In this article, we are going to discuss natural remedies for both high and low blood pressure, along with the use of certain herbal supplements that can help with blood pressure issues.
If you follow some of these natural remedies for blood pressure, they may help you achieve healthier blood pressure levels. In addition, one should always consult a Medical Doctor as both too high and too low blood pressure could be serious medical conditions.
First, we will take a look at high blood pressure causes and remedies.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure means a blood pressure reading above 140/90, and any reading above 180/120 is considered severe.
The causative factors for high blood pressure can include excessive alcohol consumption, pregnancy, smoking, obesity, stress, too much sodium in your diet, age, family medical history, hormonal disorders, usage of various drugs like contraceptive pills, steroids, pain killers, etc.
Lack of exercise, chronic kidney diseases, and Adrenal or Thyroid disorders could also be responsible for high blood pressure in people. In more than 95% of the cases, no specific cause can be found.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Some of the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure may include:
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- palpitation
- disturbed sleep
- breathlessness
- blurred vision
- chest pains
- and fatigue.
High Blood Pressure Natural Remedies
Here are some natural remedies for high blood pressure that many people have found helpful:
⇀ Decrease amount the salt and sodium in your diet. Carefully read food labels, take in no more than 2000 mg of sodium intake a day.
⇀ Avoid any unnecessary stress and strain. Practice healthy relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, a warm bath, taking a long leisurely walk, etc.
⇀ Avoid smoking, tobacco can injure blood vessels wall and speed up the process of hardening of the arteries.
Foods for High Blood Pressure
Eating potassium-rich foods can help lower your risk of high blood pressure. Foods high in potassium include bananas, oranges, yogurt, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.
Garlic is an excellent natural remedy for high blood pressure.
Lemon is a rich source of bioflavonoids, which is essential for the prevention of capillary fragility. Though lemon is acidic in taste, it leaves alkaline residue in the body. The Vitamin C in lemon is very effective as it gets to combine with bioflavonoids. These as a combination in the lemon are more beneficial as they strengthen the blood vessels and prevent internal hemorrhage. It is therefore more effective in high blood pressure.
Spinach and carrot juice are also useful natural remedies for high blood pressure.
Drinking coconut water is also beneficial.
Eat Papaya 2 to 3 slices in the morning and evening. It helps to flush out the toxins from the body.
Herbal Supplements for High Blood Pressure
Garlic
Garlic supplements can help support healthy blood pressure.
Garlic has been in use as a natural diuretic and to help improve circulation going as far back as the days of ancient Greece.
A study done in 2014 by Karin Ried and Peter Fakler concluded that "Garlic, particularly in the form of the standardizable and highly tolerable aged garlic extract, has the potential to lower BP in hypertensive individuals similarly to standard BP medication".
For more information visit our whole organic garlic supplement page.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha can help decrease blood pressure.
Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, this means it can help you better adapt to stress. Ashwagandha has many benefits such as boosting brain function, helping to reduce stress and anxiety as well as lowering blood sugar & blood pressure.
Webmd.com says that "Ashwagandha might decrease blood pressure. This could cause blood pressure to go too low in people with low blood pressure, or interfere with medications used to treat high blood pressure. Ashwagandha should be used cautiously if you have low blood pressure or take medications for your blood pressure".
For more information about this supplement go to organic Ashwagandha supplement.
Mushroom
Mushroom supplements can help promote reduced blood pressure.
Mushrooms are said to have many health benefits such as immune system support, blood sugar balance, boosting energy & brain function, balanced hormone levels, and reduced blood pressure.
Dr. Josh Axe has said that "Shiitake mushrooms also contain potent phytonutrients that help keep cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and forming plaque buildup, which maintains healthy blood pressure and improves circulation".
A study done in Japan's Tohoku University, Published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, concluded that shiitake mushrooms helped prevent blood pressure increases in hypertensive rats.
Go to our 8 Mushroom blend supplement page to find out more.
Now, let's look at the other side of the coin and what you can do if your blood pressure is too low.
Natural Remedies for Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure means a blood pressure reading below 90/60. In such a condition the heartbeat is usually much lower than usual. This means the heart; brain and other parts of the body may not be getting enough blood.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure causes include dehydration, advanced diabetes, anti-depressant and sedatives usage, elevated hormone levels during pregnancy, anemia, insufficient fluid intake, a heart valve problem, etc. Beta-blockers cause low blood pressure both by slowing the heart rate and decreasing the pumping ability of the heart muscles. Nutritional deficiency and allergic reactions are also some other causative factors.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, blurry vision, and fainting.
If you have signs and symptoms of low blood pressure you may need to seek medical treatment.
Low Blood Pressure Natural Remedies
Let's take a look at some natural remedies for low blood pressure that can be helpful with negligible side effects:
⇀ Increase your salt and sodium intake without going overboard.
⇀ Adding electrolytes to the diet can help relieve the symptoms of low blood pressure.
⇀ Avoid excessive overwork and stress.
⇀ Don't stand for a too long period of time.
⇀ Get up slowly after sitting or lying down.
Foods for Low Blood Pressure
Some healthy foods that are naturally high in sodium include olives, beets, cottage cheese, meats, and canned soup or tuna.
⇀ You can also add some natural sea salt to your food.
⇀ Follow a healthy diet including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
⇀ Take oatmeal, as it is a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are essential for good health and energy.
⇀ Eat leafy salads between lunch and dinner, like broccoli, carrot, peas.
⇀ Soak 6 to 7 Almonds overnight, remove the skin, and make a paste of it. Add this paste to a glass of warm milk and drink it.
⇀ Drinking carrot juice is useful for low blood pressure.
⇀ The use of ginger while preparing tea is beneficial.
⇀ Lemon juice with honey, salt, and water are also advisable. It can help give energy.
Herbal Supplements That Can Raise Blood Pressure
There are some supplements that can raise blood pressure, these are the same supplements that should be avoided if you have high blood pressure.
Some of the supplements that can raise blood pressure include arnica, bitter orange, caffeine, ephedra, guarana, licorice, and St. John's wort.
Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any diet program or taking any supplements to handle blood pressure that is too high or too low.
Summary
Whether you suffer from high or low blood pressure, there are natural remedies you can do to give your body the help it needs. Diet, exercise, and herbal supplements can all play a role in maintaining your blood pressure in a healthy range. Be sure to always consult with your doctor to come up with a healthy plan that will work best for you.
