Blood Pressure Herbal Medicine

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HERBAL APPROACHES FOR BLOOD PRESSURE

When managing patients with cardiovascu­lar issues, there are multiple factors to consider. I look at a person’s lifestyle—including but not limited to nutrition status, exercise habits, envi­ronment, work stress, relationship stresses and other factors—as well as current medications or supplements that could be contributing to a patient’s cardiovascular concerns. The body is a multifaceted system that requires nuance when creating a healthy heart protocol.

In my thirteen years of practice, I have encountered both hypotension (low blood pres­sure) and hypertension (high blood pressure), and both are issues that can significantly affect one’s quality of life. Most often, however, I see hypertension, and a good chunk of that is related to poor nutrition from the Standard American Diet. Other major offenders are the overworked, always busy, anxiety-laden American culture as well as the sedentary lifestyle that has become typical for most Americans.

Conventional medicine’s answer to lifestyle diseases is often to treat them with medications that further abuse the person’s body; meanwhile, they receive little to no education about non-pharmaceutical strategies to help them improve their situation. Not all of this is the fault of doc­tors or other conventional health care workers, many of whom are trapped in a broken health care system that tends to value money over health. I can’t think of a single doctor friend or colleague who started medical school saying, “I sure would love to work sixty to eighty hours a week, not take care of myself and also not help my patients”—not a single one! We all want to help others, but with the high cost of medical education, the intense demands of the conven­tional system, insurance companies denying basic preventive care and little time to pivot to learn the business skills needed to launch a private practice—well, no wonder we are a sick and broke nation.

When I sit with a patient, I try to understand who they are. What is their intention in asking for my help? What are they willing or able to do? What is their timeline (and also, what is a realistic timeline)? What is their biochemistry saying? What story does their body tell me? What is the condition of their spirit? From there, we create a plan together that they can consis­tently follow so that they experience steady improvements over time.

FOOD AS MEDICINE

The first thing I often look at is food. We all have to eat every day, so why not “make thy food thy medicine”? I generally suggest a well-rounded diet that offers an array of antioxidants, micronutrients, fiber and more to support the gut microbiome and other metabolic processes in the body. For blood pressure management, I generally recommend that patients incorporate fresh garlic, onions, fresh culinary herbs, ghee, colorful veggies (greens!) and fruits (especially berries) into their diet.

Sulfur compounds and quercetin (a flavo­noid) are two constituents in onions (especially red onions) that have been found to be beneficial for blood pressure.^1,2 In addition to quercetin and other flavonoids, diarylheptanoids such as curcumin are another group of neuroprotective plant chemicals.³ The plant with the largest amount of curcumin is turmeric.

HERBS FOR HYPERTENSION

In addition to changes in lifestyle and diet, I often use plants and herbs to support individuals seeking non-pharmaceutical ways to manage blood pressure. Some of the most commonly used substances include garlic, hibiscus, basil, cinnamon, hawthorn, Indian snakeroot, nettle and linden.

CASE STUDY #1: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

To illustrate how I use some of these sub­stances, I will describe a former patient whom I will call “Joe” (not his real name). Currently sixty-three years old, Joe came to my office in 2015 after suffering a cardiovascular injury from a horrible drug interaction. In the early 1990s, he ended up in the emergency room for a blood clot in his lower leg, which had developed after a great deal of driving for his job. Formerly, he had been an avid long-distance cyclist. Dur­ing his hospital stay, he was given a dose of the anticoagulant heparin, which he initially tolerated. However, when he had a recurrence of the blood clot and was given a second dose of heparin, he had a severe allergic reaction. This eventually caused severe damage to the vessels of his lower leg where the blood clot was located, as well as venous insuf­ficiency. With the onset of gangrenous infection, his doctors determined that the best course of action was to amputate the leg.

Joe did not let this hold him back but got his life back on track, including adding in exercise as he became comfortable with his new prosthetic and becoming an advocate for others who had lost a limb. However, when he arrived at my office in 2015, he was struggling with a bit of congestive heart failure, poor venous return (due to collateral damage from the heparin incident) and hypertension. Measuring his blood pressure with a standard blood pressure cuff on the left arm, his blood pressure was 145/95.

Taking his medical history, I learned that many of the medications he was taking were not working well and were also causing side effects. In addition to a drug used to prevent blood clots called Plavix (which he needed to stay on due to the severity of the stasis in his remaining limb), he was taking a variety of supplements (vitamin D3, vitamin E, a vitamin B-complex, omega-3s and magnesium).

I created an herbal tincture for him that I called the “Bless Your Heart” formula (I like to name my tinctures with intention). It con­tained Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senti­cosus), Indian snakeroot, pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), hawthorn and night-blooming cactus (Selencicereus grandiflorus). I prescribed two full droppers two to three times daily. At Joe’s second visit three weeks later, his blood pressure had dropped to 138/80. I tweaked the formula, adding to the five initial components linden and gotu kola (Centella asiatica),¹² again prescribing two full droppers taken two to three times daily.

The intention behind both formulas was to help move blood out of the heart (called the ejection fraction), improve lymphatic drainage due to damage by the heparin, reduce stress on the heart and help his kidneys produce the enzymes needed to control his blood pressure. After taking the second formula, his blood pressure dropped to and stabilized at 124/80 for many years. Although he subsequently moved out of state, we are still in touch; most recently, he reported still doing very well, including dropping thirty pounds, cycling and kayaking weekly and practicing good nutrition and hydra­tion. I would add that his remarkable ability to maintain a positive attitude despite his bad luck probably played into his health picture as well.

Best Chinese Herb For High Blood Pressure

CASE STUDY #2: HYPOTENSION

Again, a case study may be helpful in il­lustrating the use of herbs for hypotension. A patient I will call “Lisa” (not her real name) is a forty-seven-year-old who had gastrointestinal concerns, anxiety and thyroid issues that caused her heart to go into tachycardia (fast heart­beat); this would also trigger atrial fibrillation (arrhythmia). She often ended up in a vicious cycle where the cardiovascular symptoms would trigger anxiety, which would then make the cardiovascular symptoms even more intense.

For two to three years, Lisa had struggled with bouts of what was diagnosed as Covid and, secondarily, pneumonia, conventionally ad­dressed through a series of drugs that included steroids, antacids, anti-anxiety medications and more. All of this resulted in brain fog and depression as well as causing her heart to hypo­function. At times, her blood pressure dropped to 90/60 or lower. If she began to feel her heart flutter, it would lead to a cascade of panic and difficulty breathing. Even the smallest thing would set off her anxiety.

Lisa knew that something was really wrong, and due to all of the medication side effects, she eventually sought out an alternative. I ordered some tests, looking at her thyroid levels, vitamin D3 levels, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, iron panel and a few other items.

First, we agreed that she needed some options for managing her anxi­ety. Because Lisa had received antibiotics for her pneumonia, I suspected that some of her anxiety was related to gut dysbiosis, and that was one of the things we addressed. To further help with the anxiety, I also gave her some natural supports (L-theanine, holy basil, passionflower, kava kava) to manage GABAnergic receptors. In addition, we looked at her neurotransmitters (via something called a DUTCH test), which helped outline where things were biochemically out of balance. This took a couple of visits to nail down.

Our second step was to work on an herbal formula for her heart and thyroid. I also referred her to a cardiologist for an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to visualize what was happening in her heart and the severity of what was happening.

This case was somewhat tricky because some of the herbs to increase blood pressure can also trigger anxiety, so we started with herbs that would nourish and support the adrenergic system. This included licorice root infused in warm water to improve blood volume and potassium levels; the adrenal adaptogen Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus), which can help increase and decrease stimulation to the adrenergic system pending stressors in the environment; hawthorn to gently reduce anxiety while helping with ejection fraction; and the adaptogenic herb Rehmannia, which can also help improve resilience to stressors. In Chinese medicine, Rehmannia is often used for yin-deficiency (decreased vitality). Finally, Lisa received ginkgo, a plant extract that can help increase blood flow, tissue oxygenation and tissue nutrition.

Varying all of these factors, we were able to reduce Lisa’s overall anxiety to a manageable level, reduce her atrial fibrillation and eliminate the tachycardia. To this day, her blood pressure is in the vicinity of 110/70.

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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

In addition to lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments and herbs, managing blood pressure effectively may sometimes benefit from the judicious use of certain supplements.

For hypertension, beneficial supplements may include omega-3 fatty acids (shown to reduce blood pressure, improve heart health, lower triglyc­erides and reduce inflammation); coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (an antioxidant that plays a vital role in energy production within cells and also is linked to lower blood pressure levels); magnesium (helps regulate blood pressure and supports vascular health) and potassium (best obtained from dietary sources like bananas, oranges and sweet potatoes).

For hypotension, potentially appropriate supplements include vitamin B12 which is essential for red blood cell production and can help prevent anemia, which may contribute to low blood pressure. Vegetarians and older adults, in particular, may be deficient in B12. Careful use of licorice root extract in supplement form can help raise blood pressure by increas­ing sodium retention in the kidneys, but again, it should be used cautiously and under the guidance of a health care provider. Finally, ginger can be taken as a supplement, consumed in tea or used in cooking to improve circulation and support blood pressure levels.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating herbs can be a natural way to help manage both hypertension and hypoten­sion. However, it is essential to consult with a health care provider before starting any herbal regimen, especially for those who are on medi­cation for blood pressure issues.

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SIDEBARS

HERBS FOR HYPERTENSION

GARLIC (Allium sativum): Regular consumption of garlic, whether raw or in supplement form, may aid with hyperten­sion. Garlic is well-known for its cardiovascular benefits.⁴ Garlic contains allicin, which has been shown to help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. Garlic also may inhibit RAAS (the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system), which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. Some studies show that it can reduce proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), with the effect of reducing blood pressure and vascular tone.

HIBISCUS (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Drinking hibiscus tea regularly may provide benefits for heart health.⁵ Hibiscus tea has been shown to have a mild antihypertensive effect. Studies suggest that the compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids) in hibiscus can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum): Basil is not only a culinary herb but also an herb with potential antihypertensive properties. It contains compounds that may help lower stress hormones, leading to reduced blood pressure levels. Incorporating fresh basil into meals can be a delicious way to support blood pressure management.

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum verum): Cinnamon is another herb that may contribute to lowering blood pressure.⁶ Its antioxidants can help improve blood vessel function, and adding it to oneʼs diet can also enhance overall health.

HAWTHORN (Crateagus spp.): Hawthorn has traditionally been used to treat mild hypertension.⁷ I like to incorporate this in a tincture, as it is pleasant tasting, adds antioxidants and helps dilute more potent herbs like Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia). This herbʼs mechanism of action is to enhance nitric oxide production, which relaxes the blood vessel walls.

INDIAN SNAKEROOT (Rauwolfia serpentina spp.): This is a very potent herb to lower blood pressure;⁸ it does not take much to do so, so I use this herb with caution. It works on the nervous system via the alkaloid reserpine, which binds to catecholamine in the nerve cells, thus lowering blood pressure.⁹ It is also great for helping to reduce anxiety.

NETTLE (Urtica dioica): Nettle has several bioactive compounds that are rich in formic acid and flavonoids.¹⁰ It also has an effect on potassium and calcium channels, giving it a hypotensive effect, as well as diuretic properties that can be used to decrease blood pressure. More importantly, nettle has a positive effect on metabolic syndrome and diabetes, increasing insulin secretion and proliferation of pancreatic B-cells. Its anti-hyperlipidemia properties are another posi­tive quality, and nettle works as an antioxidant.

LINDEN (Tilea europea): Linden leaves and flowers can act as a vasodilator—a chemical reaction that dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It is classified as a hypotensive herb that has the flavonoid tiliroside, a compound that has been shown to reduce hypertension. This herb also makes a tasty tea!¹¹

Does Ginger Lower Blood Pressure Quickly

HERBS FOR HYPOTENSION
Although I less commonly encounter low blood pressure, there are four herbs that can help in this situation: licorice root, ginger, rosemary and ginseng.

LICORICE ROOT (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice root is known to raise blood pressure levels due to its glycyrrhizin content, which can increase cortisol levels in the body.¹³ However, it should be used with caution and only for short periods, as excessive use can lead to adverse effects. Licorice root powder can be infused with warm water. This herb is also used widely as an adrenal support as it helps stimulate the adrenal cortex. This can be a great choice if you struggle with low blood pressure, experience poor blood circulation and deal with stress. However, if your blood pressure is high, I would avoid this herb, even in candy form.

GINGER (Zingiber officinale): Ginger is often used to stimulate circulation and improve blood flow, which can help those suffering from low blood pressure. It can be consumed fresh, as a tea or in supplement form.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis): This aromatic herb may help improve circulation and stimulate blood flow, poten­tially aiding those with hypotension.¹⁴ Rosemary can be used in cooking or brewed as a tea.

GINSENG (Panax ginseng): Ginseng is known for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body adapt to stress.¹⁵ It has been associated with boosting energy levels and potentially increasing blood pressure in individuals with low readings. It can tonify the blood vessels (vasoconstriction), which can help with blood stagnation.

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REFERENCES

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8. Shah SMA, Naqvi SAR, Munir N, et al. Antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic activity of aqueous methanolic extract of Rauwolfia Serpentina in albino rats. Dose Response. 2020 Jul 24;18(3):1559325820942077.
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11. Wartenberg L. 8 surprising benefits of linden tea. Healthline, updated Jul. 24, 2023.
12. Astutik FEF, Zuhroh DF, Ramadhan MRL. The effect of gotu kola (Centella asiatica L.) tea on blood pressure of hypertension. Enfermería Clínica. 2021 Apr;31(Suppl 2):S195-S198.
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15. Chen IJ, Chang MY, Chiao SL, et al. Korean red ginseng improves blood pressure stability in patients with intra­dialytic hypotension. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:595271.

This article appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Spring 2025

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