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.
