If it is one thing that our beautiful island Jamaica is known for, it’s her unending supply of nature’s remedies to treat both medical and everyday ailments of the body. Whether it’s Aloe Vera for cleansing, soursop leaves for settling the nerves or chaney root for improving sexual health and performance; our foreparents have left a strong legacy that can help us maintain good health for ourselves and the next generation.
And with more and more people and more embracing healthier lifestyle choices today, there is a swirling conversation about treating lifestyle diseases with natural methods. For example, the ongoing debates about medicinal marijuana have unearthed a flood of information that indicate that this plant can be used to treat and contain several health conditions and diseases such as epilepsy, HIV/ AIDS and multiple sclerosis, plus hypertension, which is said to be one of the leading heart diseases and the third leading cause of death in Jamaica.
Hypertension or high blood pressure as it is more commonly known as a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a host of other health conditions which eventually can result in death, if not treated. These include stroke which damages and weakens the brain’s blood vessels, heart disease as the heart is unable to pump the blood effectively and kidney disease, resulting in the body’s inability to filter excess fluid and waste from the blood. So can natural remedies treat hypertension?
Research shows that many herbs and supplements can help prevent heart disease and reduce the symptoms of lowering blood pressure, improving breathing and clearing arteries.
Buzzz dug a little deeper to pull out a few natural methods that can treat hypertension:
Guava (Fruit & Plant) – While the guava fruit provides the tastiest flavor for our favourite jams and jellies; the leaves from the tree which is found in abundance in tropical countries such as Jamaica, are used as a herbal remedy to lower blood pressure. The fruit itself is packed with Potassium and more than twice the Vitamin C of an orange. Potassium helps your heart beat steadily and Vitamin C keeps your small blood vessels healthy.
Research shows this winning combination can lower blood pressure by several points.
Cerasee – This is arguably one of the most feared bushes in Jamaica because of its bitter taste. That taste can literally ‘stain’ the inside of your mouth for hours after you’ve consumed it. But the health benefits last even longer, which should make a few hours of bitter on the tongue all worth it. In addition to its cleansing properties, cerasee is known to prevent colds, flu and headaches as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and you guessed it, high blood pressure.
Ginger – Known more for its digestive properties, ginger has also been shown to improve blood circulation and relax muscles surrounding blood vessels. Also known as the smart man’s aspirin, it is a potent blood thinner and an anti-inflammatory agent that can help reduce blood pressure.
Moringa Plant – The moringa plant contains Vitamin C, which helps support the body’s production of nitric oxide, which in turn aids the normal functioning of blood vessels. It also has calcium, which acts as a muscle relaxant and four times the potassium found in bananas which helps lower sodium content, thereby decreasing blood pressure.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #4–September-October 2017