicine’s
perspectives on high blood pressure. The second half of this article
will tell you how a more holistic view of high blood pressure can help
you to naturally lower your blood pressure!
Western Description of Hypertension
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood against your
arteries. There are two numerical readings for blood pressure. The first
is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure when the
heart beats. The second is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures
the pressure between heart beats.
Hypotension or blood pressure that is too low is defined as when a person’s blood pressure readings are generally below 90/60.
Normal blood pressure is when a person’s blood pressure most often falls between 120/80 and 100/65.
Pre-hypertension is when a person’s blood pressure is most often between 120/80 and 140/90.
exists in various stages from mild to severe when a person’s blood
pressure most often measures between 140/90 and 230/140.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Generally there are no overt symptoms to warn you that you have high
blood pressure. Most often this is discovered at a doctor’s visit. If
you have high blood pressure for many years you can develop heart
disease and kidney troubles.
Western medicine uses a variety of high blood pressure medication to reduce blood pressure. These may include:
Diuretics to decrease the amount of fluid in the body.
ACE inhibitors which relax the blood vessels.
Beta-blockers which make the heart beat at a slower rate and less force.
Natural Remedies for Hypertension
There are a number of reasons why you may develop high blood pressure
readings and most often it is a combination of several factors.
Therefore there is seldom any one herb (or drug) that can address this
condition from the root cause.
Before we start doling out herbs
or drugs it would be far better to know more about you and look for root
causes of this imbalance.
High Blood Pressure Causes
Essential hypertension is high blood pressure that has no one apparent cause.
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure as a result of a diagnosed disease or medication.
Some causes for high blood pressure symptoms include:
sedentary lifestyle can lead to hypertension. If you are interested in
lowering your blood pressure and getting started on an exercise program
be sure to find guidance to create a fitness plan that works for you. It
is very easy for a person to over do it, thus creating more problems! A
beneficial exercise plan will include a balance of cardio, strength,
flexibility and integrative core movement.
- High Blood Pressure Diet
the old days red meats and cholesterol-containing foods were often
pointed to as the culprits in hypertension. Now, we are beginning to
understand that it is inflammatory foods that should be receiving most
of the blame. Avoiding processed foods, sugar, poor quality grains, GMO
foods and other adulterated foods is one step. Increasing wholesome
anti-inflammatory foods, fresh foods high in antioxidants like
dark-colored vegetables and berries, olives and olive oil, high quality
meats, etc, is key! Excessive caffeine intake can increase blood
pressure in some individuals.
- Vascular Health
majority of people in western culture do little to prevent heart
disease. Herbs and foods high in antioxidants can be taken for existing
heart issues and for prevention! As you age it is crucial to retain
healthy heart vessels that retain their elasticity. Considering the
epidemic of heart-related diseases in our culture I almost always
encourage preventive measures with people I work with, even if they have
no history of heart disease.
How are your
stress levels? Chronic negative stress can lead to hypertension. This
can sometimes be the hardest thing for you to change since living a
stressful life becomes a means of identity. In a go-go-go society it can
be difficult for you to consciously do less. Psychotherapy, yoga, tai
chi, Qi gong, picking up a fun and enjoyable hobby and enjoying regular
time in nature are important tools for reducing your negative reactions
to stress. Botanical medicine such as adaptogens and relaxing nervines
can also be helpful.
- Insulin Resistance
resistance, or metabolic syndrome, is the precursor to diabetes. This
metabolic imbalance can be a key factor in various kinds of heart
diseases and would be considered a core root of the problem.
Smoking or chewing tobacco adversely effects blood pressure.
Excessive intake of alcohol can lead to hypertension in some individuals.
- Nutrient deficiency
Lack of magnesium and vitamin D3 can lead to hypertension.
- Sleep deprivation
How well do you sleep? Chronic sleep deprivation (a rampant problem in our society) can also lead to hypertension.
evaluating the particular factors in your life that are leading to high
blood pressure readings we can get to the root cause of the problem
instead of using pills to mask your symptoms.
Natural herbal remedies for high blood pressure
I also use the following categories of herbs, supplements and other
lifestyle suggestions to help you naturally lower your blood pressure.
These herbs help to reduce the amount of fluid in the body, thus lowering the amount of pressure.
- Cardio tonics
These herbs help to support and strengthen the cardiovascular system. These are wonderful taken as preventives as well.
These herbs help to lower blood pressure by various mechanisms.
- Relaxing Nervines
These herbs can help relax the tone of the blood vessels and relax the body/mind state.
- Circulatory stimulants
These may be used in small doses as part of a larger formula to increase circulation.
- Anti-inflammatory herbs
These herbs help to support the physical health of blood vessels.
Magnesium to bowel tolerance
- High Blood Pressure Diet
whole foods diet accentuating foods high in antioxidants will help
support the integrity of the cardiovascular system. Garlic and onions
have been shown to lower blood pressure naturally and can be eaten
liberally. If a person has any level of insulin resistance then a low
glycemic diet, specific exercise and nutrient supplementation need to be
taken into consideration.
Excess caffeine can negatively effect some people as can excessive alcohol intake and smoking or chewing tobacco.
Appropriate exercise (cardio and strength)
Stress management by re-prioritizing health and joy, adaptogen herbs, meditation, yoga, tai chi and massage.
Quality sleep every night.
Links to scientific studies on high blood pressure natural remedy
Science on garlic for high blood pressure
Hypotensive effects of hawthorn on pub med
Hawthorne for chronic heart failure
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