Managing Hypertension With Herbs/Foods

Hypertension is one of the major causes of sudden death in Nigeria. It strikes, one off balance and leaves a devastating footprint of heart attack or stroke.
Since the ailment has complicated symptoms, many people who have discovered they have it either through frequent medical check-up are now glued to hypertensive drugs, which have so many side effects.
Researches have shown that lifestyle modifications, including regular intake of local spices and foodstuffs may reduce the risk of developing the condition and help in managing it in persons already suffering from it.
Common herbs or foods used in managing hypertension are garlic, carrot, beetroot and banana. Also, Zobo or Hibscus drink, soursop and tomato are among recently studied herbs that can help control high blood pressure.
If hypertension is uncontrolled for a long time, it can lead to kidney failure.
Let’s examine how each herb curbs hypertension with garlic as first on the list. According to Karin Reid and Peter Fakler, “garlic supplements have shown promise in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension, lowering blood pressure (BP) by about 10mm HG systolic and 8mm HG diastolic”.
They made their discovery known in a journal, Integrated Blood Pressure Control. Garlic extract contains sulphur compound, which helps in thinning the blood and induce muscle cell relaxation for blood flow in the veins.
Banana has been found to contain phytonutrients that reduces blood pressure. Top among the nutrients in bananas is potassium. Apart from effect on blood pressure, banana inhibits atherosclerosis and gallstones.
Scientists who studied extracts made from Hisbiscus Sabdariffa commonly called, “Zobo drink” say it helps treat hypertension, according to their report published in the journal” Fitoterapin”, Zobo extract lowers systolic blood pressure in adults with pre to moderate essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Beetroot might reduce blood pressure in some people, a new research has shown. An analysis published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2013 indicate that nitrate from beetroot extract or juice helps reduce systolic blood pressure.
A daily glass of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, says, Dr. Shannon Amoils of Queen Mary University of London, UK where the research was done.
Carrot has been used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension. Carrot has high level of carotene, Vitamin A and C, these compounds block calcium channels which may be responsible in lowering blood pressure, according to studies.
For soursop leaves, it’s taken as tea when the leaves are boiled. Also, leaves of Avocado Pear are cut into pieces, dried and made into tea for the management of hypertension.