High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health risk that, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, affects one in three American adults. Normal systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg, while normal diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg. If your blood pressure consistently measures over 140mmHg/90mmHg, your doctor will likely diagnose hypertension. Taking regular exercise, losing weight and cutting down on smoking and alcohol consumption will help lower your blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-hypertensive drugs. Garlic is sometimes used to treat hypertension, although there is no conclusive evidence that it works.
Properties and Administration
Garlic is commonly used to flavor cooking and is also used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular disease, the common cold and hypertension. Alliin, an odorless sulfur-containing chemical, is believed to confer garlic's therapeutic effects, according to UMMC. Garlic oil may contain variable amounts of garlic. As such, getting the right dose may be difficult. Taking a garlic supplement may be more useful. Ask your doctor for advice.
Effectiveness
The results of a randomized controlled diet published in the October 2010 issue of the medical journal "Maturitas" show that garlic extract was more effective than a placebo in lowering systolic blood pressure and had similar effects to first-line medications used to treat patients with hypertension. Research published in the July 2005 issue of "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry" also found that garlic supplementation caused a moderate decline in blood pressure. Medline Plus says that garlic can reduce blood pressure by as much as 7 percent or 8 percent.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Garlic is safe for most people, RxList says, but it may have side effects, including bad breath, heartburn, gas, vomiting and body odor. However, taking a garlic supplement rather than consuming garlic oil will reduce these effects. Garlic is not suitable for everyone with high blood pressure. For example, people with HIV, a bleeding disorder or stomach problems should not use this herb. It may interact with other drugs, including anti-HIV medicines like non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the birth-control pill.
Other Herbal Options
The UMMC website cites a number of other herbs that also may help to lower high blood pressure, including Achillea wilhelmsii and reishi mushroom, although UMMC also says that evidence to prove they are effective is weak. Get medical clearance before using these herbs. Like garlic, they may cause side effects or may not be suitable for you. For example, reishi mushroom supplements may cause a sore throat and gastrointestinal upset and should not be used alongside certain drugs, including anti-coagulants and immunosuppressants.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- PubMed: Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure in Patients with Treated but Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- PubMed: Garlic Supplementation Prevents Oxidative DNA Damage in Essential Hypertension
- Medline Plus: Garlic
- RxList: Garlic
