Essential Oils For High Blood Pressure And Hypertension

High Blood Pressure: Overview

High blood pressure means the pressure required to pump the blood in your blood vessels is dangerously higher than what it normally requires.

Usually, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90 and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120.

High BP is a common disease among adults, leading to dangerous living conditions.

Heart rate and blood pressure do not necessarily increase at the same rate. But rising BP increases the heartbeat rate or diastolic pressure in most cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that about 70 million American adults have high BP.

According to the American Heart Association report, about one in three adults in the USA experiences elevated blood pressure.

An abnormal increase in BP leads to hypertension, which includes a state of high psychological stress. A person suffering from hypertension has persistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries.

Unfortunately, most people with BP do not even experience its symptoms or signs until it has led to severe cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and kidney damage.

Normalizing blood pressure is necessary to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

To lower high blood pressure, adequate lifestyle changes are required. These changes include regular exercise, a healthy BMI, a balanced diet, a good sleeping schedule, and regular medication.

The use of essential oils may help with high blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels. However, this natural therapy must be taken seriously, and you should also consult your doctor and continue with mainstream treatments.

How Does Essential For High Blood Pressure Work?

Essential oils enter the bloodstream through the sweat glands or by diffusion through the lungs. After entering the bloodstream, oils’ therapeutic properties lower blood pressure by dilating constricted arteries. The constricted arteries cause an increase in BP while pumping the blood.

Some essential oils are excellent for reducing emotional stress. Many of them have antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress.

The soothing and relaxing effect of the oils helps to relieve tension, and they can give the person sound sleep and relaxation, which assist in bringing down blood pressure.

Essential Oils For High Blood Pressure

6 Essential Oils For Lowering Blood Pressure

Many essential oils contain one property or another beneficial for bringing down hypertension. However, a few of them are superior because of their powerful soothing, and calming effects on the nerves and blood vessels.

I have selectively handpicked 6 essential oils that are traditional favorites and most effective for managing elevated BP levels.

1. Frankincense oil

Frankincense essential oil is known for its powerful calming effect on the body and mind. It helps to regulate a healthy heartbeat rate and eases stress and hypertension.

Of course, unlike regular medication, you must pursue the treatment consistently and regularly to maintain the effect.

It has been noted that patients who used Frankincense oil easily attained improved mental clarity and reduced stress levels.

By the way, it is interesting to note here that the spiritual ceremonies of the occidental culture still have the burning of the resin and diffusion of frankincense oil to promote calmness and peacefulness of mind and body.

2. Bergamot oil

Bergamot essential oil is popularly used for making perfumes and cosmetics and adding flavor to tea. It is commonly used to treat depression by providing energy.

Few recent studies that have subjected this oil to research have brought out the powerful medicinal properties present in this oil.

One of the 2011 studies on rats showed that applying blended essential oils of bergamot and lavender helped treat anxiety and depression.

This study also noted the remarkable effect of reducing blood pressure and pulse rate in blended essential oils participants.

Another study reported a reduction in blood pressure when bergamot essential oil was diffused for 15–60 minutes. The subjects of this study consisted of a group of spa workers exposed to diffused bergamot essential oil.

The most effective way to use bergamot oil is through aromatherapy. Doing 15 minutes of aromatherapy with this oil can help you reduce hypertension and anxiety.

3. Lavender oil

Lavender essential oil possesses several efficacious therapeutic properties for treating several common diseases. This oil could greatly benefit you if you have unmanageable levels of blood pressure.

One of the studies published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand reports that the participants who inhaled the lavender oil showed lower impulses in the brain, as indicated by the electroencephalogram (EEG) machine.

The same study reported reduced blood pressure in participants who inhaled lavender oil. The participants were more alert and relaxed after the aromatherapy sessions.

4. Ylang-ylang oil

Ylang-ylang essential oil is a precious natural remedy for treating several common diseases. Some of the medicinal properties of this oil include antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antiseborrheic, hypotensive, nervine, and sedative substances.

The scent of ylang-ylang oils is soothing to the mind and body and can relieve stress and tension.

In one of the studies, the participants who smelled ylang-ylang oil showed a marked decrease in blood pressure rates compared to the placebo group who smelled the synthetic fragrance. The scent of the oil also indicated a marked and sharp decline in stress and tension.

Another research report published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation confirmed that YYA showed sedative effectiveness and provided substantial evidence for causing a decrease in BP and HR. It is also found to be effective in reducing the arousal level in the autonomic nervous system.

5. Clary sage oil

Clary sage oil can improve blood circulation and naturally relax the nerves and arteries; as a consequence, blood pressure is lowered.

This oil can speed up the metabolism by letting more oxygen get to the muscles and organs.

One of the studies done by the Department of Basic Nursing Science in the Republic of Korea examined the effectiveness of clary sage oil in reducing blood pressure in women with urinary incontinence.

The study’s 34 female participants inhaled lavender oil, clary sage oil, or almond oil (the control oil) separately for 60 minutes. Their blood pressure levels were measured at various points throughout the study.

The study showed that the clary sage oil group had significantly decreased systolic blood pressure compared with the lavender oil and almond oil groups.

This research also found that diastolic blood pressure and breathing rate were both lower in the Clary Sage group than in the other two groups.

Clary sage oil is beneficial for lowering stress and the symptoms of stress and depression.

Another study found that clary sage oil is a promising therapeutic option for depression.

A decrease in depression also leads to a lowering of the associated blood pressure.

6. Sweet marjoram oil

Sweet marjoram essential oil has been shown to reduce myocardial oxidative stress.

According to past research, this oil is beneficial for lowering high blood pressure and reducing heart attack symptoms.

In the Indian Ayurvedic system of medication, marjoram extracts and oil are extensively used to treat hypertension and depression.

This oil also has a calming effect on calming emotional stress and relaxing the mind and body.

The health benefits of this oil include:

  • helping the brain work better,
  • balancing hormones better,
  • reducing muscle pain and cramps.

5 Ways to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are useful for managing blood pressure but must be used correctly and regularly. You cannot expect an overnight solution to your inconsistent BP issues by using EOs. For best results, you have to use the oils in the right ways and must repeatedly use them daily for a week or more.

Let us now look at some of the best ways to use different essential oil treatments to balance your BP.

Using Essential Oil Blends

Blending two or more essential oils is best for bringing down BP. It is much more efficient because each of the oils in the blend has a few unique healing properties useful for specific health issues related to elevated blood pressure.

Here is one recommended oil blend for managing elevated blood pressure:

  • Lavender oil (1 drop)
  • Bergamot oil (1 drop)
  • Yalang-yalang oil (1 drop)

Similarly, you can make another blend of:

  • Lavender oil (1 drop)
  • Frankincense oil (1 drop)
  • Sweet marjoram (1 drop)

You can take advantage of the oil blend in aromatherapy to relieve elevated blood pressure.

It is highly recommended to inhale the oil blend for 5–10 minutes in the morning and before bed at night.

Topically Applying

Essential oil blends, which combine various essential oils, carrier oils, and bee wax, have demonstrated their efficacy in treating high blood pressure.

The carrier oil mixture usually consists of an equal amount of coconut oil, olive oil, and one tablespoon of organic bee wax.

You can transfer the carrier oil mixture into a container that can be tightly fastened. Simmer this oil mixture by immersing the container in boiling water for 5 minutes and then allowing the oil mixture in the container to cool down naturally.

Then prepare the oil by blending the following ingredients:

  • Carrier oil (½ ounce)
  • Rosemary oil (7 drops)
  • Marjoram oil (7 drops)
  • Frankincense Oil (7 drops)
  • Rose essential oil (7 drops)
  • Yalang-yalang Oil (12 drops)

You can rub the slave on reflex points on your body, such as between the fingers, the soles of your feet, the Achilles, the knee, the forearms, and the chest in the heart region. Do it twice daily to keep your blood pressure stable at a healthy level.

Aromatherapy

Lavender oil aromatherapy is a popularly used traditional remedy for many common diseases. It is well-known for calming the nervous system and relieving stress.

Studies suggest that the effects of essential oil inhalation on blood pressure help regulate systolic and diastolic BP.

Some of the research done on lavender oil has shown the effectiveness of this oil in promoting positive mental relaxation, which is a necessary condition for lowering elevated blood pressure.

Massage Therapy

Massage with essential oils allows the oils’ therapeutic properties to enter the bloodstream via sweat glands. It is beneficial for increasing blood flow and removing the tiny blockages in the blood vessels.

Blood flow in the veins must be free to reduce blood pressure, particularly high blood pressure caused by bad cholesterol.

You can use essential oil blends for a massage to benefit from them. Here is a good oil blend you can prepare for massage:

  • Lavender oil (2 drops)
  • Sweet marjoram (2 drops)
  • Neroli essential oil (1 drop)
  • Olive/Coconut Oil (15 ml)

Alternative Oil Blend:

  • Frankincense Oil (2 drops)
  • Bergamot Oil (2 drops)
  • Ylang-Ylang Oil (2 drops)
  • Coconut/Olive Oil (15 ml)

Thoroughly combine the oils and use them for massaging the body. Pay special attention to reflex points and nerve-ending locations in the body. Massage therapy is immensely beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety and also improves blood circulation. The overall benefits of the essential oil massage help reduce blood pressure.

Best Foods For Lowering Blood Pressure

To achieve a balanced and healthy blood pressure level, you must make necessary changes in your diet habits. Some foods are useful for reducing BP, but others increase BP. Here is a list of beneficial foods that you could include in your daily diet.

High-fiber foods: Include many fibrous vegetables, seeds, fruits, and whole grains in your diet.

Low sodium foods: Do not consume more than 1700 mg of sodium daily; if you have a consistently elevated BP, sodium should be consumed moderately.

Omega-3: Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids are good for balancing the cholesterol levels in the blood. Eat foods like beef (grass-fed cattle), salmon, chia, and flax seeds.

Dark chocolate: The cocoa phenols in dark chocolate help to reduce BP.

High-potassium foods: Potassium is useful for reducing BP by countering the adverse effects of sodium. Eat foods like bananas, melons, and avocados, which contain a good amount of potassium.

Bad Foods For Blood Pressure

Some foods are bad for people with elevated blood pressure levels. Here are a few commonly used foods that raise blood pressure:

Foods high in omega-6 fatty acids and trans fats: foods high in omega-6 fatty acids and trans fats tend to increase blood pressure. It is better to avoid packaged and processed foods and conventional meats.

Sugar: High sugar or calorie-rich foods increase blood sugar levels, leading to high blood pressure.

Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol results in the narrowing of arteries, which can cause a sudden rise in BP.

Caffeine: Consuming too much caffeine is bad for people with high BP.

High-sodium foods: Foods containing too much sodium are bad for high BP patients. They should avoid canned foods, pickles, olives, and salty foods.

The Final Thought 

Essential oils can be used to lower blood pressure and balance serum cortisol level.

However, it’s neither substitute for prescription medicines nor a reliable treatment for high blood pressure.

Essential oils should be used as a supplement to improve your health and naturally lower your blood pressure.

If you are already taking prescription medicines for high blood pressure and stress, you should talk to your doctor before using essential oils. Always begin a new health regimen slowly and gradually progress to a full-fledged routine.

Essential oils may be safe for your skin when they are diluted in a carrier oil.

Finally, to achieve the desired results from essential oils for high blood pressure management, you must combine the essential oil regimen with a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, BMI correction, and regular medical examination.

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