The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly one in three Americans, and having high blood pressure increases your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. While high blood pressure may be controlled through dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies are offered by alternative medicine practitioners to help relieve or prevent this condition. St. John's wort is perhaps best known for its ability to assist with depression symptoms; however, before utilizing this herb for high blood pressure, discuss its use with your physician.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is measured by calculating the systolic and diastolic pressure within the blood veins. This is typically performed by using a blood pressure cuff. High blood pressure is defined as having a blood pressure level of 140/90 millimeters of mercury or higher. If you have a blood pressure level between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg, then prehypertension may be setting in, which is the precursor to high blood pressure. It is vital you reduce your high blood pressure as quickly as possible to prevent eye damage, heart failure or kidney damage.
What is St. John's Wort
The use of St. John's wort dates back to ancient Greece, and this shrubby plant gained its name because it blooms around June 24, which is observed as John the Baptist's birthday or feast day. The primary active compounds in St. John's wort include pseudohypericin and hypericin; however, the University of Maryland Medical Center states the medicinal compounds may be the plant's flavonoids and essential oils instead. Traditionally, this herb is used to treat minor depression symptoms, as it is believed this herb increases the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine within the brain.
St. John's Wort and High Blood Pressure
While St. John's wort is a potentially effective treatment for mild depression, menopause and PMS symptoms, its use to reduce and treat high blood pressure is not as promising. The U.S. National Library of Medicine outlines a study performed by the Franz Volhard Clinical Research Center in Berlin, Germany, where scientists performed a double-blind crossover study regarding the effectiveness of St. John's wort on the cardiovascular system. The results of this test showed little to no change in blood pressure or heart rate.
Warnings
As with any herbal supplement, St. John's wort has potential drug interactions if taken with other medications. MedlinePlus states this herb is likely safe for most people when taken orally for a short time; however, when taken in larger doses, this herb is ranked as possibly unsafe. Common side effects of St. John's wort include upset stomach, irritability, anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth and headache. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take St. John's wort, nor should those suffering from bipolar disorder, infertility, Alzheimer's disease or those with ADHD. MedlinePlus also states that those who plan to undergo surgery should not take St. John's wort for a minimum of two weeks preceding surgery.
References
- MedlinePlus: St. John's Wort; December 2010
- Brookhaven National Laboratory: CDC Facts on High Blood Pressure; June 2005
- Anne Arundel County Department of Health: High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet; July 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: St. John's Work; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; February 2009
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Influence of St. John's Wort on Catecholamine Turnover and Cardiovascular Regulation in Humans; November 2004
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