8 Home Remedies for Low Blood Pressure That Will Provide You Quick Relief

High blood pressure is a common problem, and we all are aware of it, but people seldom know that low blood pressure is also dangerous. Low pressure leads to decreased blood flow to the heart, brain, and vital organs, and results in dizziness, nausea, or loss of balance. If you have a problem of low blood pressure, you can make a few changes in your diet and keep your blood pressure levels in check.

How to Cure Low Blood Pressure Naturally at Home

Given below are some of the home remedies to control the problem of low blood pressure at home. With these natural remedies, you can elevate your blood pressure to normal levels. Read on to know how to use these home remedies to get quick relief.

1. Coffee

Coffee and other caffeinated tea can provide temporary relief from low blood pressure. If your blood pressure dips suddenly, a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea can help as it increases the blood pressure and boosts the heart rate. Although remember as mentioned earlier that this remedy is only temporary and works only for a short period of time.

What You Will Need 

• 1 or 2 teaspoons of coffee powder
• 1 cup of water

Method 

• Heat a cup of water in a saucepan until it starts boiling.
• Add one or two spoons of coffee powder depending on your preference.
• Simmer it for 5 minutes.
• Allow it to cool a little before drinking.
• Drink two cups of coffee every day, preferably in the morning and evening.

2. Vitamins

If you don’t consume foods rich in Vitamin B12, you might become anaemic, which can cause the problem of low blood pressure, which is why people suffering from anaemia and low blood pressure are suggested to eat foods rich in Vitamin B12.

What You Will Need

• Foods rich in vitamins such as sweet potatoes, spinach, almonds, milk, egg, cheese and fish.
• You can also take vitamin supplements.

Method

• Include egg, fish, and spinach in your diet.
• You can eat almonds and crackers with salted cheese.
• Consume these foods regularly.
• You can also take vitamin supplements under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Green Tea

Green tea, similar to coffee is a rich source of caffeine. The exact mechanism of how caffeine lowers blood pressure is not known, but it is thought to inhibit the function of the hormone responsible for keeping your arteries dilated. Constricting the arteries raises blood pressure.

What You Will Need

• Loose green tea or green tea bags
• 1 cup of hot water
• Half a teaspoon of honey

Method 

• Add one teaspoon of green tea to a cup of hot water.
• Steep for 5 to 10 minutes and strain before drinking.
• Alternatively, steep the tea bag in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking.
• Add half a teaspoon of honey for taste.
• Drink green tea 2 or 3 times a day.

4. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is known for its antihypotensive nature and has been used to treat low blood pressure in natural medicines. The oil contains camphor which is a stimulant for both the respiratory and circulatory system.

What You Will Need

• 5 to 6 drops of rosemary oil
• 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil

Method

• Mix the rosemary oil with the carrier oil thoroughly.
• Apply the oil over the whole body and massage lightly.
• You can also add rosemary oil to bath water and soak in it.
• This can be done once a day to treat the problem of low blood pressure.

5. Salt Water

The high quantity of sodium in table salt makes it a great remedy for low blood pressure in times of need. High salt intake is closely associated with hypertension, therefore increasing your salt intake can stabilise your blood pressure when it is low. However, don’t eat too much salt or drink salt water too often.

What You Will Need

• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 glass of water

Method

• In a glass of water, add half a teaspoon of salt, and mix it well.
• Drink the saline solution.
• This remedy is best used when you experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. It should not be overused.

6. Almond Milk

Having almond milk can also increase your low blood pressure levels. Since it has no saturated fat or cholesterol and is rich in essential fats such as Omega-3 fatty acids, it makes a very good addition to a low blood pressure diet.

What You Will Need

• 5-6 almonds
• Water

Method

• Soak the almonds in a bowl of water at night.
• Peel their skin the morning and crush them to make a paste.
• Take them in a saucepan and add a little water and boil to make the milk.
• Drink almond milk every day keep your blood pressure levels in control.
• You can also mix almond milk in cereals or smoothies and enjoy.

7. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil, also known as Tulsi in India, is popular for its therapeutic, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic and cardioprotective properties. It is also a rich source of many essential nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Its therapeutic properties have long been used to treat low blood pressure.

What You Will Need

• 10 to 15 holy basil leaves, washed clean
• 1 teaspoon of bee-free plant-based honey

Method

• Crush the holy basil leaves to extract some juice.
• Mix the juice with a teaspoon of plant-based honey.
• Consume this mixture every morning.

8. Liquorice

Liquorice root has been used in traditional medicine to raise blood pressure in people with hypotension. It has adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory properties as a result of which it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure.

What You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of Liquorice tea powder
• 1 cup of water
• ½ teaspoon of honey

Method

• Add the liquorice tea powder to a cup of water.
• Bring the mix to a boil and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea and let it cool down a little.
• Add half a teaspoon of honey for taste.
• This concoction should be had 2 to 3 times a day.

What Foods Should You Eat and Avoid When You Have Low BP?

Following a healthy diet can go a long way in treating hypotension. Here is a list of low blood pressure natural foods that you can eat and avoid so that you can control the condition.

Foods to Eat

• Red meat is known to be high in fat and is not meant for consumption by the people who have high blood pressure. But people who have low blood pressure, can eat it. However, the consumption of red meats must be maintained to moderate levels as they can be unhealthy in the long run.

• Canned soups involving chicken and noodles are good foods to consume to raise blood pressure. A single serving can contain as much as 760mg of sodium, and the whole pack can contain as much as 1800mg of sodium.

• Pickles, while being low in calories, are high in sodium content. Three medium-sized pickles a day can give the body as much as 2,355 mg of sodium which is much higher than the daily recommended amount.

• Bacon is a favourite among most non-vegetarians. While being tasty, it is also high in fat and sodium content. Three slices of bacon can give as much as 270 mg or sodium and 4.5 g of fats. So eat bacon to raise your blood pressure.

• Foods rich in Vitamin B12 such as animal liver and kidneys, fish, eggs, and dairy products are good for raising blood pressure.

• Foods rich in Vitamin K such as leafy greens, Kale, beef liver, pork chops, chicken, etc. should be consumed if you have the problem of low blood pressure.
• Eat foods rich in Folate (Folic acid) such as legumes, asparagus, eggs and leafy greens.

Foods to Avoid

• Foods rich in carbohydrates such as refined flour (maida), white rice, cakes, candies, and sugary foods get digested quickly which can lead to low blood pressure. Hence, avoid eating these foods.

• Drinking alcohol can dehydrate you, and dehydration can lead to low blood pressure. So, avoid drinking alcohol.

• White bread and other types of foods made out of highly refined ingredients such as potatoes, white rice, flour, and sugar tend to pass rapidly through the stomach and into the intestine. This quick transit time can contribute to postprandial hypotension, that is post-meal low BP.

• Dark chocolates are known to lower blood pressure and hence should be avoided.

Additional Tips to Prevent Low Blood Pressure

Keep these additional tips in mind to avoid hypotension and maintain a healthy and normal blood pressure:

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day as it can help in dealing with your problem of low blood pressure. If you’ve three full meals a day, it would be better to break it up to five smaller meals spaced regularly during the day. It is also a good remedy for those who have diabetes.

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Ideally, have anywhere between 2 to 3 litres of water a day. Additionally, you can also drink coconut water or natural juices with electrolytes to keep your body well hydrated. Also, drink water before meals. Having 300 to 500 ml of water 15 minutes before eating can cushion a steep fall in blood pressure. Staying hydrated and maintaining a good electrolytic balance in the body is one of the best remedies for low blood pressure during pregnancy.

• People with postprandial hypotension should take it easy and try sitting or lying down for about an hour or more after eating. Since blood pressure usually drops 30 to 60 minutes after a meal, this is a good coping mechanism. When moving around is a must, it’s important to stay alert for the signs of low blood pressure.

• Moderate exercises are not only good for the body in general, but a good way to increase low blood pressure to normal levels. Resistance training, when done moderately along with gentler warm up in the form of yoga or Tai chi, is a good way to stimulate blood pressure. It also improves metabolism, bone density and hormonal balance along with stabilising the blood pressure.

• Compression stockings work very well for some people in dealing with the problem of low blood pressure. These stockings are designed to avoid blood from pooling in the legs as the superficial constriction pressure over the legs help maintain more blood in the upper body. People who suffer from dizziness while standing up due to low blood pressure will find this particularly effective as it maintains adequate blood flow to the brain and heart.

• Take ample rest and avoid stress as it is one of the most overlooked but effective ways to stabilise blood pressure. Sleep helps heal the body from inflammation and wards off fatigue by giving the body enough time for rest and repair. This stabilises blood pressure not only through a reduction in inflammation but also through regulating emotional states that contribute to blood pressure variations.

• Be more mindful of your movements and body positions as sudden changes can cause dizziness and fainting if you already have low blood pressure. Rise gently from a sitting or squatting position to standing. Also before getting out of the bed every morning, take a few deep breaths and slowly sit up before standing on your feet.

• Taking warm shower is a remedy for milder cases of low blood pressure. The water needs to be luke warm, neither too hot nor too cold. For a more pronounced effect, you can try switching between hot and cold water in the shower to raise blood pressure.
• Exercising in the outdoors when it is too hot, such as during summers should be avoided. The same goes for long hours spent in hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. These can dehydrate the body and lower the blood pressure.

FAQs

1. What Should I Eat If My Blood Pressure Drops Suddenly?

If your blood pressure drops suddenly, consume salty foods or drinks high in salt to increase blood pressure immediately. An intravenous line with electrolytes can also be opted to stabilise blood pressure.

2. Are Bananas Good for Low Blood Pressure?

Bananas are loaded with potassium and foods that are rich in potassium are effective in curing the problem of low blood pressure. Potassium works by lessening the effect of sodium on the body. Higher consumption of potassium leads to greater loss of sodium through urine. The effect of this would be a relaxation of tension in the blood vessels leading to a drop in blood pressure. Hence, bananas are not good for low blood pressure, and the consumption of bananas should be minimised when you’re suffering from low blood pressure.

Following these remedies while taking the necessary precautions is a good way to raise your blood pressure from low to normal levels. The remedies mentioned above are also helpful when you experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. However, please make sure you talk to your doctor before making any dietary changes, especially if you have heart problems or are taking any prescription medication for blood pressure.

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