Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Sometimes referred to as the "silent killer" because it is often symptomless, hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure of 140 mmHg over 90 mmHg or above. You can help to lower high blood pressure by reducing your salt and alcohol intake and getting plenty of exercise. You may also need to take anti-hypertensive drugs. Some herbs may also help to lower high blood pressure, but they should not be used in place of treatment your doctor prescribes.
Examples
The University of Maryland Medical Center website notes several herbs that may help hypertensive patients, including hibiscus and reishi mushroom. The flowers of the hibiscus plant contain chemicals that may lower blood pressure, while reishi mushroom contains compounds know as triterpenes, which may have anti-hypertensive effects. UMMC suggests taking 150 to 300 mg of reishi mushroom two to three times daily, or you may prefer to steep 2 tbsp. of dried hibiscus in a cup of water and drink this once daily. Ask your doctor if these dosages are OK for you.
Effectiveness
The results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial led by D.L. McKay et al., published in the February 2010 issue of "Nutrition Journal," show that daily consumption of hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in mildly hypertensive adults. Evidence to support the use of hibiscus as an anti-hypertensive treatment is mixed. However, an analysis of trial data by H.A. Wahabi et al., published in the February 2010 issue of "Phytomedicine," concludes that there is not enough reliable evidence to support recommending hibiscus as a treatment for hypertension. Studies examining the role of reishi mushroom in the treatment of hypertension are lacking. RxList.com adds that there is insufficient evidence to rate its effectiveness for high blood pressure.
Side Effects
RxList.com notes that hibiscus appears to be safe, but adds that this herb's side effect profile is unknown. Reishi mushroom may cause gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and a dry throat and nose, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. If you experience any unpleasant effects while using either of these herbs, stop taking them and see your doctor.
Considerations
Resihi mushroom and hibiscus are not suitable treatments for everyone. For example, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use these herbs. They also interact with several drugs. Reishi mushroom may affect the action of anticoagulants, chemotherapy drugs and immunosuppressants, while hibiscus should not be used alongside the drug acetaminophen. Reishi mushroom may add to the effects of anti-hypertensive drugs, so ask your doctor whether it is safe for you to use this herb alongside your prescription blood pressure treatments.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- RxList: Hibiscus
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Reishi Mushroom
- "Nutrition Journal"; Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Tea (Tisane) Lowers Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Mildly Hypertensive Adults; D.L. McKay et al., February 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; The Effectiveness of Hibiscus Sabdariffa in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Systematic Review; H.A. Wahabi et al.; February 2010
- RxList: Reishi Mushroom
