This article will discuss five of the most common allergies and tips on how to get rid of them. First you may ask, what is an allergy? Basically, an allergy is an unnatural immune reaction to a normally benign substance (whether plants, animals, insects or food) that your body thinks is harmful. These substances are called allergens. When you come into contact with an allergen, your body releases a chemical called histamine into the bloodstream, (in hopes of destroying what it thinks of as an invader) which causes inflammation. This is called an allergic reaction. Sometimes, an allergic reaction is so severe, it can become fatal. What are some of the most common allergies? They include substances such as:

1 Pollen
2 Mold
3 Pets/animal hair
4 Latex
5 Food

Of all common offenders, pollen is the number one allergen in the United States, and is the most common allergy during seasonal allergy months. Pollen comes from a multitude of plants, herbs, trees and flowers, and spreads like wildfire through the air. The most prevalent time for pollen is during the spring and summer, when most plants bloom to life. Plants release pollen on into the autumn season, and while winter is usually a time for pollen-allergy sufferers to breathe a sigh of relief, there are still some plants that release pollen even in the dead of winter.

Mold is pesky little fungi that loves to grow in warm, moist, dark places. Mold releases spores into the air, and when mold is touched or the spores are inhaled, they cause inflammation in the airways and bring on an allergic reaction. It is important to have your house routinely checked for mold, especially if you live in a humid climate. The longer a mold problem persists, the harder it is to eradicate.

An allergy to animal hair is a very common, yet unfortunate, allergy to have. The most common cause of an allergy to animal hair is the proteins that coat the hair. Those oils/proteins are there to protect the animal’s coat of hair and keep it shiny. Unfortunately, those shiny coats trigger respiratory allergies in many people, which can be very sad for animal lovers. Sometimes, animal hair allergies are so severe that the afflicted person, sadly, cannot keep a pet.

Latex allergy is another quite common, yet often times severe, allergy. The protein contained in the latex rubber is the offender here, and usually leads to an immediate, sometimes very severe allergic reaction. For those who work in the healthcare field, and those who require frequent doctor visits, this allergy can be problematic, since many healthcare items contain latex. Fortunately, more and more medical manufacturers are coming out with latex-free gloves and other latex-free equipment.

Last on this list of the top five most common allergies, but certainly not least, are food allergies. Food allergy can, at times, be the most problematic allergy of all. This is because nowadays, in this age of food additives and preservatives, there are many hidden ingredients in processed and pre-prepared foods. The most common food allergies are nuts, shellfish, wheat and milk/dairy products. When a food allergy sufferer eats an allergy-causing food, their bodies release histamine into the bloodstream, causing inflammation which can be severe. This reaction can be anywhere from diarrhea and stomach cramps to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the airway to close or swell shut.

Now that you know some of the most common allergies, and you know that getting tested to identify your allergies is the first step, it’s time to talk about how to get rid of your allergies. Many (but not all) modern doctors believe that adults won’t be able to totally get rid of their allergies. Children tend to grow out of their allergies, but most adults retain their allergies for life. Don’t groan just yet – keeping positive is a huge step in dealing with your allergies. Contrary to popular belief, there is hope – yes, you can get rid of your allergies! Some more good news is that many naturopathic doctors, herbalists, and natural healers believe that you can indeed get rid of allergies.

The next step to getting rid of your allergies is to avoid the things that give you allergic reactions. That sounds fairly simple, but it can be complicated when it involves allergens such as food. Modifying your environment can go a long way to getting rid of allergies. Keep an allergy diary and write about your reactions – this will help you learn what to avoid. If you have mold in your house, make sure it is cleaned out and totally eradicated by specialists that deal specifically with getting rid of mold. If you are allergic to your household pets, don’t fret. Do some research into allergy-friendly pets that you can own – yes, there are allergy-friendly animals out there. There are even allergy-friendly dogs such as the short-haired Chihuahua. If you are allergic to pollen, make sure to have someone help you keep your grass mowed and your yard in tip-top shape, and take your prescribed allergy medicine daily. If latex is what gets your allergic response going, be sure to alert any new doctors to this allergy, and carefully read labels on household and cosmetic supplies to make sure they are latex-free. Food allergies can be the trickiest, but if you become an avid-label reader and carry allergy medicine (including an Epi-Pen for serious reactions) with you that should go a long way to helping you avoid the offending substances. Do a diet of elimination – meaning, eliminate all the problem foods from your diet for a period of time (usually around 6 weeks) and then slowly introduce them back in, one at a time. Many times, elimination diets have huge success rates, even to the point that the previous allergy-causing foods no longer cause problems!

Next on the list is treatment. Take your prescribed allergy medicine every day. If you know you are going to come into contact with any allergens, take your medicine beforehand to lessen or even prevent symptoms. Talk to your doctor about getting what is called allergy shots. These shots contain very small amounts of the substances to which you are allergic, so as to desensitize you. The theory is, which each shot, you become less and less allergic to that particular substance. The good thing is, many people have a huge success rate with allergy shots. Another option is alternative treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture sessions.

A lot of allergy sufferers swear by acupuncture to alleviate their allergies. Other alternative treatments would be vitamin, antioxidant and herbal supplements that boost the immune system, stabilize cells, and repair damage. Examples of these would be vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, Quercetin, green tea, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Saline sinus rinses also have a high success rate, since they flush out irritants and bacteria. Speaking of flushing out irritants – a good intestinal cleanse has worked wonders for many food allergy sufferers.

Remember to always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, doing any kind of cleanse, or starting any kind of alternative therapy for your allergies. Though you may want to, you can’t diagnose yourself. Allergy sufferers need to be under the care of a physician. Don’t fret or get discouraged, though! No matter what the naysayers say, there are options and you can get rid of allergies. Allergies don’t have to last forever – and when you follow the tips outlined in this article, you can kiss your allergies goodbye.

Read more of my articles on health and fitness and articles to show Allergies Articles.

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Hypertension is typically treated by making changes in your lifestyle, and with drug therapy.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Hypertension

Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet (such as the DASH diet, which includes lowering sodium but including daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods), stopping smoking, losing weight, and getting enough exercise, especially aerobic exercise.

Medicine to Treat Hypertension

Several types of drugs are available to treat hypertension.The major types of medication used to control high blood pressure include:

Thiazide diuretics. These medications act on your kidneys to help your body eliminate sodium and water, reducing blood volume. Thiazide diuretics are often the first — but not the only — choice in high blood pressure medications. Still, diuretics are often not prescribed. If you’re not taking a diuretic and your blood pressure remains high, talk to your doctor about adding one or replacing a drug you currently take with a diuretic.

Beta blockers. These medications reduce the workload on your heart, causing your heart to beat slower and with less force. When prescribed alone, beta blockers don’t work as well in blacks — but they’re effective when combined with a thiazide diuretic.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. ACE inhibitors may be especially important in treating high blood pressure in people with coronary artery disease, heart failure or kidney failure. Like beta blockers, ACE inhibitors don’t work as well in blacks when prescribed alone, but they’re effective when combined with a thiazide diuretic.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the action — not the formation — of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. Like ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers often are useful for people with coronary artery disease, heart failure and kidney failure.

Calcium channel blockers. These medications help relax the muscles of your blood vessels. Some slow your heart rate. Calcium channel blockers may work better for blacks than do ACE inhibitors or beta blockers alone. A word of caution for grapefruit lovers, though. Grapefruit juice interacts with some calcium channel blockers, increasing blood levels of the medication and putting you at higher risk of side effects. Researchers have identified the substance in grapefruit juice that causes the potentially dangerous interaction, which may one day lead to commercial grapefruit juices that don’t pose a risk of interaction. For now, however, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about interactions.

Renin inhibitors. A new drug Tekturna (aliskiren) is a renin inhibitor. Renin is an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a cascade of chemical steps that increases blood pressure. Tekturna works by reducing the ability of renin to begin this process. Tekturna acts earlier in your body’s blood pressure regulation process than most other blood pressure medications. It also can be used well with the other major classes of blood pressure drugs to improve their actions. Tekturna can be used alone, but it’s more effective when used in combination with existing high blood pressure medications, such as water pills (diuretics). Tekturna’s effects on blood pressure last more than 24 hours, so it can be taken once daily in oral tablet form.

If you’re having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medications, your doctor may prescribe:

Alpha blockers. These medications reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, reducing the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels.

Alpha-beta blockers. In addition to reducing nerve impulses to blood vessels, alpha-beta blockers slow the heartbeat to reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels.

Central-acting agents. These medications prevent your brain from signaling your nervous system to increase your heart rate and narrow your blood vessels.

Vasodilators. These medications work directly on the muscles in the walls of your arteries, preventing the muscles from tightening and your arteries from narrowing.

Once your blood pressure is under control, your doctor may add aspirin to your regimen to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disorders.

Some of the Solutions

1. There is an array of medications that are used for treating high blood-pressure and these are called antihypertensive agents. There are numerous factors which have to be considered before starting an agent for the patient including side effects, existing medical conditions and its ease of use.
2. Changing your diet.
3. Doing more exercises.

Even though the solutions mentioned here are good, the first solution should be your last resort. The best high blood pressure medication is omega 3 which is extracted from fish oil. In a study conducted it was seen that omega 3 deficiency during prenatal period could cause hypertension in later life. These studies indicate one important thing – omega 3 fatty acids reduce blood-pressure and the affect is greater in hypertensive patients or those who have high-normal blood-pressure. The optimum dose of these fatty acids required to achieve reduced blood-pressure should be at least 3-4 g/day.

Even though most of blood pressure changes can be achieved by reducing your salt intake, it can also be controlled by incorporating omega 3 fatty acids in your weight reduction programs. It is also highly probable that with increased intake of omega-3 fatty acid as a part of your dietary change along with increased intake of fruits and vegetables and moderate consumption of salt will result in significant cardiovascular benefits.

Improved Blood Pressure Control in Heart Transplant Patients with Hypertension

Omega 3 is considered to be best high blood pressure medication for patients who have had a heart transplant. Hypertension is one of the most complicated problems associated with patients who qualify for heart transplant surgery. If omega 3 is given to such patients, blood pressure stabilizing effects can be seen. As a matter of fact treatment with these fatty acids can help in reducing blood pressure after heart transplant making them potentially very attractive treatment for post surgery hypertension.

Combining Fish Oil Supplements with Exercises Improves Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

If you combine regular exercises and also consume omega 3 fatty acids, then that becomes the best high blood pressure medication. Fish oils improve cardiovascular and metabolic health and if you incorporate these in your lifestyle modifications, they may be more effective than the treatment alone. This is because fish oil supplements lower the bad cholesterol levels and increase your good cholesterols, while improving blood flow in your body. Combined with exercises, fish oils also reduce body fat.

Based on facts here it is clear that best high blood pressure medication is omega 3 from fish oil. In short you can say that these fatty acids have anti-hypertensive properties also apart from a long list of other qualities. Hence if you are taking fish oils for some other reason also, it is likely that even your blood pressure is benefiting as well.

Lotrel, which is a type of calcium channel blocker drug, enables the blood vessels to be relaxed and widens them, hence able to facilitate better blood flow.

It is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), converts enzymes and prevents the body from retaining water. This is because water retention will increase blood pressure. This is a very popular drug for treating high blood pressure (hypertension), but it is usually taken when all other medications do not work as it may have serious side effects.

You should only take Lotrel only if your doctor gives you the permission. If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, most likely your doctor will advise you not to take it. The medication may cause harm and birth defects to your fetus. Thus, you may need to use birth control while having treatment.

Lotrel Side Effects

Lotrel may have some serious side effects depending on your current conditions. This is the reason why Lotrel is usually taken as a last resort when all other methods are not effective. The drug can cause you to lose alertness and mess up your mind and reactions. You may be need to stop doing activities that require you to have alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

After taking Lotrel, its side effects may not show instantly. Most often, they will not start appearing until several months of treatment. Some of the usual symptoms are heavy sweating, diarrhea and feeling nausea. They will cause you to dehydrate.

If the above symptoms continue to worsen, they can lead on to extreme low blood pressure, kidney failure and electrolyte disorders. Hence, you should always replenish yourself with water and drink at least 8 glasses of water per day while you are on Lotrel treatment.

Additional Information

Do not take Lotrel if you are allergic to Benazepril, Amlodipine or other ACE inhibitors. If you have liver problems, congestive heart failure, diabetes or kidney disease, your body’s reaction to Lotrel medication may change. You need to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have the conditions above, so that he can adjust the dosage or change another prescription for you.

When it comes to controlling high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and natural remedies can be very helpful. However, it is important for you to understand that in most cases of hypertension, you will also have to take certain medications to keep your blood pressure low. Always remember, the treatment must be started immediately as soon as the problem is diagnosed because hypertension if left untreated can have serious adverse effects on your health – it can cause vision loss, kidney disease, brain hemorrhage, stroke, heart attack, and damage to other body organs. So, make sure that you work with your doctor thoroughly and discuss everything with them. Following is a brief rundown on some of the proven natural remedies for this condition.

Garlic
If you are suffering from mild high blood pressure, taking garlic supplements can prove to be a great help. Researchers have found that garlic supplements can significantly reduce diastolic and systolic hypertension. However, make sure that you take these supplements only under your doctor’s supervision. Taking these supplements in wrong dosage may worsen the condition. So, be very careful. If taken in high dosage, garlic may cause blood to lose its ability to clot. Because of this fact, garlic supplements should never be taken just before or after any type of surgery.

Folic Acid
Recently, a research done on twenty-four cigarette smokers found that the regular use of folic acid supplement for at least four weeks could significantly control high blood pressure. Folic acid actually reduces the elevated levels of homocysteine, which in turn controls hypertension.

Hawthorn
Hawthorn is type of herb that has been used since ages to treat hypertension. Traditional herbal practitioners always recommend this herbal treatment for their patients. These days, various researches and studies have approved its use and effectiveness by the modern medical world. If taken in proper dosage, it can significantly reduce the elevated homocysteine levels, which in turn may help to lower high blood pressure.

Fish Oil
Latest researches and study has also approved the use of fish oil as one of the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure. The use of fish oil has been found to have modest effect on controlling hypertension because of the presence of docohexaenoic acid in it.

Diet is obviously the most important part of any natural therapy. Therefore, if you are serious about treating hypertension in the best possible way, make sure that you are following the right diet chart. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends the DASH diet for hypertension patients. The sodium intake in this diet plan is restricted to only 2,400 mg in a single day. The diet includes beans and nuts, low-fat dairy foods, and fruits and vegetables. Taking the DASH diet as instructed can significantly reduce high blood pressure within fifteen days.

Did you know that millions of individuals all over the world have hypertension? And if you happen to be afflicted with hypertension as well, you need to learn about the different methods of treatment for high blood pressure. Treatment of hypertension is important because uncontrolled hypertension can lead to life-threatening complications like heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure treatment is usually done through the use of anti-hypertensive drugs. Your doctor may prescribe different kinds of anti-hypertensive drugs which are available today. Before taking these anti-hypertensive drugs, ask your doctor first about the respective side effects of these drugs and how they work in reducing blood pressure. Asking your doctor these questions will make you understand the mechanisms of these drugs and prepare you for the possible side effects.

Diuretics are considered the first-line of treatment of hypertension. Excess salt and water in the body can increase your blood pressure which makes it important to flush these out. And with the help of diuretics, these excess water and salt can be removed by urination. Diuretics cause different side effects like extreme fatigue, blurred vision, muscle cramps, abnormal heart rate, fever, dehydration, and others.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are also another form of anti-hypertensive medicines. Also known as ACE inhibitors, dilation of the blood vessels is caused by these medicines. When the blood vessels become dilated, there will be a consequent increase in blood flow and decrease in BP. And the different adverse effects caused by taking ACE inhibitors are skin rash, sore throat, fever, kidney failure, diarrhea, vomiting, and others.

Another type of anti-hypertensive drugs is calcium channel blockers. Calcium leads to the constriction of blood vessels. And calcium channel blockers are able to slow down calcium’s movement which means that the blood vessels become dilated. When the blood vessels are dilated, there is an increase in the blood flow and a decrease in the blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers cause different side effects like dry mouth, headache, skin rash, edema, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, and others.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers are also another form of anti-hypertensive drugs. Just like calcium, angiotensin II can narrow blood vessels. Therefore, these drugs were formulated to block the action of angiotensin II so that the blood vessels will become dilated. Remember that once blood vessels are widened, blood flow is increased and blood pressure is decreased. And the different side effects caused by angiotensin II receptor blockers are diarrhea, cough, confusion, dizziness, muscle cramps, and others.

Anti-hypertensive agents still come in other types aside from these. The different side effects of these anti-hypertensive drugs are definitely their disadvantages. And today, lots of people with hypertension need to live with these adverse effects each day just to control their blood pressure.

On the other hand, treatment for high blood pressure can also be done through natural methods which have no known side effects. The different natural methods of treatment include regular exercise, proper diet, stress reduction, smoking cessation, and a lot more.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the systolic (upper) blood pressure reading is 140 or higher consistently, and the diastolic (lower) number is 90 or higher consistently. The blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of force of the blood exerted by the heart as well as the condition of the arteries themselves. There are two main types of hypertension that a person may be diagnosed with, both of which can be helped with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. (However, it is important to note that if you have hypertension or suspect that you do, you should be evaluated by your doctor to ensure that it is controlled and monitored because it can be a life threatening condition.)

The two types of hypertension are:

1)Essential hypertension – occurs without an identifiable cause

2)Secondary hypertension – due to diet, a specific lifestyle habit, or as a side effect of medication

Blood pressure can be affected by many different factors, including, but not limited to:

•Diet

•Hormone levels

•Condition of your kidneys

•Condition of your arteries

•Other medical conditions such as diabetes

•Family history

•Stress

Hypertension can be a dangerous condition because there may not be any symptoms, and is commonly referred to as the “silent killer.” It is also considered a risk factor for stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, and blindness. Only when hypertension is severe will there be any symptoms such as nose bleeds, headaches, vision changes, chest pain, fatigue, ear buzzing, or an irregular heartbeat.

The conventional treatment for hypertension includes:

•Regular exercise

•Quitting smoking

•Dietary changes

•Prescription medications

According to Chinese medicine, there are a few different patterns of disharmony that can cause hypertension:

1)Liver Yang Rising

2)Phlegm-Fire

3)Yin Vacuity

4)Blood Stasis

Any of the above patterns, or combination of these patterns, can lead to hypertension. There are many acupuncture points on the body, feet, ear, and head that can help lower blood pressure. Patients may experience a decrease in blood pressure within as little as twenty minutes after beginning treatment. It is also very common for patients to be taking a Western medication while pursuing acupuncture treatments. Generally, it is very safe to do acupuncture while taking a medication, just make sure to let your practitioner know the medications and dosages you are taking.

Additionally, there are many Chinese herbal formulas that can help lower blood pressure and get it under control. Dietary changes may also be suggested by the practitioner to help you naturally lower your blood pressure with foods you can eat on a regular basis.

It is believed that hypertension is the main risk factor for premature death while a significant number of world’s population suffers from it. While most people know that it can lead to heart attack and stroke, probably not many people are aware of the fact that nerves situated in the kidney area have substantial influence in the way blood pressure is determined. Okay that’s fine, but the problem is that this nerve system does not function properly in many people.

So here is where the new treatment comes in. This technique deactivates the nerves in the area of the kidney arteries (blood vessels) resulting in lowering the blood pressure (hypertension) in patients. This method is especially suitable for people who have hypertension but where medications does not give any results in reducing their high blood pressure levels or at least not enough lowering effect. And it is believed that there are a lot of people belonging to this category.

The treatment technique uses a catheter-based instrument inserted into the renal artery (blood vessel in the groin). The instrument emits controlled high-frequency energy that silences the nerve tissue around the kidneys (radio frequency ablation). It stops nerve signals and therefore terminates the disrupted mechanism for blood pressure. As the nerves in the kidney area are close to the groin, this procedure is regarded minimally invasive. Some of the patients who got this treatment could even stop or reduce medication. Experts believe that this new treatment might have a large impact in preventing heart attack and stroke in connection to hypertension.

A bit about the meaning of the blood pressure numbers.
For example a quite normal blood pressure result is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The first (top) number “120″ is called systolic blood pressure, which means the maximum pressure in your arm artery at the time when your heart contracts. One can also say: the pressure against the artery walls when the heart beats. The second (lower) number “80″ is called diastolic pressure, meaning the resting pressure at the time when your heart fills up again and relaxes between beats.

mm Hg stands for millimeters of mercury, where Hg is the chemical symbol of mercury, being a unit of pressure equal to 0.001316 atmosphere. The Hg number reflects the pressure needed to raise a column of mercury for a number of millimeters within a cylinder-shaped vial. In this electronic era most of the traditional blood pressure machines have been replaced by up-to-date electronic devices. One speaks of high blood pressure if the reading is 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

High blood pressure or hypertension is the condition when the blood flow in the arteries and veins is forced under a higher pressure than normal. This can happen due to the weakness of the heart or due to the buildup of cholesterol in the coronary arteries, which can reduce their lumen. Today, most people in the world are suffering from hypertension, though it is not always fatal. Proper medication and a positive lifestyle can make people with higher blood pressures lead a long and happy life. However, neglect can cause severe fatal problems like myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

High blood pressure is known as Rakta Gata vata in Ayurveda. It can be caused due to vitiation of any of the three doshas, though the contribution of the vata dosha may be more, as it is responsible for the circulation of blood. The following are the main precipitating factors for people with different doshas:-

1. Vata type of Hypertension – This is caused by extreme emotions such as worry, anxiety and stress.

2. Pitta type of Hypertension – This is caused by negative emotions such as hatred, jealousy and feeling for revenge.

3. Kapha type of Hypertension – This is caused by problems with the digestive system.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of High Blood Pressure

1. Alfalfa (Medicago satina)

Alfalfa contains several elements which are needed in the softening of the hard arteries. This reduces the tension in the arteries and hence helps to treat hypertension.

2. Bloodwort (Achillea millefolium)

Bloodwort is a sweat-inducing herb. It makes the blood flow towards the skin for expelling the sweat. Due to this free movement of the blood, the high blood pressure is reduced. Bloodword contains an alkaloid which is effective in reducing high blood pressure.

3. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic is an antispasmodic agent. Hence it reduces the pressure in the arteries caused due to the pumping action of the heart during blood circulation. Garlic creates a rhythm in the pumping of the heart, which eases the pulse. Other high blood pressure problems such as dizziness, shortness of breath and indigestion are also taken care of by garlic. Garlic is widely considered to be the best remedy for high blood pressure.

4. Jaundice Berry (Berberis vulgaris)

Jaundice berry is another very effective remedy in the treatment of high blood pressure. It eases the tension in the arteries by making them dilate. Thus the blood flow in them is facilitated.

5. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Parsley is like a monitor of the blood vessels. It regulates the flow of blood in them and maintains easy circulation. It looks after the entire arterial system. Hence it is a very beneficial herb for people with high blood pressure.

6. Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

The effects of rauwolfia on the arteries and veins of the human system have been investigated in detail, and immensely positive results have been obtained. Rauwolfia has a treasure-trove of alkaloids for easing the arteries, synchronizing the blood flow in them, reducing palpitation and even removing the cholesterol buildup in the arteries. Hence, practitioners of all forms of medicine acknowledge the effects of rauwolfia. In Ayurveda especially, the root of the rauwolfia is prescribed for hypertension patients. The Ayurvedic name for rauwolfia is sarpagandha.

(2) Dietary Treatments for High Blood Pressure

A strict dietary regimen is important to seek early treatment from high blood pressure. The following points must be obeyed:-

1. Salt should be reduced or totally eliminated from the diet. Hot and spicy foods should also be avoided.

2. Instead of hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats must be used. These include oils of sesame, olive, flaxseed, mustard and groundnut. Ghee and butter made from cow’s milk are beneficial. Buffalo milk should be avoided.

3. Indigestion should be taken care of by consuming a good amount of leafy vegetables containing fiber.

4. Bitter gourd and drumsticks are advantageous vegetables for people suffering from high blood pressure. Colocasia must be avoided, but yellow pumpkin helps in reducing blood pressure.

5. Among fruits, bananas, oranges, guavas and apples are good. All kinds of dry fruits and nuts are good.

6. Sweets and chocolates must be avoided.

7. Red meats must be avoided. But white meats, especially fish are beneficial in lowering blood pressure.

(3) Ayurvedic Concepts for High Blood Pressure

Sarpagandha is the drug of choice in high blood pressure. Not only is this drug used in Ayurvedic medicine, but it is also used in allopathic medicine in the treatment of high blood pressure. In addition, the following herbal preparations are prescribed depending on the doshic cause of high blood pressure:-

a. For Vataja High Blood Pressure, jatamansi and brahmi are prescribed.

b. For Pittaja High Blood Pressure, sarsarapilla and sandalwood are prescribed.

c. For Kaphaja High Blood Pressure, calamus, arjuna, shilajit, guggulu and berberis are prescribed.

(4) Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

a. Have a spoonful of lemon juice mixed with honey every morning.

b. Oranges are very helpful in high blood pressure. Have a juice of two or three oranges every day.

c. Prepare a powdered mixture of cumin seeds, fennel seeds and sugar. Take one spoonful of this mixture in water every morning and evening.