Minutus

Hello all, I actually forgot I was a member of this group!!! Have had
so much trouble with my computers lately that I've lost touch!!
Anyway, I was wondering what I can do for my hubby's blood pressure,
which spikes immensely when he's under stress/pressure, but is usually
just fine, since we eat a pretty healthy diet, ie raw foods and home-
cooked, hardly any processed stuff. He just scares the crap out of me
when he has one of those spells, which usually subsides after a couple
of hours, but I am thinking they don't need to last that long.
Especially since it HAS to have a lasting effect on his heart, etc.
Any homeo recommendations for something I can give him "on the spot"??
We live in a small town, with only one "real" herb shop, which doesn't
carry a whole lot of stuff. The only thing I have found there so far
is an herb supp called GXC (???? Not sure of that, lol.), but I would
be interested in a more homeo approach. Thanks, guys!!

Love,
Bren

Hi Bren,

Has he worked with a homeopath in the past? What I'd first wonder is,
what are the triggers for the spikes (the sensitivities and
susceptibilities, emotional and/or physical), and find a remedy to
balance him overall; reduce that sensitivity and bring in more
stability.

But otherwise or in the mean time, possibly magnesium (try 500 mg, but
could go up or down); I read that cayenne brings it down (start with
one capsule, plus either food or a glass of water). Also I'd think if
he can (and will) take ten minutes to do a "follow the breath" or other
type of simple meditation / relaxation; or EFT, tho that takes
learning.

Is there a particular emotion or circumstance that sets him off?
Shannon

Hi Brenda,

what is the blood pressure at those spikes?

Regards

Luise
--
One thought to all who, free of doubt,
So definitely know what's true:
2 and 2 is 22 -
and 2 times 2 is 2:-)
==========> ICQ yinyang 96391801 <==========

Shannon,
I respectfully disagree with the concept of prescribing without having any information about the individual - especially prescribing herbs or supplements. Giving ideas, concepts, directions to explore, etc are wonderful and are part of the strength of a group like this. But before telling someone to start with one capsule of cayenne? - you might want to ask for more information. For example - there can be severe and unpredictable side effects if the individual is taking any blood pressure medications or MAO inhibitors. Packaging varies GREATLY so prescribing 'one capsule' may not give enough information. Also since the only description given in the post indicates severe 'spells', suggesting herbs or supplements would need to be based on the timing of a 'spell' as well. Also as a naturopath, I see far too many people being advised to take a 'quick fix' supplement - such as the 500 mg of magnesium that you suggested. This does not take into consideration that you can not utilize certain nutrients without others, or the timing of consumption makes a difference in availability or waste. There is a vast difference between suggesting that someone make sure the magnesium intake is adequate - or suggesting that they consider magnesium as part of the overall balance - and prescribing a specific amount without having taken the case.
Brenda,
I agree with Shannon, and would also encourage you to seek out a good homeopath for your husband. If possible, I would also recommend a homeopath with additional nutritional training or a naturopath. There are a host of support nutrients and herbs to consider as part of a total healing program along with homeopathy. Since you are concerned about the 'lasting effects on his heart', you might wish to speak with your homeopath/naturopath about the mother tincture of CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA (crat.)(hawthorn) as cardiac and circulatory support. There are several other herbs that support circulation and the selection should be made based on considering all factors. Shannon has an excellent point that magnesium could be an important consideration. Magnesium is essential for so many functions, and could even be part of the trigger mechanism for your husband's 'spells'. Consumption of alcohol, the presence of fluoride, high levels of zinc or vitamin D all increase the body's need for magnesium. Consumption of large amounts of fats, cod liver oil, calcium, vitamin D and protein decrease magnesium absorption. Fat soluble vitamins also hinder the absorption of magnesium as do almonds, chard, cocoa, spinach and tea. Finding the balance with homeopathy will certainly be the central concern, and the herbal, nutrient and dietary support will speed healing and possibly resolve any 'maintaining causes'. I've also seen excellent results with well chosen Bach Flower Remedies when there is a specific 'cause and effect' stress reaction - so that might be another avenue to consider.
Donna
D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM
Address change - please use rona@consultant.com
for all correspondence - Thank you
-----------------------------------------
Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion
http://stores.lulu.com/drrona
also available at bookstores and online booksellers
New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!

________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert & Shannon Nelson
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 8:53 AM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] High blood pressure "quick fix"
Hi Bren,

Has he worked with a homeopath in the past? What I'd first wonder is, what are the triggers for the spikes (the sensitivities and susceptibilities, emotional and/or physical), and find a remedy to balance him overall; reduce that sensitivity and bring in more stability.

But otherwise or in the mean time, possibly magnesium (try 500 mg, but could go up or down); I read that cayenne brings it down (start with one capsule, plus either food or a glass of water). Also I'd think if he can (and will) take ten minutes to do a "follow the breath" or other type of simple meditation / relaxation; or EFT, tho that takes learning.

Is there a particular emotion or circumstance that sets him off?
Shannon

Hi Bren,

That is consistent with a cortisol response to stress.
It might be worthwhile to get your hubby's cortisol level checked
(for which the gold standard test is a measure of cortisol excreted
in 24 hrs).
The higher the cortisol level, the more adrenaline is triggered under
stress. Adrenaline contracts the blood vessels causing a seriously
high blood pressure spike that can last several hours (till the
cortisol and adrenaline are metabolised or excreted) unless the
stress can be reversed. Cortisol will do this despite a normally good
or low blood pressure, as cortisol is the "stress hormone" and that's
one of its many functions.

I think you are right to be concerned to control it better as this
can lead to problems not excluding heart attacks.

Things that can be considered when it occurs:
Herbs that lower cortisol: Rhodiola is best and helps within an hour
in my experience, and Holy Basil is also somewhat helpful as is green
tea (thanks to the theonine which is also available as a separate
supplement).
Ten minutes (not more) of moderate exercise does a lot to bring down
cortisol.
Arnica 1M stops an impending stress/cortisol-induced heart attack in
my experience.
I recently found out one reason Arnica may be so effective with
cortisol issues:
In presence of cortisol the background electrical current in
INVOLUNTARY muscle is very high indeed, due to tense muscles caused
by cortisol - and that includes tense blood vessel walls - as can be
seen when connecting electrodes to the abdomen and measuring the
electrical background activity of the involuntary muscles (the ones
we do not consciously control).
(I discovered this recently. High Cortisol can put that activity so
high it is off the charts.)

Things to do so it does not occur:
*Proper sleep every night.
*Good hydration and potassium levels (4.5 not less on blood test).
(Low potassium also raises blood pressure and cortisol causes
potassium loss under stress)
*Good levels of magnesium, (a nerve nutrient, and also the mineral
that helps against potassium loss.
*B6 - also a nerve nutrient and helps absorb Magnesium, and
replenishes adrenal function after overloads
*Pantothenic acid in high dose (eg 1500mg) to help adrenal function
repair
*Vit C to help adrenal repair.
*Avoiding stressful situations.
*Practicing stress coping techniques that allow for the concept that
it is not what happens that makes us stressed, but how we respond to it.
*Vit E daily high supplement. (eg 100IU a day) - shown to be heart
and blood vessel protective, and keeps the blood vessels supple, a
very relevant aspect especially in men.
*Plenty of fish oil (6 caps a day) as that reverses the contracting
of blood vessels. The EPA and DHA in fish oil open the blood vessels
PROVIDED THERE IS NO ASPIRIN TO PREVENT THAT ACTION.
[Aspirin is Rx'd as a supposed anti-inflammatory. It is not anti-
inflammatory (I consider it the opposite) , and at best it just
blocks the eicosanoid receptors. That means it does not allow
inflammatory response at the receptors such as from eicosanoids from
inflammatory fats (trans fats, high amount meat fat) etc) - BUT it
also means it blocks good anti-inflammatory response at the receptors
such as from fish oil. So if your diet is anywhere close to decent,
the aspirin is dong more harm than good by blocking the good stuff
and blocking fish oil from opening blood vessels (and kidney vessels).
*More antistress activities (Walks in nature, yoga, exercise,
hobbies, jokes, whatever is fun)

Hope this helps.

Namaste,
Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

That is a misprint - I meant to write 1000 IU (one thousand)
.....Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

I've used low potencies of Allium sativum to deal with high spikes in blood pressure. It has worked well, but I don't think it's a long-term solution. That would have to be constitutional.
Peace,
Dale

Thank you, Shannon, Donna and Irene!!! My head is spinning with the
vast amount of knowledge I have been privy to here!!! I wrote down
all suggestions so that I can hopefully use/research/discuss them
knowledgeably at a later date. Do any of you practice
homeopathy/naturopathy via internet or phone?? There are NONE in
this area, the closest being Kansas City, which is not feasible for
us to drive there on a regular basis. (We live in Hutchinson, KS.)
Finances are a BIT of an issue for us right now, as we're self-
employed and our main account had an arson fire a few months ago and
just recently re-opened for business this week, but I have been
wanting to do this for several years now, but haven't found anyone I
felt I could trust so far, and I am very interested in discussing
this further, as business continues to pick up again. Hubby is a bit
of a stick-in-the-mud with my "way out" ideas, lol, but he usually
goes along with them without TOO much of a fuss, since they usually
work!! Anyway, if one of you do this type of treatment, please
contact me and hopefully we can work it out!! I also have some
things that need addressed myself, so I am not talking about free
advice here...I am talking about the "whole deal". I really
appreciate the time you all took to talk to me about this, and at
least I have some things to try if he gets one of his "spells" again,
until we can figure the whole thing out, and for that I am very
grateful!! Thank you, ladies!!

Love,
Bren
yorkiedog1012000@yahoo.com
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