Dr. I-Net

There are a variety of prescription drugs available for high blood pressure including vasodilators, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, etc. Each has a unique way of working and different drugs may work for better different people. Like many synthetic drugs, anti-hypertensive medication has a risk of causing side effects depending on the person as well as the type of drug being taken. These can include, dizziness, nausea, stomach problems, fatigue, impotence, insomnia, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, allergic reaction, back pain, changes in eyesight, cold, constipation, diarrhea,urinary problems, and many others. There is an easy, widely available nutritional solution to high blood pressure. Many herbs provide health benefits in addition to helping lower blood pressure.

Garlic - Garlic has been touted as an herb with numerous health benefits, from treating the common cold to serving as an anti-cancer agent. Research has proven that garlic is beneficial for those with hypertension. By thinning the blood garlic can lower blood pressure by 5 to 10 percent. It can also lower cholesterol and discourage clot formation. Unfortunately, garlic has a reputation for being an "anti-social" food, but with all of the health benefits that garlic provides, bad breath should be the least of your worries.

Fish oil - Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoice acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure.

Folic acid - Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels. One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure.

Yoga and Meditation - You can also treat your abnormal blood pressure. There are many asanas that can be done to keep your blood pressure under control. They are very effective. Yoga can fight off the causes of the abnormal blood pressure. It helps both type of blood pressure. It stabilizes blood pressure. Some yoga poses for high blood pressure include- Easy Pose (Sukhasana), Shoulder Stretches, Stand spread leg forward fold, Cat Pose (Bidalasana) and many more. If you do transcendental meditation, it reduces your blood pressure as it decreases the constriction of the blood vessels. By doing meditation daily, you not only keep your blood pressure under control but also avoid the complications that you might develop because of hypertension. So, meditation is one of the best ways to prevent and treat your abnormal blood pressure.

Seaweeds - Some parts of the Laminaria and similar seaweeds are used as a blood-pressure-lowering drug in a preparation called Kombu. One Japanese scientist confirmed that by giving people with essential hypertension a hot water drink with extract of the kelp, blood pressure went down significantly with no side effects. Others have isolated hypotensive (blood-pressure-reducing) chemicals, including histamine, from this seaweed.

High Fiber Foods - Virtually all high fiber foods have the ability to lower blood pressure. High fiber products such as oats, guar gum, apple pectin, psyllium seed and husks, dandelion roots, ginger roots, fenugreek seed powder, and fennel seed powder. Use about one to three tablespoons per day. This actually promotes weight loss, chelates metals and reduces cholesterol.

Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium Calcium - supplementation appears to have a modest but statistically significiant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference of 2.5 mm Hg), however better quality studies are needed. Potassium. A meta-analysis of five trials indicated that potassium supplementation compared to a control resulted in a large but statistically non-significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference 11.2 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (5.0 mm hg). Magnesium. In 12 randomized controlled trials, participants receiving magnesium supplements did not have a significantly reduction in systolic blood pressure, but they did have a statistically signicantly reduction in diastolic blood pressure (mean difference 2.2 mm Hg).

Black Cumin Seeds - (Nigella Sativa) Cumin seeds have a long history of use in folk medicine as a diuretic and hypotensive remedy. Research has shown that the essential oil of Nigella sativa seed may be a a potent, centrally acting antihypertensive agent.

Rauwolfia serpentina - Otherwise known as Indian Snakeroot, this powerful herb can significantly lower blood pressure with only a small dose. The effects of the herb are usually not seen until a few days after the initial administration and have a cumulative effect. Rauwolfia does have side effects, the most common being nasal congestion. Less common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.

Ayurveda - According to Ayurveda, the most ancient system of medicine known in the world, rakta vata occurs due to disturbances in vata, which is one of the three major doshas (or defects in health systems) of the body. Disturbances in vata lead to problems such as metabolic and circulatory diseases, depression and emotional problems, and illnesses related to the stresses and strains of life and tension in the mind. Hypertension is one of these illnesses. The other two doshas are pitta, which means "gall", and kapha, which means "phlegm." Pitta is responsible for digestion in the intestines, metabolism, and energy, while kapha is responsible for the functioning of the stomach, limbs, joints, and sensory organs.

Cayenne - is loaded with bioflavonoids and other phytochemicals which strengthen and protect the heart and all of the circulatory system. Cayenne also contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements, all of which promote cardiovascular health. Ever notice that cayenne rarely ever rots, and if dry, never. That's because properly dried, cayenne will destroy bacteria and give your immune system a real boost. It is reported that because Mexicans eat so much cayenne that bugs won't land on them and buzzards won't even eat a corpse because of the cayenne content. Cayenne contains vitamin A and vitamin C. Cayenne is excellent for lowering cholesterol and increasing the fluidity of blood.

Vitamin C -Vitamin C levels show an inverse relationship with blood pressure. The higher the vitamin C levels the lower the blood pressure. It is unknown whether this effect is related to proper dietary habits or other effects. Therefore, it is advisable to increase vitamin C levels if you suffer from hypertension. And vitamin C will enhance the cayenne tinctures used above. Use between 3,000 and 6,000 mg daily in divided doses spread throughout the day. This is known to improve the function of the adrenal glands and diminishes blood clotting. Celery Celery is a special food that has the ability to reduce blood pressure.

Celery contains a compound called 3-n-butyl phthalide which will significantly lower blood pressure (i.e. 12 to 14 percent) at the same time it lowers serum cholesterol (i.e. 7 percent). This effect can be achieved by eating at least 4 ribs of celery per day.

CoEnzyme Q10 CoQ10 is a vital component in the manufacture of energy compounds such as AMP, ADP and the more familiar ATP. It is not at all uncommon for hypertensive individuals to exhibit profound deficiencies of this vital coenzyme. We have known for some time that CoQ10 deficiencies are typically present in cases of heart disease such as congestive heart failure, angina, and atherosclerosis. In cases of hypertension it is best to begin with a saturating dose of CoQ10 and once saturation levels are reached, cut back on the dose level because of the expense involved. Start with 300 mg per day for 3 days, drop to 200 mg per day for 3 days, then to 150 mg per day for 6 days and 100 mg per day for the remainder of the month. If the blood pressure reduction is satisfactory, continue at a dose level of no less than 50 mg per day.