Natural Low Blood Pressure Treatments

Low blood pressure or hypotension, to give it a proper medical term, refers to the fall in blood pressure below the normal. It is a condition in which the action of the heart in forcing the blood through the arteries is weak. This is a direct outcome of a weakened and devitalised system.

Symptoms for Low Blood Pressure

The patient with chronic low blood pressure may complain of lethargy, weakness, fatigue and dizziness. The patient may faint especially if arterial pressure is lowered further when he assumes an erect position. These symptoms are presumably due to a decrease in perfusion of the brain, heart, skeletal muscle and other organs.

Low Blood Pressure Causes

The most important cause of low blood pressure is faulty nutrition. It makes the tissues forming the walls of the blood vessels to become overrelaxed and flabby or stretched. This results in less supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Malnutrition can result from diet deficient in calories, proteins vitamin C or almost any one of the B vitamins.

Sometimes, the blood pressure falls rapidly because of haemmorrhage or loss of blood. Low blood pressure may develop gradually because of slow bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, or through the kidneys or bladder. Emotional problems are a far more frequent cause of low blood pressure. To a lesser degree, prolonged disappointment and frustration may result in a subnormal blood pressure.

Natural Treatment of Low Blood Pressure

The treatment for low blood pressure should aim at regeneration of the whole system. To begin with, the patient should adopt an exclusive fresh fruit diet for about five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple, grapes, pear, peach and papaya at five-hourly intervals. Thereafter, he may adopt fruit and milk diet for two or three weeks. After a fruit and milk diet, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, with emphasis on fresh fruits and raw vegetables. Further periods on an all-fruit left, followed by milk and fruit diet may be necessary at two or three-monthly intervals in some cases, depending on the progress being made.

The warm-water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the first few days of the treatment, and afterwards, if necessary. Those who are habitually constipated should take all possible steps for its eradication.

Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of low blood pressures. The juice of raw beet (chukandar) is one of the most effective of these remedies. The patient should drink a cup of this juice twice daily for treating this condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable within a week.

The herb Indian spikenard (jatamansi) is another effective home remedy for low blood pressure. It should be taken in doses of 30 to 40 grains with the addition of a little camphor and cinnamon (dalchini). It can also be taken as an infusion in doses of 30 to 60 grams, thrice a day.

Protein, Vitamin C and all vitamins of B group have been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of low blood pressure. Of these, pantothenic acid is of particular importance. Liberal use of this vitamin often helps in raising the blood pressure. A diet which contains adequate quantities of complete proteins, the B-Vitamins and particularly the nutrients that stimulate adrenal production quickly normalizes low blood pressure.

The use of salt is valuable in low blood pressure. Until the blood pressure reaches normal levels through proper dietary and other remedies, it is essential that the patient should take salty foods and half a teaspoon of salt in water daily.

Daily dry friction and sponge should be undertaken by those suffering from low blood pressure. They should also undertake breathing, and other light exercises like walking, swimming and bicycling. The patient should take sun and air bath and spend as much time as possible in open air.

The hot Eposm-salt bath is one of the simplest remedy for low blood pressure. This bath is prepared by dissolving one to one and half kg. of commercial Epsom-salts in an ordinary bath of hot water. The patient should remain immersed in the bath from 10 to 20 minutes. This bath should be taken just before retiring to bed, and care should be exercised not to get chilled afterwards.

All habits of living tending to set up enervation of the system, such as overwork, excess of all kinds, needless worry, wrong thinking, must be eliminated as far as lies within the power of the sufferer.