Herbs that can lower high blood pressure naturally
Hibiscus tea is a natural remedy I’ve been using for years to lower my blood pressure. It not only lowers blood pressure but also boosts the immune system, lowers inflammation, and contains lots of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) belong to the mallow or Malvaceae genus family. Hibiscus is one of several hundred species that are native to temperate, subtropical and tropical habitats around the world.
The species is mainly known for its wide variety of beautiful multicolored flowers. Hibiscus is an annual perennial and grows in sizes ranging from woody shrubs to small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word hibískos.
Hibiscus is related to okra Avelmoschus esculentus a plant with anti-diabetic properties.
Hibiscus is rich in flavonoids, minerals, and nutrients. The flowers have a fruity tart taste that makes hibiscus a popular hot and cold drink.
If your blood pressure is around 150/85 (mild hypertension), hibiscus will initially lower it to 140/80. But long-term hibiscus drinking can lower blood pressure to 125/70 and keep it there for as long as you keep drinking. In one study, hibiscus was found to be as strong as coreg, a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication. In another study, when comparing captopril to hibiscus, hibiscus reduced blood pressure by 84% to 79% for captopril. In diabetes studies, hibiscus has been shown to benefit diabetics with high blood pressure.
Hibiscus lowers blood pressure in two ways:
Diuretic properties. Less volume in your blood means lower pressure.
It works by relaxing the small arterioles and capillary systems. Hibiscus acts as a natural angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. These hormones prevent blood vessels from constricting. One-third of your blood volume is located in your arterioles, so any tension there will raise your blood pressure quickly.
Hibiscus boosts immune function and provide valuable antioxidants, and loads of vitamin C
Check your blood pressure frequently and record your highs and lows. If it’s high, pay attention to events that might be associated with it. Stress may be the cause. Buy an arm cuff blood pressure machine, wrist machines are not as accurate.
How to use hibiscus
Buy hibiscus dried leaves. Prepare a strong tea by measuring a heaping tablespoon to a cup. Pour boiling water and let it simmer for half an hour. You can also let the tea sit overnight; the longer you leave the leaves in the water, the better. Drink one full cup of hot tea before breakfast every day. If you notice increased urination, it is a good sign. You’ll note that your blood pressure will come down within a few days, but the full effects will be noted within a few weeks.
Hibiscus tea
Drink hibiscus tea three times a day to get a boost start. The morning cup is the most important due to diuretic effects. Drinking hibiscus throughout the day will boost your immune system and help you avoid catching colds. Tea bags are of little effect. Dried flowers in bulk are easy to find online or in good health food stores. I use a Chinese herb cooking pot, which can be made in any regular pan. I add about 1/2 gallon of boiling water to 3 nice and generous pinches of hibiscus-dried herb. Let it soak all night and the following day, too. The tea should have the appearance of a deep red wine.
High blood pressure ( a second opinion)
High blood pressure is a symptom or a sign that something is going on with your body, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a normal condition. High blood pressure exists for a number of reasons. When you exercise or are under stress, your blood pressure rises to accomplish a certain task. It increases oxygenation and perfusion, allowing you to think and act faster.
Blood pressure fluctuates between high and low throughout the day without harming your health. High blood pressure is not a disease. When it is constantly high, it could indicate some form of disease process. You shouldn’t ignore high blood pressure, but worrying about it is part of what causes it.
In many cases, high blood pressure is simply caused by stress. You are better off focusing on what may be causing stress rather than focusing on blood pressure as the actual problem.
The more you worry, the higher your blood pressure becomes. The first line of treatment is to relax. The fear of high blood pressure is due in great part to the medical establishment mantra — if you have high blood pressure, you’ll have a heart attack and die. But that is distorted true.
Dangerous high blood pressures come with symptoms. If you have high blood pressure but no other symptoms, such as chest pain, sweating, dizziness, or chest discomfort, you’re probably fine.
Taking medication to lower blood pressure does not resolve the underlying disease that is causing it.
High blood pressure is not what kills you, but the diseases causing high blood pressure are the problem. Even if you have high blood pressure, it will take many years until any harm occurs to your organs.
Rule out serious conditions first. If you don’t have serious conditions (and I hope you don’t) you’ll benefit from controlling your blood pressure naturally taking herbs like hibiscus, that will also bring several collateral health benefits. Going to your doctor will most likely end up in medication prescriptions. Your physician will likely get you started on a diuretic, which is the first line of defense for hypertension, but taking medications could quickly lead to more drugs, such as ACE inhibitors or Beta Blockers.
These drugs can have a multitude of side effects, including drowsiness, low blood pressure, tiredness, fatigue, cough, and lightheartedness.
Lifestyle changes for lowering blood pressure
Drinking hibiscus tea is only one part of treating high blood pressure. To make an herb more effective, it is also important to exercise and eat less junk food. Eliminate carbohydrates and sugary drinks or any other sugary foods. Even though hardly any professional sees sugar as being responsible for high blood pressure, research suggests otherwise.
Sugar can cause small levels of inflammation in your capillaries. These small vessels greatly affect your blood pressure. One-third of your blood volume is located in this vascular system. The smallest constriction to your capillaries will raise blood pressure.
Stress can raise your BP fast because it constricts your capillaries instantly. Salt will raise your blood pressure because it retains water by not allowing your kidneys to get rid of excess liquids, raising your blood volume and causing pressure to rise accordingly. However, new research points out that salt might not play a role in high blood pressure after all.
Exercise is important because it benefits every health need your body requires, including stress, cardiovascular tone, and elimination of toxins.
Weightlifting offers the greatest protection against heart disease. [6] Doctors prescribe weight-barring exercises to patients after a heart attack. A combination of cardiovascular and weight-lifting exercises is the best.
Lower blood pressure in 15 minutes with this breathing exercise
This is an interesting breathing exercise, and you can do it several times a day. Sit in a comfortable position, relax, and keep your back erect. Start your smartphone timer and let it run for 15 minutes. Breathe in with long and deep inhalations and exhale slowly. Take one inhale, and two exhale. Breathe through your nose for 15 minutes, and then take your blood pressure—you’ll be amazed.
Conclusion
Blood pressure oscillates during the day, and this is normal. When you are stressed or when you perform strength exercises, it temporarily goes up and then returns to baseline. Only when blood pressure remains high without reversing back to the baseline, there is reason to be concerned.
If your blood pressure is 190/100 and doesn’t go down, you should seek medical help immediately. This is not a situation where you want to experiment with alternative treatments. Using hibiscus to lower your blood pressure has better results if you have mild hypertension associated with stress.
Check your blood pressure regularly and have a good idea of what your baseline is. Part of keeping your blood pressure in check is to know when it should be high and when it should be at baseline. Blood pressure left untreated for an extended period tends to progress as your metabolism sets a baseline, which tends to climb. I hope you have fun using hibiscus. Lower High Blood Pressure Without Drugs Drinking Hibiscus Tea
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