Definition: The pressure exerted by blood upon the walls of the arteries, depending upon the force of the heart beat, the elasticity of the vessel walls, the resistance of the capillary network and the volume and viscosity of the blood. In Back to Eden, we find the following: Blood pressure shows the contractile powers of the heart and resistance of the blood vessels. The blood pressure increases every two years about one degree. The normal blood pressure is approximately 125 and at sixty it is 140. Persons who are weak physically have a slightly lower pressure. Those who exercise have higher blood pressure The old accepted routine of taking the blood pressure count has been 100 systolic plus the age, wherein a person of thirty years, it was felt, should have a normal blood pressure of 130, and a person of forty a blood pressure of 140, etc. But this is very erroneous, because at any age heavy meat eaters will have a higher blood pressure than vegetarians. There is actually no hard and fast rule on blood pressure. Symptoms: Excessive pressure is exerted on the valves and the pumping muscles of the heart. A pressure is also exerted on the functioning lifelines in the body--the arteries, the capillaries, etc. This condition is characterized by a red or flushed complexion, excess weight, discomfort, and sometimes skin pallor. High blood pressure is the result of improper living habits which cause a rundown condition in the body. Cause: High Blood Pressure: There is a thickening of the blood from catarrhal and excess glutinous and fibrinous matters loading the circulatory system. Generally there is a clogging of the bowel with putrid body waste, making it necessary to cleanse the excretory systems in order to purify the blood. Low blood and high blood pressure are both due to malfunction of the circulatory system. High blood pressure in many cases works just like low blood pressure. Cholesterol must be eliminated from the system in order to get the blood flowing more freely. The condition is brought about by improper diet, insufficient rest and exercise and a lack of vitality within the system. Herbal Aids: 1. High Blood Pressure: With high blood pressure, cholesterol and mucus form a sludge within the body. Avoid the mucus-forming foods and take herbs that act as a solvent by liquefying impurities such as cayenne, garlic or sassafras. Take cayenne, working up to a teaspoon three times a day. This increases the power of the heart and corrects the circulation problems. Garlic in copious amounts will bring down high blood pressure. Pure tomato juice is very good as a nutritional and a medicinal herb. Wheat germ oil is excellent for feeding the heart and helps cut the cholesterol and smoothens its removal from the area. Avoid the use of liquor and tobacco, do not keep late hours, and avoid over-tiredness and worry. There is an intricate inter-relationship between ones living habits and his body condition. 2. Low Blood Pressure: More oxygen is needed to correct this condition. Garlic is a good oxygen carrier. One of the greatest aids for low or high blood pressure because of oxygen starvation is deep breathing, which serves as a catalyst and helps the herbs react more rapidly. An immediate increase in circulation may be obtained by the use of cayenne and non mucus-forming foods. Grape juice as well as other juices rebuild and give endurance to the system. 3. Shock: Cayenne should be taken internally to equalize the blood pressure and insure that the internal functions will remain stabilized during the intense systemal distress.