Herbal treatments: Plants, roots, leaves and fruits have all been used in time immemorial to provide some kind of medicinal relief to man’s ailments. If they’re used properly and regularly then they really do offer some outstanding health benefits. The tricky part is understanding how each herbal medicine will interact with others. Some increase the potency and some nullify the usefulness of the other herbs and spices. So, keep away from extremes (too much or too little) and learn the full scope of each herbal supplement that you decide to add to your health regimen.
Beets: Eating beets will help raise your blood pressure and maintain it to a proper level. You can love them or hate them, but there is no denying how healthy beets are for you, especially when it comes to helping you fix your blood pressure problems. Beets (beetroot) are high in vitamins like Bi, B2, B6, A and C. They are also a great source of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, sodium and phosphorous. These minerals are healthful in that they help keep your hydration levels and your ionic balance steady. You could find these vitamins and minerals in a multi-vitamin, but why forego the flavor and fiber that you get with eating this wonderful root?
Cinnamon: For all of you cinnamon lovers, enjoy adding more cinnamon to your toast and buns, as well as in your meals. Cinnamon will increase your peripheral circulation throughout your body, which has a strong influence on your raising your low blood pressure. The Chinese Traditional Medicine supporters proclaim that cinnamon is necessary to aid digestion and cure menstrual cramping, diarrhea, nausea, colds and gas.
Holy Basil: There are a variety of basil plants, and they are not all the same. Although sweet basil is very popular in
Mediterranean dishes, you will have a little better health results with Holy Basil, also known Asian basil or Ocimum Sanctum. It’s considered ‘holy’ because of its proven abilities over thousands of years to improve a person’s overall health. Asian basil contains large quantities of vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals that improve circulation and blood cell functions.
Naturally, basil is best used fresh, rather than dried (it loses qualities through the drying process), and it should be added to the cook pot right at the end the cooking process. Dried basil can retain its good qualities for up to 6 months in a sealed container, if kept cool and dry.
Turmeric: It’s quite amazing that this spice, made from a root (it’s part of the ginger family), shows up in so many natural heath remedies for different diseases and ailments. Its healing qualities are not a secret in Asia, where it is predominantly grown and has been used for thousands of years as a medicine. Turmeric is sold as a yellow powdered spice, with little flavor and lots of color. A friendly suggestion is that you should be careful when handling it because it will stain skin and clothes temporarily.
Traditionally it is taken in small quantities (less than half of a teaspoon!) in a glass of warm milk before bedtime every night. You can add sugar, sweeteners or other flavors if you don’t like the odor
or taste. If drinking it doesn’t appeal to you, then try to cook with it or sprinkle it over your already cooked food. The flavor is not terribly strong and you’ll never notice it once it’s mixed in with other foods.
Many of the causes behind hypotension are digestive and blood related. Turmeric is scientifically proven to act as a blood purifier, an anti-inflammatory, and digestive stimulant for treating gastrointestinal disorders. It has an overall effect of balancing the whole body, from blood to metabolism to bone health. Low blood pressure is much better regulated due to the increased health brought on through turmeric ingestion.
You can take turmeric for your blood pressure and at the same time get the benefits of a multitude of other ailments. The only caution is for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. They shouldn’t use it; turmeric is not good for a fetus or baby’s health.
Ginger: The benefits of ginger when used as an herbal remedy are quite positive. It is very good for raising low blood pressure to normal levels; ginger root improves the circulation and is also an anti-inflammatory. The best way to use ginger is to include it in your diet on a regular basis, cut fresh and cooked in as many dishes as possible. For those who like Ginger Ale, it’s also a great beverage for improving digestion problems like gas and stomach aches.
Hawthorn Berry: The berries of this shrub (Crataegus) are excellent for circulatory disorders, and they have long been used to strengthen the heart muscle and improve artery health. They’re effective for treating low blood pressure as well as high blood pressure due to normalizing the blood circulation throughout your body.
Rosemary: Have you ever had rosemary tea? According to some, a regular serving of rosemary tea will help you maintain a good level of blood pressure. Using rosemary in some of your dishes will add a special aroma as well as good quantities of vitamin A, some of the B vitamins, and vitamin C. It also contains the ionic minerals just like that of beetroot. Rosemary provides potassium, which is essential as a component for blood and cell fluids. It’s a great source of iron, which improves hemoglobin (oxygen carriers) in red blood cells.