SAP PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN

PRAKTIK PROFESI NERS KEPERAWATAN GERONTIK

Natural Treatments for High Blood Pressure

By Dr. Mao Shing Ni

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in

which blood pressure is chronically elevated. According to the National Institutes of Health,
blood pressure readings of 140/90 mm-Hg and higher on recurring measurements is
considered hypertension. Persistent hypertension

is one of the highest risk factors for stroke,

heart attack, heart failure, and arterial aneurysm. It is a leading cause of chronic kidney
failure.

Essential or primary hypertension has no specific causes; its associated with genetics,
environment, diet, and lifestyle factors, including salt intake, stress, and lack of exercise.

Secondary hypertension is a result of other underlying - often serious - conditions such as

tumors and kidney or liver disorders. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives, can also
cause elevated blood pressure.

According to Chinese medicine, diet and emotions play key roles in hypertension. The
Western-style diet is perhaps the primary contributing cause of essential hypertension,
according to research. People living in rural areas of China, Brazil, and Africa show no signs
of essential hypertension, even with advanced age. Hypertension in Chinese medicine is
related to imbalances of the kidney and liver organ systems. If the kidneys fail to regulate the
water energy and balance the liver, the liver fire energy rises and causes hypertension.

My treatments focus on strengthening the kidney system and regulating the liver by soothing
and cooling its fire energy. Ive also found that teaching my patients meditation practices has
enabled the majority of them to control their blood pressure and keep it in check. I have a
number of patients who suffer from white coat syndrome- their blood pressure shoots up
when they visit the doctors office but drops outside of these encounters. I use acupuncture
and herbal and dietary therapies to support healthy blood pressure. I also believe in
empowering my patients with simple practices such as stress-release meditation, which they
can use to gain control over their blood pressure during stressful times- like having their
blood pressure measured at their doctors offices. One of my patients was able to bring down
her blood pressure from 150/98 mm-Hg to 124/82 mm-Hg over a three-month period while
also overcoming an anxiety condition.

Related conditions: arterial plaque, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inflammation

Here are some of my favorite remedies for maintaining good cardiovascular health and clean
arteries. Do not stop your blood pressure medication on your own - always consult with your
physician before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Diet for High Blood Pressure

Herbal Therapy for High Blood Pressure

Vitamin Supplements for High Blood Pressure

Exercise for High Blood Pressure

Stress Release Meditation for High Blood Pressure

Acupressure for High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure: Advice on what to avoid

HOME REMEDIES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.

Mint Tea: Make a tea by

boiling 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup dried chrysanthemum flowers, and 2
tablespoons cassia seeds in 5 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 cups a day.

2.

Vinegar & Honey: First thing upon waking, on an empty stomach, drink 8 ounces of
warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon honey. Drink
this regularly. The honey ensures regularity of the bowels, and is helpful because

constipation may aggravate

high blood pressure.
The vinegar alkalizes the body and lowers blood pressure as well.
3.

Celery Juice: Drink an 8-ounce glass of fresh celery juice 3 times a day for 1 to 3
months, until blood pressure is normal. This is one of the most common Chinese folk
remedies for lowering blood pressure, and it works despite the sodium content of the
celery.

4.

Herb Pillow: Sleep on a pillow stuffed with mung beans, lentils, and split peas-they
help to draw the fire from the head and lower blood pressure.

5.

Cucumbers: Eat 2 fresh cucumbers every day for 2

weeks, or until blood pressure improves. Since cucumber is a natural diuretic, it will
help hydrate your body and lower blood pressure.

DIET FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1. Eat smaller meals more frequently.

2. Drink more water: at least six 8-ounce glasses a day at room temperature.
3. Consume more leafy green vegetables: celery, spinach, sprouted vegetables, mung
beans, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.

4.

Eat more fruits such as bananas, apples, plums,

watermelon, and persimmons.

5. Eat tofu, sunflower seeds, and whole grains.

6. Season with ginger, garlic, vinegar and lemon.
7. Drink green tea, hawthorn berry tea, chrysanthemum flower and cassia seed tea,
flavored with honey.

8. Favor the following spices that contain active ingredients

beneficial for treating hypertension: fennel, oregano, black pepper, basil, and tarragon.
9.

Avoid excessive salt, MSG, spicy-hot, fried and greasy foods.

10. Avoid simple carbohydrates like sugar and white flour.

11. Avoid cured meats and cheese, as they promote plaque buildup.
12. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and tobacco.

HERBAL THERAPY FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Herbs can be found in health food or vitamin stores, online, and at the offices of Chinese
medicine practitioners. Herbs should be used according to individual needs; consult with a
licensed practitioner for a customized formulation.
1. A traditional Chinese herbal formula called gastrodia gambir is used to support
healthy blood pressure. It contains gastrodia, gambir vine, abalone shell, gardenia,
skullcap, motherwort, cyathulae, eucommia, loranthus, polygoni, and poria.
2. Hawthorn berries (150 milligrams) have traditionally been used to support healthy
blood pressure levels.

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR HIGH

BLOOD PRESSURE
1. Magnesium (600 milligrams), calcium (1,000 milligrams), Zinc (25 milligrams) and
essential fatty acids such as Gama-linoleic

acid and omega-3 fatty acids (1,000

milligrams EPA) are essential. Magnesium is a vasodilator and helps regulate calcium
levels.

2.

Vitamin B complex helps lower blood pressure. B6 (200 milligrams) acts as a

diuretic, while niacin (50 milligrams) relaxes the blood vessels.

3. Taking coenzyme Q10 (15 milligrams) 3 times a day can reduce blood pressure.
4.

Beta carotene (500 milligrams) taken every other day can reduce incidence of
coronary and vascular events.

5.

Folic acid (200 micrograms) taken daily can improve blood flow to the capillaries.

EXERCISE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Physical exercise is essential for promoting circulation and strengthening heart function.
Sedentary life inhibits circulation. Doing moderate cardiovascular exercise every day for at
least 30 minutes will help reduce hyper-tension.[1] Effective moderate exercise includes
walking briskly (3 to 4 miles per hour), general calisthenics, racket sports such as table
tennis, swimming (with moderate effort), cycling (at a moderate speed of 10 miles per hour
or less), canoeing, and rowing (at a speed of about 2 to 4 miles per hour).

Stress Release Meditation for High Blood

Pressure:
Ive also taught many of my patients the following simple Stress Release Meditation to help
control their stress and blood pressure.
1. Sit comfortably or lie down on your back.

2. Slow your respiration to deep, abdominal breathing. Say the word calm in your

mind with every exhalation. Youll

be visualizing the
relaxation of a specific body part and releasing tension with every exhalation. Trace
the following 3 pathways outlined below.
3. Path 1: start at the top of your head and progress down the front of your body. Inhale,
and then exhale and visualize your scalp muscles relaxing. Say calm in your mind.
Repeat, saying the word as you move into each body part, down through your face,
throat, chest, abdomen, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, and feet. After youve relaxed
your feet, visualize all the tension leaving your body through your toes in the form of
dark smoke.
4. Path 2: start at the temple region of your head and progress down the sides of your
body. This path focuses on the sides and upper extremities. Inhale, and then exhale
and visualize your temple muscles relaxing. Say calm in your mind. Repeat, saying
the word as you move into each body part, down through your jaws, the sides of your
neck, shoulders, upper arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands. Once youve
relaxed your hands, visualize all the tension leaving your body through your fingertips
in the form of dark smoke.
5. Path 3: the final pathway begins at the back of your head and progress down the back
of your body. This path relaxes the back of your body. Repeat the breathing
visualization- word routine, as above, as you go from the back of your neck to your
upper back, middle back, lower back, back of the thighs, calves, and heels. Then focus
on the acupoint Bubbling Spring on the soles of your feet, for 1 minute.
Practice this sequence for at least 15 minutes twice a day.

SELF ACUPRESSURE FOR HIGH

BLOOD PRESSURE

1.

Locate the acupoint

Winding Gulch (LI-11), in
the depression at the outer part of the right elbow crease, between the elbow tendon
and the bone. The point is best located when the arm is bent at
90 degrees with the palm facing the abdomen. Apply steady
pressure with your thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 5 minutes. Repeat on the
left arm.

2.

Find the acupoint Bubbling Spring (KID-1), on the sole of the

right foot between the bones of the second and third toes, twothirds of the distance from the heel to the base of the second toe,
just below the ball of the foot in a natural indentation. Apply heavy pressure with your
thumb for 5
minutes. Repeat on the left foot.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: THINGS TO

AVOID
Avoid sedentary lifestyle and stress, as they not only
increase the risk of heart problems but also cause other
disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, complicating the
condition.

Avoid Over-the-counter drugs containing ibuprofen (such

as Motrin and Advil) as they can raise blood pressure.
Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as it
can lead to hardening of the arteries.

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2015 Dr. Mao Shing Ni

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