Cardiovascular

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure that stays higher than normal. It often causes no symptoms but raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, so it needs diagnosis and regular checks by a health professional. Don't stop or replace prescribed blood pressure medicine with herbs.

Heart and blood vessel problems can be serious. These herbs are listed because people have traditionally used them or researchers have studied them, not because they're proven treatments. Don't use them in place of medicine your doctor prescribed, and check with your doctor or pharmacist first: several can interact with heart, blood pressure and blood-thinning medicines.

36 herbs

Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.

AkuammaPicralima nitida
Used traditionally for high blood pressure, and lowered it in animal studies. Not tested in people.
Avocado LeafPersea americana
Traditionally used for high blood pressure in the Caribbean. It lowered blood pressure in rats but hasn't been tested in people.
BeetrootBeta vulgaris
A 2013 review of 16 short trials found beetroot juice lowered the top number by about 4 points.
Black GarlicAllium sativum
Two small trials of a black garlic extract found slightly lower blood pressure, mainly the bottom number. Staff of the company that makes the extract worked on both.
Black SeedNigella sativa
A 2016 review of 11 trials found it lowered blood pressure by about 3 points.
CardamomElettaria cardamomum
A 2023 review of 8 trials found a slight drop in blood pressure; few studies.
CeraseeMomordica charantia
A common traditional remedy for high blood pressure in Jamaica. This use hasn't been confirmed by research.
CilantroCoriandrum sativum
One human study linked 2 g of coriander seed powder a day to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
CleaversGalium aparine
A traditional folk use. Not tested in trials.
CocoaTheobroma cacao
A 2017 Cochrane review found flavanol-rich cocoa lowered blood pressure by about 2 points.
Corn SilkZea mays
Limited, low-quality trials suggest corn silk tea may add to the effect of blood pressure medicine.
Duppy GunRuellia tuberosa
Used in Southeast Asian folk medicine for high blood pressure. This use hasn't been tested in people.
FlaxseedLinum usitatissimum
A review of trials found flaxseed lowered blood pressure slightly, especially whole seeds eaten for 12 weeks or more.
Gambir Hook VineUncaria rhynchophylla
A traditional Chinese herb for high blood pressure with headache and dizziness; lowered blood pressure in animal studies. Clinical evidence is limited.
GarlicAllium sativum
Research suggests garlic supplements may lower blood pressure a little in people with high blood pressure. Also a common traditional remedy for high blood pressure in Jamaica.
Gastrodia Elata RhizomeGastrodia elata
Traditionally used for high blood pressure; lowered it in animal studies. Not well tested in trials.
GingerZingiber officinale
A traditional use. Not tested in trials.
GinsengPanax ginseng
A review of 17 trials found ginseng didn't raise or lower blood pressure.
Grape SeedVitis vinifera
A 2022 review of 19 studies found it lowered the bottom number of blood pressure, but not the top number.
GugguluCommiphora wightii
In one small 6-week trial, guggul extract lowered blood pressure compared with no treatment, and worked better combined with nifedipine.
HibiscusHibiscus sabdariffa
Reviews of trials found hibiscus tea or extract lowered blood pressure, though many trials were small or of poor quality.
Jamaican Rat EarsPeperomia pellucida
Reviews report it lowered blood pressure in studies, but the research is limited.
LindenTilia cordata
Traditionally used for high blood pressure linked to nervous tension. This use hasn't been confirmed by research.
Mauby BarkColubrina arborescens
In a very small 2-week study, blood pressure fell in some people drinking mauby. Bigger studies are needed. It may interact with warfarin.
MoringaMoringa oleifera
A review of 8 trials found it lowered blood pressure modestly.
MotherwortLeonurus cardiaca
One small, short study suggested it may lower blood pressure in people with anxiety, but firm conclusions can't be drawn.
Olive LeafOlea europaea
In an 8-week trial in people with mildly high blood pressure, olive leaf extract lowered it about as much as captopril. Don't replace prescribed medicine without your doctor's advice.
ParsleyPetroselinum crispum
A traditional use. Not tested in trials.
PomegranatePunica granatum
Pomegranate juice or extract may help lower blood pressure, but more research is needed.
ReishiGanoderma lucidum
A Cochrane review found reishi didn't lower blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.
Scutellaria BaicalensisScutellaria baicalensis
Listed for high blood pressure in the 1593 Compendium of Materia Medica. Not tested on its own in trials.
Search Mi HeartRhytidophyllum tomentosum
Traditionally used in Jamaica for high blood pressure.
SerpentinaRauvolfia serpentina
Its compound reserpine lowered systolic blood pressure by about 8 points in a Cochrane review, but it can cause depression. Don't use it without your doctor.
SoybeanGlycine max
Soy isoflavones may lower blood pressure a little.
SusumberSolanum torvum
Traditionally used for high blood pressure in Bangladesh, and it affected blood pressure in animal studies. It hasn't been tested in people.
Sword PlantEchinodorus grandiflorus
Used for high blood pressure in Brazilian folk medicine. Leaf extracts lowered blood pressure in rats; not tested in people.