Home Remedies For High Bp: Procedure, Recovery, Risk and Complication

High blood pressure can be considered a serious health condition that may lead to a stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure. The common causes for high BP are excessive intake of salt, obesity, excessive drinking, stress, kidney disease, and genetic factors.

You can effectively control your BP with the help of these home remedies:

1. Lemons:

   Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, which can help you decrease your chances of having heart failure. Also, it helps to keep the blood vessels in your body soft and flexible.

   Every morning, squeeze one-half of a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it regularly on an empty stomach. It is better if you do not add sugar or salt to the mixture.

2. Seeds of watermelon:

   The seeds of watermelon contain a compound that is known as cucurbocitrin, which aids in dilating your blood capillaries and improves the functioning of the kidney. This would, in turn, reduce the level of your blood pressure.

   Grind a few watermelon seeds that have been dried with some poppy seeds. Consume a small spoon of the mixture once early in the morning, on an empty stomach, and once in the evening. Continue having it on a regular basis.

3. Garlic:

   Garlic can efficiently help in relaxing the blood vessels as it can stimulate hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide production. These compounds help to promote the flow of blood, remove gas, and also reduce the pressure on your heart. Take 1 or 2 peeled garlic cloves, crush them and eat it in the morning on a regular basis.

4. Exercise Daily:

   30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily is an important part of healthy living. Exercise helps to lower blood pressure and also makes your body fit. It prevents diabetes and other heart diseases.

5. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet:

   Pursuing a DASH diet helps to lower your blood pressure by 11 mm Hg systolic. DASH diet consists of:

   • Eat fresh fruits, green vegetables, and ample whole grains
   • Try to eat dairy products containing low fats, lean meats, and fish
   • You need to eliminate foods that contain saturated fats in high quantity, such as processed foods, fat-containing dairy products, and fatty meats
   • Avoid desserts and high sugar-containing beverages, like soda and cold drinks.
6. Avoid excessive salt intake:

   Taking a minimum of sodium will play a vital role in lowering blood pressure. Too much sodium consumption in few people leads to retention of fluid in the body. This eventually leads to an increase in blood pressure.

   1,500 milligrams (mg) and 2,300 mg per day are recommended by AHA for your daily sodium intake. That’s equivalent to half a teaspoon of table salt. Avoid adding salt to your food to decrease sodium content in your diet.

7. Get rid of your nicotine addiction:

   Smoking cigarettes temporarily raises your blood pressure for several minutes after you finish. If you are a chain smoker, your blood pressure can stay high for a long time. Quitting smoking can help to return your blood pressure to normal.

8. Limit alcohol:

   Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to high blood pressure. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also reduce the effect of certain medicines for blood pressure.

   According to the AHA recommendation, men should limit their alcohol consumption to two drinks per day. Women should limit their alcohol consumption to one drink per day.

9. Stress less:
   • Stress can raise your blood pressure temporarily.
   • Too much stress can keep your blood pressure high for long periods.
   • Try to take a break from your daily responsibilities which will help to ease your stress.
   • Practise yoga, deep breaths, meditation daily that will help to relax your mind and body.
10. Cardamom:

    Cardamom contains Phytonutrients which helps in the circulation of blood and maintain blood pressure. Cardamon can be consumed in tea or can be chewed directly. Using cardamom is one of the best home remedies for High Bp.

11. Carom seeds:

    Carom seeds which are commonly known as ajwain contain a chemical compound called Thymol which may inhibit calcium channels. This blocking helps to lower the blood pressure. Consumption of carom seed will help you to lower your high blood pressure.

12. Green Tea:

    Drinking green tea is helpful for High blood pressure patients. Green tea contains antioxidants that have a relaxing effect and reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

13. Potassium-rich foods:

    Potassium helps in the outflux of sodium from the blood vessels. Vegetables and fruits like potatoes, tomatoes, banana, melon, etc. A potassium diet helps to balance sodium in your body.

14. Coconut water:

    Coconut water helps to lower your blood pressure. Being rich in vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, it helps in decreasing systolic blood pressure. You can drink coconut water regularly and use coconut oil for cooking purposes.

Summary: High blood pressure problem can be maintained by doing regular exercise, restricting salt intake, taking a proper diet which includes potassium-rich foods, lemons, green tea, garlic. Quit smoking and alcohol consumption.

The possible side-effects of these remedies could be:

Consuming too much lemon water can erode your tooth enamel due to its high acidity content. It could also make your teeth sensitive, especially when you are having food that is hot or cold. Apart from this, the acid present in lemon water can also cause stomach discomfort if consumed in a large amount.

Consuming raw garlic can cause bad breath as well as body odor. It can also be the reason for nausea, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, or a feeling of burning sensation in your mouth or the throat. In case you have undergone or are scheduled to undergo surgery, consuming garlic and cause prolonged bleeding.

When you drink coconut water, you are also consuming sodium. Excessive sodium content can increase your risk of having stomach cancer.

Summary: There are some side effects of a few home remedies like lemon can lead to erosion of tooth enamel, garlic can lead to bad odor, excess sodium consumption can lead to stomach cancer.

It is advisable not to lead a sedentary lifestyle. There should be some amount of physical activity that you need to be involved in. The post remedy guidelines include:

• Maintain a diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products that are low on fat.
• Avoid having salt as much as possible. You can add it to your cooked food in small amounts, but try having it as less as possible in its raw form.
• Limit the amount of alcohol that you are consuming.
• Quit smoking.
• Do not stress yourself. Take out time to relax and do things that you genuinely enjoy.
• You can monitor your blood pressure at home.

Summary: To prevent high blood pressure from reoccurring you need to avoid smoking and taking alcohol. You need to take a proper diet which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products.

With this adequate diet and practicing the home remedies regularly, your high blood pressure can be lowered within 3 weeks. For some people, it may take even less, maybe 5-7 days. The majority of it depends on the changes that you bring in your lifestyle and diet.

Summary: Taking a proper diet and precaution will help to recover from High blood pressure within three weeks. For a few people, it might take 5-7 days.

You cannot cure blood pressure permanently, but you can lower it and keep it under control by practicing home remedies, along with adopting a healthy way of living. For a more serious condition, you may need to consult a doctor and take medications.

Summary: No, the results of the home remedies are not permanent. High blood pressure will be under control if a proper lifestyle is practiced.

All the mentioned natural home remedies for high bp are easily available in the market for you, and there is no special training required for practising any of them. However, if you have a medical history of any condition or allergy, you can consult your doctor before using them for your treatment.

Summary: No, training and expert assistance are not required, home remedies can be practiced easily on own. If the issue persists you need to consult a doctor.