Naturopathic Remedies for Hypertension

Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mm/Hg (millimeters of mercury). This chronic illness often goes undiagnosed because it usually has no symptoms, according to MedlinePlus. However, it is widespread, affecting more than half of all Americans over the age of 65, according to altmd.com. Naturopathic medicine focuses on the role of diet and nutrition in disease and offers some remedies for high blood pressure that have been proved effective.

Diagnosis & Cause

• Once in a great while, you may get a blood pressure reading that is either abnormally low or high. This is not necessarily indicative of a long-term problem, but if readings taken over a period of days or weeks are consistently high, then you probably have hypertension. The two types of hypertension are essential and secondary. The latter is a symptom of some underlying medical condition that may be treatable. However, the cause of essential hypertension, which is far more common, is unknown. Dietary modifications, such as those advocated in naturopathy, along with nutritional supplements, can help to bring high blood pressure under control.

Recommended Diet

• Naturopaths focus on the role of potassium in their approach to treating hypertension, according to altmd.com. To increase the body's ratio of potassium to sodium, you should eat a diet that is rich in whole grains and raw fruits and vegetables and low in table salt and processed foods. In a naturopathic diet for hypertension, "low-fat, low-cholesterol foods that are high in complex carbohydrates replace red meat, sugar, and salt," says altmd.com.

  According to cardiologychannel.com, other allowable foods in the naturopathic diet for high blood pressure include cold water fish, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel; beans; soy; nuts; seeds; olive oil; and garlic. In addition to salt and sugar, you should avoid caffeine, dairy products, junk foods and fried foods. If you develop a sensitivity to any food on the diet, eliminate it as soon as you detect an allergic-type reaction. Drink plenty of water, taking in half as many ounces of water as you weigh in pounds, according to cardiologychannel.com. This means 90 oz. of water daily for someone who weighs 180 pounds.

Nutritional Supplements

• To supplement the diet outlined above, take supplements of vitamins A, B2, B6, C and E, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium and zinc, according to altmd.com. Naturopathy also believes hypertension can better be controlled by the use of the following herbs: arjuna bark, ashwaganda, black cumin seeds, European mistletoe, garlic, ginger, hops, Indian snakeroot, motherwort and yarrow.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Naturopathy also believes that lifestyle changes can play a key role in the control of hypertension, according to altmd.com. Try to get plenty of exercise and sleep, keep your weight under control, and do what you can to reduce the stress in your life. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis and transcendental meditation, can help.