Traditional Chinese Medicine Tips for High Blood Pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a precursor to many illnesses. Luckily, there are many simple lifestyle changes you can make to help lower your blood pressure such as eating a healthy diet, finding time to relax and regular acupuncture treatments can help.

A TCM Perspective

Your emotional health is a very important factor when talking about hypertension. Difficult emotions such as worry, anger, resentment and guilt may damage the Liver Qi creating heat that rises up to create hypertension. Too much stress, overwork and poor diet choices can deplete the qi and blood creating an imbalance between the organs that causes the development of internal heat which may manifest as hypertension.

Here’s a few top tips to help reduce hypertension:

Eat Regularly: Long gaps between meals places destabalises your metabolism and makes you more reactive to stress. Don’t miss breakfast; it sets your metabolism in motion for the day!

Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine: They trigger the release of stress chemicals.

Stop Smoking!

Cut down on Sugar and Salt: They can exhaust the adrenal glands, dehydrate your body and increase your blood pressure.

Eat foods with L-Trypyophan: A necessary amino acid to help your mood. High L-tryptophan foods include seeds & nuts, tofu, cottage cheese, yogurt, fish and turkey.

Eat whole grains, cereals and pulses: They are rich in nutrients, less processed and also help to deliver the L-Tryptophan to your brain.

Eat more green vegetables: They are rich in vitamins and minerals and help to support your liver qi plus the fibre will help your digestion.

Stay away from animal fat: Too much meat and deep fried food lowers your body’s energy to deal with stress.

Regular exercise: This helps to move your qi, support metabolism and reduce your stress.

Reduce stress and get support from your family and friends: Try meditation, gentle exercise, taking a walk or going to bed earlier.