The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kevin (Angleton, TX) on 03/11/2008
★★★★★
I'm 58 yrs old and with HBP for the last 30yrs. I've been taking Coconut oil and Virgin palm oil (1 tbl spn ea. in the late afternoon or evening) for approx 6 mos. My BP has been reduced drastically whereas I plan to get off it completely (I take one pill in the morning and another one in the evening). I haven't discussed this with my Dr. and I'll get off both of them about a month before my next visit with him to actually see the results. If my pressure is normal I don't think I'll tell him what I've been doing though to keep things simple. He'll re-prescribe my medicine but I no longer plan on taking them as long as my BP remains normal.
Dark Chocolate
Posted by Jamie hamrick (Gaffney, south carolina) on 02/12/2008
★★★★★
I had high blood presure for years and i heard a way to lower it. So i tried it. you get a bag of herseys kisses dark chocolate and eat two a day. And i bet your blood presuer will come down.The doctor had me on all kind of medican and none of it was working and i was misrable. But the chocolate really works.
Dark Chocolate
Posted by Andrea (Idaho) on 10/14/2021
Dark chocolate has magnesium and zinc. It's likely you were low.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Linda (Concord, CA) on 12/14/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I began using VCO on doctor's orders to help combat hypothyroid. My skin, hair, energy levels were all positive results. I also used VCO as a deodorant. However, after a few days I began gaining weight, got dizzy spells and some diarrhea. My blood pressure soared! After continued trials for a couple of weeks, my doctor advised me to stop using it. This was disappointment as I got good results in other areas; however, every attempt made to try it again caused my BP to go higher. I do full body cleanses once or twice a year. Possibly it might help if I did just liver cleanse? I'm 60 years old, exercise daily, eat healthy foods, do drink 1.5 cups coffee in morning and am Blood Type A. Disappointed as not being able to use coconut oil due to HBP. Would appreciate any comments on my HBP problem to be answered on this site. Any insight would be beneficial. Thanks, a CA gal
Fenugreek
Posted by T.S.Rajah (Wimledon, UK) on 12/07/2007
★★★★★
Fenugreek's leafy form belongs to the spinach family. However, its seeds are useful when cooking to combat the flatulence caused by certain foods, such as lentils and cauliflower. Its anti-viral properties mean it also helps against sore throat and mouth ulcers. Historically, fenugreek has been used to treat diabetes and is now thought to reduce blood pressure.
Curry Leaf
Posted by T.Srikantharajah (London , UK) on 12/04/2007
★★★★★
Curry leaf (Murraya Koenigi Spreng) protects the liver and the liver cells and is even used as medicinal cure of certain liver diseases, the control of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol especially. It is an excellent culinary herb for fat reduction. Curry leaf not only makes a dish palatable but also adds flavour and nourishment too. Almost every part of the plant,its leaves, the root, bark, petals and fruits are all made use of either in cooking or medicinal purposes. Spicy curry leaves porridge is useful in the control of health problems. Even if stung by a snake, curry leaves porridge is commonly given to remove poison. It was considered a multi-purpose, all time herb.
Cold Showers
Posted by Ron (Lompoc, CA) on 03/21/2006
★★★★★
Definitely try the cold shower along with the cold bath. My wife knows this Russian secret for youth and longevity. This is it. I am more vigorous, awake, and relaxed after a cold shower or cold bath. Also, try the cold warm rotation method. Sit in the cold bath for a few minutes (yes, submerge your head for a few seconds) and then have the shower fairly warm and do this several times. WOW!!
Passion Fruit Juice
Posted by Vicki (Baltimore) on 03/08/2006
★★★★★
just wanted to share that i just got back from kenya. my doctor had put me on blood pressure meds shortly before i left. i wasn't feeling too good, but i went on the trip. i had no feelings of high blood pressure in africa, but when i got back to the states i started feeling "off" again even with the meds. today i'm reading that someone said passion fruit juice lowers hbp. that is what i drank every morning in africa! i am going to start drinking that here.
Onion Juice
Posted by Antonia (USA)
★★★★★
Mix half onion juice and half honey. Take two teaspoons once daily for a week and then take as needed.
Flax Seed
Posted by Rebecca (Allen, MI)
★★★★★
I have been taking blood pressure medication for over one year. I heard, from two different sources, about using ground flaxseed & thought I would give it try in order to "wean" myself from prescription drugs. I have been amazed at the results. I take a total of 4 tablespoons a day - usually 2 in the morning & 2 at night. I usually just mix it in water but sometimes I put it in my food (oatmeal works well & so does soup). I have been using it for 6 weeks and have decreased my meds from 20 mg a day to 5 mg a day!! My blood pressure has been more stable and MUCH, MUCH lower than when I took the full dose of my daily medication. It really does work. My goal was to be off prescription medication by January 2006 but I think I will make well before then!!!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Susan (USA)
★★★★★
Besides eating fish, it is also helpful if your diet includes large amounts of fruits and vegetables high in potassium and magnesium as they help the body to get rid of excess sodium. When the diet lacks these minerals, supplementation may improve blood pressure control. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts, rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, soy, and molasses. Foods rich in potassium include avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, grapefruit, nectarines, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas, potatoes, and squash. Apple Cider Vinegar (our favorite!) also contains potassium and magnesium.
For more information about potassium, please read our potassium fact sheet.
You can also visit http://www.unhinderedliving.com/potassium.html for more information on potassium.
Garlic appears to lower blood pressure by 5% to 10%. It can also lower cholesterol, reduce triglyceride levels, discourage clot formation, and promote blood circulation. A typical dose of garlic is 900 mg of garlic powder per day. This dosage is also recommended for lowering high cholesterol.
Fruits like apples and pears are also said to decrease blood pressure by lowering cholesterol due to their high fiber content.
Click here to read much more about the wonders of garlic!
Potassium
Posted by Vera (Beulah. CO) on 09/10/2023
Tom, that is excellent news. In what form do you take it? Do you space the dose over the course of the day?
Potassium
Posted by Vera (Beulah, CO ) on 09/09/2023
Yes, I understand about potassium being safe at high dosages (meaning much higher than 99 mg). But eating it or drinking it is one thing, and popping dry pills all at once another. They say to sip the liquid potassium or sip with food. It could disturb the heart rhythm is what I have heard.
My friend wanted pills, so he is trying 2 99mg capsules, one enteric coated garlic pill, and a squirt of hawthorn tincture. Will report how he does in a few weeks. He is hoping to be able to go off Losartan.
Potassium
Posted by Joan (Vancouver, Cda) on 09/11/2023
Hi Tom,
Do you buy potassium bicarbonate powder from a healthfood store, or do you mix it yourself with potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)?
How much potassium bicarbonate and how much vit C do you mix?
Potassium
Posted by Nick B. (NB) on 01/24/2025
I believe that this has helped me as well. I noticed that when I drink strong loose green tea it goes way up for some reason but just the bags it does not.
B6, Folic Acid, and B12
Posted by Jeremy (USA) on 11/11/2021
Fermented Foods
Posted by Mary (Texas) on 08/07/2021
so what is the capsule?
Fermented Foods
Posted by Arlene (CA) on 08/08/2021
What is he taking?
Probiotics
Posted by P. Raghavan. (Virudhunagar, TN, India.) on 05/25/2020
★★★★★
SPECIAL PROBIOTICS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEM.
There are a number of articles available on metabolic syndrome in the net. Two such articles are as follows:
1) Metabolic syndrome – Symptoms and Causes – Mayo Clinic.
2) Metabolic syndrome – Cleveland Clinic.
According to Mayo clinic, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of:
1) heart disease,
2) stroke and
3) Type 2 diabetes.
These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. A metabolic disorder occurs when the metabolism fails and causes the body to have either too much or too little of the essential substances needed to stay healthy. Any disease associated with metabolic disorder can be cured only by following one or more of the following:
1) Consume probiotics with the required probiotic strains to fix the underlying metabolic disorders in the digestive system.
2) Consume fibre-rich foods (e.g., ground flax seed, cinnamon powder, etc.) so that it will help in the multiplication of probiotic microorganisms (microbes) since fibres are food for good microbes.
3) Reduce the consumption of sugar since sugar is the food for bad microbes in the digestive system.
There are a number of articles available in the net suggesting probiotic treatment to solve high blood pressure problem. Four such articles are given below:
1) Probiotic use in the management of Hypertension – A new era of therapeutic management.
2) Probiotics and blood pressure – current insights.
3) The improvement of Hypertension by Probiotics: Effects on Cholesterol, Diabetes, Renin and Phytoestrogens.
4) Effect of Probiotics on Blood Pressure.
Some of recommended probiotic strains to treat high blood pressure problem are given below in the order of important:
1) L. Helveticus – It exerts ACE (angiotension converting enzyme) inhibitory activity by producing antihypertensive bioactive peptides. Peptides are short chain of 2 and 50 amino acids. Protein contains more than 50 amino acids. Peptides are miniature protein. Peptides are easily absorbable by the body compared to protein. This is a very important probiotic strain to control high blood pressure.
2) Lactococcous Lactis – It synthesize vitamin K2 from the food we eat. Vitamin K2 guides calcium to its final destination, bone and teeth. It will not allow calcium to be deposited in the wrong areas.
3) L. Plantarum – It synthesize nitric oxide from the food we consume. Nitric oxide will try to dilate all blood vessels in the body. It will also try to reduce triglyceride level.
4) L. Reuteri – It will increase circulating Vitamin D. But if a person is Vitamin D deficient, the person should take additional Vitamin D3 supplement. It will also try to reduce cholesterol level.
5) L. Rhamnosus – It synthesize nitric oxide from the food we consume. Nitric oxide will try to dilate all blood vessels in the body.
6) L. Gassri – It will try to reduce cholesterol level. It is also anti inflammatory.
I searched the net and found 6 brands that contain all six required probiotic strains and are listed below in the alphabetical order:
1) CaptainBiotics Probiotic – 19 probiotic strains.
2) INNATE Vitality women's Probiotic – 17 probiotic strains.
3) InnovixLabs Multi strain Probiotic – 31 probiotic strains.
4) NewRhythm Probiotic – 20 probiotic strains.
5) Wholesome RAW Probiotics 100 Billion CFU – 34 probiotic strains.
6) Terranics Probiotic – 19 probiotic strains.
One can select one of these brands based on user reviews, user ratings, price, etc. and take one tablet / capsule per day for about 60 days. One may also take 2 teaspoon of ground flax seed at night since fibre-rich flax seed is a prebiotic food. I believe it is a simple and effective treatment for high blood pressure problem.
Best wishes.
P. Raghavan.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Vick (California ) on 10/29/2019
Hi Diana,
Mentioning details of the plan you followed for two months will help us readers to implement it in our lives. Could you pls share? Thanks.
Water
Posted by Carmel (England) on 08/07/2017
★★★★★WORKED TEMPORARILY
I also have high blood pressure, just drinking a glass of water will greatly reduce it, but not for long. Its finding a way to keep it down where you dont have to drink water constantly thats tricky!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Ethel (Inverness, Fl) on 12/20/2016
Thanks for this info. Glad it worked for you.
Chiropractic Sessions
Posted by Peter (Chicago) on 09/21/2016
★★★★★
I found out that when my girlfriend went to a NUCCA Chiropractor which truly restores posture not the regular chiropractor, it help her normalized lower blood pressure, and couple of other things, Highly recommended for people with muscle and spine, sciatica problems
Fasting
Posted by Bee (New York) on 05/23/2016
Hi Nanowriter.
so you did not eat anything? No green juices?
water? anything? ;)
Fasting
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 05/23/2016
Hi, Bee! I didn't eat anything except for a handful of cherries the first day. I did drink water and coffee with cream and coconut oil. My husband did have one meal the second day and tested his bp that day.
Fasting
Posted by Bee (New York) on 05/24/2016
Thanks, Nanowriter... wow .. only cherries.
Well what happens when you go back to your regular diet if you do?
Fasting
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 05/25/2016
My husbands bp went back up again as of two days after the fast. My bp is usually ok so I haven't been tracking it. His bp is usually very resistive to treatment and spikes quite high, so the the fast has been the first thing (outside of meds) to actually bring it down.
Fasting
Posted by Rachel (Chicago ) on 10/04/2017
Was the fast without food or food and water?
Deep Breathing
Posted by Ellie (Boston) on 08/29/2015
It looks like you had and have POTS. Tilt table test is done to confirm it. I know Buteyko breathing method but will look up the one you have mentioned. My heart rate is 120 at rest in upright position. I take atenolol 1/8 of 25mg pill. The less is more if you have been diagnosed with POTS.
Dark Chocolate
Posted by George (Wichita, Kansas) on 02/21/2015
★★★★★
For high blood pressure try raw dark cocoa powder. Not with dutch processing, because it removes the flavanols which are the key to lowering BP. The way to mix it is a cup of water in microwave for 1 min & 20 sec. if the water is too hot, it will weaken the flavanols. Add a heaping tablespoon of the cocoa powder.Also add cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon (the cinnamon helps with taste and any blood sugar issues you may have). High blood sugar may raise insulin which can raise BP. Add stevia for sweetness .Google Kuna indians and high blood pressure, also high blood pressure and raw dark cocoa. After several years of research, this has worked for me and I am 68 yrs old.
Chaga Mushroom
Posted by Lawal Adekunle (Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria) on 12/27/2014
For how many times do you drink chaga tea / day. Does it available in the grocery store?
Eggplant Water
Posted by Susan (Chicago, IL) on 12/01/2014
Can Bill or other readers provide how much potassium is in one capsule of eggplant extract, it has reduced her blood pressure but her potassium got very high because of her kidney problem. I do not know - does the eggplant capsule causes this problem? Her regular medicine is not working that well.
EGGPLANT 12:1 EXTRACT 500 MG CAPSULE
I appreciate any help!
Olive Leaf
Posted by Donna (Pennsylvania) on 03/14/2016
If I take liquid olive leaf extract for high blood pressure how much should I take?
