Why These Herbs in Your Diet?

Blood pressure is the volume of force at which blood pushes against blood vessel walls. The heart is known to pump blood into blood vessels. The blood vessels then transport the blood to other parts of the body.

High blood pressure occurs when extra force and pressure is placed on the heart to pump blood. In other words, the heart works harder than normal to pump blood. In the process of pumping blood forcefully, the arteries become hardened, thereby leading to other health issues like stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, develops over several years. Sometimes, people who suffer from high blood pressure might not notice symptoms. However, this does not stop the fact that it causes damage to the heart and other vital organs like the brain, eyes, and kidneys.

Causes

Hypertension has been grouped into two, namely, primary and secondary hypertension. The former develops with no identifiable or particular cause, while the latter occurs quickly and can cause severe and immediate damage to the organs in the body. Causes of hypertension include;

• Genes; Hypertension runs in some people’s blood such that it has become a part of their family history. People whose parents suffered from hypertension are 70% likely to suffer from it in their lifetime.
• Physical changes; Changes that occur within the body can, in one way or the other, affect the pumping and transport of blood throughout the body. For example, changes that occur in the kidneys as a result of aging might affect the balance of fluid and salt in the body, which may lead to hypertension.
• Unhealthy habits and lifestyle; Lack of physical exercise, poor feeding habits, and alcohol consumption, among others, can lead to hypertension. Lack of physical exercise exposes you to obesity and overweight, both of which can heighten your chances of suffering from hypertension.
• Birth control pills; Some birth control pills that contain estrogen can increase blood pressure. Other specific medications constrict blood vessels, increasing the pressure at which the heart pumps blood.

Symptoms

According to medical professionals, hypertension is a silent killer. This means symptoms may not appear for some time and might take up to a decade for the condition to become really serious enough for symptoms to become obvious. In addition, even when these symptoms are detected, they may be attributed to other health issues and not hypertension itself. Symptoms of hypertension include;

• Constant headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Episodes of nose bleeds
• Dizziness and constant fatigue
• Chest pain
• Visual changes
• Obvious signs of blood in the urine

When hypertension pushes out these symptoms, it means the condition has become so severe that urgent medical attention is required to prevent complications. These symptoms may not occur in every hypertensive person; however, waiting for symptoms before taking action can be fatal.

The best way to regularly monitor your blood pressure is to go for blood pressure tests or readings. This would help place your general well-being on a check. Understanding the readings is another essential thing as it would help you know when to visit the doctor for advice.

Blood Pressure Readings

Usually, a blood pressure reading looks like this; 120/80. The number on top is called the ‘systolic’ while the one at the bottom is called the ‘diastolic.’ The following are readings and interpretation of blood pressure.

• Normal: When your blood pressure is below 120/80, then your blood pressure is normal; in other words, you are safe as long as there are no factors that can evoke it.
• Elevated: 120-129/ less than 80. When the systolic is over 120 and the diastolic is below 80, then your blood pressure can be said to be elevated.
• Stage 1: It reads thus; 130-139/80-89. High blood pressure happens when the systolic reads over 130 and the diastolic reads over 80. Symptoms at this stage must have become obvious enough to attract medical attention.
• Stage 2: This is the stage whereby the systolic reads over 140, and the diastolic reads 90 and above. The severity of symptoms at this stage increases.
• Hypertension crisis: At this stage, symptoms have grown so severe and require close medical monitoring. At this point, a vital organ in the body must have been affected, which in turn leads to health issues like stroke. Hypertension crisis occurs when the systolic has risen above 180, and the diastolic has risen above 120.

When you monitor your blood pressure, and you notice that it has risen beyond normal, talk to your doctor about lowering it. You can also include herbs into your blood pressure diet and your treatment routine.

Wondering what kinds of herbs can help normalize your blood pressure? Research has unraveled a number of herbs that have been proven over the years to be effective in the tackling of hypertension. If you wish to know what these blood pressure herbs are, then you have just entered the right blog because this article elaborates explicitly on the content of every blood pressure herb and how they bring your high blood pressure back to normal.

Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure

• Basil

Basil is rich in eugenol, which research has proven to be an antioxidant that is effective in the lowering of high blood pressure. Eugenol also acts as a calcium channel breaker, which prevents the movement of calcium into the heart, thereby allowing the heart muscles, wall, and arteries to relax.

• Parsley

Parsley is a common herb in America. It has carotenoids and vitamin C, both of which are known to reduce blood pressure and heart disease risks. It also acts as a calcium channel breaker that prevents calcium from reaching the heart, thereby relaxing the heart muscles and wall.

• Celery

Celery is packed with magnesium, manganese, fiber, calcium, and iron. These properties make celery a good herb for lowering blood pressure. It allows for the proper passage of blood throughout the heart. Chewing the seeds tend to be more effective at producing obvious results.

• Bacopa Monnieri

Being a herb that grows in marshy areas, bacopa is popular among the people of South Asia. It treats ailments such as anxiety and high blood pressure. Just like basil and parsley, bacopa monnieri also serves as a calcium breaker.

• Garlic and Ginger

Garlic and ginger are highly rich in heart-friendly components. They contain allicin, which helps increase blood flow and relax blood vessels. Research shows that 1,500 mg of garlic and ginger extract is as effective in lowering blood pressure as the blood pressure drug ‘atenolol.’

• Thyme

Rosmarinic acid is a major component of thyme. It is linked to lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation. It also improves the flow of blood throughout the body. Rosmarinic acid is known to reduce your risks of developing high blood pressure to the barest minimum.

• Cinnamon

It is a herb that lowers blood pressure by dilating and relaxing blood vessels and muscles. It lowers diastolic and systolic blood pressure by 6.2 and 3.9, respectively. It is quite easy to incorporate cinnamon into your meals.

• Hawthorn

It is effective in limiting the level of cholesterol that gets stuck in the arteries. Through this, the movement of blood becomes free and easy, thus reducing the force at which the heart pumps blood and the arteries transport blood throughout the body.

• Ginkgo Biloba

It is an extract from trees that grow in the Chinese mountains. It can help improve blood circulation to the brain. This helps prevent the brain from the damages associated with hypertension. It also helps improve mental alertness and stress tolerance.

• Passionflower

It is usually used for relaxation. With stress being a major cause of hypertension, passionflower, on the other hand, knocks the stress off and provides the body with optimum relaxation. It relaxes and calms the body from stress, thus reducing blood pressure. It also assists in the free flow of blood through the arteries throughout other parts of the body.

In conclusion, hypertension is, however, the most preventable risk factor for heart disease. Managing high blood pressure begins with monitoring and understanding your blood pressure readings. Then, herbs, diets, and a healthy lifestyle can further help in its treatment if it is discovered to have gone bunkers. The good news is, these blood pressure herbs are easy to incorporate into your everyday diet. Combining them with a balanced diet in adequate proportions as well as a healthy lifestyle would bring better results.