Neem – A Natural Remedy for Hypertension

A very common disease with equal distribution worldwide. It is more commonly known as blood pressure. In general terms blood pressure is that pressure or tension which blood exerts on its arterial wall while flowing through it. Normal value of blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg (systolic /diastolic) accepted worldwide. Term systolic means the pressure in the arteries as the heart contacts and pumps blood into the arteries and diastolic means minimum pressure to which the arteries are exposed.

Blood pressure value varies from person to person and from time to time. Blood pressure between 120/80 to 139/89 mmHg is called pre-hypertension stage i.e. the phase where it is not considered a disease but suggests as a risk factor.


Ayurvedic Treatment For Mild Hypertension:

Ayurvedic herbs, remedies, dietary suggestions and lifestyle management work best with mild hypertension. Every person can benefit from them and can hope to get rid of high blood pressure without taking any conventional medication.

Actually this is the first stage or first warning sign of a disorder that could literally cause havoc and dispose us to fatal conditions. Most people don’t feel any sign or symptom with hypertension that is why it is called ‘silent killer’.

This first stage warrants dietary and lifestyle modification. If we assume that we are able to control slightly raised blood pressure with natural herbs and at the same can indulge in unhealthy living and eating. That is wrong approach that will soon leave us helpless.

So focus your life for positive changes if you are able to notice blood pressure rise in early stage.


Ayurvedic Treatment For Moderate Hypertension:

Usually you must be taking some medication under some medical expert if your blood pressure levels are in this range. Or any doctor will ask you to follow medical regimen. And you should do the same. This will help to settle down the blood pressure level to normal or optimum levels.

Now there are two roads – one road leads to more and more drugs and despite that your blood pressure will rise with age and you will end up with more medication and their side effects.

The second road might lead you to freedom from raised blood pressure and resulting grave disorders. But, and it is a great but, here your commitment should be business like if you want to normalize blood pressure.

The practical advice is to follow ayurvedic remedies and lifestyle along with modern drugs. Your doctor should be aware of this option so that if you would be having improvement, he could adjust your drugs.

Most of ayurvedic or herbal remedies don’t have any serious side effects or drug interactions. There is almost never any life threatening incidence.


Ayurveda's Preventive Approach For High Blood Pressure:

This is the really preventive and beautiful aspect of Ayurveda. If you feel that you have many risk factors of hypertension – smoking, fatty foods, obesity, sedentary habits, family history and like – you should proactively bring about positive changes in your life.

You can also proactively use ayurvedic herbal remedies to keep away high blood pressure from you. Ideally by making healthier adjustment, one can keep away high blood pressure or can realistically hope to be free from severe hypertension.


Neem Tea For Hypertension / High Blood Pressure

There have been several studies examining the effect of neem leaves and neem leaf ingredients on blood pressure, blood clots and cholesterol levels. (Please note that most such studies are done on animals, not people).

Some of the studies showed positive results on high blood pressure. It is not clear if those results are due to a calming effect as seen in other herbal teas, or if it is due to a dilation of the blood vessels as observed for some neem ingredients.

The fact that intravenous application of a certain neem leaf extract has shown a significant drop in blood pressure, does not mean that neem tea is a wonder cure. It may be of benefit, but it certainly does not eliminate the need to make lifestyle changes. Neem tea will not eliminate the need to get off the lounge and get moving.

Often people who are struggling with high blood pressure are taking medication. Neem leaves and neem tea contain active substances that may interact with that medication. Anybody who is on any medication should talk to their doctor before starting any self experiments.

Neem tea is made like other herbal teas, by pouring hot water over the leaves and letting them steep. It is extremely bitter.

If you feel you would like to try neem tea, we suggest you do so carefully and closely observe your reaction to it. Let common sense rule and do not expect miracles. If used sensibly, neem tea may benefit you.

Credit: http://www.productosdeneem.com/neem-hipertension2.htm

DON'T LET KIDNEY FAILURE KILL YOU: Caring for Kidneys

Here are several science-supported methods of caring for your kidneys and reducing your risk of kidney disease:

1.Avoid smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

2.Maintain normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

3.Keep your cholesterol in check.

4.Drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses daily).

5.Stay at a healthy weight.

THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THOSE COMMISSIONED INTO THE NIGERIAN ARMY!

There are 5 types of commission in the Nigerian Army (NA) - Not Armed Forces. They are:

1. Regular Combatant (RC). Training takes 5 years.
2. Short Service Combatant (SSC). Training takes 6 - 9 months.
3. Direct Regular Combatant (DRC). Now attained on conversion from DSSC.
4. Direct Short Service Combatant (DSSC). Training takes 6 - 9 months.
5. Executive Commission (EC). Training takes 2 - 3 months.

Details of such commissions are to be found in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of
Service (TACOS) for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces but a summary goes thus:

RC and SSC are combatants, trained to fight battles. Others are not meant to be combatants.
Both SSC and DSSC are of relatively short durations (not more than 12 years I think,
excluding extension of service) and must convert to RC and DRC respectively to enjoy a
longer career. Theoretically, RCs and DRCs can rise to become generals ie Brigadier Generals,
Major Generals etc. (Remember the pyramid structure? The higher it gets, the smaller it
becomes. In other words, many are called but only a few are chosen). DRCs are mainly
professionals - surgeons, pharmacists, chaplains, surveyors etc. - and are usually not found
in the core combat arms of Infantry, Armour and Artillery but are be found in the Army Engineers
and Signals. ECs are made up of former soldiers and do not usually exceed the rank of Major.

There are varying criteria for the various commissions. In reality the advantage is more on
the side of those who were originally RCs than those who were originally SSCs in terms of age,
rank, numbers etc. However, anything can happen, for instance Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.)
rose to become Chief of Army Staff (COAS) even though he wasn't originally an RC.

Although DRCs may never become COASs or General Officers Commanding (GOCs), they can apart from
being Staff Officers also hold command posts in corps or services in which they predominate.
These include Education, Medical and Finance among others.

Life in the Army here in Nigeria can be promising, particularly now that efforts have been made
to consolidate emoluments but achievement of success or wealth in the Army (here in Nigeria as well
as is in other countries) is a product of motivation and determination. If you want to live well,
you will. If you don't, you won't. The choice is really yours!


For RC or DRC, mininum years of service is about 15 years and life as a cadet can be quite strenuous.
Generally, training is in the Infantry Corps Centre and School (ICCS), Jaji, Kaduna State. As for the
DSSs and ECs, their training is usually less strenuous, not as in NDA where RCs and SSCs are trained.
Cadets are usually humourously welcomed with the euphemism, "Unfortunate Nigerians, you will nearly die
but you will not die!" But you should survive if you are physically fit afterall, many have gone before
you. As a cadet, you are entitled to allowances which may not really cater for your family if you have one but could go a long way to help you sustain yourself.

If you wish to obtain more information on the Nigerian Army and the types of application forms available,
you can check with the Army Public Relations Department in any military barracks near you. For RC, you
need at least 5 credits including English and Mathematics. For SSC, DRC and DSSC, you must be a
graduate. Lawyers in the army are usually found in the Army Legal Services and the Military Police.
They can also be found in lesser numbers in other corps and services. As for your private practice,
it all depends on what type but you won't be expected to have your private practice as a lawyer alongside your military career.

Lastly, it is also noteworthy to say that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) now offers some post-graduate
courses for those in the military as well as for those not in the military.