The Use of Bay Leaf Decoction to Lower Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension in the Service Area of the Lueng Bata Community Health Centre Banda Aceh

Abstract

Abstract: Hypertension is a clinical condition characterized by systolic blood pressure (SBP) ?140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ?90 mmHg after repeated blood pressure measurements. Bay leaves (Syzgyium Polyanthum) can be used as an effective non-pharmacological treatment to minimize the recurrence of hypertension. This study aims to apply bay leaf decoction to lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension. A descriptive study design was used. Data collection techniques included interviews and observations before and after therapy. The instruments used in this study were assessment sheets, observation sheets, SOPs for blood pressure measurement, and SOPs for administering bay leaf decoction. This study was conducted on two respondents with grade 1 hypertension, subject I was a 38-year-old woman and subject II was a 45-year-old woman. The results showed that blood pressure before intervention in subject I was 140/90 mmHg down to 120/80 mmHg and in subject II was 150/100 mmHg down to 130/80 mmHg. The blood pressure results after intervention in subject I were 120/80 mmHg and in subject II were 130/80 mmHg. This study proves that the use ofbay leaf decoction is effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This study is expected to be used as one of interventions in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients.