The best way to reduce blood pressure without medication is to “adhere to the low-salt DASH diet, which is high in fiber, low in fats and incorporates lots of fruits and vegetables, and follow an exercise and weight loss regimen.” The same article also lists some supplements that may help. (More here on the DASH diet.)

Dr. Andrew Weil’s recommendations include quitting smoking, getting more exercise (more here and here, especially swimming), practicing relaxation techniques, and eating a healthy diet, including calcium, magnesium and vitamin C.

RealAge.com recommends eating more bananas, oatmeal, grape juice, whole-wheat pasta, berries, dark chocolate, yogurt, flaxseeds, beet juice (more here) and plant protein, and drinking less soda.

Other possibilities are

Eating more garlic, watermelon, blueberries, potatoes (especially purple potatoes more here), hot pepper, and walnuts or walnut oil;

Ingesting milk or soy proteins, especially whey protein;

Drinking hibiscus flower tea;

Avoiding air pollution as well as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, except black tea;

Getting more potassium (more here);

Taking a supplement with L-citrulline;

Deep breathing;

Meditation and other spiritual practices;

Petting a pet animal; laughing and listening to music (more here on laughter); and taking time off.

And if none of that works, there are affordable generic medications.