Herbs and plantsHerbs for high blood pressure — which ones do herbalists recommend?
- Henryk Różański — Mekonops – Meconopsis cambrica = Papaver cambricum w fitoterapii praktycznej
- Henryk Różański — Niezapominajka – Myosotis w fitoterapii
- Henryk Różański — Rozchodnik ostry – Sedum acre Linne jako antiscleroticum i hypotonicum
- Henryk Różański — Cysteina
- Henryk Różański — Rzeczywiste właściwości miłorzębu – Ginkgo.
- Henryk Różański — Jemioła – Viscum, czy jest skuteczna i co leczy? cz. I
- Henryk Różański — Mierznica (ang. Black horehound) – Ballota w praktycznej fitoterapii. Dried flowering tops of Ballota nigra L. jako surowiec oficjalny w Farmakopei Europejskiej i Brytyjskiej.
- Henryk Różański — Wyka płotowa – Vicia sepium Linne w fitoterapii.
- Effects of aged garlic extract on blood pressure in hypertensive patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2024
- Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Reducing Blood Pressure in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published Randomized Controlled Trials. · J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2022
- Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Individuals, Regulates Serum Cholesterol, and Stimulates Immunity: An Updated Meta-analysis and Review. · J Nutr 2016
- Effect of celery (Apium graveolens) seed extract on hypertension: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial. · Phytother Res 2022
- Efficacy of olive leaf extracts in controlling blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. · J Hypertens 2025
- Antihypertensive Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract in Subjects with Grade I Hypertension and Antihypertensive Drug Therapy: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Trial. · Nutrients 2023
- Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. · Phytother Res 2015
- Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on sleep and blood pressure in patients with comorbid hypertension-insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. · Front Psychiatry 2026
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Henryk Różański lists meconopsis, forget-me-not, and biting stonecrop as herbs used for high blood pressure.
- He also mentions garlic mustard, scurvy-grass, and a mixture of tinctures made from ginkgo, mistletoe, and hawthorn with honey.
- Lavender, motherwort, and woundwort contain a compound described as lowering blood pressure, and mistletoe has been recommended for high blood pressure since the early 20th century.
- An overdose of meconopsis may cause collapse and intoxication, while an overdose of biting stonecrop may cause poisoning, shortness of breath, headache, and kidney irritation.
What the authors write
Meconopsis is described as an herb that lowers blood pressure and is indicated for high blood pressure.
Forget-me-not is said to lower blood pressure, and high blood pressure is listed among the conditions for which it is used.
Biting stonecrop is described as a folk remedy for high blood pressure; doses are given for an infusion, tincture, and powdered herb.
Garlic mustard and scurvy-grass are listed as herbs with hypotensive effects.
A mixture of tinctures of ginkgo, mistletoe, and hawthorn with honey is described as a remedy for high blood pressure; one tablespoon once a day is recommended.
Mistletoe has been recommended for high blood pressure since the early 20th century, but the account questions whether acetylcholine from mistletoe can have an effect when taken orally.
Lavender, motherwort, and woundwort contain lavandulifolioside, a compound described as lowering blood pressure.
An infusion of the flowers and an alcoholic extract of the flowers are listed for arterial hypertension, but this account does not name the plant.
Overdosing on or abusing meconopsis is described as dangerous and may cause collapse and intoxication.
An overdose of biting stonecrop may cause poisoning, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, headache, and kidney irritation.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 8 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 4 355.
A meta-analysis found that aged garlic extract may lower blood pressure, particularly at doses above 1200 mg per day.
Aim of the study: The existing literature does not provide a consensus on the effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on blood pressure. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize existing data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the effect of AGE supplementation on blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Results: Overall, nine RCTs with 584 participants met the inclusion criteria. AGE supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD: -4.03; 95% CI: -6.87, -1.20; I2: 57.1%) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: -1.44; 95% CI: -2.87, -0.02; P = 0.052; I2: 36.8%; P: 0.105). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that higher doses of AGE supplementation significantly reduced DBP and SBP in people with hypertension. The results suggest that AGE supplements may help improve blood pressure in people with hypertension, but significant effects are seen only at doses above 1200 mg/day. Well-designed future trials are needed to confirm these results.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review found that hibiscus lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with mild or moderate hypertension.
Aim of the study: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of Hibiscus sabdariffa in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension or metabolic syndrome (MetS), compared with placebo, antihypertensive drugs, or other herbal products. Four databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of H. sabdariffa.
Results: When H. sabdariffa was compared with active controls (antihypertensive drugs or other herbal products), the changes in SBP and DBP were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Hibiscus sabdariffa is effective in reducing SBP and DBP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, but it was not effective in those with MetS and was not superior to antihypertensive drugs. Further RCTs are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of H. sabdariffa and identify the patients who would benefit most from this treatment.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A meta-analysis found that garlic lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with placebo.
Aim of the study: Garlic has been shown to have cardiovascular-protective and immunomodulatory properties. We updated a previous meta-analysis on the effect of garlic on blood pressure and reviewed the effects of garlic on cholesterol and immunity.
Results: Our updated meta-analysis of garlic’s effect on blood pressure, which included 20 trials with 970 participants, found a mean ± SE decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 5.1 ± 2.2 mm Hg (P < 0.001) and a mean ± SE decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 2.5 ± 1.6 mm Hg (P < 0.002) compared with placebo. Subgroup analysis of trials involving participants with hypertension at baseline (SBP/DBP ≥140/90 mm Hg) found a larger, significant reduction in SBP of 8.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg (P < 0.001; n = 10) and in DBP of 6.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg (P < 0.001; n = 6). A previously published meta-analysis of garlic’s effect on blood lipids, which included 39 primary RCTs and 2300 adults treated for at least 2 weeks, suggested that garlic can reduce total and LDL cholesterol by 10% when taken for more than 2 months by people with slightly elevated levels [e.g., total cholesterol >200 mg/dL (>5.5 mmol/L)].
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a study, celery seed extract lowered blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Aim of the study: In this study, the antihypertensive effects of celery seed extract (Apium graveolens), containing active ingredients such as 3-n-butylphthalide, were examined as a supplement in the treatment of hypertension. This was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial.
Results: In addition, mean arterial blood pressure changed from 108.5 ± 5.76 to 99.5 ± 4.66 mmHg (p < .001), and pulse pressure decreased from 49.0 ± 6.21 to 45.8 ± 6.01 mmHg (p < .01). However, no significant changes in these measures were observed in the placebo group (p > .05). No significant side effects were reported in the celery group compared with the placebo group (p > .05). The results were promising and indicated that celery seed extract may have therapeutic effects as a supplement in managing hypertension.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The study found that olive leaf extract lowered 24-hour systolic blood pressure and improved several other health indicators.
Aim of the study: The aim of this trial was to assess the effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) on blood pressure (BP) control in patients receiving treatment for hypertension.
Results: OLE significantly reduced 24-hour SBP compared with baseline and the placebo group [by -6.4 mmHg (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -10 to -2.1) and -1.5 mmHg (95% CI -3.9 to 0.51), respectively; P < 0.01]. In the OLE group, systolic BPL decreased from 53.9% at baseline to 42.2% at 12 weeks (P = 0.03); in the placebo group, it did not change significantly (P = 0.55). Diastolic BPL decreased from 30.7% to 21.2% (P = 0.03) in the OLE group and did not change significantly in the placebo group (P = 0.12). In the OLE group, systolic BPV did not change significantly between baseline and week 12 [+2%; P = 0.23], while diastolic BPV decreased significantly [-13.3%; P = 0.04]. In the placebo group, BPV did not change significantly at week 12 compared with baseline. OLE was associated with an improved lipid profile and significant reductions in blood glucose, triglycerides, CRP, and body weight. No significant adverse events were reported.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Adding aged black garlic extract was associated with a small decrease in blood pressure in people being treated for hypertension.
Aim of the study: The use of garlic (Allium sativum) to treat arterial hypertension has been recognized as effective for several decades. However, treatment tolerance is low, and several technological changes have been developed to improve tolerability, such as aging the garlic at controlled temperature and humidity.
Results: A reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 1.8 mmHg (0.7 to 4.1, 95% CI) and 1.5 mmHg (0.3 to 3.0, 95% CI), respectively, was observed. Blood nitric oxide also increased (10.3 µM, 1.1 to 19.5, 95% CI), as did antioxidant capacity (7 × 10-3 µM TE/min, 1.2 to 13 × 10-3, 95% CI), while uric acid levels (-0.3 mg/dL, -0.5 to -0.001, 95% CI) and ACE activity (-9.3 U/L; -18.4 to -0.4, 95% CI) decreased. No changes in endothelial function or inflammatory cytokines were observed. The study concluded that low-dose SAC supplementation in an optimized black garlic extract allows an additional significant reduction in blood pressure in people with Grade I hypertension receiving drug treatment.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review describes studies in which Pycnogenol lowered blood pressure in people with mild or moderate hypertension.
Aim of the study: This review updates the evidence on the biological effects of Pycnogenol® in treating metabolic syndrome and related disorders, such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Pycnogenol® is an extract of the outer bark of the French maritime pine, Pinus pinaster Ait.
Results: Its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, endothelium-dependent vasodilating, and antithrombotic effects make it suitable for targeting the complex causes of metabolic syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that it can reduce blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, blood pressure in people with mild to moderate hypertension, and waist circumference, and can improve lipid profile, kidney function, and endothelial function in metabolic syndrome. This review highlights the causes of metabolic syndrome and related clinical research findings on the safety and effectiveness of Pycnogenol®. The results of clinical studies of Pycnogenol® are discussed using an evidence-based, target-oriented approach that considers the causes of individual components as well as metabolic syndrome overall.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A meta-analysis found that traditional Chinese medicine lowered blood pressure slightly but significantly in people with hypertension and insomnia.
Aim of the study: Hypertension and insomnia often occur together and share disturbances in neurophysiological and vascular regulation, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses syndrome differentiation to guide treatment choices for sleep problems and blood pressure regulation.
Results: Of 940 records screened, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 12 trials provided data suitable for quantitative analysis. The analysis showed a significant improvement in sleep quality with syndrome-informed TCM (SMD -2.21, 95% CI -3.26 to -1.16). The reduction in blood pressure was smaller but statistically significant (SMD -0.43, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.21), with systolic reductions ranging from 2.5 to 6.2 mmHg in groups with hypertension. The RCT analysis showed greater improvement in sleep with TCM in patients who met defined syndrome criteria, with mild adverse events and variation in outcomes related to syndrome criteria, treatment type, and duration. Overall, the findings indicate a marked improvement in sleep and a reduction in blood pressure with syndrome-informed TCM.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.