Blood pressure is the force that the flowing blood exerts on the walls of the arteries and veins. High blood pressure affects 31.3 percent of the American population and puts the person at risk for heart disease and stroke, says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, when blood pressure drops below normal, it may lead to dizziness, fainting and shock. A healthy diet and exercise help manage blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to treat severe cases of abnormal blood pressure. Certain supplements and herbs such as saffron may also help regulate blood pressure.
Saffron
Saffron, or Crocus sativus, is a small plant with blue-violet flowers, native to Asia Minor and southern Europe. The orange stigmas and red style branches, which raise the stigma away from the ovary of the flower, are collected to form saffron. However, Drugs.com states that 200,000 stigmas from 70,000 flowers yield only 0.5 kg of the spice. Hence, saffron and supplements made from it are expensive. A pigmented compound known as crocin, along with carotenoids such as safranal and crocetin, are responsible for the medicinal value of saffron. The supplements are available as strands, capsules, tablets and liquid extracts, and have been used to treat several conditions including cancer, depression and vision problems. One study in the June 2008 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine" suggests that 400 mg of saffron per day for seven days may reduce systolic blood pressure, which is the top number of the blood pressure reading that represents maximum pressure exerted during the contraction of the heart. However, the dose may vary in different individuals, based on the age, overall health and condition being treated. Your doctor may help establish a dose that is right for you.
Blood Pressure
Water-based extracts of saffron help lower blood pressure in laboratory animals, according to a study published in the July 2010 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." The authors of the study attribute this property to the crocin and safranal pigments found in saffron. Another study in the February 2003 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" reveals that saffron leaf extracts can lower blood pressure in laboratory animals by relaxing the electrical impulse. Drugs.com also reaffirms that saffron can lower blood pressure in laboratory animals. The website also states that the spice can lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can, in turn, help prevent plaque formation and improve blood pressure. However, you must remember that all of these benefits have only been proven in laboratory animals and their effects in humans may not be the same.
Side Effects
Saffron supplements are generally safe to use. The June 2008 "Phytomedicine" study mentioned earlier points out that saffron supplements may slightly alter blood sodium, creatinine and urea levels, but these changes are not clinically significant. Rare allergic reactions characterized by asthma and pruritus may also occur. Saffron may also interfere with anti-aggregation medications.
Precautions
Saffron supplements are available at most natural food stores, but you must talk to your doctor before using them to lower blood pressure. Also, the Food and Drug Administration does not monitor saffron supplements. Talk to you pharmacist to find a product that is safe, or look for the USP logo, which is awarded by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention to supplements that have been voluntarily submitted for safety tests.
References
- Centers for Disease Control: High Blood Pressure Facts
- Drugs.com: Saffron
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Hypotensive Effect of Aqueous Saffron Extract (Crocus Sativus L.) and Its Constituents, Safranal and Crocin, in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats; Mohsen Imenshahidi et al; July 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Effects of Crocus Sativus Petals' Extract on Rat Blood Pressure and on Responses Induced by Electrical Field Stimulation in the Rat Isolated Vas Deferens and Guinea-Pig Ileum; M. Fatehi et al; February 2003
- "Phytomedicine"; Safety Evaluation of Saffron (Crocus Sativus) Tablets in Healthy Volunteers; Mohammad-Hadi Modaghegh et al; June 2008
