On behalf of various friends and relatives with raised BP. Can anyone give me info on alternative remedies for high blood pressure and also which herbs, supplements etc one should avoid - which may increase BP?  Is there a website where you can check on different remedies and their effect?  One friend has high diastolic presssure - any likely causes?  

Remedies taken by friends/relatives for various conditions include glucosamine, echinacea, goldenseal, MSM, valerian, st john's wort.  Are any of these likely to have an adverse effect on BP?  Thanks.

My husband has tried various stuff from the GP but refuses to live with side-effects.  His best remedy for high blood pressure is a good long walk!  It drops his pressure from 140-160 over 80-100 to about 120-130 over 73-80.  Care should be taken if you are taking tablets, as the resulting drop whilst walking can lower the pressure to an unsafe level. The downside of course is that you need to set aside sufficient time each day.  Assume an average rate of two and a half miles per hour.  And you need to be fairly tough and determined in certain weather conditions. 

I used to suffer from HBP or Hypertension as it is known.  My readings were usually around 180/110 which was in the Cardiac Arrest/Stroke range. I was put on statins and beta blockers by the cardiology consultant and I found them to have so many side effects that I weaned myself off them, much to the annoyance of the consultant, who I think, washed his hands of me. 

The first thing I did was have a look at what I was eating.  When I had checked everything off I decided that processed foods were out.  They have too much salt in them plus other ingredients which are not really conducive to good health.  I increased my intake of fruit and veg plus I started taking a clove of garlic three times a day. Within a week my BP had been reduced to just over 130/80 just by taking that action. I was heading for the safe zone. The next thing was to reduce my weight ( I was over 22 stone ) and I started doing gentle exercise ( walking and cycling ) and set myself a target of taking off 7lbs a month. This, combined with a diet of fish, fruit and vegetables and occasionally lean pork or chicken, helped me to achieve my targets of weight loss and by the beginning of October I had reduced my weight to 16½ stones.  As my weight reduced, I noticed that, so too did my BP and it came down to between 110-120/60-65.  To enhance the loss I also took, every morning, a mixture of honey, garlic and unpasturised cider vinegar with the juice of a fresh lemon.  This consists of 2 tspns honey, 1 tbsp of garlic vinegar, 1 clove of garlic chopped and the juice of a whole lemon. Take this at least ½ an hour before breakfast and you will reap the benefits. ( The garlic, I suggest, you chop up reasonably finely and take seperately with some water to stop it tainting your breath and swallow it down withing 30 secs of chopping so that the allicin that is produced can work its magic within you ). The only other thing I do is constantly watch my salt intake.  I try to limit that to about 2 grammes per day ( every slice of bread has about ½ a gramme of salt in it so go easy on the sandwiches ( lol ). If I snack at all it is usually a banana, orange or any other piece of fruit and the BP stays down as does my weight.  There is no need to take any other drugs of any description to achieve weight loss and lower BP. I have found that the above method has worked for me and the result so positive I feel great both physically and mentally. You can try the above methods and see if it works for you.  I think it may well do so.

For the statistically minded:- I am 64 years of age and 6'6" tall.  My BP at the start was 180/110 and my weight on 1st April this year was 22st 4lbs.    Now my BP is averaging 115/64 over the month and my weight is now down to 16½ stone.  The figures speak for themselves.  This method worked for me and has absolutely no side effects.

Hope the above helps you.

beetroot juice daily will give a 20% drop.

The safest remedy you can use is WATER. If you are dehydrated your blood lacks water, is too thick and sticky and is harder for your heart to pump round. It pumps harder to circulate it and up goes the pressure. Dehydrated blood takes hydration from the nearest place it can  ...  your artery walls - hence hardening of the arteries follows (arteriosclerosis) which makes it even harder for the heart to to pump the blood round and.................Get the picture?

Magnets  help the iron molecules in the blood line up and have the effect of making blood "smoother" to pump round (therefore easier). 

You could try making sure also that the nerves controlling the heart are able to give it the correct information. Nerves that are impinged upon by the spinal bones may not be sending their messages efficiently. Mc Timoney Chiropractic will help to correct this problem. (You do not necessarily have pain or other symptoms if your bones are misaligned.) To find your nearest practitioner go to www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org.

(Hope it turns out to be me ! I've had quite a few clients whose B.P. has reduced from just doing the above without medical intervention and some who have been able to come off their medication with their Doctor's full approval (and amazement).)

Best Wishes. Christina Rudd. 

I found 1 tsp honey and juice of 1/2 lemon in hot water each morning brought my BP down in a few months, and keeps it down.

There is a Japanese technology used in hospitals there for 30 years which changes the molecular structure of ordinary tap water. A small countertop device is hooked up to the faucet and the water is processed through it. This isn't a filter, though it has one inside. It processes the water through electrolysis, changing its pH level, giving it strong anti-oxidant properties, and making it better able to hydrate the cells, bringing in nutrients and removing waste. You can read about it at www.WatersofHealth.com. I know of several people whose blood pressure normalized after several weeks of drinking this water. It is excellent for many other problems such as digestive and intestinal problems, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, heart disease and more.

 Feel free to contact me for more information at watersofhealth@gmail.com.

 Hana Dolgin

Hydration Consultant 

I went on a juice-fast for 3 weeks and it restored my BP to normal. Do your research before trying a juice-fast because it involves more than just juice.

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tdavid

The Ayuvedic herb Mukta Vati worked for my extremely HBP about 3 -4 years ago. I am now able to achieve a normal/below normal BP on just 1 tablet a day instead of the full dose of 4. My BP started to go down after 6 days (not the 3 they said on the web!!) and in 10 days I cut my doctors meds (which only reduced the BP by 10 points) in half and in a month  was able to cut them out completely but I had only been taking them 3 months. Check it out on the web but make sure you only buy Ivy's as they are the authentic ones. Check out various sites and also there is someone reliable on Ebay who sells Ivy's . 1 site charged nearly double the rest. Every one who I have recommended them to has found that they work!!!

The only side effect I have found is a good one. My pulse is around 50 - 55 which is quite low but I do exercise a lot as well. Before the Mukta Vati it was in the normal rage of 60- 80 

 

I have used a magnetic bracelet worn on the right wrist for years, and when I don't wear it, and sometimes I don't for months, when I know my BP is up again I put it back on and the BP goes down again. It affects both the systolic and diastolic pressures. Wear it on the left wrist to raise blood pressure to normal. Ensure you use good magnets. They must be strong enough, fridge magnets won't work and they must be North Pole to the skin, not 50p from the market. Having looked into this as an engineer I am convinced that it is effective but depends upon the quality of the magnets. I would only use Norstar Magnetc Bracelets in the UK (that's where I live), and not their fancy modern looking one that looks like a watch, I didn't find this much help, but have used the metal link ones now for over ten years.

I'm a medical herbalist - NIMH - just letting you know that so you know I know what I'm talking about.

The one thing contraindicated in raised BP from your list is Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). None of the other things will adversely effect BP.

Really you shouldn't use Goldenseal much - it's an endangered species. Another herb, the Chinese skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis does all that Hydrastis does but is not endangered or likely to be as it's easy to grow. I've also used it in patients with high BP and allergies.  

 I can't direct you to any website etc other than the NIMH website to see a professional.  www.nimh.org.uk

 However you and your relatives may benefit from taking Magnesium supplement and Vitamin D. Have a look at "The Magnesium Miracle" by Carolyn Dean MD and "The vitamin D revolution" by Soram Khalsa MD. 

 Magnesium deficiency causes contraction of muscles in blood vessels walls as well as many other things, and vit D effects both BP and inflammation in blood vessels causing calcification in vessels.  

ATB 

Laura 

  

 

 

Salt works for us - unrefined sea salt not sodium chloride!

Many peoplehave a conditioned belief that salt is bad for them.  Those same people believe that they should beon a low-salt or even a salt-free diet if they have high blood pressure or aheart condition.  This is quite somedistance from the truth.  But I am talking about unrefined sea salt rather than the refined salts sold insupermarkets. The key difference is that theunrefined salts are full of vital minerals and trace elements; the refinedsalts have been through a degrading industrial process and the result bearslittle resemblance to salt.  Refined salthas been described as ‘white poison’.

Dr Jacques deLangre was a PhD Biologist and an exponent of unrefined sea salt.   He was a lecturer and author and dedicatedhis life to research on good and poor quality salt.  So many people became interested in his work,in 1970 he founded the Grain and Salt Society in North Carolina.  Today this is run by his daughterSelina.  Because of his knowledge of thedifferences between refined and unrefined salt and the effects they have on ourhealth, our food and our equilibrium, he was much sought after by doctors fromall over the world.  They referred to himas ‘The Salt Man’. 

Dr Langre believed high blood pressure to be one of the mostmisunderstood areas of modern medicine. He explained that highblood-pressure problems lie not in excessive salt intake but in an overactivehormone system and the associated increase in renin levels which in turn causea physiological need for salt. 

To put someone on asalt-restrictive diet can actually raise their blood pressure, bring onaccelerated ageing through cellular degeneration, cause adrenal exhaustion andtire the valves of the heart muscle. The biochemical intelligence in the Celticsalt will regulate blood pressure whether it is too high or too low. Thisprocess can take 2-3 months but the results will be worth it.

Dr Langreused Celtic Sea Salt throughout his life. When hewas 55 years old he was tested in Bostonby two medical doctors. They both said he had the blood pressure of a 20 yearold.   When he was 64 he was checkedagain.  No change, and the doctor addedthat there was absolutely no cholesterol deposits in his arteries.  The Celtic salt scours the body looking forexcess salt deposits in the tissues lowering blood pressure as it removes thesedeposits through the kidneys

We have used Dead Sea Salt, HimalayanCrystal Salt, Maldon Salt, Anglesey Salt and ahost of other top quality brands.  In ouropinion Fleur de Sel is quite simplythe most delicious-tasting salt of them all.

Graeme 

 

There is a Japanese technology used in hospitals there for 30 years, which transforms ordinary tap water into water with health-enhancing properties.The water helps to balance over-acidity in the body which creates the conditions for the development of many illnesses. In addition, it is strongly anti-oxidant and prevents and reverses some free radical damage. It is better absorbed by the body since it has smaller molecule clusters than tap or bottled water.  I personally know several people who got off their high blood pressure medication after drinking this water for a few weeks, as their blood pressure was no longer high! We have testimonials of people with various illnesses such as Crohn's disease, digestive disorders of all kinds, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, migraines, arthritis  and more who have had major improvements in their health by drinking this water. Please see www.WatersofHealth.com for more info. I can send you specific information if you email me at watersofhealth@gmail.com. 

 All the best,

Hana Dolgin

Hydration Consultant

Florida, USA 

 

 

You need to understand why the blood pressure is high in each case, hence personal diagnosis and treatment is vital, this is not something to self-treat.

Having said that, blood pressure is generally a systemic disturbance, meaning that the harmony between several organs is disturbed, as is the distribution of blood between deep structures and the periphery.  A tune-up from a good holist may well be of huge benefit, but just like any medical doctor, go to one who will try to understand the situation before simply treating it.

Just to re-iterate what Graeme says, the key is to eliminate refined salt from your diet, and replace it with unrefined mineral rich salt.

Refined salt is like the Hydra, its heads bob up everywhere. Even a sandwich from a supermarket apparently has 15 times more salt than a pack of crisps, or something like that. So you need to cut out all that junk.

 The natural salt that De Langre  espoused was Sel De Guerande. It is a grey salt from the beaches of Brittany. It is entirely harvested by hand, and has had no heat treatment. It is chock full of minerals, and apart from being very very good for you, is as Graeme says, wonderful tasting. Funnily enough I have an order just delivered from Village De France sitting downstairs on the kitchen table. I mention this because it is not particularly easy to source in the UK.

 De Langre reckoned you could eat this salt in large quantities because it was so beneficial. In his opinion it literally washed the arteries.

I've been eating it for 3 months, and I eat it liberally.

The only drawback with this salt is this: the gulls fly over the salt flats where it is harvested, and their guana lands on it.

This affects it slightly, and causes a lot of flatulence when you take it!

The solution according to Dr Hulda Clark is to heat dry it at 205 degrees fahrenheit for 5 minutes in a pyrex dish. 

I do not know to what extent this affects the salt.

Personally I don't do this. i use the sel de guerande for roasting, e.g. I laver over a chicken

and for sprinkling salt I use Himalayan Salt, (from Creative Nature) although there are many suppliers.

 

Other things you might consider for high blood pressure are : Hibiscus Tea (Cotswold Teas), Cacao Nibs (creative nature), and essential oils.

I use Ylang Ylang, and other oils,(contact me at above for more info)

Also as has been said, get the best water source you can. 

Hulda Clark's first analysis of High Blood Pressure cases was water source. She reckoned cadmium etc in the piping was usually the cause.

Also eliminate caffeine in coffee and tea, and eliminate carbonated drinks.

also elimimate excess sugar. I.e. consume minimal amounts of sugar.

 

So as has been said, keep well hydrated with good quality water, and also study how to sleep well. Good sleep  has universal health benefits, including blood pressure control.