Everyone, however, should reduce salt and fat in their diets.

1. Removing heat from the liver is the priority for those with over-active yang energy in the liver.

Doctors recommend herbs like tian ma (rhizoma gastrodiae) and xia ku cao (spica prunellae), foods like celery, cucumber and green vegetables, and teas with chrysanthemum and gouqi (Chinese wolfberries).

2. Strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness are essential to raise blood pressure of those with phlegm-dampness obstruction.

Yi mi (Chinese barley, or Job's tears), shan yao (yams), and hyacinth bean are recommended.

3. Nourishing yin energy to reduce pathogenic heat is the principle in treating hypertension with hyperactive yang energy and deficient yin energy. Chrysanthemum and gouqi can help reduce heat while jujubes, lily root and turtle can help nourish yin.

4. Patients with deficient yin and yang energies require nourishing both energies.

Gui fu ba wei wan, a Chinese patent drug consisting of eight herbs, is strongly advised as it nourishes yin and strengthens yang.

American Ginseng, worm grass (dong chong xia cao, also known as cordyceps and pinkroot), and lily roots can help.

Yet, Dr He cautions that Chinese medicine, including herbs, teas, and foods, take time to work.

Patients who are taking Western medication for high blood pressure should not quit while taking Chinese medicine.

"Hypertension can be very dangerous as it can lead to stroke and paralysis," says Dr He.

"Keeping blood pressure down and under control is the first priority for all patients.

He usually advises patients to take herbs to relieve dizziness and headache, and help protect organs that can be injured by high blood pressure - while they control blood pressure with Western medicine.''

Hypertension patients should eat a bland diet, stop smoking and not drink strong alcohol.

Exercise like jogging is good, but patients should avoid vigorous sports and try to keep a calm mood, especially in cold weather.

Acupuncture by professionals or acupressure by yourself can help relieve symptoms.

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