Generally, the first line of defense for hypertension is drug therapy. But before starting drug therapy, try lifestyle changes and some home remedies for high blood pressure.
Medications can be harsh, and while best avoided if possible, if you are on them, know that natural remedies can interfere with their functioning.
Of course, there are things we can do to help ourselves control our high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes such as lose weight, quit smoking, decrease the amount of alcohol you drink, and cut back on caffeine. We also know that we need to make healthier food choices at mealtime.
14 Natural Remedies for high blood pressure
There are also other natural methods to lower your blood pressure without side effects, but today we would like to highlight some additional home remedies for high blood pressure for you to try at home.
1. Ginger-Cardamom Tea
A study, done in December of 2009, was published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics. They gave a group of participants 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder daily for several weeks. The results showed a significant reduction in blood pressure. Combined with ginger and cinnamon, both warming spices that improve circulation, you can make a lovely tea to help your heart get healthy.
2. Watermelon In The Morning
Every morning, be faithful to watermelon. Often times watermelon as viewed as a strict summer fruit, one for seed spitting contests and barbecues, but it can also help lower blood pressure.
Why does it help lower blood pressure? Watermelon contains an organic compound called citrulline. Once it enters the body it is converted to L-arginine, the precursor to nitric oxide. Nitric-oxide in the body relaxes the blood vessels causing your blood pressure to decrease. A great natural remedy to enjoy.
3. Nuts
Start by eating nuts. Pistachio nuts, singled out among other nuts, seem to have the strongest effect on reducing blood pressure in adults. This is according to a recent review and scientific analysis of 21 clinical trials, all carried out between 1958 and 2013. The review appears online in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a publication of the American Society for Nutrition.
4. Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is a popular herb in China, South America, and Central America. It is widely used in China for the treatment of high blood pressure. Cat’s claw lowers blood pressure by inducing vasodilation. Dilated blood vessels allowing the blood to flow more easily. It also acts as a mild diuretic and rids the body of harmful excess fluid.
5. Onions
I love eating onions raw or cooked. Although crying when cutting them can make the task much more difficult (Hint put your onions in cold water before slicing you won’t cry) the taste is worth it. Onions like their cousin garlic pack a host of cardiovascular benefits.
Onions contain a powerful antioxidant called quercetin. Quercetin helps lower blood pressure but also helps treat chest pain, angina, and also lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack. The secret to getting as much of this enzyme is eating the onions raw or lightly cooked.
Here’s a great heart healthy recipe for Onion Soup
6. Enzyme CoQ10
CoQ10 is a naturally occurring enzyme. It contains antioxidants that are good for maintaining cardiac health. CoQ10 has been shown to decrease blood pressure and reduces the thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy).
There are no known side effects of CoQ10 since it naturally occurs in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, for the treatment of hypertension, take 60-360 milligrams daily for 8-12 weeks.
7. Vitamin D
According to a study published in “The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology” vitamin-d, the sunshine vitamin, was proven to reduce blood pressure. Because people are spending less time outdoors people are becoming vitamin-d deficient. Over 1 billion people to be exact.
8. Hibiscus Tea
Lowering high blood pressure is as easy as one, two, tea: Study participants who sipped three cups of a hibiscus tea daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 7 points in 6 weeks on average, say researchers from Tufts University—results on par with many prescription medications.
Those who received a placebo drink improved their reading by only 1 point. The phytochemicals in hibiscus are probably responsible for the large reduction in high blood pressure, say the study authors. Many herbal teas contain hibiscus; look for blends that list it near the top of the chart of ingredients for low blood pressure—this often indicates a higher concentration per serving.
9. Celery Seed Extract
To treat high blood pressure, doctors usually prescribe diuretics (water pills) to reduce the fluid volume; and vasodilators to relax the arteries to reduce the resistance of blood flow, or beta-blockers to turn down the pumping action of the heart.
3nB, a component found in Celery seeds, appears to help lower blood pressure by acting both as a diuretic and vasodilator, as well as working in a manner similar to drugs known as calcium-channel blockers. 3nB has also been shown in animal and test-tube studies to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the formation of arterial plaque.
This effect may increase the elasticity of the blood vessels and thus lead to lower blood pressure readings. In addition, 3nB appears to have some effect on areas and systems of the brain that control vascular resistance.
10. Beetroot juice
Beetroot juice is a powerful medicine when it comes to lowering a high blood pressure. Some of its effects relate to the minerals it contains, such as potassium and magnesium, but its true pharmacological action is due to a high content of nitrates.
When you drink beetroot juice, these nitrates are rapidly converted into nitrites by bacteria (Veillonella and Actinomyces species) that live on the surface of your tongue, and which are also present in saliva.
The nitrites are absorbed into your circulation, where they are used to make a gas called nitric oxide (NO). NO is a cell-signaling molecule which has a powerful relaxing effect on small muscle fibers in your blood vessel linings. This causes the blood vessels to dilate so that your blood pressure falls.
11. Pomegranate juice
Pomegranates are full of natural ACE inhibitors which prevent those enzymes from doing damage to your circulatory system. The juice of pomegranate acts like the medications doctors prescribe for high blood pressure, but it tastes quite a bit sweeter.
Pomegranate juice is an exotic way to lower your blood pressure. But if it is too tart for your taste, consider adding it to another drink. Pour some in a smoothie with raspberries, and add a banana for extra potassium. Alternatively, add it to a cup of water to create a delicious flavored water.
Regardless of how you decide to enjoy it, pomegranate juice is able to lower systolic blood pressure by as much as 30 percent.
12. Arjuna
Though it is rather new to us here, Arjuna bark (Terminalia arjuna) is famous in Ayurvedic medicine, where the thick, red bark is the most widely used herbal cardiac medicine. Modern clinicians in the United States are using Arjuna for coronary artery disease, heart failure, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Several Indian studies over the last few years have shown that Arjuna, in animals and in humans, reduces total cholesterol and increases HDL (“good” cholesterol). One study showed that this herb was as effective an antioxidant as vitamin E and that it reduced cholesterol in the human subjects quite substantially.
Considering its benefit for cholesterol, it is not surprising that it lowers blood pressure; many cases of high blood pressure in the United States are caused by cholesterol accumulation in the arteries.
More about Arjuna – Read here…
13. Flaxseed
A 2013 study published in “Hypertension” concluded that flaxseed lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients. It is a great home remedy for high blood pressure. More than 100 patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, a condition associated with high blood pressure, were assigned to a flaxseed group or a placebo group. The former ate 30 grams of flaxseed every day for 6 months.
At the conclusion of the study, those in the flaxseed group had lower blood pressure than those in the placebo group. I started adding flaxseed on top of my salad instead of croutons. It gives it a tasty crunch without the added calories and salt.
14. Dark Chocolate
More good news for chocolate lovers: A new Harvard study finds that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension. The study joins the growing research into the heart-healthy benefits of flavonoids, compounds in unsweetened chocolate that cause dilation of the blood vessels.
As you can see there are so many ways that you can lower your blood pressure naturally with out toxic medications. Why not try one today?
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Staff picks for high blood pressure: “3. Cat’s Claw”. Can you please refer me to specific item to purchase (no items I’ve seen refer to blood pressure, rather to arthritis and immune system) note per Wikipedia:
There are two species of cat’s claw commonly used in North America and Europe, Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis, each having different properties and uses. The two are frequently confused but U. tomentosa is the more heavily researched for medicinal use[3] and immune modulation, while U. guianensis may be more useful for osteoarthritis.[4] U. tomentosa is further divided into two chemotypes with different properties and active compounds, a fact ignored by most manufacturers[5] that can have significant implications on both its use as an alternative medicine and in clinical trials to prove or disprove its efficacy.[6] Another species, Uncaria rhynchophylla, has usage in Chinese medicine, and several unrelated species bear the same nickname.
Cat’s claw may act on calcium and calcification in blood vessels to reduce hypertension, according to Healthline. Cat’s claw can be purchased on Amazon at the following link.
Where can I buy cardamom powder?
Cardamom powder can be bought at any health or whole foods store. Ensure that you purchase organic cardamom powder. You can also purchase as pods and grind at home.
High Blood pressure is really killing lots of folks out there, proper awareness should be created. I checked my BP and was really amazed. Stumbled on this article and its really helpful.
Dear John, Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing this informative article, It is helpful and nice.
Dear Ben, Thank you so much. I am glad it was helpful.
Best home remedies for high blood pressure thank you for sharing.
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I walk/run 6 miles every morning. Would resperate be better done before or after that? and whichever (or both), how long before or after?
Dear Paul, I would do after. It would be a great way to have your body go into relax mode and cool down. Eli
My dad is suffering blood pressure, he has already controlled his diet chart. Still, his blood has not dropped. I am looking for healthy home remedies and suddenly found your article. Great information shared by you. He also has diabetics type II. Then he should avoid the high carb and sweet dishes. Never heard about cat’s claws. I hope it will work well for him.
My BP spiked about a month ago, and I was prescribed Amlodopine 5 gr. and Spironolactone 25 gr. Before this I had stopped taking any medication for nearly a year by reducing my sodium intake and increasing my potassium in foods. I see a noticeable reduction in my systolic reading, but my diastolic reading is still in the 140-150 range. I am continuing to take other supplements as well. What other suggestions do you have? I am also using the RESPeRATE at least once daily.
Hi Leola, Your diastolic is that high? Or did you mean systolic? I would do 2 session daily. One in the morning and one in the evening. Eli
Hi, If you can do session daily I highly recommend this. It brought my B/P down to the 110’s/70’s. Kindest Regards, Eli.
What quantity of pistachios should a person eat daily to lower blood pressure? And how much reduction can a person expect?
Hi Nancy, 1 serving a day is about the size of the palm of your hand. Of course unsalted pistachios is best. The salted ones will cause you to retain water
which is not good for your kidneys or your blood pressure. According to one study your blood pressure would drop 3-5 points systolic. Kindest Regards, Eli.
What about olive leaf tea?
Hi Vivian, Yes olive leaf tea is also good for a healthy blood pressure. Eli.
Hibiscus tea vs Green tea/Macha or both?
Hi Thomas, I would recommend trying both but not at the same time if you want a more accurate picture. You can try 1 for a few weeks and see how it does and then try the other. Kindest Regards, Eli, Content Manager.
What if you are on blood pressure medication, will any of these remedies interact with the medication. Thanks
I would pick one to try and then GOOGLE it to see if has any reactions with your current medication. Eli
What strength of the celery seed ?
Hi, The recommendation is to either consume 8 ribs of celery per day or take a celery seed extract 75 mg capsule standardized to contain 85% 3nB and other celery phthalides at a dosage of 75 to 150 mg twice daily. I would recommend reading this paper on the subject.
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Eli