Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

What is High Blood Pressure? Simply put, it means the pressure of blood going from your heart out to your body is too high. Some symptoms of high blood pressure (HBP) include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, blurred vision and more.

Elevated blood pressure affects millions of people everywhere. Americans are particularly susceptible to this killing disease due to poor diets and other factors.

Natural remedies can work to lower your blood pressure, but it does take some time, as does all herbal substitutes for modern medicine. Closely monitor your blood pressure levels when applying any of the below suggestions.

If you are taking medication to lower high blood pressure, consult your doctor before beginning a natural regiment.

Cayenne Pepper

It contains capsaicin, a property incorporated into many prescription medications taken for high blood pressure. This miracle cure is good for many more ailments besides blood pressure regulation. However, to use it as a high blood pressure remedy, follow the steps below.

You will need to ingest cayenne orally to help you in lowering your blood pressure. The reason for that is that the nerve endings in the tongue signal the nervous system to increase blood flow when you ingest cayenne pepper. Increasing blood circulation helps to lower your blood pressure.

• Sprinkle chopped cayenne peppers on as much food as you want, you cannot overdose with it.
• Make a hot cayenne tea and consume it 3-4 times per day.
• Mix ½ teaspoon of fresh or dried cayenne into a cup of hot water, and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Add honey if you want a sweet tea.

Hibiscus AKA Rose of Sharon

That pretty flower that Grandma grows in her yard may help to save your life. Hibiscus is loaded with ascorbic and glycolic acids. It is a diuretic and a laxative, which may be the reason it contributes to lowering the blood pressure. Increased urination helps to stimulate blood flow in the body.

• All parts of the Hibiscus can be consumed, from the roots to the flowers. The best use of it, however, is to eat the flowers.
• Wash the flowers and shake off any excess water before consuming them. They taste delicious. You may remember them if you have ever bought an island drink that had a hibiscus flower on the top.
• Red Zinger tea can be bought commercially. It is made from certain hibiscus plants.

Watermelon

Yes, that fruity snack enjoyed by many during hot summer days is helpful in lowering high blood pressure. It contains lots of potassium, which is needed by the body to regulate normal blood pressure.

• Eat it fresh or dried. Drying watermelon thoroughly in a dehydrator assures fresh watermelon snacks during the winter.
• The watermelon rind itself can be dried as well. It contains a powerful antioxidant that is famous for fighting heart disease.
•  Use the dried watermelon rind as one of the vegetables in stir-fried dishes.

Corn Silk:

The Chinese have used the silk of an ear of corn for centuries for blood pressure issues, because it is known to thin the blood, thus helping to maintain normal blood pressures. 

There are many ways to incorporate corn silk into your diet, but the best way is as follows.

• Remove any brown part of the corn silk, and use only the yellow silk from the top of the ear of corn or inside the outer green leaves of the corn. You will need two ears of corn for one cup of corn silk tea.
• Rinse it lightly under water and then chop the silk into small pieces.
• Add the silk to one cup of boiling water. Cover it and let it steep for 20 minutes.
• Strain the liquid off the silk and then drink the tea. It tastes like summer.