Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia is an erect plant with a smooth stem. The drug consists of the dried roots with their bark intact, preferably collected in autumn from three or four year old plants. Rauwolfia is one of the best remedies for high blood pressure, and it has been adopted by medical fraternity in most countries, especially America.
The alkaloids contained in this herb, which have a direct effect on hypertension, have been isolated from it and are widely used by the practitioners of modern medicine. But they have certain unpleasant side effects, which the drug taken in its raw form, does not have. Practitioners of the Ayurvedic medicine preferred to use its root in a powdered form. Half a teaspoon of this powder, taken thrice a day, is effective in relieving hyper-tension.
Renowned Ayurvedic physicians of Calcutta, Dr. Gannath Sen and Dr. Kartik Chandra Bose made experiments with rauwolfia in cases of high blood pressure and extreme type of insanity attended by grave signs of absurdity of the mind. The powder of its root in 12 to 20 decigrams dose not only provided a sedative effect but lowered the blood pressure as well.
Patients in most cases regain normal senses within a week but some, however, require longer treatment. These physicians found ths result most encouraging in cases of high blood pressure where it does not produce any untoward changes like thickening of the walls of the nerves.
Rice
Rice has a low-fat, low-cholesterol and low-salt content. It makes a perfect diet for those hypertensive persons who have been advised salt-restricted diet. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.
Vegetable Juices
Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach juices, constitute a powerful blood pressure lowering food. They can be taken separately or in combination in treating high blood pressure. If taken in combination, 300ml of carrot juice and 200ml of spinach juice should be mixed together.
Watermelon Seeds
The seeds of watermelon can help lower blood pressure. They are a valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. According to Dr. Foster, an eminent physician, the nation-wide use of watermelon seeds by the Chinese may be an important factor in the low blood pressure among them. The Chinese dry and roast the seeds and consume them liberally. In a recent experiment, a substance extracted from watermelon seeds was shown to have a definite action in dilating the blood vessels and this helps lower blood pressure.
In India, watermelon seeds are being used in medicine from ancient times as a base in many Unani and Ayurvedic tonic preparations. Seeds contain a glucoside known as cucurbotrine. Milky juice of the seeds obtained by grinding them and straining through a cloth is used in high blood pressure and many other diseases with beneficial results. Adding few almonds and a teaspoon of poppy seeds to a tablespoon of watermelon seeds, and ground to get the milk, is more effective in treating high blood pressure. Honey may be added to taste. Regular use of this milk from the seeds protects the arterial lumen.