For patients with high blood pressure, in addition to adhering to moderate physical exercise and taking prescribed medication under a doctor's guidance, it is even more important to pay attention to dietary management. The general principle is to moderately control energy and salt intake, reduce the intake of fat and cholesterol, control body weight, and adopt a diet that is low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in sodium, high in vitamins, and supplemented with an appropriate amount of protein.
One Peel and One Core: Watermelon Peel, Lotus Seed Core
Eating watermelon peel is a classic example of using food waste. Taking 9 grams each of watermelon peel and cassia seed and decocting them in water has a blood pressure-lowering effect. The lotus seed core is the germ of the lotus seed. The non-crystalline alkaloid Nn-9 in the lotus seed core has an excellent blood pressure-lowering effect.
Two Blacks and Two Greens: Black Fungus, Water Chestnut; Celery, Spinach
Black fungus is known as the "vegetable meat." Its blood pressure-lowering effect is not direct but indirect, achieved by improving blood vessels. There are many ways to eat black fungus, such as stir-frying, making soups, or cold salads. A homemade remedy "Three Treasure Delight": Soak 15 grams of black fungus and 15 grams of tremella fungus until they expand, remove the stems, and tear them into pieces. Place them in a bowl, add 20 grams each of rock sugar and goji berries, and an appropriate amount of clear water. Steam for 30 minutes. After removing, let it cool, and mix in 20 grams of honey. Serve as a snack, divided into morning and evening doses. It is suitable for all types of high blood pressure, especially for those complicated by atherosclerosis or retinal hemorrhage.
Water chestnut is a food that is both a delicacy and a medicine. It contains a heat-sensitive disease-resistant component called puchin, which is effective in both anti-cancer and blood pressure reduction. Water chestnuts can be eaten as fruit, or made into dishes like water chestnut and jellyfish soup, carrot and water chestnut soup, or water chestnut and chrysanthemum drink.
"The Two Greens" refer to celery and spinach. For people who suffer from headaches and head swelling due to high blood pressure, eating celery regularly can alleviate these symptoms. A decoction of celery roots is even more effective. Spinach can be used as a medicinal food to assist in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes.