Thirty-three percent of American adults over the age of 20 experience high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A large percentage of those with hypertension are now turning to alternative and complementary medicine. Untreated hypertension can lead to heart or vascular disease. It is important to be under the supervision of a medically trained holistic practitioner whenever attempting to use alternative medicine or diet in the treatment of hypertension.
Diet
When treating hypertension, a successful diet will help you attain ideal body weight. Increasing the amount of cold-water fish, such as wild salmon, mackerel and cod; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; whole grains and legumes high in fiber, as well as foods rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli and citrus fruit, is foundational to any hypertension diet. It is also beneficial to avoid foods low in fiber, essential fatty acids, calcium and magnesium, and avoid highly processed foods high in sugar or saturated fat.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are one of the most-used alternative treatments for hypertension. In his book "Textbook of Natural Medicine," Joseph Pizzorno Jr., N.D., recommends several nutritional supplements, including high potency formula multiple vitamins and minerals; vitamins C, B-6 and E; magnesium and calcium; coenzyme Q10; garlic; and omega-3 oils, such as fish oil or flaxseed oil.
Botanical Medicine
Several botanical medicines are traditional treatments for hypertension. Hawthorn is used to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. The berries and flowering tops are the parts used for medicine, and the blood pressure-lowering effect is mild, requiring at least two weeks for effects. Garlic and onion as supplements or used liberally in diet reduce systolic blood pressure by 3.1 percent, according to Pizzorno. He also recommends mistletoe for its blood pressure-lowering effects seen in animal studies. An herbalist or naturopathic physician can assist you with dosage of botanical medicines.
Lifestyle
For best results in treating hypertension, avoid smoking and excessive use of alcohol and caffeine. Maintaining a healthy weight through daily movement and exercise also contributes to the reduction of blood pressure. Stress reduction techniques, such as exercise, yoga, prayer or meditation, have also proved effective at reducing blood pressure, according to research published in the journal "Disease-A-Month" in 2009. Choosing which lifestyle changes may have the greatest impact in reducing your blood pressure is best done under the supervision of a holistically trained practitioner.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hypertension
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., N.D., and Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 2006
- "Disease-A-Month"; Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Preventing and Treating Cardiovascular Disease; William H. Frishman, MD, et al.; March 2009
- "Clinics in Geriatric Health"; Nonpharmacologic Management of Hypertension in the Elderly; Aparna Padiyar, MD; May 2009
