Our ancestors treated disease using plants, herbs, and concoctions made from food. High blood pressure is prominent in our society today. Some major causes are poor diet, lifestyle, and poor self-care practices, all of which can be managed or reversed. The cost to treat high blood pressure is $50 billion per year, an astronomical cost for this reversible condition.

One-third of adult Americans are currently diagnosed with high blood pressure and another third show signs of pre-hypertension. Improving your diet and daily habits is the first step in reversing high blood pressure as well as incorporating natural supplements and herbal remedies. These remedies work with the body’s natural efforts to heal and balance itself. As well there are no side effects left by pharmaceutical medications.

To be clear, I am in no way telling you to stop any medication you may be currently taking to address your hypertension. What I am attempting to convey to you is the fact with the use of natural options it may be possible to reduce the dosage of your medication and eventually you may be able to stop taking it all together.

My dad had hypertension, I worked with him to change his diet and lose some weight. Prior to his death he was able to take a lower dose of his medication. I have no doubt he could have got off it altogether had he lived longer. Alternative natural options may be very beneficial and just as effective as conventional medicines. If you wish to incorporate any of these natural remedies, please check with your pharmacist first. The pharmacist is trained to know everything about medicines and their interactions with other medications and herbs.

So that being said let’s examine the power of hibiscus as a natural blood pressure reducer. Hibiscus is a tropical flower, if you make a tea with the blossoms, it has a mild diuretic effect, drawing sodium from the bloodstream which decreases blood volume.

Hibiscus also affects hormones in a way that drugs called ACE inhibitors, common drugs to treat hypertension. Such as Lotensin, captopril, Vasotec, lisinopril, and accupril, just to name a few. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme, a substance that regulates fluid balance in the body. Hibiscus has a gentler similar effect. This results in relaxing the blood vessels, so blood pressure is lowered.

To make hibiscus tea steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers in boiled water for 3-5 minutes. Honey and lemon may be added. You could also make iced tea with this mixture.

Up next, coconut water. Coconut water contains potassium and magnesium, minerals that are important for the proper function of muscles, including the heart. Drinking a glass of pure coconut water once or twice daily is all you need to take advantage of its health benefit.

Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are rich in alpha-linolenic acid which is in the omega-3 fatty acid group. These healthy fats help fight against hypertension and cardiovascular disease. They are antioxidants and reduce inflammation. Add one to three teaspoons of ground flaxseed meal to your daily diet by mixing it into healthy baked goods or burgers. It can also be combined with a gluten-free crumb coating for chicken.

Cinnamon has many health benefits when consumed daily, including balancing blood sugar and reducing blood pressure. I add it to oatmeal and cinnamon can be added to coffee and curries as well.

Cat’s Claw an herb from the Amazon contains tannins and flavonoids that dilate blood vessels and provides a mild diuretic effect. The best way to use it is to make a tea by simmering 1-2 tablespoons of the dried herb in two cups of water for 45 minutes.

A study that was published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics reported that three grams of cardamom daily for three months greatly improved blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The spice also breaks down blood clots. Use this spice by making a tea with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and honey.

I don’t have high blood pressure, but I use fresh garlic almost daily. It has the ability to lower blood pressure naturally and 1.8 milligrams was able to reduce blood pressure by 10 percent after a period of 12 weeks. To use garlic medicinally use it in tablet form, that way it bypasses the stomach, which improves its effect.

Hawthorn berry are rich in plant nutrients called flavonoids. The main compounds have been shown to benefit cardiovascular and circulatory conditions, including hypertension. Hawthorn berries can be used as a tea or in powdered form, which serves to widen the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure.

Celery as well as its juice and seeds can be used as an effective high blood pressure treatment. In a study 14 of 16 patients had improvement in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. You can make your own celery juice at home using your blender or juicer.

I buy ginger root and use it in multiple dishes when cooking and I drink ginger tea. Ginger is very effective in managing blood pressure. It does so by relaxing the tiny muscles that surround blood vessels which improves blood circulation and decrease blood pressure. Grate a thumb-size piece of fresh ginger and squeeze the juice into boiled water. It can also be added to stir fries or curries.

If you have hypertension one of the things your physician instructed, you to do was stop eating salt. Natural, unprocessed sea salt provides vital minerals that we would die without. Adding sea salt to homemade food adds only 6 percent of the recommended salt intake. What is essential however, is to reduce or eliminate processed foods from your diet. These foods contain huge amounts of sodium, without any complimentary minerals, which overwhelms the body and can cause high blood pressure.

Natural sea salt and Himalayan salt contain other minerals along with sodium, which results in a mixture that provides the body with trace elements for good health. Using this quality whole salt rather than refined table salt gives you a flavorful versus bland meal.

Uncontrolled hypertension leads to multiple health issues. I wonder how many of you knew what an ACE inhibitor is and how it works to control your blood pressure, prior to reading this Blog? Know your medications, purpose, how it works and definitely side effects.

However, take control of your health, incorporate regular exercise, improve your diet, and utilize some of these natural remedies. Hypertension is a preventable chronic condition that is up to you to manage. Don’t let it lead you to further suffering down the road.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings💖