Regulating Yin and Yang: Five Recipes to Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension refers to the increase in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure at rest. Hypertension is a systemic disease characterized by elevated arterial pressure and can be accompanied by functional or organic changes in organs such as the heart, blood vessels, brain, and kidneys. It can be classified into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. The causes of hypertension are many and can be divided into genetic and environmental factors.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, hypertension is the result of an imbalance of yin and yang in the body. Yin deficiency is the root cause, while yang excess is the manifestation. The disease is related to the five viscera, with the liver, heart, and kidneys being the most involved. The main symptoms are liver and kidney yin deficiency or liver yang excess. The main characteristic is yin deficiency preceding yang excess, and in the later stage of the disease, it develops into both yin and yang deficiency. Regulating the function of the organs, restoring the balance of yin and yang is the basic principle of TCM treatment for hypertension. The following five recipes can help regulate organ function and lower blood pressure.

1. Coix Seed Porridge

Recipe: 10g Coix seeds, 50g glutinous rice, a little rock sugar.

Effect: Clears the liver and lowers blood pressure.

Method: Wash the Coix seeds and put them in a pot to boil. Filter the residue and keep the juice. Wash the glutinous rice and put it in the juice. Continue to cook on low heat until the porridge is cooked. Add rock sugar for flavor and consumption.

Usage: Take twice a day, warm.

2. Cassia Seed Porridge

Recipe: 30g cassia seeds, 10g grass cassia seeds, white chrysanthemum, 100g glutinous rice, 6g rock sugar.

Effect: Clears the liver, brightens the eyes, and lowers blood pressure.

Method: Stir-fry the grass cassia seeds in a pan until fragrant, then put white chrysanthemum, grass cassia seeds, and cassia seeds in a pot to simmer and filter the residue. After washing the glutinous rice, cook it with the medicinal juice to make a thin porridge. Add rock sugar and consume.

Usage: Once a day.

3. Peanut Shell Water

Recipe: 120g peanut shells.

Effect: Suitable for patients with high blood lipids and hypertension.

Method: Wash the peanut shells, dry them, and then boil them with water over low heat until the medicinal juice turns brown.

Usage: Once a day, divided into two doses.

4. Polygonum Multiflorum and Turtle Shell

Recipe: 50g Polygonum multiflorum, turtle shell, parasitic, Eucommia each, 40g raw Rehmannia, wolfberry, Sang Shen Zi, white peony, and sandalwood each, 100g raw Ophiopogon, 100g turtle shell, 500g honey.

Effect: Suitable for patients with hypertension, kidney deficiency, and excessive liver fire.

Method: Soak the above materials in a suitable amount of water for two hours, then boil and simmer to extract the juice. Take three times in succession, and finally combine the three times of the medicinal liquid. Simmer on low heat until the concentrated juice becomes one bowl, and then add honey. Boil until boiling and then turn off the heat. After the medicinal juice cools, bottle it for later use.

Usage: Take one spoonful each time, twice a day.

5. Ilex Rotunda and Brown Sugar Water

Recipe: 50-100g Ilex rotunda root, brown sugar as needed.

Effect: Lowers blood pressure and promotes digestion.

Method: Boil Ilex rotunda root and brown sugar together with water over low heat.

Usage: Take after meals, divided into two doses.