High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

"Blood pressure" is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

In about 10% of people, high blood pressure is caused by another disease (this is called secondary hypertension). In such cases, when the root cause is treated, blood pressure usually returns to normal. These causes of secondary hypertension include the following conditions:

1.    Chronic kidney disease

2.    Tumors or other diseases of the adrenal gland

3.    Pregnancy

4.    Use of birth control pills

5.    Alcohol addiction

6.    Thyroid dysfunction

Prevention of High Blood Pressure

1.    Consume a good amount of leafy vegetables containing fiber.

2.    Reduce the intake of salt from the diet.

3.    Avoid eating hot and spicy foods.

4.    Eat yellow pumpkin as it helps in reducing blood pressure.

5.    Fruits like bananas, oranges, guavas and apples are good in high blood pressure.

6.    Avoid sweets and chocolates.

7.    Avoid alcohol and smoking.

8.    Patient can take dry fruits without any harm.

Home Remedies to Avoid High Blood Pressure

1.    Take equal quantity of honey, ginger juice, and finely powdered cumin  (jeera) seeds, approx 2-3 tablespoon, and make a mixture. Take this mixture 2-3 tablespoon twice a day. This is an effective home remedy for high blood pressure.

2.    Gooseberry (amla) is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. Take 1-2 tablespoon of amla juice with honey in empty stomach early in the morning. It will help in lowering high blood pressure.

3.    Patient suffering from high blood pressure should take a spoonful of lemon juice mixed with honey every morning.

4.    Take 2-3 tablespoon onion juice and mix honey (2-3 tablespoon) to it. Take this mixture for lowering high blood pressure.

5.    Take 1-2 tablespoon of fenugreek (methi) seeds and boil in a glass of water. Strain and then take this mixture. This is very effective home remedy for the treatment of high blood pressure. Patient may take this drink for 2-3 months twice a day.

Herbal Remedies to get rid of High Blood Pressure

1.    Alfalfa is a very useful herb for lowering high blood pressure. It contains several elements that are needed in the softening of the hard arteries. This reduces the tension in the arteries and hence helps to treat hypertension.

2.    Garlic is an antispasmodic agent and helps in reducing the pressure in the arteries caused due to the pumping action of the heart during blood circulation. It creates a rhythm in the pumping of the heart, which eases the pulse. It is an effective herbal remedy for high blood pressure.

3.    Another useful herb for treating high blood pressure is Jaundice berry. It eases the tension in the arteries by making them dilate. Thus the blood flow in them is facilitated.

4.    Parsley regulates the flow of blood in the blood vessels and maintains easy circulation. It looks after the entire arterial system. It is a very useful herb for high blood pressure.