Be Well Buzz » high blood pressure

Aromatherapy Decoded: Essential Oil Use Chart

BeWellBuzz — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:45:58 +0000

The true therapeutic essential oils are truly a natural solution to be used by anyone to treat common ailments or health problems. The essential oil use chart below is a summary of what can be done with essential oils and how they can be used. How to use this essential oil use chart? Basically, you look up your ailment on the left side, whether it is a headache or cold or other problems. Then see what essential oils to use to treat the problems. On the right side, the chart would suggest variety ways on how to use the essential oils, such as bath, massage or inhalation.

Common Ailments	Essential Oils to Use	Method of Application
Aches and Pains	basil, benzoin, black pepper, chamomile, cinamon, clove, cypress, ginger, juniper, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, ylang ylang	massage, compress, bath
Acne	basil, bergamot, cedarwood, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, lavender,palmarosa, rose, tea tree	bath, massage
Asthma	chamomile, frankincense, myrtle, myrrh, pine	bath, massage, vaporization, inhalation
Athlete's foot	lavender, lemon, myrrh, tea tree	bath, neat application
Chest Problems	benzoin, frankincense, myrtle, myrrh, niaouli, pine, rosemary, tea tree, thyme	bath, massage, vaporization, inhalation
Chilblains	benzoin, black pepper, cedarwood, ginger, juniper, marjoram, thyme	massage, bath, compress
Colds and Flu	basil, benzoin, black pepper, cinnamon, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, lemon, myrtle, niaouli, peppermint, pine, tea tree, thyme	bath, massage, vaporization, inhalation
Constipation	black pepper, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary	massage, bath, compress
Cramp	chamomile, lavender, marjoram, sandalwood, vetiver	massage, bath, compress
Cystitis	chamomile, lavender, tea tree, geranium, pine, sandalwood	massage, bath, compress
Dandruff	cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, sandalwood	scalp message, rinse
Diarrhea	chamomile, lavender, rose, neroli	massage, bath, compress
Eczema	benzoin, chamomile, lavender, myrrh, sandalwood, vetiver	massage, bath
Fluid Retention	black pepper, cypress, juniper	massage, bath
Hay Fever	bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, myrtle, pine, rose, rosemary, rosewood, ylang ylang	bath, massage, vaporization, inhalation
Headaches	chamomile, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, rosewood	bath, massage, vaporization, inhalation
Headlice	bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, tea tree	scalp massage, rinse
Herpes	Chamomile, lavender, myrrh, tea tree	bath, massage, compress, neat application
High Blood Pressure	bergamot, chamomile, fennel, frankincense, lavender, mandarin, marjoram, neroli, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang	massage, bath, vaporization, inhalation
Indigestion	dill, fennel, parsley, peppermint, mandarin	massage, inhalation
Nausea	bergamot, black pepper, chamomile, fennel, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, mandarin, orange, peppermint, rosewood	bath, inhalation, vaporization
Sinusitis	chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass, myrtle, niaouli, peppermint, pine, tea tree	massage, bath, vaporization, inhalation
Sprains	chamomile, lavender	massage, bath, compress
Throat Infections	basil, benzoin, black pepper, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, myrtle, niaouli, peppermint, pine, sandalwood, tea tree	massage, bath, compress, inhalation, vaporization

Bath - For beginner, you can add up to 6 drops in a bathwater. If you have sensitive skin don't add more than 6 drops. You can gradually increase the dose up to 10 drops if you have become familiar with its effects. Tips:

Always add the oils after the water has been run and ensure the water is not too hot or the oils will vaporize.
Essential oils do not dissolve in the water, but float in the surfaces, so make sure you don't sit on them directly

Massage - 5 drops of essential oils to 10 ml of aromatherapy carrier oil (as essential oils are highly concentrated and you can't use it directly on our skin, so that's why you need carrier oils as a medium to minimize skin irritations. Most commonly used are grapeseed, olive, avocado, jojoba oils) Compress - Compress can be done with a cold or hot water. For a cold compress, add 2 or 3 drops essential oils to ice water then soak a cloth and wring it out. Lay it on the affected area for about 15 minutes. Do the same to make hot compress. Hot compress will cool quickly and must be replace frequently. Inhalation - Add about 10 drops to hot water then lean over the bowl and cover your head with towel for 10 minute as you inhale. Vaporization - The best way to use vaporization is to use ceramic aromatherapy oil burner. Add 4 drops to water in a bowl. Other option is to use electric oil diffuser Source: http://www.aromatherapy-at-home.com/aromatherapy-blog.html

Natural Cures for High Blood Pressure

BeWellBuzz — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:11:14 +0000

Most people probably do not understand natural cures for high blood pressure because they think the only way to combat their blood problems is to take a pill every morning when they wake up. While certain pills do a good job of thinning out your blood and lowering your overall blood pressure, these pills usually come with added side effects that can get to be rather unpleasant. This is why the natural cures are always the best ones to follow when it comes to blood pressure. To fully understand how natural cures for high blood pressure work and how they can be helpful towards your overall health, you must first think about what is causing your blood pressure in the first place. You simply cannot fight against any health problem if you don't know what the root cause of that problem happens to be. Once you realize what the problem is, you can then make changes to your life to combat the development of that same problem in the future. This may seem like simple logic to many of you, but there are actually many people who do not understand that this is how most natural cures for ailments work. It's a pretty simple process, but most people don't think the solution to their health problems could be that simple. All you need to do when you have any health problem is look at what you've been doing the past few years and think about what things could have contributed to these troubles. The best natural cures for high blood pressure One of the best natural cures for high blood pressure comes in the form of garlic cloves. Garlic has continually been proven to be able to lower blood pressure in many scientific studies on the topic, so it's safe to say that this method will definitely work in lowering your blood pressure a few points. Try adding one garlic clove to your breakfast every morning and then check your blood pressure a few weeks later to see a drop of at least ten points. Breathing exercises are another natural treatment you can use for high blood pressure because they allow you to relax and bring calmness to your life. Stress is a major contributing factor to high blood pressure, so it's important to realize how your life choices could be affecting your physical health. You may not realize it but your stressful job could actually be killing you over a long period of time. A review of several major studies suggests that people who add the potassium equivalent of an extra 1 1/2 to 2 bananas to their day could drop their blood pressure 2 to 3 points. Another study showed that drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea per day appeared to help lower systolic blood pressure by an average of seven points in people with prehypertension or mildly elevated blood pressure. Exercise is the perfect medicine Exercise is one of the more commonly prescribed natural cures for high blood pressure by many doctors because it has been proven to work over and over again. You should work on all areas of your health if you want to combat any health problem, and high blood pressure is no exception to this general rule of life. Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day if you want to be able to lower your blood pressure. Sources: http://www.altmedicinezone.com http://www.realage.com

L-arginine and blood pressure

BeWellBuzz — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:22:49 +0000

L-arginine (AHR-jih-nene) is a substance that's available in supplements, and is plentiful in foods such as nuts, red meat and dairy products. Some people take L-arginine because it can widen your arteries. It's thought that perhaps this widening might help lower your blood pressure. Read more about L-arginine here Your body usually makes all the L-arginine it needs, and taking a supplement is rarely necessary. L-arginine supplements can interact with some medications, including nitroglycerin and high blood pressure medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. People who have had cold sores or genital herpes also shouldn't take L-arginine supplements, because having too much L-arginine in your system can trigger the virus that causes those conditions. If you want to reduce your blood pressure, talk to your doctor about treatment options, including healthy lifestyle changes. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before starting any new herbal or nutritional supplements. Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Vitamin D levels linked with health of blood vessels

BeWellBuzz — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:35:11 +0000

ScienceDaily - A lack of vitamin D, even in generally healthy people, is linked with stiffer arteries and an inability of blood vessels to relax, research from the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute has found.

The results add to evidence that lack of vitamin D can lead to impaired vascular health, contributing to high blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Study participants who increased their vitamin D levels were able to improve vascular health and lower their blood pressure. The data was presented by Ibhar Al Mheid, MD, a cardiovascular researcher at Emory University School of Medicine, at the annual American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans. Al Mheid is one of five finalists for the ACC's Young Investigators Award competition in physiology, pharmacology and pathology. He is working with Arshed Quyyumi, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Emory Cardiovascular Research Institute. The 554 participants in the study were Emory or Georgia Tech employees -average age 47 and generally healthy -- who are taking part in the Center for Health Discovery and Well Being, part of the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute. The average level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (a stable form of the vitamin reflecting diet as well as production in the skin) in participants' blood was 31.8 nanograms per milliliter. In this group, 14 percent had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels considered deficient, or less than 20 nanograms per milliliter, and 33 percent had levels considered insufficient, less than 30 nanograms per milliliter. The researchers monitored the ability of participants' blood vessels to relax by inflating and then removing a blood pressure cuff on their arms. To allow blood to flow back into the arm, blood vessels must relax and enlarge -- a change that can be measured by ultrasound. The researchers also made other measurements of smaller blood vessels and examined the resistance to blood flow imposed by the arteries. Even after controlling for factors such as age, weight and cholesterol, people with lower vitamin D levels still had stiffer arteries and impaired vascular function, Al Mheid says. "We found that people with vitamin D deficiency had vascular dysfunction comparable to those with diabetes or hypertension," he says. Throughout the body, a layer of endothelial cells lines the blood vessels, controlling whether the blood vessels constrict or relax and helping to prevent clots that lead to strokes and heart attacks. "There is already a lot known about how vitamin D could be acting here," Al Mheid says. "It could be strengthening endothelial cells and the muscles surrounding the blood vessels. It could also be reducing the level of angiotensin, a hormone that drives increased blood pressure, or regulating inflammation." Most Americans generally get the majority of their vitamin D from exposure to sunlight or from dietary supplements; fortified foods such as milk or cereals are a minor source. A few foods, such as oily fish, naturally contain substantial amounts of vitamin D. Participants whose vitamin D levels increased over the next six months, either from dietary supplements or ample sun exposure, tended to improve their measures of vascular health and had lower blood pressure. Forty-two study participants with vitamin D insufficiency whose levels later went back to normal had an average drop in blood pressure of 4.6 millimeters mercury. "This was an observational study, rather than an interventional one, and it was difficult to tease out how the people who restored their vitamin D levels got there," Al Mheid says. "We are hoping to conduct a study where we have participants take a defined regimen of vitamin D." "With his findings showing the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and vascular dysfunction, Dr. Mheid has helped advance our understanding of the importance of Vitamin D in preventing a common health problem in aging adults," says Kenneth Brigham, MD, medical director of the Emory/Georgia Tech Center for Health Discovery and Well Being. "Additionally, ongoing health studies based on the Center's collection of health information from participants will yield more discovery as the Center continues to develop." The Emory-Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute is a national leader in moving the practice of medicine from a reactive, disease-focused system to a proactive health-focused system. The initiative integrates research, scholarship and education in an innovative effort aimed at revolutionizing care of people to define, preserve and prolong the health of individuals and of society. Key areas of the Initiative include defining and measuring health using optimal biomarkers of health and understand their interrelationships, determining the best interventions to optimize health throughout an individual's or a population's lifetime. References^{^} Emory University (www.emory.edu)^{^} EurekAlert! (www.eurekalert.org)

10 Effective Alternative Treatments for Treating High Blood Pressure

BeWellBuzz — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:29:56 +0000

Searching for an alternative way to lower the high blood pressure without the use of drugs? Most people think that medicines are the only option for treating high blood pressure. But, there are various types of alternative treatments for high blood pressure. Sometimes, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke. Here are the 10 commonly used alternative treatments for treating high blood pressure: 1. Acupuncture Acupuncture along with electro acupuncture or electric stimulation can lower elevations in blood pressure. Adding low frequency electric pulses to the needles can effectively reduce blood pressure. It releases the strain on your heart thus reducing blood pressure. 2. Chiropractic Realigning the vertebrae in the spine can re-establish your body's balance and helps to function properly. 3. Herbs Herbs along with good eating habits and healthy lifestyle can effectively lower high blood pressure. Most common herbs that can be used for hypertension include: turmeric, gingko biloba, hawthorn berry, maitake, ginger root, and olive leaf. 4. Vitamins Most of us use vitamin supplements for various health reasons. Vitamins are great alternative for treating high blood pressure. Not only doe one need to take supplements, but also needs to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Vitamins that are helpful for high blood pressure include Vitamin C, E, B6, B12, folic acid, calcium and magnesium. 5. Magnet treatment Wearing copper and iron bracelets can effectively work to reduce high blood pressure. There won't be any side effects or harm that come from it, so there's no harm in trying it out. 6. Yoga Yoga is a great alternative for treating high blood pressure. There are some particular yoga poses that can help to level out the blood pressure. They include forward bends, easy pose, shoulder stretches, cat pose, and horizontal poses that slow down your heart beat if you practice slowly and rhythmically. 7. Meditation Transcendental meditation gives relief for people with high blood pressure and cuts down the need for blood pressure-lowering medications . 8. Massage therapy Medical massage therapy is called as soft tissue mobilization method. It causes acceleration of blood flow and lymphatic drainage and mechanical breakdown of soft tissue classifications. Massage therapy effectively works for patients with slightly to moderately high BP. 9. Relaxation techniques Stress is the great cause of high blood pressure. So, it is essential to practice relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to lower the stress level. 10. Music therapy Slow breathing while listening to music can effectively lower your blood pressure. You feel comfortable and relax while listening to gentle music. References^{^} Permanent Link: Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure Treatment (www.altmedicinezone.com)^{^}

Fiber intake associated with reduced risk of death

BeWellBuzz — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:04:26 +0000

ScienceDaily --- Dietary fiber may be associated with a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases, as well as a reduced risk of death from any cause over a nine-year period, according to a report that will be published in the June 14 print issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Fiber, the edible part of plants that resist digestion, has been hypothesized to lower risks of heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and obesity, according to background information in the article. It is known to assist with bowel movements, reduce blood cholesterol levels, improve blood glucose levels, lower blood pressure, promote weight loss and reduce inflammation and bind to potential cancer-causing agents to increase the likelihood they will be excreted by the body.

Yikyung Park, Sc.D., of the National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Md., and colleagues analyzed data from 219,123 men and 168,999 women in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire at the beginning of the study in 1995 and 1996. Causes of death were determined by linking study records to national registries.

Participants' fiber intake ranged from 13 to 29 grams per day in men and from 11 to 26 grams per day in women. Over an average of nine years of follow-up, 20,126 men and 11,330 women died. Fiber intake was associated with a significantly decreased risk of total death in both men and women -- the one-fifth of men and women consuming the most fiber (29.4 grams per day for men and 25.8 grams for women) were 22 percent less likely to die than those consuming the least (12.6 grams per day for men and 10.8 grams for women).

The risk of cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases was reduced by 24 percent to 56 percent in men and 34 percent to 59 percent in women with high fiber intakes. Dietary fiber from grains, but not from other sources such as fruits, was associated with reduced risks of total, cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory disease deaths in men and women.

"The findings remained robust when we corrected for dietary intake measurement error using calibration study data; in fact, the association was even stronger with measurement error correction," the authors write.

"The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains frequently and consuming 14 grams per 1,000 calories of dietary fiber," the authors conclude. "A diet rich in dietary fiber from whole plant foods may provide significant health benefits."

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by JAMA and Archives Journals^[1].

Journal Reference:

Yikyung Park, Amy F. Subar, Albert Hollenbeck, Arthur Schatzkin. Dietary Fiber Intake and Mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

References^{^} JAMA and Archives Journals (www.jamamedia.org)^{^} 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.18 (dx.doi.org)