The Pacific island herb Piper methysticum is known as kava kava, or simply kava. The shrubby plant's medicinal compounds appear in its root system. Studies involving kava kava focus on capsules or similar supplement forms, but some people drink infused dried kava root, or simply chew the root. Kava kava is mainly known as an anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia herb, and it may lower the stress that can aggravate high blood pressure. Kava's risks might well outweigh any benefits so ask your doctor before using this plant as an herbal remedy.
Main Risk
Concerns about kava kava focus not on blood pressure, but on liver damage. Cases of severe liver damage have been associated with kava kava, prompting some countries to ban the herb. The United States currently allows the sale of kava kava products, but the Food and Drug Administration warns of potential liver damage. Because of these liver damage risks, "safe" doses of kava kava are unknown, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. UMMC recommends avoiding the herb unless a trusted practitioner recommends and supervises its use. If your doctor does approve the herb, don't take kava kava for more than three months at a time. People with liver problems or who take other medications that pose liver damage risks should definitely avoid kava, as should pregnant and nursing women.
Potential Hypertension Benefit
Stress can at least temporarily raise your blood pressure to dangerously high levels, notes MayoClinic.com. Because of this, the medical web site suggests measures that reduce stress, such as getting more sleep. Theoretically, kava kava attains these goals through its effectiveness in combating insomnia and anxiety. Kava kava is not known as a treatment for hypertension, even in lists of natural therapies for high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Medication and Kava
Your doctor may prescribe diuretics to help your manage your high blood pressure. These water pills help your kidneys rid your body of extra sodium and fluid, which helps ease blood pressure. UMMC reports that kava kava can dangerously increase the effectiveness of prescription diuretics. If your body loses too much fluid, your run the risk of dehydration. Additionally, if your doctor prescribes anti-anxiety medication to help you manage stress-related hypertension, avoid kava kava. The herb dangerously magnifies the effects of some prescription anxiety medicine.
Recommended Herbs
Always ask your doctor for the best prescription or natural therapies to treat your condition. To relieve anxiety and stress, herbs recommended by UMMC include valerian, lemon balm, passionflower and St. John's wort. Alternative remedies for hypertension include a tincture made from Achillea wilhelmsii, an Iranian yarrow plant, as well as reishi mushrooms, garlic and hibiscus tea. MayoClinic.com also recommends garlic as a possible addition to prescription medication and lifestyle changes, along with supplements of calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, cod liver oil, blond psyllium, cocoa and coenzyme Q10.
