Five natural things you can do to lower your blood pressure

A few years ago I had a total cholesterol level of around 230 and I was 25 pounds overweight. My doctor told me that if I couldn’t get my cholesterol level down I had to go on medication. The reason was because it could eventually affect my blood pressure. This alarmed me because my father had experience a severe stroke a few years before as a result of untreated high blood pressure. After changing my eating and exercise habits as well as my lifestyle, my total cholesterol is now 172, my HDL’s (good cholesterol) is 42 and I weight 168 pounds (I’m 5’10”). Please note, I never took any pharmaceuticals to control my cholesterol or blood pressure.Maybe your doctor has warned you about your too-high blood pressure readings. Like me you probably already know that HBP can lead to serious heart conditions, heart attacks and even death. Maybe your doctor has suggested some pharmaceuticals to lower your blood pressure. They can and often do work. You should also know that there are some very effective natural ways to lower high blood pressure that do not carry the side effects so common with pharmaceuticals.Required disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I don’t know your situation. Therefore it would be improper for me to give you medical advice. If you are already taking pharmaceuticals you should keep taking them until your doctor tells you otherwise. Please check with your doctor before adding these extremely effective natural cures to your diet as these foods may interact with the medications you are already taking.Now that we have that out of the way, here are five natural, powerful ways to lower high blood pressure, each of which also contain properties that address a number of other common health conditions.When I was doing my research I found out that people in the Mediterranean regions have a very low incidence of heart disease. Mediterranean diets consist largely of fish, fresh produce, lean meats along with a substantial amount of garlic.My research went on to show me that a number of clinical studies, conducted over the past decade, have shown that eating garlic, over a 3 to 4 month period, is one of the best ways to lower high blood pressure. The results of these studies showed that people using garlic met or, more often, exceeded the results of current pharmaceutical medicines. If you don't like garlic, or 'garlic breath', try using Kyolic (TM), a garlic product that comes in capsules. Kyolic(TM), through a patented process, eliminates the 'garlic breath' effect, while containing about seven times the nutrients of any other product on the market. So to lower your high blood pressure, garlic should be a mainstay in your arsenal.Even better, in addition to this benefit, garlic has been found to be effective in killing 27 different pathogens, including staph, as well as more than 70 types of fungi, including athlete's foot fungus and the infamous candida albicans, responsible for women's yeast infections. Garlic has long been an effective home remedy against respiratory, ear and eye infections. It has also been shown to provide relief in certain arthritic conditions. Oncologist tell us that including garlic as a regular part of your diet also protects against several cancers, including cancer of the colon, stomach, esophagus, intestines, bladder and breasts.Most medical herbalists agree that Hawthorne berry is arguably the best general heart tonic. The Hawthorne Berry is a tiny red berry that grows on the Hawthorne shrub. This berry has strong antioxidant properties and has been used as an herbal remedy since ancient times. While addressing a wide range of heart conditions, including congestive heart failure, inflammation of the heart, irregular heartbeat and edema, Hawthorne Berry also one of the best ways to lower high blood pressure. Hawthorne berry also clears plaque from artery walls and is effective in cases of atherosclerosis. Studies have shown it to be effective in relieving insomnia and anxiety which are common in heart patients.In cases of moderate HBP, Siberian ginseng (Eleuthero) can be an effective way to lower high blood pressure.Research is mixed on this herb so be sure to check with your doctor before adding it to your diet. This herb has been found to bring down high cholesterol levels and is also a powerful antioxidant which makes it a potent anti cancer agent. Eleuthero reduces mild to moderately increased sugar levels in the blood as well. Note that this herb is not recommended if you have very high blood pressure.An old fashioned natural sweetener, blackstrap molasses, is another of the natural ways to lower high blood pressure. This remedy is good for a number of heart conditions and circulatory system problems. Rich in copper and manganese it is a very good source of potassium and magnesium and contains most of the vitamin B complex. Blackstrap molasses helps prevent and even dissolve blood clots, prevents fat from sticking to the walls of your arteries and is a good remedy for varicose veins. It has also been found to strengthen the heart muscle and improves circulation. Just a teaspoon each day is all it takes! Due to the high sugar content, diabetics should avoid using blackstrap molasses.Along with these natural ways to lower high blood pressure, a daily exercise program, such as a 30 minute walk, as well as a healthy diet, such as a Mediterranean diet, can have you feeling fit and enjoying a normal blood pressure reading in almost no time.Again, always check with your doctor before starting any of these natural remedies. This is to be sure there are no contraindications relevant to medications you're already taking, or other health concerns. To your good health!If you would like to improve your fitness I would like to help you with my FREE fitness e-course.