What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure, can be defined as the force that the blood exerts on the veins and arteries while it circulates around the body.

Blood pressure is controlled by a variety of organs and body systems, including the heart, the blood vessels, the kidneys, the brain and the adrenal glands, as well as the complex interaction between the body systems.

We measure blood pressure by using two different numbers - systolic pressure (the top number) over diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Systolic pressure measures blood pressure as the heart contracts and pushes blood through the arteries. Diastolic pressure is taken when the heart relaxes.

Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 or lower. It is important to note that blood pressure varies from person to person and can fluctuate from moment to moment. One or two high readings does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension or high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure has measured 140/90 or higher on at least two separate occasions, your doctor should recommend a 24 hour BP (blood pressure) monitor, which will show whether your BP remains chronically high. This will help to measure whether you have hypertension or high blood pressure.

How do I know whether I have hypertension or high blood pressure?

Hypertension is sometimes known as the Silent Killer, because it often has no symptoms at all.

Sometimes people with high blood pressure experience headaches, dizziness or a ringing sound in their ears, but these symptoms may also be due to other causes.

The best way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to visit your doctor, homeopath, naturopath or other health care provider.

What causes hypertension or high blood pressure?

Although the causes are not always known, high blood pressure can often run in families, indicating a strong genetic component.

Risk factors for high blood pressure include smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, a high salt intake, lack of exercise and stress - and a family history of hypertension and stroke.

Arteriosclerosis, or a thickening, hardening and narrowing of the walls of the arteries is also often associated with high blood pressure.

It is very important to take steps to control high blood pressure. If it is left untreated, it can result in heart disease or even stroke.

The good news is that high blood pressure can be well controlled by combining a healthy lifestyle with the correct medical treatment.

This can include synthetic prescription medication, natural remedies or a combination of both. If you are already taking prescription blood pressure medication, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes.

There are many different prescription drugs for high blood pressure including vasodilators, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, etc. Each has a different way of working and different drugs may work for different people.

You may need to try a variety before you find the right drug or combination of drugs suitable for you.

Like many synthetic drugs, anti-hypertensive medication has a risk of causing side effects, which depend on the person as well as the type of drug being taken.

These can include, dizziness, nausea, stomach problems, fatigue, impotence, insomnia, loss of appetite and others. Always speak to your doctor if you are having problems.

There are many well known natural remedies for high blood pressure or hypertension.

Conventional medicines usually treat the symptoms of high blood pressure, but seldom address the underlying causes.

Naturopaths recognize that high blood pressure may be a sign or symptom of imbalance in the body and know that the best way to treat it is by a combination of lifestyle changes and natural remedies to remove the causes of the high blood pressure, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Can herbal remedies and dietary supplements really help?

There is a great deal of scientific evidence to suggest that the use of carefully chosen herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help to lower blood pressure, as well as to improve the overall functioning of the heart, arteries and the entire cardiovascular system.

What herbalists have known for centuries has now been clinically proven to be a potentially effective alternative to synthetic blood pressure medication, especially if combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) is one of the most highly respected natural remedies for high blood pressure and has well-known cardio-protective properties. Hawthorn works by dilating blood vessels, thereby increasing the heart's energy supply and improving its pumping ability and does this by blocking the action of a blood constricting enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). Hawthorn therefore reduces blood pressure in cases where there are chronically constricted arteries. The anti-oxidant properties of hawthorn also help to protect against damage caused by plaque build up in the coronary arteries.

Passiflora incarnata is a well known calmative herb which also relaxes blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose bark) is a very effective cardiac tonic and muscle relaxant. It is known to relax the cardiovascular system and also to relieve nervous tension, often associated with high blood pressure.

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest trees on the planet, dating back about 200 million years. It has survived mainly in Oriental temple gardens, where it is highly prized for its medicinal properties in Chinese Traditional Medicine. Modern studies have demonstrated the significant effect that Ginkgo biloba has on the cardiovascular system, relaxing blood vessels, acting as a circulatory stimulant and anti-inflammatory. One of the most important active ingredients, ginkgolide, has been clinically shown to be just as effective as standard pharmaceutical drugs in treating irregular heart beats. Improving blood flow throughout the body, Ginkgo biloba can also reduce blood 'stickiness', which lowers the risk of blood clots.

What is Aqua-Rite? Aqua-Rite comes in concentrated tincture form and is especially formulated as a companion remedy for High-Rite, especially in cases where water retention is associated with high blood pressure. Acting as a natural diuretic, Aqua-Rite also helps to balance blood pressure, assist liver and gall bladder functioning and improve circulation. Diuretics cause the kidneys to remove more sodium and water from the body, which helps to relax the blood vessel walls, thereby lowering blood pressure.

50ml

Aqua-Rite contains the following carefully selected herbs:

Agathosma betulina (buchu) is one of South Africa's best known medicinal plants and has been used by the indigenous peoples of the area for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. It is an effective diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Early Dutch settlers used buchu to make a brandy tincture and Boegoebrandewyn (buchu brandy) is still used today to treat many disorders.

Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, D, C, various B Vitamins, iron, lecithin, silicon, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. It enhances liver and gall bladder functioning and may decrease high blood pressure due to its diuretic properties.

Olea europea is well known for its ability to lower blood pressure, improve circulatory functioning and balance blood sugar levels.

Caution: Safety in pregnancy has not yet been established. Use only under medical supervision if you are also using prescription medication for hypertension. Because these herbs are very effective in controlling blood pressure levels, the dosage of your prescription drugs may need to be reduced or even stopped altogether.

Can I use High-Rite and Aqua-Rite together with my prescription medication for high blood pressure?

Yes, you can - but NOT without first consulting your doctor. These remedies are very effective in normalizing blood pressure and improving heart functioning.

Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure regularly while you are taking our remedies as it is possible that your prescription medication may have to be reduced or even stopped altogether.

If your doctor is not familiar with natural remedies or is unsympathetic towards your quest for a healthier alternative, seek a second opinion.

NOTE: Do not stop using your prescription medication without first consulting your doctor.

If I have high blood pressure but I am not on any prescription drugs can I take High-Rite and Aqua-Rite?

Yes, of course! Using High-Rite and Aqua-Rite, while following a healthy diet and lifestyle may completely normalize your blood pressure and remove the need for prescription drugs.

If you have mild hypertension, these remedies can also prevent problems in the future by acting as cardiac and circulatory tonics.

How do I use High-Rite and Aqua-Rite?

High-Rite Dosage: Take one to two capsules two or three times daily. Use together with Aqua-Rite for maximum effect.

Caution: Blood pressure levels should be monitored by your doctor, especially when prescription medication is being taken concurrently, as dosages may need to be reduced or reviewed. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not yet been established.

Aqua-Rite Dosage: Aqua-Rite comes in concentrated and convenient drop form and only 10 - 15 drops are needed in a little water or juice - two to three times daily.

Caution: Do not use together with other diuretic medication.

How long until I see results?

Regular use of High Rite and Aqua-Rite usually results in improvement within a period of 3 - 6 weeks

How long does a bottle last?

High-Rite: The higher recommended dosage of High-Rite is usually taken at the beginning of treatment (in which case a bottle will last about 10 days).

The lower dosage is taken as a maintenance program once symptoms have stabilized. At the maintenance dosage, one bottle of High-Rite lasts about a month.

Aqua-Rite: One bottle of Aqua-Rite lasts approximately a month.