One of the most common questions we get asked at Dherbs is whether or not the Full Body Cleanse can help lower blood pressure. Since high blood pressure affects 1 in every 3 American adults, it makes sense that we get asked if the cleanse can help. The short answer is: yes, it does, but the person has to be willing to actively make lifestyle changes and follow the cleanse and diet regimen.
It is hard to attribute high blood pressure to one particular cause, but a poor diet filled with a lot of salt is near the top of the list. On average, Americans consume over 3,400mg of sodium per day, which exceeds the recommended 2,300mg amount. For those with high blood pressure, the recommended daily amount of sodium is 1,500mg. When someone with high blood pressure is cleansing, the amount of salt he/she eats is extremely minute, which helps naturally lower the body’s sodium content. Just to give you a relatable figure, 1 teaspoon of salt equals 2,300mg of sodium and 1,500mg of sodium is just over ½ teaspoon.
Should You Take High Blood Pressure Medication While Cleansing?
It is not the policy of Dherbs.com to recommend, suggest, insist, imply, tell, or instruct any individual to change the dosage of or stop taking any prescribed medication(s) while taking herbs, participating in a Cleanse, or at any other time. Any decision about changing your dosage of or ceasing the use of pharmaceutical-grade drug(s), while taking herbs or participating in a cleanse, that have been prescribed by a doctor or other medical practitioner is a decision that can only be made by you, based on your own free will. Please contact us by phone (866-434-3727) or email us (info@dherbs.com) with any questions.
In the Beginning of the Cleanse
When someone with high blood pressure begins the Full Body Cleanse, it is better to completely stay away from salt, even if it is sea salt. The reason for this is because you body has to reduce the amount of sodium that is in it. During this process is attempting to naturally regulate blood pressure. This means that the person may experience dips or spikes in blood pressure. The important thing is to remain calm and realize that the body is relearning what it knew how to do prior to taking medication.
Herbs That Pull Sodium & Processed Foods From Body
The formulas in the Full Body Cleanse which are most beneficial to people with high blood pressure are the Blood & Lymphatic, Cardiovascular, and Colon & Digestive Tract formulas. These help cleanse your digestive tract, your cardiovascular system, and your blood. An ill-functioning cardiovascular system can create that elevated pressure that is necessary to pump blood throughout the body.
Go For Potassium Rich Foods
Since you are going to be on a raw foods diet (only eating raw fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts & seeds) while cleansing, make sure you get your fair share of potassium-rich foods to remove sodium from the body. Foods that are high in potassium include:
- Leafy Greens (chard, spinach, kale)
- Acorn Squash
- White Mushrooms
- Dried Fruit (apricots & raisins without sulfur)
- Bananas
- Avocado
- Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Foods That Naturally Help Lower Blood Pressure
- Flaxseed
- Beets
- Pistachios
- Berries
- Hibiscus Tea
- Celery juice
- Beet juice
- Garlic
Drink A Lot of Water
You are going to drink a lot of water while you are cleansing. This helps flush toxins from your system, while nourishing the cells in your body. The alkaline water also aids with creating a neutral pH balance in the body.
Take A Walk
Walking or being active reduces fluid build up in the body. Being active for at least 30 minutes a day, even if the activity is low-impact, can also improve your metabolism. After you are finished exercising, elevate your legs for 20 minutes to help increase circulation.
Things To Keep In Mind When The Cleanse Is Over
Remember that eating a lot of processed foods, snack foods, junk foods, fried foods, dairy products, meat, meat products, or refined sugars is what lead you to cleansing. Take into account how your body felt while cleansing and incorporate what you learned on the cleanse into your new lifestyle. Always go easy on the salt! Season your food with citrus juices, herbs, and other spices to add flavor to the point where salt isn’t necessary. Don’t negate the progress you make by reverting to old habits. Stay strong, eat your way healthy, and you can always cleanse again in the future to maintain your new-found health.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.