Today, high blood pressure and its complications are one of the leading causes of death among     adults, especially in the middle age worldwide. High blood pressure is the most frequent reason for consultation to physicians and the most frequent reason for which medicines are prescribed.

Hypertension is the elevation of blood pressure up to and beyond a systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg and or diastolic blood pressure of 90mmmHg. Since, it is often diagnosed for the first time in middle age and usually without giving any symptom, it is fondly referred to as the silent killer.

Although the control of elevated BP or the treatment of hypertension is mostly emphasized to prevent complications such as stroke arising from a high blood pressure, that is not all about blood pressure.

Research has shown that following a healthy eating plan, which includes consumption of typical vegetarian’s diet, fiber-rich foods such as oat and apple as well as low in sucrose, the common table sugar, can both reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and lower an already elevated blood pressure.

But in addition to this is regular consumption of tea made from Citrus limetta, which experts have found effective in preventing a raised systolic blood pressure.

A high blood pressure reading is one that exceeds 140/90 millimetres of mercury. The first figure, the systolic pressure, corresponds to the ‘surge’ that occurs with each heart beat.

Citrus limetta is a species of citrus. Common names for varieties of this species include sweet limetta, Mediterranean sweet lemon, sweet lemon, and sweet lime.

It is a small tree which may reach 8 m in height. The sweet lemon has irregular branches, and relatively smooth, brownish-grey bark. It possesses numerous thorns. The petioles of the sweet lemon are narrowly but distinctly winged. Its flowers are white in bud and in bloom the petals soon fall away, leaving the fruit to grow.

The skin of the fruit is light yellow at maturity; the rind is white and about 5 mm thick. The pulp is greenish and the juice is sweet rather than acidic.

The fruit of the sweet lemon is edible, and contains essential oils. The tree is used for ornamental purposes or for graft stock.  In Iran, it is particularly used to treat flu and cold. The fruit has high levels of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Investigating the effectiveness of water extract of Citrus limetta, researchers reported that different concentrations of the aqueous extract prevented the raise of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure.

They wrote: “Citrus limetta Risso is used as antihypertensive treatment. In this evaluation, different concentrations of the C. limetta leaves aqueous extract prevented the hypertensive effect of Ang II.”

The researchers according to this study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, declared that high concentration (500 and 1000 mg/kg) of water extract of C. limetta had a similar effect to a common antihypertensive prescribed in the hospital to control high blood pressure.

Fortunately, Citrus limetta Risso, currently in wide use in Mexico for healing purposes, inclusive of hypertension, they submitted, is safe and not toxic in trials done in rats under laboratory conditions.

Previously, studies have documented the use of Citrus limetta in the management of febrile illnesses in Rivers State. According to the study published in the West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research, members of the Kaani and Boue, in Rivers State identified lime juice as one of the herbal medicines for the treatment of febrile illnesses.

But still many remain unaware of the health benefits that this little citrus fruit can provide. Lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C and Potassium, both of which are found lacking in a high blood pressure patient and both of which help to control blood pressure and increase the level of good cholesterol in the blood. The high potassium content also helps those suffering from heart problems immensely as potassium helps in maintaining a normal heart function.

Lemon juice also helps with mental stress. Lemon juice, with its high levels of Vitamin C, helps to reduce stress and depression. Individuals with a weak immune system are prone to losing Vitamin C from their bodies whenever they are faced with stress. Fresh lime juice when applied on the gums helps in reducing tooth ache and to stop gums from bleeding.

Gargling with lemon juice has been proved to help with the curing of throat related infections such as sore throat, oral ulcers and tonsillitis, and drinking lime juice helps the body to loose more water through urination. This, coupled with the detoxification properties of lemon juice, makes it excellent natural choice for treating urinary tract infections.

Curry leaf not only makes a dish palatable but also adds flavour and nourishment. Curry leaves are also very helpful in controlling blood pressure. Take between 35 and 40 green leaves with one cup of warm water. It is effective treatment for hypertension.

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