High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, affects one-third of American adults. Normal blood pressure measures 120/80 -- if yours consistently measures 140/90 or over, you have high blood pressure. Since hypertension increases the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart attack and stroke, it is important to try and reduce high blood pressure by making lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating fewer fatty, salty foods. You may also need to take anti-hypertensive medicines. The popular herb garlic may also help to lower high blood pressure but should never be used in place of treatments your doctor prescribes.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Garlic is commonly used to flavor a variety of foods, but it also has medicinal properties and may play a role in the treatment of a number of conditions including cancer, infections, high cholesterol and hypertension. It contains an array of active ingredients, but two in particular, known as allicin and alliin, likely confer garlic's therapeutic effects, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dosage
UMMC notes that taking 400 mg of a standardized extract of garlic two to three times daily may help to lower blood pressure. If you prefer to eat raw garlic rather than take a garlic supplement, RxList states that a daily dose of 4 g, equivalent to one clove, is sometimes used to treat hypertension. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that crushed, raw garlic contains more active compounds than processed garlic supplements. Check with your doctor that these dosages are suitable for you.
Effectiveness
The results of a double-blind parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial study published in the October 2010 issue of "Maturitas" show that garlic is more effective than placebo in lowering high blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Research published in the December 2008 issue of "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy" also found garlic lowers high blood pressure in hypertensive patients, but not people people with normal blood pressure.
Safety Considerations
MedlinePlus states that garlic is likely safe for most people but adds that it may cause mild side effects, including bad breath, body odor, a burning feeling in the mouth and diarrhea. You are more likely to experience these effects by eating raw garlic. Don't take garlic if you have a bleeding disorder or if you have stomach problems. Keep in mind that garlic may interact with other drugs you may be taking, such as contraceptive drugs, anticoagulants and HIV medicines.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Garlic
- RxList: Garlic
- "Maturitas"; Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure in Patients With Treated but Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial; K. Ried et al.; October 2010
- "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy"; Effects of Garlic on Blood Pressure in Patients With and Without Systolic Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis; K.M. Reinhart et al.; December 2008
- MedlinePlus: Garlic
