How to Lower Blood Pressure with Herbs and Food

Introduction

There are a number of simple things that a person can do that will help lower blood pressure. From lifestyle changes to food and herbs, many options are available for simple hypertension. Stage two hypertension, blood pressure over 160/100, requires immediate medical attention.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• An Open Mind
• Willingness to Change
• Various Foods and Herbs

Steps

1

Step One

Eat more garlic. One clove a day over 12 weeks has been shown in studies to effectively lower blood pressure dramatically.

2

Step Two

Add saffron to your foods. The chemical crocetin in saffron has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels.

3

Step Three

Take Valerian root when you need to calm down. Valerian root is natures Valium and can help when you’re in a nervous or agitated state.

4

Step Four

Eat more fruits and vegetables for the calcium, magnesium, Vitamin C and potassium. These include broccoli, bananas, pumpkins, potatoes, legumes and leafy greens.

5

Step Five

Replace red meats with leaner meats such as chicken or pork.

6

Step Six

Add soy to your diet.

Tips & Warnings

• Onions may have a similar effect as garlic, but no definitive studies have proven this.
• High blood pressure doesn’t have to be a death sentence. It’s more of a warning that you’re not giving your body everything it needs to stay healthy.
• Lifestyle changes are always hard, but are almost always worth doing.
• The American Heart Association recommends these five lifestyle changes to lower high blood pressure: quit smoking, lose weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption and reduce sodium intake.
• Always talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine or using any herbal remedies.