Low blood pressure (hypotension) is not as widely talked about as its companion, high blood pressure (bp) (hypertension). Majority of people take hypertension as ‘deadly’ and something to be addressed immediately.

On the other hand, most of us think it’s a good thing for the blood pressure to be low. So, we kind of never bother to regulate our blood pressure when it stays in the low range.

But the thing is, low bp symptoms might even be more serious than high blood pressure because it tends to hide.

Why do we say that?

This is because your body is in a better position to arrest high blood pressure and bring it back down, as long as it is not above some certain point.

But low blood pressure? There are not as many mechanisms to arrest low blood pressure and bring it back up.

What this means is that you might need to take more responsibility with low blood pressure symptoms than with high blood pressure.

And that’s what we are going to do in this post. Let’s look into real reasons of why you shouldn’t ignore low bp symptoms, understand what causes low bp in the first place and Ayurvedic natural ways to regulate your blood pressure. Let’s get started!

What is Low Blood Pressure?

The normal blood pressure of the average man is 120/80mmHg. If a person’s blood pressure drops to 90/60mmHg or below and remains there, this is classified as hypotension.

Here are different ways in which hypotension can happen:

1. Orthostatic or postural hypotension

This occurs when someone is suddenly standing up from squatting, sitting, or lying down position. It is more common in older adults. Orthostatic hypotension can also occur due to health conditions such as:

• prolonged bed rest
• heart problems
• large varicose veins
• excessive heat
• dehydration
• other neurological disorders.

2. Postprandial Hypotension

Occurs in older adults one or two hours after eating. People who are prone to postprandial hypotension are those with Autonomic Nervous System disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

3. Neurally Mediated Hypotension

This one is common in children and young adults. It occurs when they have stood for long periods.

4. Shy-Drager Syndrome

The symptoms are similar to Parkinson’s disease because there is also damage to the Autonomic Nervous System. This part of the nervous system is responsible for controlling blood pressure, digestion, breathing, heart rate, etc. It requires immediate medical attention.

What are some other causes of Hypotension?

Hypotension can occur as a result of the following:

• Blood loss due to evident or internal bleeding. There will be less blood to go around.
• Extremely high or low body temperature
• Dehydration or anything that causes dehydration like frequent urination, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
• Heart problems such as heart muscle diseases, arrhythmias, or anything that affects the pumping of blood.
• Reaction to medication or alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism
• Liver disease
• Heat stroke

How do you know you are experiencing low blood pressure?

The following symptoms can help you identify hypotension:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Blurred vision
• Cold and clammy skin
• Fainting
• Pale skin
• Unsteadiness
• Confusion
• Rapid and shallow breathing

Ayurvedic View of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension in Ayurveda is characterized by the following steps that lead to build up of low bp symptoms.

These are all part of the pathogenesis of hypotension in Ayurveda. They are mostly consistent with modern findings on low blood pressure symptoms:

1. Kapha decreases and Vata increases. This basically leads to loss of groundedness as kapha is a dosha of stability and growth. On the other hand, vata is dosha of lightness and movement. This causes dizziness.
2. Under functioning of the vyana Vata, which is supposed to distribute blood around the body.
3. Vata prakopa, dilation of the blood vessels, leading to blood pooling and hypotension.
4. Loss of blood tissues, low Pitta levels and low iron symptoms, which has to do with a defect in blood production.
5. Apataparna, which refers to a decrease in blood production and poor nutrition of the heart due to malnutrition.
6. Bhrama or giddiness.
7. Murcha or fainting.

Natural Remedies for Low BP Symptoms

Now you have seen what causes low bp symptoms. But that’s not all. It is one thing to understand the problem, and it is another to have a solution.

Therefore, we will now consider the natural remedies for hypotension, as prescribed by Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic care is based on diet and lifestyle, coupled with the use of herbs and exercises.

This way, you do not have to pump yourself full of synthesized chemicals in the name of medications. Nature has made provision for these things.

How can raise your blood pressure with Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic Herbs for Hypotension

Herbs are medications that nature has provided for us, and why should we not make the most of them? They are readily available and can be used at home. But of course, ensure to get proper guidance and advice with the use of these herbs.

Here are some herbs to raise blood pressure naturally:

1. Tulsi leaves

Tulsi leaves are rich in magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. All of these minerals can help regulate blood pressure. Tulsi also contains eugenol, an antioxidant that keeps cholesterol levels in check.

Chew five to six tulsi leaves every morning.

2. Munakka

Munakka increases vitality and helps to improve circulation.

How can you use munakka? Some soak overnight and then boil it in milk in the morning and drink. Alternatively, you can add some to your meal too.

3. Almond milk

As you can guess already, almond milk is from almond. But how does this benefit your blood pressure?

Well, this is milk without cholesterol or saturated fats. Rather, it is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You should incorporate almond milk into your low blood pressure diet by adding to your cereals, smoothies, etc.

How do you use it? Soak five to six almonds overnight. Peel them in the morning, make them into a paste, and boil. You can drink almond milk every day.

4. Liquorice tea

It is another natural remedy for low blood pressure. Low blood pressure can arise as a result of low cortisol levels. How will liquorice help you then?

Liquorice goes ahead to break down the enzyme that destroys cortisol in the body. Thus, you have more cortisol, and this hormone can then help you increase adrenaline levels and blood pressure.

Aside from that, liquorice helps to take care of symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Best Diet and Foods to Prevent Low BP Symptoms

• Take a lot of fruits. Almond (again) is useful for managing low blood pressure. Raisin is another good choice. Like almonds, soak raisins in water overnight and drink in the morning.
• Do not forget to eat a lot of healthy vegetables.
• Eat complex carbohydrates. These types of carbs can be found in oatmeal, whole wheat bread, barley, etc.
• Drink enough water. Water helps to increase blood volume, and blood pressure will increase alongside volume.
• Eat smaller meals frequently. It has been shown to help with low blood pressure because you always have the supply of nutrients you need. If you eat large meals with long gaps between them, your blood pressure increases momentarily and then becomes low again.
• Take more salt. Salt contains sodium, which can help raise blood pressure by forcing the body to retain more water. And what does that mean? Increased blood volume with an accompanying increase in blood pressure.

Ayurvedic Lifestyle to Treat Low Blood Pressure

• Do not get up too quickly to prevent postural hypotension. It is wise to get up slowly if you have been lying or sitting for a long time.
• Do you have varicose veins? Then do wear compression stockings. These stockings can be useful even if you do not have varicose veins. They help with returning blood to the heart from the legs and prevent blood pooling in the legs.
• Alcohol can cause your blood pressure to fall. This can be fatal if you already have low blood pressure before.
• Sit in a cross-legged position. That can also help avoid the pooling of blood in the legs.
• Watch out for symptoms. As earlier said, low blood pressure can be hidden or difficult to catch, so you want to watch out for those symptoms and take precautions as necessary.

Yoga Asana to Prevent Low BP Symptoms

But we are not done yet. Ayurveda has so much in store for you to fight hypotension. Yoga can also be taken as a natural remedy for low blood pressure. Here are some yoga asanas for low blood pressure:

1. Virasana (Hero Pose)

• Start by kneeling upright on the floor
  • Bend your knees backward and lower your hips down between your heels.
  • Rest your palms on top of your knees.
  • Relax and hold this pose for about five minutes.

2. Siddhasana (Accomplished pose)

• Sit down and bend your left knee, placing the heel close to the perineum.
• Bend the right knee and tuck the right toe in between the left calf and the thigh.
• Have your right foot just above the left ankle.
• Make sure that your back straight shoulders are relaxed.
• Now rest your wrists resting on your knees.
• Stay in this pose for 4-5 minutes.

3. Other yoga poses include

• Uttanasana
• Adho Mukha Svanasana
• Pavanmuktasana
• Shishuasana
• Sarvangasana

Natural Home Remedies to Manage and Prevent Hypotension

While considering natural remedies for low blood pressure, we must not fail to mention home remedies too. These are simple things that you can do for yourself at home.

They’re natural. Some have been mentioned alongside the herbs already, but there is more. Here goes:

• Consume mung beans soup, it helps lower blood pressure. Add a pinch of turmeric, some cilantro, and cumin.
• Mix two parts of orange juice and one part of coconut water. Drink half a cup of this mixture two to three times daily.
• Honey water helps to reduce cholesterol levels, maintain vasodilation and regulate blood pressure. You can make honey water by adding a teaspoon of honey and five to ten drops of vinegar in a cup of hot water. Drink this on an empty stomach early in the morning.
• Mix one part of punanarva, one part of passion flower, and two parts of hawthorn berry. Take half a spoon of this mixture and soak it in a cup of hot water for five to ten minutes. Drink after lunch and dinner.
• Take half a teaspoon of turmeric with aloe vera gel twice daily.

Here is mung beans recipe to help with low bp symptoms.

Sprouted Mung Beans Soup – Daal Recipe (Indian Style)

This Mung beans soup recipe is made in Indian style “daal” with sprouted whole mung beans. It is a delicious, protein packed, highly nutritious soup that is great to build muscles and bones. This recipe is highly recommended for young kids, Diabetics, and Heart patients.

• Pressure Cooker

• 1½ cup Whole Mung beans
• 4 sprigs Fresh coriander leaves or cilantro leaves (To garnish and for their delicious flavour)
• 1 Clove Garlic (Optional)
• 1½ tsp Rock Salt (To taste)
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 2 Medium Tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 1 inch Ginger (grated or pounded)
• 2 tbsp Ghee (Or Pure Cooking Oil (Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil))
• 1 Pinch Hing – Asafetida
• 1 tsp Coriander Seeds Powder
• ½ tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 sprigs Fresh curry leaves (optional)

Soaking and Sprouting the Mung beans

1. Wash and soak the daal (whole mung beans) for 10 hours or overnight. Mung beans are the easiest and quickest to sprout. If the weather is humid and hot in your place, then it may take even lesser time. But, you will get longer sprouts in 10 hours then. Take a call per the results you see.

   
   
   

2. Drain the soaking water out of the beans. Now add fresh water to the beans. Add enough water so as to cover the beans by two inches.

Pressure Cooking the Beans

1. Add the beans and water in a pressure cooker.

2. Add salt and turmeric.

3. Close the pressure cooker and let the mixture cook for about 10 mins or for 3-4 whistles to make a soft and smooth soup.

Preparing the Tempering mix for the soup

1. Heat a pan. Add Ghee. Once ghee is a little hot, add the Asafetida, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds.

2. Let the seeds splutter and then add onions, garlic, and ginger till they turn golden brown.

3. Add Coriander powder and stir for few seconds.

4. Add chopped tomato and let it cook for another 5 mins.

5. Add the beans soup, mix well, and let the mix cook for another 15 mins or put in the pressure cooker for 5-10 mins.

6. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with chapati, parantha, or rice.

   
   
   

7. Enjoy with your meal!

Note: If you are using a rice cooker or a slow cooker, it will take approximately 25-35 mins at least for the sprouted beans to become soft. Keep checking that the beans are soft and mushy before you close the heat.

Main Course, Soup

Indian

DiabeticDiet, GlutenFreeDiet, HalalDiet, HinduDiet, LowCalorieDiet, LowLactoseDiet, VeganDiet, VegetarianDiet

bean soup

REFERENCES:

• Low Blood Pressure, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Pathogenesis
• 3 yoga poses to take care of low blood pressure
• Best home remedies for low blood pressure
• 7 Effective Home Remedies for Low Blood Pressure