Many herbalists recommend taking garlic capsules daily to help lower blood pressure. Look for the capsules in health food stores and follow package directions. Consult your health care provider before using this herbal regimen as a complementary treatment.

Flaxseed oil is also recommended to improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Try taking 1 tablespoon daily.

Other herbs that may be helpful in controlling high blood pressure are mistletoe, American snakeroot, prickly ash bark, valerian, dandelion leaf, motherwort, yarrow, and coleus forskohlii. Consult your doctor before using these herbs as complementary treatments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Chinese medicine believes that deficient flow of energy or chi-brought on by anything from stress to depression to anger-is responsible for high blood pressure. Consequently, acupuncture is used to help improve the flow of chi throughout the body. Points that may be focused on are Liver 3, Stomach 9 and 36, Large Intestine 11, and Gallbladder 20.

This modality may also help improve general immunity and fortify kidney yin, believed to be a contributing factor in hypertension.

Acupressure Acupoints usually targeted in the treatment of hypertension include Stomach 9 (on the throat), Pericardium 6 (above the wrist), Stomach 36 (below the kneecap), Kidney 3 (behind the ankle bone), and related auricular points.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Patent medicines that may be used to treat hypertension include Compound Cortex Eucommia Tablets, Hypertension Repressing Tablets, Gentiana, Rehmannia Six, Ginseng and Longan, and Eight Immortal Long Life Pills.

Yoga and Meditation

If you’re bothered by stress, yoga can ease body tension, improve circulation, and help lower blood pressure. They the following poses every day: Mudra, Moon Salutation, Knee Squeeze, and Corpse. Avoid the Shoulder Stand.

Yoga practitioners also recommend 10 to 20 minutes of meditation twice daily for relaxing.