Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

February 26, 2018

Best 10 Homemade Remedies to control High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension is one of the most common problems of the present times especially in industrialized countries. It increases the risk of many diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertensive heart diseases), brain (cerebro-vascular strokes), kidneys (nephrosclerosis) and peripheral arteries. It is on the top list among the disorders which are causing morbidity and mortality.

Blood Pressure Readings:

Categories

Systolic (mmHg)

 Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal Blood Pressure 120 80
Pre-Hypertension 120-139 80-89
Stage -1 140-159 90-99
Stage -2 160 or above 100 or above

In Ayurveda, it can be understood by assessing the involved doshas, srotasas etc. It can be best understood mainly as a pathological condition of the Rakta dhatu and Vyana vata. In association with these, Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta and Avalmabaka Kapha are also involved in the manifestation of essential hypertension.

What are the causes of High Blood Pressure?

  • Stress and tension
  • Insufficient sleep
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Excess alcohol consumption
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Kidney disease
  • Excess consumption of salt in the diet
  • Wrong eating habits like consuming non-vegetarian diet.

causes of high blood pressure
Best 10 Homemade Remedies for High Blood Pressure:

Lemon

  • Lemon juice is an ancient remedy for high blood pressure as it reduces the rigidity of the blood vessels. It also reduces fatty deposits in the coronary artery. It is a potent anti-oxidant which neutralises the free radicals in the body. It also prevents the inflammation and injuries to the blood vessels as inflammation of blood vessels is the major cause of atherosclerosis.

How to use

  • Take a cup of warm water and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and add 1 tablespoon of honey into it. Mix well and drink this mixture twice a day.

Triphala Powder

  • Triphala Powder is a mixture of 3 wonderful herbs: Haritaki, Bahera and Amla mixed in equal proportion by weight. It is traditionally used for cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. If a patient has a problem of hardening of blood vessels, fatty deposits, then this remedy is effective in lowering blood pressure.

How to use

  • Take 3 grams triphala powder and 5 grams sugar and mix it in 250 ml of water. Heat this water and leave it overnight in a glass container.  Strain the liquid and discard the residues. Drink this water everyday on empty stomach.

foods-for-hypertension-imag23

Bananas

  • The increased intake of potassium rich foods can help in preventing as well as curing hypertension. Banana is rich in potassium content. So, regular intake of bananas helps in lowering blood pressure. It also helps in reducing the impacts of sodium in the body.
  • The juice extracted from the inner banana stem can also be taken as it is traditionally used in India for high blood pressure. It is a great source of potassium as well as Vitamin B6.

Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Apple cider vinegar has anti-hypertensive action so it helps in reducing high blood pressure.

How to use

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water and drink this mixture before breakfast.

Watermelon Seeds

  • Watermelon seeds are a good source of cucurbocitrin, which prevents narrowing of blood vessels and help in dilating the blood vessels and also improve blood flow to the various parts of the body. Secondly, water melon seeds improve the urine output and improve kidney functions.

How to use

  • Take a ½ teaspoon of water melon seeds and crush them to make powder. Eat this powder twice a day.

Garlic:

  • Garlic is now considered as a safe alternative to hypersensitive drugs. It reduces the elevated systolic blood pressure but it does not reduce blood pressure in individual with normal blood pressure. It further helps the patients with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. It is good to maintain healthy blood pressure due to stress.

How to use

  • Take 2-3 garlic cloves and crush them to make juice. Take 6-10 drops of garlic juice in a cup of warm water, stir and drink this water twice a day.

Honey

  • Honey has an effect on elevated systolic blood pressure. It lowers the oxidative stress on the kidneys which help in lowering the elevated systolic blood pressure.

How to use

  • Take a cup of lukewarm water and add 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ tablespoon of ginger juice and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Drink this mixture empty stomach in the morning.

Buttermilk:

  • Buttermilk contains more phospholipids than milk. It is also a good source of bioactive molecules that exhibit modulating effects on immunity, metabolism and cell signalling. It also helps in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure naturally. It also helps in pre-hypertensive and stage 1 of hypertension.
  • How to use
  • Drink a glass of buttermilk everyday with lunch.

Coconut Water

  • Coconut water has good qualities of potassium and magnesium. Therefore, it reduces the systolic pressure and also supports the functioning of cardiac muscles. Drink coconut water regularly once a day.

Vitamin-D

  • Vitamin D is naturally found in sunlight, fortified milk, dairy products etc. Intake of foods rich in Vitamin D helps in reducing the blood pressure. Blood pressure is often elevated when there is reduced exposure to sunlight.

Diet and lifestyle

  • Go full vegetarian: It is scientifically proven that vegetarian diet cuts of high blood pressure. Have more of vegetables, fruits, green tea, cardamom tea, tulsi tea, water melon, non-fat yogurt, pomegranate, bananas, almonds, drumstick, olive oil.
  • Brisk walking for at least 30 minutes daily is recommended. Moderate intensity exercises such as jogging, cycling or swimming can also be done.
  • It is also advised to release naturally manifested reflexes and urges by not forcibly controlling them like reflexes of hunger, thirst, sleep, defecation, urination etc.
  • Intake of excessive cold or hot, dry or oily, stale and preserved and packaged foods should be avoided.
  • Take less of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.
  • Fried food stuffs should be avoided.
  • Practice pranayama for 5 minutes daily.
  • Wake up before 6 A.M. in the morning and sleep at around 11 P.M.

Undergo oil massage at least once a week as it keeps stress and tensions at bay

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February 5, 2018

Best 7 Home Remedies to Control Diabetes at Home

Diabetes: Overview Diabetes — mostly called Diabetes Mellitus by doctors — is a long-term condition which is marked by high blood sugar (blood glucose) levels. The term ‘Diabetes’ is generally used for ‘a group of metabolic disorders’ in which patients have elevated blood-sugar levels.

The patients of Diabetes mostly suffer from certain health issues which are believed to be the common indications of the disease. These indications include polyuria (frequent urination), polyphagia (intense hunger), polydipsia (intense thirst), fatigue, weight gain or unusual weight loss, sexual dysfunction in men, long healing time for cuts and bruises, and tingling sensation or numbness in hands and feet.

Diabetes herbal Remedies

The occurrence of Diabetes, or the condition of high blood sugar levels, is linked to two ‘insulin-related’ reasons. The first reason is that the insulin production by the pancreas is insufficient; and the second reason is the inability of the body’s cells to respond properly to the insulin which is produced by the pancreas.

Based on these two reasons which are considered the main causes for the occurrence of Diabetes, the disease is categorized as ‘Type I’ Diabetes if the patient’s body does not produce enough insulin; and ‘Type II’ Diabetes if the response of the body cells to the insulin produced is not proper. Along with these two main types of Diabetes, there is another form of the disease which is called ‘Gestational Diabetes.’ This type of Diabetes occurs in pregnant women.

Diabetes can put the patients at risk of a number of serious health complications, including cardiovascular disease, vision problems, chronic kidney disease, and foot ulcers.

Best 7 Home Remedies to Control Diabetes

  • There is no permanent cure for Diabetes, which is considered to be a life-long condition for patients having high blood sugar levels. However, there are some simple and effective home remedies which can prove to be very beneficial for managing the symptoms of the disease.

The Top 7 home remedies which can be of immense benefit to Diabetes patients have be explained below:

Fenugreek seeds

  • The use of Fenugreek seeds is very helpful in controlling Diabetes. These seeds are high in fiber, and are known for their hypoglycaemic activity which can lower blood sugar levels. Fenugreek also has proven properties for improving glucose tolerance, lowering blood sugar levels because of their hypoglycaemic activity, stimulating the secretion of glucose-dependent insulin, and slowing down the body’s absorption of sugars and carbohydrates.
  • Patients suffering from Diabetes should either take two tablespoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk every day, or soak two tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds in water overnight and drink the water (along with the seeds) on an empty stomach in the morning.

Black Plum (Jamun)

  • Black Plum or Indian Black Berry (Jamun or Jambul) contains anthocyanins, hydrolysable tannins, ellagic acid, etc., which can help control blood sugar levels in Diabetes patients. All the parts of the Jamun plant — its leaves, fruit (berry) and seeds — can be of great benefit in managing the disease. The Jamun fruit and its seeds can rapidly lower blood sugar levels due to their hypoglycemic effect; and the seeds particularly are rich in glycoside jamboline and alkaloid jambosine which can effectively regulate blood sugar levels.
  • To benefit from the goodness of Jamun, Diabetes patients should include this seasonal fruit in their diet when it is available. Alternatively, they can also use the powder of dried seeds of the fruit. The powder should be taken two times a day, with plain water.

Bitter Gourd(Karela)

  • Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon (Karela) is widely known for its properties for lowering blood sugar levels and controlling Diabetes. The consumption of Bitter Gourd can have a beneficial effect on the general metabolism of the body, increase the production of insulin, and prevent insulin resistance.
  • Patients suffering from Type I and Type II Diabetes should make Bitter Gourd a part of their daily diet. They can also benefit from the use of Bitter Gourd by drinking its juice, with some water added to it, on empty stomach in the morning. For best results, this remedy should be followed every morning for at least two months.

Cinnamon

  • Cinnamon is another useful remedy for Diabetes because of its capability to stimulate insulin activity in the body and lower the elevated blood sugar levels. The bioactive components present in Cinnamon can fight Diabetes, and are especially beneficial for patients suffering from uncontrolled Type II Diabetes.
  • Diabetes patients can add powdered Cinnamon to warm beverages, baked foods, and smoothies. Alternatively, they can also mix half or one teaspoon of Cinnamon powder in a cup of warm water and drink it every day.

Indian Gooseberry(Amla)

  • The juice of Indian Gooseberry (Amla) is widely known for its ability to enhance the functioning of the pancreas. Amla contains an abundance of Vitamin C which can significantly regulate the blood sugar levels for Diabetes patients.
  • The regular use can be very beneficial for managing Diabetes. Patients suffering from the disease can mix two tablespoons of Amla juice in one cup of water and drink it on an empty stomach every morning; or they can mix one tablespoon of Amla juice in a cup of Bitter Gourd juice and consume it daily.

Okra (Bhindi)

Okra or Ladyfinger (Bhindi) contains ‘polyphenolic’ molecules which have the ability to lower blood glucose levels and manage Diabetes. Moreover, Okra seeds also have proven anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic potential.

Diabetes patients should add Okra to their diet; or they can soak some pricked Okras in a glass of water overnight, and drink the water in the morning after removing the Okras.

Regular exercise

  • Exercise or regular physical activity of any kind — like Yoga, aerobics, sports, etc. — can also help lower the high blood sugar levels in Diabetes patients. Exercise checks obesity, and is helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
  • Besides exercise, Diabetes patients should also practice medication or indulge in some other activities which can be helpful in relieving stress because excessive stress is also one of the causes of Diabetes.

Conclusion

  • The home remedies mentioned above can be extremely useful for lowering the high blood sugar levels in Diabetes patients. In addition to these home remedies, it is also important that Diabetes patients should follow a healthy diet plan, eat a fiber-rich diet, increase their water/fluid intake, and monitor their blood sugar levels regularly.
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