Lower blood pres­sure: these home remedies help

Lower blood pressure the natural way

One in two people over the age of 60 suffer from high blood pressure, a disease that often appears without warning. The good news is that high blood pressure can be significantly improved by lifestyle habits. The most important are a balanced diet, proper exercise and blood pressure medication. Certain home remedies can also be used to tackle high blood pressure.

Lower blood pressure with ginger

Opinions differ on this home remedy. Some experts advise people with high blood pressure against eating the spicy root, as it stimulates the cardiovascular system and causes blood pressure to rise. But since the effect only lasts for a short time, other experts consider ginger – in the form of a ginger shot, for example – to be beneficial. The root is said to lower blood pressure in several ways:

1. it dilates the blood vessels and has a blood-thinning effect.
2. It also has a positive impact on the calcium channel, enabling more calcium to reach the heart which, in turn, helps ease high blood pressure.

Teas for high blood pressure

Lavender, fennel and camomile also have a proven beneficial effect – but on the potassium channel. They cause the blood vessels to widen and this leads to a reduction in blood pressure. Green tea and black tea have a similar impact on the potassium channel. The sweet and aromatic hibiscus tea, on the other hand, acts as an antioxidant, which is also beneficial for high blood pressure. However, it's important that the teas are drunk unsweetened, as consuming a lot of sugar exacerbates high blood pressure.

Garlic lowers blood pressure

According to studies, the allicin contained in garlic improves blood circulation and dilates blood vessels. To benefit from this blood pressure-lowering effect, consume the garlic in raw or dried form.

Relax blood vessels with beetroot

There is no question that the purple winter vegetable is extremely healthy. Studies have now also shown that beetroot is an effective home remedy for lowering blood pressure. This is due to the nitrate it contains which relaxes the blood vessels and therefore leads to lower blood pressure. Many people enjoy a glass of beetroot juice, for example. But if you don’t like the intense taste of the juice, you may prefer a classic beetroot salad or a nutritious beetroot bowl.

Properly combined, olive oil can lower blood pressure

For a long time, it was assumed that consuming olive oil – in any way at all – was enough to lower blood pressure. However, research has shown that the combination with other foods is crucial: when the unsaturated fatty acids in olive oil come into contact with vegetables containing nitrates – such as spinach, radishes, rocket or chard – nitro fatty acids are formed which can help block the development of high blood pressure. In general, Mediterranean cuisine, in which olive oil is the centrepiece, is considered particularly healthy. The diet is reputed to not only prevent high blood pressure, but circulatory disorders and obesity too.

When to see a doctor

But be careful: home remedies are no miracle cures. If you suspect your blood pressure is high, be sure to consult your family doctor for expert advice. These home remedies cannot replace blood pressure therapy or medication.