Uses

  • High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force that blood has on blood vessel walls. When it is too high it can damage blood vessels. This can lead to stress on the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure itself does not cause symptoms. However, it can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Health changes in diet, activity, and weight may reduce blood pressure. Others may need medicine to return to normal levels. Some natural treatments may help you lower blood pressure but should be used along with care plan made with your doctor. Do not replace standard treatments with natural ones.

Natural Therapies

Likely Effective

These supplements appear to lower blood pressure:

  • Beetroot juice B17, B25, B44
  • Berberine is a chemical found in certain plants. B26
  • Chitosan is a compound found in the shells of lobster, shrimp, and crab. D3
  • L-citrulline is an amino acid found in the body. D4, D5
  • Fiber is a substance in plants. A2, B34, B43
  • Flaxseed Oil comes from the tiny seeds of the flax plant D7, D8
  • Folate is a B vitamin that is found in foods and is also a supplement. B44
  • Garlic B1, B9, B14, B28
  • Ginseng is a plant that is often used in teas and sodas. D11, D12
  • Inorganic nitrates are found in leafy green foods, such as spinach and arugula. B25
  • Isoflavones are compounds found in many different plants. D9, D10
  • Lycopene is a compound found in tomato and grapefruit that is likely to lower blood pressure. D13
  • Magnesium is a mineral that helps steady blood pressure and other body tasks. B38, B44
  • Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep. B10, B44, D14
  • Nigella sativa (black seed) comes from a flowering plant in Asia. B39
  • Potassium is a mineral found in cells in the body. The body needs it to steady blood pressure. B16, B33
  • Quercetin is a compound that gives plants and foods their color. D16
  • Red yeast rice is a Chinese medicine from the product of yeast grown on white rice. B40, B42
  • Reserveratol is a compound found in grapes, peanuts, and wine. D17
  • Sea buckthorn is a tall plant with orange berries. D15
  • Sour tea (hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea) B7, B32
  • Vitamin C is found in foods and is also a supplement. It helps the body stay healthy. B15, B44

Other therapies that appear to help include:

  • Baduanjin/qigong is a Chinese workout used to aid health. C2, C5, C6, C9
  • Meditation C1, C8, C9
  • Tai Chi uses controlled, slow movements to aid physical and mental health. C3, C7
  • Yoga uses breath control, meditation, and poses to aid physical and mental health. C4, C9

These therapies appear helpful but by a small amount:

May Be Effective

These therapies may possibly lower blood pressure:

May Not Be Effective

Pomegranate is a fruit that may not lower blood pressure. A3, A5, A6

Unlikely to Be Effective

These therapies were not linked to lower blood pressure:

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

  • Red yeast rice can lower cholesterol. It may cause problems in people who also take cholesterol-lowering medicine. B46

References

Functional Foods

REFA1 Ried K, Sullivan T, et al. Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2010 Jun 28;8:39.

REFA2 Priebe MG, McMonagle JR. Effects of Ready-to-Eat-Cereals on Key Nutritional and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. PLoS One. 2016 Oct 17;11(10):e0164931. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164931. eCollection 2016. Review. PubMed PMID: 27749919; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5066953.

REFA3 Sahebkar A, Ferri C, et al. Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2017 Jan;115:149-161.

REFA4 Ried K, Fakler P, et al. Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Apr 25;4:CD008893.

REFA5 Moazzen H, Alizadeh M. Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: a Double-Blinded, Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2017 Jun;72(2):126-133.

REFA6 Gbinigie OA, Onakpoya IJ, et al. Evidence for the effectiveness of pomegranate supplementation for blood pressure management is weak: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Nutr Res. 2017 Oct;46:38-48.

Herbs and Supplements

REFB1 Ried K, Frank OR, et al. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2008 Jun 16;8:13.

REFB2 Kim JY, Gum SN, et al. Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial. Hypertens Res. 2008 Aug;31(8):1583-1588.

REFB3 Margolis KL, Ray RM, et al. Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial. Hypertension. 2008 Nov;52(5):847-855.

REFB4 Shimada M, Hasegawa T, et al. Anti-hypertensive effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-rich Chlorella on high-normal blood pressure and borderline hypertension in placebo-controlled double blind study. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2009 Jun;31(4):342-354.

REFB5 Ho MJ, Bellusci A, et al. Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Oct 7;(4):CD007435.

REFB6 McKay DL, Chen CY, et al. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. J Nutr. 2010 Feb;140(2):298-303.

REFB7 Li H, Liu LT, et al. Traditional Chinese versus integrative treatment in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2010 May;8(5):410-416.

REFB8 Drieling RL, Gardner CD, et al. No beneficial effects of pine bark extract on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Arch Intern Med. 2010 Sep 27;170(17):1541-1547.

REFB9 Ried K, Frank OR, et al. Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: a randomised controlled trial. Maturitas. 2010 Oct;67(2):144-150.

REFB10 Grossman E, Laudon M, et al. Effect of melatonin on nocturnal blood pressure: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2011;7:577-584.

REFB11 Susalit E, Agus N, et al. Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension: comparison with Captopril. Phytomedicine. 2011 Feb 15;18(4):251-258.

REFB12 Dong JY, Tong X, et al. Effect of soya protein on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2011 Aug;106(3):317-326.

REFB13 Schoones A, Visser J, et al. Pycnogenol ® (extract of French maritime pine bark) for the treatment of chronic disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Apr 18;(4):CD008294.

REFB14 Juraschek SP, Guallar E, et al. Effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 May;95(5):1079-1088.

REFB15 Stabler SN, Tejani AM, et al. Garlic for the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;(8):CD007653.

REFB16 Aburto NJ, Hanson S, et al. Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular risk factors and disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1378.

REFB17 Siervo M, Lara J, et al. Inorganic nitrate and beetroot juice supplementation reduces blood pressure in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nutr. 2013 Jun;143(6):818-826.

REFB18 Witham MD, Price RJ, et al. Cholecalciferol treatment to reduce blood pressure in older patients with isolated systolic hypertension: the VitDISH randomized controlled trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Oct 14;173(18):1672-1679.

REFB19 Ras RT, Zock PL, et al. Effect of polyphenol-rich grape seed extract on ambulatory blood pressure in subjects with pre- and stage 1 hypertension. Br J Nutr. 2013 Dec;110(12):2234-2241.

REFB20 Witham MD, Ireland S, et al. Vitamin D therapy to reduce blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in resistant hypertension: randomized, controlled trial. Hypertension. 2014 Apr;63(4):706-712.

REFB21 Miller PE, Van Elswyk M, et al. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Hypertens. 2014 Jul;27(7):885-896.

REFB22 Liu G, Mi XN, et al. Effects of tea intake on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2014 Oct 14;112(7):1043-1054.

REFB23 Wong RH, Garg ML, Wood LG, Howe PR. Antihypertensive potential of combined extracts of olive leaf, green coffee bean and beetroot: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Nutrients. 2014 Nov 5;6(11):4881-4894.

REFB24 Arora P, Song Y, et al. Vitamin D therapy in individuals with prehypertension or hypertension: the DAYLIGHT trial. Circulation. 2015 Jan 20;131(3):254-262.

REFB25 Kapil V, Khambata RS, et al. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension. 2015 Feb;65(2):320-327.

REFB26 Lan J, Zhao Y, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Feb 23;161:69-81.

REFB27 Yang J, Wang HP, et al. Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Lipids Health Dis. 2015 Feb 18;14:11.

REFB28 Xiong XJ, Wang PQ, et al. Garlic for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytomedicine. 2015 Mar 15;22(3):352-361.

REFB29 Khalesi S, Irwin C, et al. Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Nutr. 2015 Apr;145(4):758-765.

REFB30 Cormick G, Ciapponi A, et al. Calcium supplementation for prevention of primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jun 30;(6):CD010037.

REFB31 Pilz S, Gaksch M, et al. Effects of vitamin D on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized controlled trial. Hypertension. 2015 Jun;65(6):1195-1201.

REFB32 Serban C, Sahebkar A, et al. Effect of sour tea (hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2015 Jun;33(6):1119-1127.

REFB33 Binia A, Jaeger J, et al. Daily potassium intake and sodium-to-potassium ratio in the reduction of blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2015 Aug;33(8):1509-1520.

REFB34 Hartley L, May MD, et al. Dietary fibre for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jan 7;(1):CD011472.

REFB35 Park E, Edirisinghe I, et al. Effects of grape seed extract beverage on blood pressure and metabolic indices in individuals with pre-hypertension: a randomised, double-blinded, two-arm, parallel, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2016 Jan 28;115(2):226-238.

REFB36 Ho MJ, Li EC, et al. Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Mar 3;3:CD007435.

REFB37 Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, et al. Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;35(3):615-625.

REFB38 Zhang X, Li Y, et al. Effects of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):324-333.

REFB39 Sahebkar A, Soranna D, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2016 Nov;34(11):2127-2135.

REFB40 Lockyer S, Rowland I, et al. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2017;56(4):1421-1432.

REFB41 Qi D, Nie X, et al. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on hypertension in non-CKD populations: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2017 Jan 15;227:177-186.

REFB42 Xiong X, Wang P, et al. The effects of red yeast rice dietary supplement on blood pressure, lipid profile, and C-reactive protein in hypertension: A systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Jun 13;57(9):1831-1851.

REFB43 Khan K, Jovanovski E, et al. The effect of viscous soluble fiber on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Jan;28(1):3-13.

REFB44 Wong AP, Kassab YW, et al. Review: Beyond conventional therapies: Complementary and alternative medicine in the management of hypertension: An evidence-based review. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jan;31(1):237-244.

REFB45 Menzel D, Haller H, et al. L-Arginine and B vitamins improve endothelial function in subjects with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Mar;57(2):557-568.

REFB46 Raschi E, Girardi A, et al. Adverse Events to Food Supplements Containing Red Yeast Rice: Comparative Analysis of FAERS and CAERS Reporting Systems. Drug Saf. 2018 Aug;41(8):745-752.

Mind/Body Therapies

REFC1 Dickinson HO, Campbell F, et al. Relaxation therapies for the management of primary hypertension in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD004935.

REFC2 Guo X, Zhou B, et al. Clinical effect of qijong practice on essential hypertension: a meta-analysis or randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;14(1):27-37.

REFC3 Wang J, Feng B, et al. Tai chi for essential hypertension. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:215254.

REFC4 Tyagi A, Cohen M. Yoga and hypertension: a systematic review. Altern Ther Health Med. 2014 Mar-Apr;20(2):32-59.

REFC5 Xiong X, Wang P, et al. Effect of Baduanjin exercise for hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Maturitas. 2015 Apr;80(4):370-378.

REFC6 Hartley L, Lee, MS, et al. Qigong for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jun 11;(6):CD010390.

REFC7 Sun J, Buys N. Community-based mind-body meditative Tai Chi program and its effects on improvement of blood pressure, weight, renal function, serum lipoprotein, and quality of life in Chinese adults with hypertension. Am J Cardiol. 2015 Oct 1;116(7):1076-1081.

REFC8 Shi L, Zhang D, et al. Meditation and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Hypertens. 2017 Apr;35(4):696-706.

REFC9 Wong AP, Kassab YW, et al. Review: Beyond conventional therapies: Complementary and alternative medicine in the management of hypertension: An evidence-based review. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jan;31(1):237-244.

Other Therapies

REFD1 Li DZ, Zhou Y, et al. Acupuncture for essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled clinical trials. Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2014;2014:279478.

REFD2 Wong AP, Kassab YW, et al. Review: Beyond conventional therapies: Complementary and alternative medicine in the management of hypertension: An evidence-based review. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jan;31(1):237-244.

REFD3 Huang H, Zou Y, et al. Quantitative assessment of the effects of chitosan intervention on blood pressure control. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017;12:67-75.

REFD4 Mahboobi S, Tsang C, et al. Effect of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hum Hypertens. 2019;33(1):10-21.

REFD5 Barkhidarian B, Khorshidi M, et al. Effects of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Aviencanna J Phytomed. 2019;9(1):10-20.

REFD6 Rodriguez-Leyva D, Weighell W, et al. Potent antihypertensive action of dietary flaxseed in hypertensive patients. Hypertension. 2013;62(6):1081-1089.

REFD7 Khalesi S, Irwin C, et al. Flaxseed consumption mat reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Nutr. 2015;145(4):758-765.

REFD8 Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, et al. Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(3):615-625.

REFD9 Taku K, Lin N, et al. Effects of soy isoflavone extract supplements on blood pressure in adult humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2010 Oct;28(10):1971-1982.

REFD10 Liu XX, Li SH, et al. Effect of soy isoflavones on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2012;22(6):463-470.

REFD11 Komishon AM, Shishtar E, et al. The effect of ginseng (genus Panax) on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. J Hum Hypertens. 2016 Oct;30(10):619-626.

REFD12 Lee HW, Lim HJ, et al. Ginseng for Treating Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2017;15(6):549-556.

REFD13 Li X, Xu J. Lycopene supplement and blood pressure: an updated meta-analysis of intervention trials. Nutrients. 2013;5(9):3696-3712.

REFD14 Hadi A, Ghaedi E, et al. Effects of Melatonin Supplementation On Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Horm Metab Res. 2019 Mar;51(3):157-164.

REFD15 Vashishtha V, Barwhal K, et al. Effect of seabuckthorn seed oil in reducing cardiovascular risk factors: A longitudinal trial on hypertensive subjects. Clin Nut. 2017;36(5):1231-1238.

REFD16 Serban MC, Sahebkar A, et al. Effects of Quercetin on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(7):e002713.

REFD17 Liu Y, Ma W, et al. Effect of resveratrol on blood pressure: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2015;34(1):27-34.

REFD18 Wilson CP, Ward M, et al. Riboflavin offers a targeted strategy for managing hypertension in patients with the MTHFR 677TT genotype: a 4-y follow-up. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Mar;95(3):766-772.

REFD19 Wilson CP, McNulty H, et al. Blood pressure in treated hypertensive individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype is responsive to intervention with riboflavin: findings of a targeted randomized trial. Hypertension. 2013;61(6):1302-1308.

REFD20 Pan A, Yu D, et al. Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. AM J Clin Nutr. 2009;90(2):288-297.

REFD21 Torkan M, Entezari MH, et al. Effect of flaxseed on blood lipid level in hyperlipidemic patients. Rec Recent Clin Trials. 2015;10(1):61-67.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Update Date: 11/16/2020