The Effect of Abelmoschus Esculentus Infused Water Therapy for Hypertension

Abstract

Background: High blood pressure (hypertension) is an increase in blood pressure in the arteries which is characterized by a systolic more than 140 mmHg and a diastolic more than 90 mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension increase sharply, it is predicted that in 2025 around 29% of adults worldwide suffer from hypertension. The development of complementary therapies for hypertension has been widely developed, one of which is the use of the herbal okra. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a vegetable that has a very low calorie, contains 30 calories in 100 grams, does not contain saturated fat or cholesterol, a source of protein, vitamins and mineral, dietary fiber. It’s also contain large amounts of glycine which is responsible for the viscosity of suspension fluids and consistency so that it functions is to control cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.

Methods: The subject group was observed before the intervention, then observed again after the intervention. Data analysis using Wilcoxon sign rank test with p value = 0.05. The subject is human who has hypertension.

Results: The mean systolic blood pressure in the pretest was 150 mmHg, means diastolic pretest was 90 mmHg. The mean systolic after administration of infused water okra for 7 days was 141 mmHg and diastolic was 83 mmHg. The results of data analysis showed a systolic significance value of 0.000 and a diastolic significance of 0.001.

Conclusions:  From the results of the study, it can be concluded that the infusion of water okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) has potential antihypertensive activity