Herbs & Supplements That May Lower Blood Pressure (2024)

FAQs

Herbs & Supplements That May Lower Blood Pressure? ›

That said, there are several promising herbs and spices you can incorporate into your diet that may help lower your blood pressure. They include basil, parsley, celery seeds, Chinese cat's claw, Bacopa monnieri, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, to name a few.

That said, there are several promising herbs and spices you can incorporate into your diet that may help lower your blood pressure. They include basil, parsley, celery seeds, Chinese cat's claw, Bacopa monnieri, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, to name a few.

Foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, selenium or L-arginine are good options if you're looking to lower your blood pressure. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage and can reduce inflammation, which, in turn, can keep blood pressure in control.

Potassium in the diet can lessen the effects of salt (sodium) on blood pressure. The best sources of potassium are foods, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements. Aim for 3,500 to 5,000 mg a day, which might lower blood pressure 4 to 5 mm Hg . Ask your care provider how much potassium you should have.

Since turmeric can lower blood pressure, it may have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs ( 10 ). Turmeric can aid digestion by increasing stomach acid levels, which may inhibit the effectiveness of antacids ( 10 ).

Magnesium intake of 500 mg/d to 1000 mg/d may reduce blood pressure (BP) as much as 5.6/2.8 mm Hg. However, clinical studies have a wide range of BP reduction, with some showing no change in BP.

Does ashwagandha increase your blood pressure? No, ashwagandha does not cause high blood pressure. In fact, research has shown that ashwagandha may actually help to lower blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. It may also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can also help to lower blood pressure.

Can B12 lower blood pressure? ›

Moreover, a higher plasma hom*ocysteine level has been linked with higher blood pressure. Dietary intake of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid has been reported to reduce the plasma hom*ocysteine level. These vitamins may have an influence on blood pressure levels by mediating the effects on the hom*ocysteine level.

Cinnamon May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

Cinnamon, in addition to being flavorful and associated with a number of health benefits, may also help reduce your blood pressure, according to a study published in April 2021 in the Journal of Hypertension.

Kunutsor et al suggested that supplementation with vitamin D significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.31 mm Hg in participants with preexisting cardiometabolic conditions (16).

Magnesium has been hypothesized to have a beneficial effect on hypertension by interacting with calcium (1, 2), reducing peripheral vascular resistance (1, 3, 4), increasing nitric oxide release (5) and endothelial prostaglandin I₂ secretion (2, 6), and enhancing the effect of antihypertensive medications (7).

In one analysis, after reviewing 12 clinical studies, researchers concluded that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg, without significant side effects.

Lemon drink contains traces of several minerals that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Calcium and potassium both can lower blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension. A study suggests that lemon water can help bring the number to the normal range immediately.

Some of the best teas for high blood pressure include chamomile, lavender, rose, and hibiscus. These teas are known for their ability to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. You can enjoy any of these teas by steeping them in hot water for a few minutes.

The researchers found that zinc affects the muscles, endothelial cells, and sensory nerves together, reducing the amount of calcium in the muscles and causing them to relax. This, in turn, results in increased blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Will apple cider vinegar lower my blood pressure immediately? No. Apple cider vinegar is not proven to lower blood pressure at all. Rather, it may work in a roundabout way by potentially promoting weight loss, supporting lower cholesterol levels, and improving blood sugar control.

What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure? ›

Salt or sodium

Salt, or specifically the sodium in salt, is a major contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease. This is because of how it affects fluid balance in the blood. Table salt is around 40 percent sodium. Some amount of salt is important for health, but it's easy to eat too much.

Using apple cider vinegar is one method people with high blood pressure used to manage the condition. It has become a popular natural remedy for high blood pressure and other health purposes, including lowering bad cholesterol and weight management.

Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Research has linked anthocyanins to a reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension. In more good news, berries are delicious!

The antioxidant compounds that are present in pure honey and cinnamon are closely linked to lower blood pressure.

Some studies suggest that ginger and turmeric could help decrease markers of inflammation, relieve chronic pain, reduce nausea, and improve immune function.

Ginger has been found to lower blood pressure, according to a 2019 meta-analysis in Phytotherapy Research. When taken long term, turmeric can also have blood pressure-lowering effects, per a 2019 review in Pharmacological Research.

Ginger may also help in decreasing high blood pressure by preventing the formation of blood clots in your arteries and blood vessels. Blood clots can restrict or prevent blood from flowing through your circulatory system, which can further lead to high blood pressure.

Magnesium taurate

Many doctors consider magnesium taurate⁹ the best supplement for people with hypertension (high blood pressure).

Multiple studies report modest reductions in blood pressure in people who take fish oil supplements. There's some evidence that the beneficial effects of fish oil might be greater for people with moderate to severe high blood pressure than for those with mild blood pressure elevation.

Risks. Talk to a doctor before using ashwagandha if you have any health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, bleeding disorders, ulcers, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Ashwagandha might interfere with thyroid tests. Stop taking ashwagandha two weeks before surgery.

What are the downsides of ashwagandha? ›

Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women. Climacteric.

A low vitamin D level may make a person more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes. These conditions are risk factors for heart disease. It's unclear whether a daily vitamin D supplement protects against heart attacks and strokes. It may only help those with severely low vitamin D levels.

Vitamin B6 might lower blood pressure. It has the potential to add to blood pressure-lowering effects of antihypertensive drugs and increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low.

For example, vitamin C may act as a diuretic, causing the kidneys to remove more sodium and water from the body, which helps to relax the blood vessel walls, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Honey has been linked to beneficial effects on heart health, including reduced blood pressure and blood fat levels.

Cinnamon and placebo groups presented different patterns of blood pressure changes over time. A statistically significant decrease in mean 24-hr SBP and mean day SBP was observed in the cinnamon group, while mean night SBP and mean night DBP were decreased significantly in the placebo group after 90 days.

Studies show that vitamin K2 can block the progression of arterial thickening and stiffening, therefore, blood pressure, and can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by up to 57%. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Who should not take magnesium? ›

People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.

Potassium and your diet

The recommended potassium intake for an average adult 19-50 years of age is 3,400 milligrams (mg) per day for men and 2,600 mg per day for women.

Risks. People with chronic diseases such as heart failure, liver problems, or diabetes should be wary of using this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

Recommended dosages range from 30 mg to 200 mg daily, depending on the manufacturer. Soft gel capsules are thought to be absorbed better than other formulations.

The data on CoQ10 and blood pressure is mixed, and most data suggests CoQ10 does not have an impact on heart rate [1,15]. Fish oil, however, has shown promising results in many research studies for lowering blood pressure and was shown to decrease heart rate in a few trials [10,16].

Blood Pressure

These can include heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, kidney problems, metabolic syndrome, and dementia. A 2019 review of 11 studies found that turmeric may have a role in reducing blood pressure in patients who take it for over 12 weeks.

“Consuming diets with adequate magnesium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension).

Studies show that ginger can reduce blood pressure and may be as effective as some typically used medications. Gingerol, a component of ginger, has been shown to suppress tumor growth in the lab.

The ingredients in golden milk, particularly ginger and cinnamon, may help lower blood sugar levels. For instance, 1–6 grams of cinnamon per day may lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%.

Who shouldn't take turmeric? ›

High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production. Cooking with turmeric shouldn't cause problems.

Garlic may help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels by up to 11.2 mm Hg. In some instances, garlic supplements may work as effectively as standard blood-pressure-lowering medications, with much fewer side effects.

Oatmeal is a great breakfast choice if you have high blood pressure, but oat bran can provide even more health benefits, since it's higher in fiber, which can help to lower blood pressure and improve digestive health. Oatmeal also contains soluble fiber, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.