High blood pressure (BP), which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease, is becoming more and more prevalent in our stressful world. High Blood Pressure is in my genetics. My mother had a stroke from high blood pressure, although it was mild it still has stopped her from doing many things. Working, her right side is much weaker than her left, memory loss and daily medications. Finding out that you have high blood pressure can make you feel isolated, scared and confused. Who wants to have to be on medication that can be costly plus the side effects?!Don’t worry , my friend , you are not alone: more than 16 million people have high blood pressure. This is a simple tea that can help lower your blood pressure. Hibiscus tea, Ceylon cinnamon & raw coconut oil. Why this combination you ask?
Earlier this year my husband was in the hospital for a week very sick. The doctors thought he had a stroke. I will never forget one doctor who I am very grateful to. He said, ” You didn’t hear this from me but put cinnamon in your coffee everyday, it’s been proven to help with reducing your blood pressure and to help people with diabetes”.
Cinnamon reduces blood pressure while balancing your blood glucose levels. it comes from the bark of trees. It has long been considered a medicinal plant. There are several varieties, harvested from southern China to Southeast Asia.
The most recent clinical study on blood pressure and cinnamon involved 59 subjects who had type-2 diabetes. They were randomized and either given 1,200 milligrams of cinnamon per day or a placebo. After twelve weeks, the cinnamon group’s systolic blood pressure reduced by 3.4 mmHg on average.
In another clinical study, 58 type-2 diabetics took either a placebo or 2 grams of cinnamon per day for twelve weeks. The cinnamon group’s average systolic blood pressure decreased by over 3 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure reduced by 5 mmHg.
You can consume it in a variety of ways, the easiest of which is by simply adding freshly shaved cinnamon to the foods you eat each day. However, you could also take cinnamon supplements in the form of capsules or pills. Be sure it is derived from fresh cinnamon, not the powdered kind commonly sold in the spice section of the grocery store. This kind of cinnamon comes from the Cassia plant and contains Coumarin, which is toxic in large doses. When supplementing with this kind of cinnamon, you may place yourself at a higher risk of kidney or liver damage. To avoid this, buy the stick form of cinnamon, which usually comes from the Ceylon plant.
How much cassia is too much? For an adult who is sensitive to coumarin, the limit is about a teaspoon a day, according to the daily tolerable intake set by the European Food Safety Authority.
Cassia cinnamon is the variety you are most likely to purchase in a grocery store. But cassia can contain high levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring ingredient that, when eaten in large enough amounts, can cause reversible liver toxicity in a small group of individuals sensitive to it.
So if you’re a cinnamon lover and your goal is to increase your daily intake, using Ceylon cinnamon can reduce the risk of consuming too much coumarin.
Yes, my cinnamon bag looks very used. That’s because it is!
Order your Ceylon cinnamon today!
Hibiscus tea benefits, well known in traditional medicine for many years, range from its potent antioxidants and its ability to lower blood pressure.
The health benefits of hibiscus tea include relief from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as digestive, immune system, and inflammatory problems. It helps to cure liver disease and reduces the risk of cancer. It can also speed up the metabolism and help in healthy, gradual weight loss. Hibiscus tea is rich in vitamin C, minerals and various antioxidants, while also helping in the treatment of hypertension and anxiety.
Hibiscus tea is an herbal tisane made from the dried, vibrantly colored calyces of the hibiscus flower. Studies have shown that drinking as little as 2 to 3 cups of hibiscus tea from the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower each day can lower your BP levels, working as effectively as some anti-hypertensive prescription medications (without the potential side effects).
Hibiscus flower tea is made from the dried calyces of the hibiscus flower. Calyces are known to contain high levels of antioxidants and, for good health, antioxidants are an essential part of our diets. They help to rid our bodies of free radicals (destructive molecules that can damage our cells and DNA) and protect us against chronic disease, such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.
Antioxidants can also fight and prevent low-grade chronic inflammation, which research has linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, IBS, Crohn’s, PCOS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, infertility, premature aging, obesity, and many other health issues. By choosing foods and beverages that are high in antioxidants (like hibiscus tea), you can help reverse the inflammatory process in your body. So why are you not drinking this tea today?
- Boosts immune system
- helps prevent cold and flu
- beneficial for losing weight
- used as a sports drink to satiate thirst
- aids in blood pressure management
- helps reduce anxiety and depression
- aids in digestion and increase urination
- helps to lower the bad LDL Cholesterol.
- protects liver against infections and diseases
- provides relief from cramps and menstrual pain
- slows down the growth of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis.
Order your Hibiscus tea today!
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought. It can improve your blood cholesterol levels.
Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.”
Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health.
Unrefined coconut oil actually improves blood lipid profiles. it can help you lose weight. Coconut oil is likely to turn into ketone bodies in the liver .Ketone bodies can provide energy for the brain. They are particularly useful against epilepsy and may also improve various other disorders. Coconut oil applied topically can also moisturize skin and protect against hair damage . Medium chain triglycerides (the fats in coconut oil) have also been shown to reduce blood triglycerides compared to long chain fats which means it protects against heart disease not the other way around.
Warnings
Cinnamon is not without its side effects. For some people, suddenly increasing the amount of cinnamon they eat can cause gingivitis, flushing (the sudden rush of blood to the face, causing warmth), gastrointestinal upset and irritated lining of the mouth. Some people should not use cinnamon in any great quantity, especially those using blood thinners like aspirin, since the spice prevents clotting. Likewise, if you are pregnant, cinnamon can cause uterine problems. Additionally, if you have ulcers, do not take cinnamon as a supplement. As always, consult with your doctor before supplementing your diet with cinnamon.
Before you add hibiscus tea to your diet, be sure to check with your healthcare provider about safe amounts of this brew for you – especially if you have blood pressure concerns (high or low) or are taking any prescription medications , if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant . There is some evidence that certain types of hibiscus have emmenagogue effects (i.e. they stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, and encourage menstruation) and, as such, could potentially bring on a miscarriage.
REFERENCES:
Nasri H, Madihi Y, Marikhi A. Commentary on: Effects of Cinnamon Consumption on Glycemic Status, Lipid Profile and Body Composition in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Int J Prev Med. 2013 May;4(5):618-9.
Akilen R, Pimlott Z, Tsiami A, Robinson N. Effect of short-term administration of cinnamon on blood pressure in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Nutrition. 2013 Jul 15. doi:pii: S0899-9007(13)00191-3.
Wainstein J, Stern N, Heller S, Boaz M. Dietary cinnamon supplementation and changes in systolic blood pressure in subjects with type 2 diabetes. J Med Food. 2011 Dec;14(12):1505-10. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0300.
Akilen R, Tsiami A, Devendra D, Robinson N. Glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Diabet Med. 2010 Oct;27(10):1159-67. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2010.03079.x.
Magistrelli A, Chezem JC. Effect of ground cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose concentration in normal-weight and obese adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 Nov;112(11):1806-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.07.037.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC444260/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10762277
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17651080
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/107/12/2206.long
Disclaimer The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
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