Table of contents:
- Natural high blood pressure lowering herbal medicine
- 1. Garlic
- 2. Cinnamon
- 3. Ginger
- 4. Celery
- 5. Basil
- 6. Cat roots
- 7. Cardamom
- Natural ways to lower high blood pressure without drugs
- 1. Meditation
- 2. Yoga
- 3. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
- 4. Breathing exercises
- 5. Music therapy
- 6. Massage therapy
- 7. Qigong
- 8. Biofeedback
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. Therefore, someone who has a history of high blood pressure needs to control his blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension. Apart from adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking medication for high blood pressure, many people are looking for other alternatives to treat hypertension. One of them is with hypertension herbal medicine or other natural ways to reduce high blood pressure.
So, is it true that there are other alternatives that can cure hypertension? What are the herbal or traditional medicines and natural methods that people usually use for hypertension?
Natural high blood pressure lowering herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is a product made from plants to treat certain diseases or maintain a healthy body. These types of drugs generally come in various forms, such as capsules, powder, liquid, or dried and chopped herbs. How to use it also varies, some are directly swallowed like a pill, drunk, or brewed like tea.
Using these herbal medicines for hypertension is actually not prohibited. However, you should first consult with your doctor, because some herbal medicines are actually dangerous because they can interact with the hypertension drugs you are taking. In fact, some herbal remedies can make your hypertension worse.
You also need to remember that there is no single herbal medicine that can treat high blood pressure. The use of these natural remedies can only help you control blood pressure. In fact, some of them also require further research to prove their effectiveness.
Here are various plants and herbs that you can easily find and use at home to help control hypertension:
1. Garlic
Garlic is generally used as a must-have spice in every dish. But it turns out, garlic can also be a herbal remedy to lower high blood pressure naturally.
A literature study published in the Pharmacognosy Review in 2011 shows that garlic can lower blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure. This decrease in blood pressure generally occurs in someone with essential or primary types of hypertension.
The allicin compound in garlic is believed to play a role in reducing blood pressure. This compound works by increasing the production of nitric oxide in the body, which can relax blood vessels so that blood pressure decreases. In addition, garlic is also known to lower cholesterol, which is one of the factors that cause hypertension.
However, garlic as a medicine can interact with certain drugs, especially anticoagulant drugs. Therefore, consult your doctor first before using garlic as a natural or herbal remedy for hypertension.
To be used as medicine, garlic can be consumed raw or made in the form of a liquid extract, oil, or powder. However, you can also include garlic in your cooking.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is often used to add flavor to several dishes. However, it turns out that this type of spice can also be used as a traditional hypertension remedy.
A study published in the journal Nutrition states that cinnamon is associated with lowering blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, in people with type 2 diabetes. However, cinnamon has not been shown to directly control blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Therefore, further research is needed to prove it.
As is well known, diabetes is one of the causes of hypertension, especially secondary hypertension. This condition can occur because insulin resistance in diabetics can cause an increase in blood pressure.
3. Ginger
In addition to warming the body, ginger is also included in herbal medicine which is often used to reduce high blood pressure naturally. Animal studies have shown that ginger can improve blood circulation and relax the muscles around blood vessels.
The active substances in ginger, namely saponins, flavonoids, amines, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been shown to increase blood vessel relaxation and lower blood pressure in rats. However, there are not many studies on the effects of ginger on human blood pressure and generally still use low doses. The results of his research were not very convincing.
However, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic, one of the benefits of ginger is to reduce cholesterol levels. The cholesterol is one of the causes of hypertension.
4. Celery
Another natural ingredient that you can use as a herbal remedy for high blood pressure is celery. This green plant contains natural chemicals called phthalides.
Phthalide can help relax the tissues that are in the walls of arteries, so that your blood pressure can decrease. In addition, the magnesium and potassium content in celery can also help maintain normal blood pressure.
Therefore, start adding celery in your daily menu as an herbal remedy to lower high blood pressure naturally. You can make it into juice and then add it with honey to make it more delicious or add with vinegar which is believed to relieve dizziness, headaches and shoulder pain associated with hypertension symptoms.
5. Basil
Apart from being useful as a cooking spice, basil leaves are also an herbal remedy that has many benefits for your health, including high blood pressure.
This kitchen spice works like a medicine calcium-channel blocker , which is a type of hypertension medication that is often prescribed by doctors. The reason is, extracts from basil leaves contain eugenol, a chemical that can block calcium reactions that can constrict blood vessels.
6. Cat roots
Have you ever heard of a plant called cat root or cat's claw? This plant is often used as a herbal medicine to treat various diseases, one of which is a natural remedy for lowering high blood pressure.
Similar to basil leaves, cat root as a natural high blood pressure remedy can help lower blood pressure by blocking calcium in your body's cells. You can find this natural high blood pressure medication in supplement form at a pharmacy.
7. Cardamom
Another spice that you can use as a herbal remedy for lowering high blood pressure is cardamom. Cardamom is commonly used as a flavoring addition, especially in South Asia, such as India. However, this spice is also easy to find and is often used in Indonesia.
A study published by Journal of ethnopharmacology said, cardamom can lower blood pressure by inhibiting the reaction of calcium in the body. Similar to basil and cat roots, cardamom elicits the same reactions in the body as hypertension drugs calcium-channel blocker .
Apart from consuming cardamom powder directly as a natural remedy for hypertension, you can also mix cardamom in your cooking. Thus, you can get the maximum benefits of this traditional hypertension medicine.
Apart from the natural ingredients above, some foods have also been shown to help lower high blood pressure. These high blood pressure foods generally contain several vitamins and minerals for hypertension which are good for the health of the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, which in turn have an effect on blood pressure.
Natural ways to lower high blood pressure without drugs
Herbal remedies and natural ingredients above can indeed be an option for controlling high blood pressure or hypertension. However, taking herbal medicines is not the main thing in the treatment of hypertension. Doctors certainly prefer to adopt a healthy lifestyle and consume high blood pressure medications.
In applying a healthy lifestyle for hypertension, there are several natural ways or alternative therapies that you can also do everyday. Generally, this natural way is done to relax your body so that you avoid stress that can cause hypertension. Here are some other natural ways to lower high blood pressure that you can try:
1. Meditation
Meditation is a fairly effective way to reduce stress levels to help keep blood pressure normal. Meditation has many types. You can try it yourself or with the help of a therapist.
One type of meditation that you can do is transcendental meditation. This meditation technique is done in a simple and easy way. Just sit comfortably and your eyes closed for 20 minutes.
This method can calm your mind thereby reducing the strain on the heart and blood vessels. If done regularly and regularly, your blood pressure can be maintained at normal levels and you can prevent hypertension from getting worse.
This has even been proven in a study published by the American Journal of Hypertension. In this study, it was found that, doing transcendental meditation for 20 minutes twice a day can reduce blood pressure by up to 3 mmHg.
2. Yoga
If you are looking for another healthy lifestyle to control hypertension, but at the same time keep your body in shape, yoga can be the solution. The reason is, yoga is a sport that combines physical posture, breathing techniques, and focus.
Yoga has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate so as to avoid complications of hypertension. However, before joining yoga classes or doing various movements at home, make sure you have consulted a doctor first. The reason is, there are several yoga movements that are not recommended for certain health conditions.
3. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
Other natural methods that you can do to control high blood pressure without using drugs, namely progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). This technique aims to reduce stress by tensing and relaxing certain muscles in your body.
To do this, you need to lie down or just sit in a chair quietly for a few minutes. Then, you can start from the facial muscles first to the leg muscles later. Tense your muscles and then release them. Do this several times until all of your muscles are relaxed.
You can do this method at work or at home and should be done for 15-20 minutes twice per day. However, you should be careful when doing PMR. If you have certain injuries, you should first consult with your doctor before doing it.
4. Breathing exercises
A study reported in Journal of human hypertension mentioned that having a good breath can lower a person's blood pressure.
If you control your breathing properly, slowly, and regularly, your body will automatically feel more relaxed and calm. The reason is that during this time more hormones that regulate your mood will be produced, so you will feel much more comfortable and your blood pressure will drop.
This natural method is very easy to do to help lower your high blood pressure. The reason is, you can do it anywhere and anytime.
5. Music therapy
Music is often used by many people to calm down and relieve stress. This can also have an impact on the health of the body, one of which is maintaining blood pressure.
Therefore, music therapy can be a natural remedy for lowering high blood pressure. Experts believe that music has soft tones, which can relax the body so that it can reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can make blood pressure rise.
6. Massage therapy
Apart from music therapy, massage therapy is also believed to help lower blood pressure. A study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine found that massage therapy can control blood pressure, especially in women who have prehypertension.
This therapy is also a natural method that is safe, effective, and inexpensive. The reason is, in addition to certain health care places, massage therapy can also be done at home while you relax.
7. Qigong
Maybe this alternative method still sounds foreign to your ears. However, qigong has actually been an alternative therapy in China for thousands of years.
A study reported in the Journal of Medicine states that doing qigong along with taking hypertension drugs has been shown to make blood pressure better controlled.
Even though it sounds unfamiliar, nowadays there are many therapeutic establishments that provide alternative qigong treatments. However, before you choose a therapy place, make sure that the therapist who is doing the treatment is a professional and has a certificate.
8. Biofeedback
In addition to hypertension medications given by your doctor, you can also try biofeedback therapy to control your high blood pressure naturally. This therapy is usually recommended not only for people with hypertension, but also for people with chronic pain, urinary incontinence, headaches, asthma, and other medical conditions.
Biofeedback is a technique you use to learn to control several body functions, such as your heart rate. This technique uses special tools. Therefore, biofeedback must be carried out by a professional therapist.
During biofeedback, you will be connected to an electrical sensing device that measures and monitors the tension in the muscles of the body. From this examination the therapist will know which parts of the body are tense and then help you to relax.
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