High blood pressure (HBP), also termed as hypertension, is caused when heart has to put extra efforts in pumping blood to the arteries. There can be many reasons of its occurrence, common ones are – obesity, smoking, intake of large amount of salt in diet, consumption of too much alcohol, old age, genetics, birth control pills, pain relievers, adrenal and thyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease, etc. To lower the risk of high blood pressure, one must bring changes in his/her lifestyle. Common symptoms of HBP are – reddening of the face, chest pain, tinnitus, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeats, blurred vision, dizziness, nose bleeds, headache, etc. If ignored, this may lead to serious health problems such as kidney failure, strokes and heart attacks. Get rid of high blood pressure before it takes a toll on your health, using natural home remedies.
Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure
1. Lemons
Mix juice of ½ a lemon to a cup of warm water. Drink it on an empty stomach every morning. Do not add salt or sugar to it for the best results.
2. Watermelon and Poppy Seeds
Grind equal quantities of dried poppy and watermelon seeds. Take this mixture along with water on an empty stomach.
3. Garlic
Crush 1-2 cloves of garlic with hands and take them along with water or a cup of milk every morning, to lower down the elevated blood pressure.
4. Coconut Water
Drink 8 ounces of coconut water, 1-2 times daily to lower the high blood pressure.
5. Fish Oil
Take 1-2 tbsp of fish oil (cod liver oil) mixed with some fresh juice or in the form of pills for preventing high BP.
Note – Consult your doctor for getting information about dosage.
6. Cardamom Tea
Crush a cardamom pod and some ginger. Place them in 1 cup of boiling water until the entire aroma gets merged with water. Now add 1 tbsp of tea to it along with 1 tbsp of sugar or honey. Add ½ cup of milk. Allow this mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Then strain the tea and drink it 1-2 times a day or as required.
7. Blueberry Syrup
Boil 8 tbsp of blueberries in 4 cups of water. Allow it to simmer until the mixture reduces to half. Strain this mixture into another pot and add 1 tbsp of honey to it. Stir well and store in a bottle. Take 1 tbsp of this syrup twice daily.
8. Fresh Vegetable Juice
Regular intake of vegetable juices (carrots, spinach and parsley) checks the symptoms of HBP.
9. Grapes
Eat grapes on the daily basis. This fruit is a rich source of potassium and phosphorus, thus, helps lower the risk of high blood pressure.
10. Banana
This is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and C. Include this healthy fruit in your daily diet to maintain the BP.
11. Potatoes
Boiled potatoes play a significant role in reducing the blood pressure. These are the rich source of magnesium and potassium which help in lowering BP.
12. Papaya
Papaya is rich source of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium and is well off with vitamins. Eat this healthy fruit every morning to obtain its several benefits.
13. Grapefruit
This fruit helps in toning the blood vessels and reduces the risk of getting HBP. So, consume it to balance the blood pressure.
14. Onion Juice
Mix ½ tbsp of onion juice with some honey and take this mixture 2 times a day for two weeks. Alternatively, you can also have raw onions in the salads.
15. Brown Rice
Brown rice is packed with ample fiber, vitamins and nutrients that make it a healthy food. Replace your white rice with brown rice and you will cut down the risk of high blood pressure substantially.
16. Fenugreek Seeds
Boil two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in water for about 2 minutes. Strain the water and make a fine paste. Consume this paste on an empty stomach twice a day to obtain significant results.
17. Fruit Smoothie
Take ½ cup strawberries or blueberries, 1 cup of pineapple juice, 1 banana, ½ cup of unsweetened soy milk. Blend all of these together. Have it to reduce the blood pressure.
18. Cayenne Pepper
This pungent spice works wonders in preventing High BP problem. A pinch of cayenne pepper is enough to acquire its benefits. Sprinkle it on the fruit/vegetable salad, juice or soup.
19. Ginger
Extract a tsp of ginger juice and honey and cumin seeds powder in equal proportion.
Consume it two times a day to reduce the risk of HBP.
20. Chocolate
Eat a piece of dark chocolate to lower your blood pressure.
21. Acai Berry Juice
Take acai berry juice on a regular basis to treat HBP. You will get to see the positive result in just a few days as it energizes your body and controls the blood pressure.
22. Olive Oil
Replace your cooking oil with olive oil. It is healthy, low in cholesterol and thus reduces the risk of heart disease. Besides, it can be used for salad dressing.
23. Apple
Apple reduces the hypertension, regulates blood sugar and prevents cardiovascular ailments. This is one of the effective natural remedies to reduce the HBP.
24. Copper Utensil
Fill a copper utensil with water and leave it overnight. Drink this early morning on an empty stomach.
25. Almond
Soak some almonds in water overnight and then make a fine paste in the morning. Add this paste to a glass of lukewarm milk and have this on the regular basis.
- Alternatively, a handful of raw almonds every day can help balance the BP levels.
26. Raw Cocoa
It is very rich in flavonoids and prevents hypertension. Besides, it protects the body from cardiovascular disease.
27. Soda water
Try a glass of soda water when your blood pressure goes high.
28. Beetroot
Being a rich source of iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc, it helps control the blood pressure. Therefore, this must be included in your diet.
29. Indian Gooseberry
Take one tbsp each of honey and amla juice. Blend it properly and take it regularly before breakfast.
Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure
30. Turmeric
Include turmeric in your daily diet to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. It is a superfood loaded with therapeutic properties that reduces inflammation and maintains healthy blood flow.
31. Rauwolfia
The alkaloids in this herb are used to control the high blood pressure. Take 50-100mg of rauwolfia tablets in a day.
Note: Not suggested for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
32. Indian Lilac
Grind 2 leaves of Indian lilac and 4 leaves of basil along with some water. Take this on an empty stomach to avoid the problem of high BP. Drink a glass of water after this.
33. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil helps improve the blood circulation and also prevent respiratory disorders. Massage your body with this oil.
- Alternatively, you can steep its leaves and flower in warm to prepare a decoction.
34. Cod Liver Oil
Since cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it helps reduces the high blood pressure. It is also available in capsule form. You can consult a health practitioner for its dosage.
35. Curry Leaves
Make paste of 25-30 curry leaves, dilute it to make juice and drink it every morning. If you do not like the taste, you may add little lemon juice to it.
- Alternatively, take a glass of water and boil a handful of curry leaves in it. Allow it to cool down. Strain the decoction and drink it eary in the morning on an empty stomach.
36. Broccoli
Broccoli must be included in your diet as it is rich in proteins and also reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
37. Hibiscus
Boil a cup of water and add 1-2 tbsp of dry hibiscus and cinnamon sticks in it. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Add some honey and lemon to increase the taste. This is great remedy for HBP. It can be served both hot and chilled.
38. Hawthorn Powder
Hawthorn is a natural herb rich in flavonoids which help in reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure. Take 4 tbsp of hawthorn powder, ½ tbsp of cinnamon powder, honey and water. Mix all the ingredients to make a paste. Add some cocoa or carob powder and roll it into dough. Roll this dough into small balls (size of your fingernail) and store them in an airtight jar.
39. Cat’s Claw
Take 1-2 tbsp of this dried herb and add it to 1 cup of water. Simmer the mixture for 5-10 minutes. Strain the mixture and add some honey and lemon to taste. Sip this tea once a day. This herb helps dilate the blood vessels and thus helps in reducing the blood pressure.
40. Celery
Include celery leaves in your daily diet. It contains 3-N-butylphthalide, a kind of photochemical that controls the high blood pressure. Munch on a celery stalk along with water.
41. Basil
Add fresh basil leaves to your diet or can make basil tea. Boil a cup of water and add basil leaves in it. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain this and add some honey and relish the drink. Drink this every morning on an empty stomach. This acts as a natural cure for high blood pressure.
42. Coriander
Boil some coriander and celery leaves along with roots in water. Strain the solution and drink it instead of plain water.
43. Mint Leaves
Sprinkle some dried mint leaves over your salads or drink mint tea to lower down the blood pressure.
Do’s
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep yourself fit and free from heart disease.
- Perform aerobic exercises, yoga and meditation. This will increase your heart beat and prevent the risk of high blood pressure.
- Include whole grain flour, low fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and poultry products in your diet.
- Lose weight, it lowers blood pressure.
- If you are taking pills to get rid of HBP, take them regularly.
- Check your blood pressure regularly.
- Reduce salt intake in your diet.
- Practice laughter therapy. Laughter therapy reduces the blood pressure by lowering the stressed hormone so it must be practiced daily in morning.
Don’ts
- Avoid processed food. It contains high amounts of salt.
- Avoid alcohol. If you feel like having, reduce the amount of alcohol to two drinks per day.
- Do not smoke, it increases the risk of heart stroke.
