As the weather gradually turns cooler, cold temperatures often lead to blood vessel constriction and significant blood pressure fluctuations, posing higher health risks for hypertension patients. Beyond staying warm, regularly monitoring blood pressure while adjusting medications, maintaining a balanced diet, properly managing emotions, adhering to physical exercise, and cultivating healthy lifestyle habits, we can also improve cardiovascular health and effectively regulate blood pressure by drinking specific health-preserving teas.

"Custom Blends" for Different Hypertension Syndromes

Herbal tea substitutes, known as "using herbs instead of tea," refer to selecting one or several types of traditional Chinese herbs, which are either decocted or steeped in boiling water for a few minutes before being slowly consumed as tea. The formulation of herbal tea substitutes follows the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), allowing for different herbal combinations tailored to individual constitutions and seasonal variations.

For example, those with a cold and deficient constitution should avoid cooling herbs, while those with a heat-prone constitution should avoid warming herbs. Comparatively, cooling herbs are more suitable for use in summer, whereas warming herbs are better suited for winter.

Corn Silk Tea – Diuretic and Blood Pressure-Lowering

Corn silk is derived from the style and stigma of the maize plant (Zea mays L.) from the Poaceae family. It is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and associated with the Bladder, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians. Known for its "natural promoting and draining properties," corn silk can promote diuresis, reduce swelling, eliminate dampness, and alleviate jaundice. By enhancing urine excretion, it aids in lowering blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration: 30g of corn silk (or 50-60g of fresh product), add 500ml of water, decoct slowly to concentrate into 250ml before consumption.

Indications: This formula is suitable for hypertensive patients with phlegm-dampness obstruction, particularly effective for those with concurrent edema and difficult urination.

Precautions: Avoid consumption before bedtime to prevent increased nocturnal urination.

Tangerine Peel and Hawthorn Tea - For Lipid Reduction and Blood Pressure Control

Dried tangerine peel is derived from the dried mature pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties in the Rutaceae family. With warm nature and pungent, bitter flavor, it enters the spleen and lung meridians. It regulates qi to strengthen the spleen, dries dampness, and resolves phlegm, primarily used to treat spleen-stomach qi stagnation, dampness obstruction in the middle jiao manifesting as epigastric distension, and cold-phlegm disorders. Hawthorn fruit comes from the dried ripe fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. or Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. in the Rosaceae family. Slightly warm in nature with sour and sweet flavors, it enters the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. It strengthens the spleen to promote appetite, resolves food stagnation, and activates blood circulation to remove stasis

Usage and Dosage: Take 10g of dried tangerine peel and 10g of hawthorn, decoct over low heat for 10 minutes or steep in boiling water for 15 minutes, then drink as tea substitute

Target Audience: This formula can assist in lowering blood lipids and blood pressure. It is suitable for hypertension patients with phlegm-stasis syndrome, particularly those with concurrent hyperlipidemia and obesity

Precautions: Use with caution in patients with weak spleen and stomach without stagnation or excessive gastric acid secretion.

Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Drink – Clearing Liver Heat to Lower Blood Pressure

Chrysanthemum is derived from the dried capitulum of Chrysanthemum morifolium (family Asteraceae). Slightly cold in nature with sweet and bitter taste, it enters the lung and liver meridians. It disperses wind-heat, subdues liver yang, clears liver heat to improve vision, and clears heat-toxins, demonstrating effects of calming liver and suppressing yang while clearing and descending liver fire. Cassia seeds come from the dried mature seeds of Cassia obtusifolia or Cassia tora (family Leguminosae). Slightly cold with sweet, bitter and salty taste, it enters the liver and large intestine meridians. It clears liver heat to brighten eyes, moistens intestines to relieve constipation, and can pacify and descend liver fire, often used to treat headaches and dizziness caused by liver fire hyperactivity.

Usage and dosage: 5g cassia seeds and 5g chrysanthemum, steep in 500ml boiling water for 15 minutes, then consume as herbal tea.

Indicated population: This formula is suitable for hypertension patients with liver fire hyperactivity pattern, accompanied by headaches, flushed face and red eyes, dark urine and constipation

Usage note: Not suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold or loose stools.

Precautions for herbal tea consumption

Herbal teas can only serve as auxiliary antihypertensive methods. The primary treatment for hypertension should involve regular use of antihypertensive medications, a balanced diet, and lifestyle adjustments. Moreover, the abovementioned herbal teas should be consumed only after professional evaluation by a physician for proper syndrome differentiation.

Do not consume herbal teas left overnight or stored for prolonged periods as they may spoil and cause diarrhea. Therefore, avoid drinking teas that have been left overnight or stored for extended durations.

Due to varying medicinal properties and individual constitutions, it is recommended to choose a suitable formula under the guidance of a physician.

Common Misconceptions in Hypertension Management During Autumn and Winter

Misconception 1: The more nutritional supplements in the diet, the better

Some patients believe that autumn and winter require tonic supplements, so they arbitrarily consume warming herbs such as ginseng and deer antler, or eat large amounts of heat-producing foods like lamb. Tonics like ginseng and deer antler may raise blood pressure and accelerate heart rate, especially for patients with liver yang hyperactivity (manifested as irritability, a flushed face, and bitter taste in the mouth), potentially triggering dizziness, nosebleeds, or even cerebral hemorrhage. Excessive intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods (such as hot pot or stewed meat) can easily elevate blood lipid levels and increase blood viscosity, raising the risk of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis. Winter supplementation should be tailored based on syndrome differentiation. For example: - Those with qi deficiency may moderately consume astragalus and yam; - Those with yin deficiency can opt for wolfberries and mulberries; - Those with yang deficiency may use cinnamon and ginger, but dosage should be controlled (for instance, cinnamon intake should not exceed 3 grams daily). A diet should follow the principles of low salt, low fat, and high fiber, emphasizing fresh vegetables (such as celery and carrots) and whole grains while avoiding indiscriminate supplementation.

Misconception 2: Random discontinuation of medication after symptom improvement

A common misconception in medication management is the belief that "once symptoms improve after taking medication, you can stop taking the drugs." In reality, although some cases of hypertension can alleviate symptoms through dietary adjustments or traditional Chinese medicine, from a modern medical perspective, it is considered a chronic condition requiring lifelong management. Patients who discontinue medication without medical supervision may experience rebound hypertension or even withdrawal syndrome (such as palpitations, sweating, or sudden blood pressure spikes). Therefore, hypertensive patients must strictly adhere to their doctor's prescriptions - even when blood pressure remains stable, they should not arbitrarily reduce or stop medication. Any dosage adjustment requires physician evaluation. Continuous medication is crucial for managing many chronic diseases, as consistent and regular drug use effectively controls the condition and reduces complications.

Misconception 3: You can skip exercise in winter

During autumn and winter, many people give up exercise due to the cold weather, which may lead to weight gain, slowed metabolism, and reduced blood pressure regulation. In fact, moderate exercise can improve the body's cold tolerance and enhance cardiopulmonary function, thereby reducing the risk of common colds and influenza during these seasons. Additionally, moderate exercise promotes blood circulation and has a positive effect on blood pressure regulation. When weather conditions are unfavorable, gentle indoor exercises can be chosen, such as Baduanjin, Tai Chi, yoga, or indoor brisk walking (80-100 steps per minute), 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes each session. Exercise times should avoid the early morning and evening low-temperature periods (recommended at 10 AM or 3 PM), with proper warm-up and stretching (such as rubbing hands or rotating ankles) before and after exercise.