Home remedies for high blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, you could be at risk for a host of cardiovascular diseases. Read on for your best line of defense.

Age, weight gain, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol abuse are just a few of the lifestyle factors that can subject your heart and circulatory system to tremendous strain. That, in turn, causes damage to your blood vessels, sending your blood pressure soaring. But it's never too late to do something about it!

Regular exercise and gentle endurance sports such as bicycling, Nordic walking and swimming can help both low and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Check your blood pressure regularly and seek medical treatment if it consistently measures high (140/90 and above). See below for some home remedies that can help with high blood pressure.

• Brew up. Mistletoe, hawthorn and arnica have long been used to regulate blood pressure. These can be used individually for making tea, or as part of a tea blend.
• Try this recipe for olive tea from the Mediterranean: Pour about 250 millilitres (one cup) of boiling water over 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of dried, minced olive leaves, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Press three garlic cloves and mix into the tea with five millilitres (one teaspoon) of honey.
• A daily glass of fresh pineapple juice or a serving of fresh pineapple can help get blood pressure under control. The fruit contains an enzyme called bromelain, which reduces plaque buildup on the walls of the blood vessels and opens them up again.
• Take a shot. In a clear bottle, pour red wine over 120 grams (four ounces) of minced Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage or Chinese sage) roots. Let steep in a warm place for one month, then strain and pour into a dark bottle. Drink a shot glass (no more) morning and evening.
• Eat plenty of bear's garlic, one of the oldest medicinal herbs known to man. The tasty but odourless plant contains substances, like adenosine, that lower blood pressure. Use its leaves to give a boost to salads, in pesto or on pasta.
• Chew a clove of garlic every day, or add to salads and other dishes. Raw garlic and onions keep your blood vessels elastic and lower blood pressure.

Nutrition is also very important for controlling blood pressure; check out some these tips for better blood pressure levels.

• In April, May and June chow down on fresh asparagus. This vegetable acts as a natural diuretic and can lower blood pressure by getting rid of elevated salt levels and water.
• Reduce salt consumption as much as possible as too much salt raises blood pressure. Season your food with fresh herbs instead.
• Avoid alcohol, nicotine and coffee, as they increase blood pressure.
• Eat fresh ocean fish once a week, such as mackerel or salmon, which contain valuable fatty acids that lower blood pressure.
• Use plant oils for cooking and frying.
• Use butter or margarine sparingly, especially if you are predisposed to high blood pressure or lipid metabolic disorder.
• Cut out fat, but eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole-grain products.

The health effects of green tea have been touted for 4,700 years, since Chinese emperor Shennong claimed it was useful for treating a range of ailments. The tea is rich with a number of components which appear to have a positive impact on blood pressure. Studies have shown its effectiveness depends on the steeping time; left to steep for five minutes, it actually lowers blood pressure.