If you are among those with a blood pressure reading above 140/90 mmHg, you are probably suffering from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a common problem among youngsters and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of adults in the United States, approximately 70 million Americans, have high blood pressure. (1)
While most people have no symptoms to warn of their high blood pressure, some people do admit to experiencing headaches, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, or hearing their heartbeat in their ears.
High blood pressure may lead to disastrous consequences such as cardiovascular diseases, aneurysms, kidney failure, vision changes or vision loss, and cognitive decline. High blood pressure accounts for more than 15 percent of deaths in the U.S.
Although prescription medications regulate your blood pressure, many medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, leg cramps, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, kidney failure, electrolyte imbalances, and insomnia.
Contents
Visiting Your Healthcare Provider
If you believe you have elevated blood pressure readings, you should be evaluated by your healthcare provider to confirm that your blood pressure readings are accurate and to discuss whether natural remedies are an option for decreasing your blood pressure.
If you already take antihypertensive medications (medications to lower your blood pressure), speak with your healthcare provider before adding any natural remedies to your current prescription medications.
Visiting your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise programs or strenuous activities is also advised.
If you are pregnant and have elevated blood pressure readings, see your healthcare provider or obstetrician immediately. Elevated blood pressure in pregnancy can be life-threatening for the mother and the fetus. Therefore immediate evaluation by a healthcare provider or obstetrician is necessary.
Home Treatment for Lowering Your Blood Pressure
Here are some simple home remedies you may undertake to lower your blood pressure naturally:
Method 1: Using Lemon Juice
Lemon juice helps to maintain suppleness and pliability of the blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure. (2)
Lemon juice is also rich in antioxidants that help neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. Moreover, lemon juice contains potassium which helps reduce the effects of sodium in the body, thus decreasing blood pressure.
Things you’ll need:
- Water - 6 to 8 ounces
- Lemon - 1
- Alternatively, lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water
- Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a glass of water and drink it once a day, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach.
Method 2: Using Garlic
Garlic contains sulfur compounds like allicin, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide that help in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol in your body.
These compounds help relax the blood vessels by stimulating the production of nitric oxide and thus regulating blood pressure. (3)
- Consume 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic in the morning on an empty stomach once a day.
Cooking destroys allicin, the active compound in garlic. Garlic’s effects are most efficient when raw garlic is consumed.
Method 3: Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar helps in reducing the blood pressure. (4) ACV also contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium which are minerals that are vital in decreasing blood pressure.
Single-Step Treatment: Mix ACV in 6-8 ounces of water and drink
- Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV in 6-8 ounces of water.
- Drink this concoction twice daily to decrease your blood pressure.
Method 4: Using Bananas
Bananas contain potassium which helps lessen the effects of sodium in the body, thus helping to decrease blood pressure level. (5)
Eat 1 to 2 bananas daily to decrease blood.
Tips for managing your blood pressure levels
- Cutting down on salt (sodium) is the first thing you must do to lower your blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake.
- Exercise regularly.
- Reduce your waistline by working off those extra pounds.
- Quit smoking.
Resources:
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Information. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm.
- Kato Y, Domoto T, et al. Effect on Blood Pressure of Daily Lemon Ingestion and Walking. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003767/. Published 2014.
- Ried K, Fakler P. Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high ... Integrated Blood Pressure Control. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266250/. Published 2014.
- Na L, Chu X, Jiang S, et al. Vinegar decreases blood pressure by down-regulating AT1R expression via the AMPK/PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats. European Journal of Nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26476634. Published April 2016.
- Burnier M. Should we eat more potassium to better control blood pressure in hypertension? Nephrol Dial Transplant. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29301002. Published February 1, 2019.
Summary of How to Lower Your Blood Pressure:
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I have been able to get rid of three scripts thru vitiamins. There are so many examples of must know things that should get ones attention. I want to get off heart meds and I believe these examples will help me do it.
There are so many helpful suggestions that will get me off heart meds.
I don’t know if baking soda is advisable for hypertension. Baking soda is sodium or salt. Salt is not good for hypertension.
Are you sure what you are posting is credible?
Try some acv and baking soda one time and see if it lowers BP
baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and is different from sodium chloride. Salt is sodium chloride and raises blood pressure. Sodium bicarbonate does not raise blood pressure.
Can i take lemen water on empty stomach after give some time and eat raw garlick. Is it safe
8 oz Warm water with 1oz of lemon juice drink on empty stomach
This is a new knowledge! I am putting them into use to lower my very high blood pressure. Thanks.
What is ACV? is it common in Africa?
Apple Cider Vinegar= ACV
preferably a brand that includes “the mother” which makes the vinegar cloudy. Clear amber ACV does not contain “the mother”. I do not know if this is readily available in Africa.
Hi Lora
Thanks for your comment. In case if it is not readily available there in Africa. Not to worry, you can make your own batch at home, visit to know more https://www.fabhow.com/how-to-make-apple-cider-vinegar.html.
Hope this helps!!!
-FabHow
hello Samuel,
ACV stands for Apple cider vinegar . It can be used to naturally treat, control and manage a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
You can easily purchase it from a nearest health stores or local supermarkets or you can order it online .The availability of the product can be checked on several websites . Make sure you order the organic one instead of the filtered one for better results.
Team fabhow
This is very good information. I am trying to low my blood pressure. Thank you for the info.
Dear Ida
Thank you for your comment. I hope your health improves soon.
-Team FabHow
I got off my blood pressure meds by drinking 1 tsp of ACV twice a day, and 4 oz of beet juice twice a day!!! God knew plants and vegetables would be out medicine!! It works!!
Hi DeSheila
Thank you so much for your comment.
It is great to hear that your health is back on track using natural remedies.
We wish you good health for your future.
-Team FabHow
I stop taking medicine but take warm water six glasses early morning everyday
Dear Wisdom
We hope you are in good health now, and drinking warm water first thing in the morning has a number of benefits attached to it. So, keep up the routine with a healthy diet to stay fit naturally.
-Team FabHow
I have just refused medication as I had before and felt like a zombie. I will try the lemon, not baking soda with beetroot, Hawthorne, garlic and banana. Thanks.
I went to check my Blood pressure two day ago and found that it was 163/98 and I am just 28yrs old. What should do?
Dear Maxwell
Thank you for your query.
First of all, make sure you’re not stressing yourself out with something. Stress, tension, and unhealthy eating habits are the most common causes of high blood pressure.
Make sure you follow a healthy lifestyle and along with that follow the simple home remedies stated above to bring it under control. In case the problem is persistent, do visit your general physician.
Hope we were able to help!!
-Team FabHow
Is organic acv better tasting than regular acv. Regular acv is not great tasting.
Hey Anita
ACV will more or less taste the same in both the cases. You’ll however slowly develop the taste for it.
We’d suggest it is better to use organic ACV with the mother in it for best results.
You can also make your own ACV at home with no added preservatives, https://www.fabhow.com/how-to-make-apple-cider-vinegar.html.
Thank you
-FabHow
Would it be ok if I took the ACV like a shot of tequila? Minus the salt of course. I don’t like the taste.
Hi Greg
We do not recommend concentrated/undiluted ACV like a shot. It can cause a burning sensation in your throat.
If you do not like that taste, start a 1/2 teaspoon of ACV in a tall glass of water. Gradually you will develop a taste for it and then you may increase the dosage as per the required quantities.
Thank you and hope this helps!