Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Heart Health > Blood Pressure > Home Remedies to Improve Low Blood Pressure

Home Remedies to Improve Low Blood Pressure

April 28, 2020 - Updated on August 24, 2021
6 min read
By Maria Vila, D.O. | Family Physician

In this article:

  • Self-Care Tips and Remedies to Raise Low Blood Pressure
  • Herbs That May Help Improve Low Blood Pressure
  • Final Word

Hypotension, or extremely low blood pressure, can cause different health problems. Generally, low blood pressure can be corrected with lifestyle changes, such as increasing your intake of fluids, changing your medications, and raising your legs.

at-home remedies to manage low blood pressure

Medicines are only given if your low blood pressure is causing complications.

Self-Care Tips and Remedies to Raise Low Blood Pressure

The following measures can help improve low blood pressure:

measures to raise low blood pressure

1. Increase your water intake

Dehydration can cause an electrolyte imbalance and, eventually, low blood pressure. Therefore, hydrate your body adequately, especially in hot weather or during diarrhea or fevers. (1)

Advertisements

2. Try ORS for immediate relief

ORS stands for oral rehydration solution which helps restore lost electrolytes in the body to avoid dehydration and low blood pressure. It is recommended as the first-line treatment for diarrhea by WHO.

It is sold as a packaged powder containing a number of essential salts like sodium and potassium and a bit of sugar, which has to be mixed into distilled water for consumption.

You can even prepare your own ORS by mixing a pinch of salt and sugar into distilled water. The sodium in the solution helps pick up your sinking blood pressure while the sugar helps restore your dropping glucose levels.

Precaution: ORS is a nonprescription tonic which can safely be consumed by people of all ages, except for people with diabetes due to its inherent sugar content.

3. Consume more sodium

Eating high-sodium foods, such as cheeses, meals containing soy sauce, salted nuts, and cured meats and fish, can help raise blood pressure. However, it is important to limit your salt intake between 10 g and 20 g per day, (2) since an excess can lead to hypertension.

4. Avoid alcohol

Although alcohol usually causes high blood pressure, it can occasionally lead to an arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation, which may result in low blood pressure.

5. Stay active

Performing light exercises aids blood circulation throughout the body. Doing simple leg exercises before getting up can help blood movement.

Advertisements

6. Wear compression stockings

This prevents the pooling of blood in the legs, thereby keeping the blood in the upper body. Elastic compression stockings are found to be effective in preventing hypotension for patients having hemodialysis. (3)

7. Avoid staying in the heat for long

Prolonged exposure to heat, including hot showers or baths, can lower your blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to dilate.

8. Don’t stand up too quickly

Sudden or rapid movements or postural changes after an extended period of rest can often trigger low blood pressure and even dizziness. This is particularly noticeable when you get out of bed after sleep or stand up after sitting for too long.

People who are prone to hypotension should, therefore, be mindful about changing their position gradually rather than abruptly. Take your time in getting out of bed by first slowly turning on the side, sitting up and then getting on your feet.

9. Eat small portions but eat frequently

Eating too much in one sitting can sink your blood pressure sharply after the meal, but starving yourself by not eating sufficiently can also make you go weak. Instead of consuming the standard three large meals a day, people with hypotension are advised to eat several small meals at short intervals distributed throughout the day.

10. Limit your carbohydrate intake

Another dietary change recommended for managing low blood pressure is to cut down on high-carb foods like bread, pasta, potatoes and rice.

Advertisements

11. Use extra pillows

When lying down, elevate your head with pillows to prevent orthostatic hypotension from getting up.

12. Include caffeine in your diet

It is seen that caffeine intake via coffee and black tea helps improve blood pressure in elderly patients with postprandial hypotension. However, further studies are needed to establish this claim. (4)(5)

13. Consume a healthy diet

Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Eat small meals throughout the day with healthy snacks in between, and reduce your carbohydrate intake.

14. Consult your doctor

Seek medical advice if you have diabetes or heart, liver, or kidney problems and are having low blood pressure.

Herbs That May Help Improve Low Blood Pressure

Licorice and rosemary may aid in raising your blood pressure to normal ranges.

herbs that may raise low blood pressure

1. Licorice

Consume one unsweetened, non-jelly pure licorice candy in the morning for 2 weeks to help raise blood pressure.

Advertisements

Licorice may also be consumed in supplement forms containing glycyrrhizin, which works by lowering potassium levels and raising blood pressure. These effects, however, can be dangerous, and it is advised to check with your doctor before starting on any supplements. (6)

2. Rosemary

You may dilute rosemary oil and consume it thrice a day to help increase blood pressure.

A study conducted in 2015 demonstrated the antihypotensive effect of rosemary essential oil and its contribution to the improvement in patients’ quality of life. Further studies will help establish its efficacy. (7)

Advertisements

Final Word

Low blood pressure is a common condition that requires treatment only if it is manifesting symptoms or becomes too low. It is advised to sit down or lie down if you feel light-headed due to the blood pressure drop. Consult your doctor if the condition does not improve with self-care measures.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingLow Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Causes and Treatment
References
  1. Ali A, Ali NS, Waqas N, et al. Management of Orthostatic Hypotension: A Literature Review. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197501/. Published August 20, 2018.
  2. Figueroa JJ, Basford JR, Low PA. Preventing and treating orthostatic hypotension: As easy as A, B, C. Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2888469/. Published May 2010.
  3. HJ; KHJK. Effects of Application of Elastic Compression Stockings on Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, and Hypotensive Symptoms in Patients With Intradialytic Hypotension. Nephrology nursing journal: journal of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30304630/. Published 2018.
  4. Farag NH, Whitsett TL, McKey BS, et al. Caffeine and blood pressure response: sex, age, and hormonal status. Journal of women’s health (2002). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2940460/. Published June 2010. 
  5. Chrysant SG. The impact of coffee consumption on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Expert review of cardiovascular therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28128673. Published March 2017. 
  6. Leskinen MH, Hautaniemi EJ, Tahvanainen AM, et al. Daily liquorice consumption for two weeks increases augmentation index and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4143270/. Published August 25, 2014.
  7. Fernández LF, Palomino OM, Frutos G. Effectiveness of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil as antihypotensive agent in primary hypotensive patients and its influence on health-related quality of life. Journal of ethnopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24269249. Published 2014. 
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.