Keep hypertension OUT OF SIGHT with a sprig of THIS
Now, if your doc is following mainstream guidelines, he’s got a “perfect” number that he wants you to hit when he takes your BP.
Anything above that… and WHAM! You’ve supposedly got “hypertension.”
But if you measure your BP frequently… which you absolutely should… you know how your numbers can fluctuate.
They can change depending on the time of day… the temperature outdoors (or your body temperature)… and even your mood.
If you’re stressed out during a doctor’s visit, for instance… your BP could read “high.” They call that “white coat syndrome.”
But that doesn’t mean your blood pressure IS high… or that you have a condition that needs to be treated. Taking the BP reading a second time later on in the visit should show a significant drop in both systolic (or “top”) and diastolic (“bottom”) numbers.
If your blood pressure numbers are spiking higher than your normal healthy range, it’s important to discover the root cause.
BP spikes can arise from using certain types of meds…
But instead of DITCHING those hypertension-inducing medications, some docs want you to simply take MORE drugs to lower your BP!
It doesn’t have to be that way.
If your blood pressure is TRULY high… and you’re looking for ways to bring it down… I may have a natural option for you today.
When it’s just a colorful garnish on your plate… you might not think much of parsley (Petroselinum crispum).
You might not even bother EATING it!
But this Mediterranean herb deserves a second look…
And not just because of its powerful effect on mood, which I shared with you earlier this year.
It could also help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range!
It works like 3 different classes of blood pressure-lowering drugs:
- a diuretic
- a calcium channel blocker
- a blood thinner.
Some docs will prescribe as many as 3 different BP meds to try to get you to hit their target numbers…
But with parsley, it’s like getting a 3-in-1!
First, diuretics help you pee more, like those Rx “water pills”… and reducing your fluid retention can help relieve the pressure in your vessels.
Second, thanks to its content of nitrates, parsley helps promote EFFORTLESS blood flow by WIDENING your blood vessels.
And third, parsley contains substances called coumarins, which help your blood from getting “too thick”… which can also contribute to hypertension.
No wonder parsley is one of the herbs that’s recommended to include as part of the blood pressure-lowering DASH diet!
Next time you’re in the produce aisle, don’t skip over the fresh parsley. Grab a bunch and look for ways to incorporate it into your recipes!
You can also find parsley leaf extract in capsule or loose powdered form at your local health food store or online.
You can also look for prepared parsley juice (no refined sugar added)… or make your own. It makes for a refreshing… and detoxing… beverage that could also help calm down your BP!
The only trick is to consume it right away… so make sure you prepare it when you’re ready to drink it.
To second chances,
Sarah Reagan
