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Blood pressure-lowering herbs
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a very common occurrence in the modern world. And if in the past such a problem was considered the lot of older people, today hypertension also affects young people, starting from 30-35 years old. Stressful situations, drinking a lot of coffee, an unhealthy lifestyle - all these factors are links in one chain that leads to increased blood pressure. At the same time, you don’t always want to take pills, so many turn to folk methods of treatment - and here herbs that lower blood pressure come to the rescue. Which herbs will help, and which ones should not be taken - this is what our article is about.
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What herbs lower blood pressure?
Natural preparations are an excellent substitute for medications: herbs, berries, leaves, tree bark. Such medicines are given to us absolutely free of charge, have practically no side effects and are considered no less effective than tablets and pills. These plants are usually known to everyone and are actively used to lower blood pressure:
- hawthorn - the flowers of the plant are most often used - normalizes cardiac activity, lowers blood pressure, eliminates dizziness and headaches;
- motherwort – especially effective in the early stages of hypertension, calms the nervous system;
- Periwinkle – expands the vascular lumen, has a clear hypotensive effect, helps with atherosclerosis.
An excellent effect can be obtained from the complex action of herbs, which are used in the form of medicinal collections - these are mixtures of different plants with a similar effect. The mixtures can be combined in various proportions, using any of the proposed herbs: immortelle, horsetail, sweet clover, astragalus, immortelle, birch leaves, yarrow, white mistletoe, etc. Tea based on the mixtures can be drunk for several months, about half a glass a day half an hour before meals. After the first week of taking the result will be noticeable.
Among herbal preparations, one should not forget about freshly squeezed plant juices: rosehip or chokeberry juice are excellent for lowering blood pressure.
Does motherwort lower or raise blood pressure?
Motherwort is known for its pronounced sedative effect. Medicines based on motherwort reduce excessive motor activity, enhance the effect of sleeping pills, and also have a cardiotonic and hypotensive effect.
Motherwort lowers blood pressure. This plant has been used in medicine for many decades for the following purposes:
- regulation of heart rhythm;
- stabilization of the condition in vascular neurosis and angina pectoris;
- stabilization of blood pressure in hypertension.
In all these cases, positive dynamics are observed when taking motherwort preparations. In particular, the hypotonic effect of the plant is observed with increased pressure associated with disorders of vegetative functions, for example, during pre-climax and menopause.
Motherwort infusion or tincture does not have a sharp therapeutic effect: the dosage is calculated gradually, while paying attention to the body's reaction to the drug.
Most often, motherwort tincture is taken from 30 to 50 drops up to 4 times a day, 1 hour before meals.
Does hawthorn lower or raise blood pressure?
The main property of such a plant as hawthorn is its cardiotonic effect. Hawthorn improves myocardial function and serves as a preventative measure against its early fatigue. In addition, the plant has a positive effect on heart rhythm disturbances, eliminates vascular spasms, and dilates the vessels of the heart and brain.
Hawthorn lowers blood pressure: this property is due to the presence of flavonoids and triterpene compounds. The positive effect of using hawthorn for hypertension is the result of the vasodilator and antispasmodic action of the plant. Hawthorn regulates the degree of pressure on the venous vessels, and also increases the elasticity of the walls of arteries and capillaries. The greatest effect in this case is not even the fruits, but the inflorescences of the plant.
Hawthorn tincture is used 25 drops up to 4 times a day before meals.
Does St. John's wort lower or raise blood pressure?
St. John's wort has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. St. John's wort-based preparations are often used to treat diseases of the throat and oral cavity, digestive system, urinary organs and liver. St. John's wort infusion can be used to rinse the mouth for gingivitis and stomatitis, and also to make compresses for wounds and abrasions.
St. John's wort is indispensable for the treatment of the following diseases:
- dyskinesia, hepatitis;
- inflammation of the gallbladder;
- bile stasis;
- gastritis with insufficient acidity;
- flatulence;
- urolithiasis, etc.
St. John's wort does not have a direct effect on blood pressure. However, if you take St. John's wort-based products for a long time and without control, one of the side effects may be an increase in pressure. Therefore, St. John's wort increases blood pressure, but this effect is not its direct property, but only a side effect.
Does thyme lower or raise blood pressure?
Thyme is a bactericidal and bacteriostatic plant that has, among other things, expectorant and enveloping properties, and an anti-inflammatory effect. Preparations with thyme are able to affect even such pathogenic microflora that is not susceptible to the influence of antibiotics. When consuming thyme, the production of gastric acid is accelerated, the development of pathogenic microorganisms is blocked, and spasms of the digestive system are eliminated.
The most common use of thyme is the treatment of inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat, especially when accompanied by a purulent infection. Thyme is irreplaceable for laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, as it has a bactericidal, expectorant and phlegm-thinning effect.
But does thyme increase or decrease blood pressure? The plant contains flavonoids, due to which some antispasmodic properties of thyme are observed. If the increase in pressure is associated with vascular spasm, then thyme can slightly lower the pressure by easing the tension of the vascular walls. However, this does not always happen: with prolonged use of thyme in large doses, pressure can, on the contrary, increase. This effect is not associated with the direct action of the plant, but is rather a side effect of uncontrolled intake of the herbal preparation.
Does cannabis lower or raise blood pressure?
The hemp plant has long been used to treat epilepsy, migraines, sleep disorders, and sclerotic changes in the blood vessels of the brain. Hemp was even used to treat malignant tumors, as well as bronchial asthma, increased intraocular pressure, and immunodeficiency states. Moreover, the effect of the plant is so pronounced that there was no need to prepare infusions or other medicinal forms for a therapeutic effect: it was enough to simply chew hemp leaves periodically.
Nowadays, hemp is prohibited, although the beneficial properties of the plant could be successfully used for medicinal purposes.
As for the question of whether cannabis lowers or raises blood pressure, the answer is as follows: one of the characteristics of cannabis is its ability to suppress vascular spasms. This property helps prevent uncontrolled increases in blood pressure associated with vascular spasms. Using cannabis in large doses can cause a significant decrease in blood pressure, up to critical levels. In such situations, only emergency medical assistance is available.
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Does Melissa lower or raise blood pressure?
Melissa - lemon mint, a favorite plant of many, which is added to tea, compotes and kissels. Traditional healers use the leaves and flowers of lemon balm to treat diseases of the digestive system, cardiac neuroses, asthma, convulsive states. This plant calms the nerves, increases appetite, eliminates the effects of flatulence, and relieves nausea. Women drink tea with lemon balm for migraines, sleep disorders, to ease well-being during menstruation, and also in stressful situations.
Melissa lowers or reduces blood pressure? Indeed, this plant affects blood pressure. As a rule, lemon balm lowers blood pressure. For a hypotensive effect, it is enough to simply add the leaves of the plant to tea, but many lovers use lemon balm leaves in the preparation of salads, first courses, sauces, and also add to meat or fish.
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Does sage lower or raise blood pressure?
Sage has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which is explained by the presence of tannins and flavonoids in the leaves. In addition, it has been experimentally proven that the sage plant increases the secretion of the digestive system and regulates sweat secretion. In this regard, sage is actively used for inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, to get rid of ulcers and heal wound surfaces, and for inflammation of the stomach walls (especially with low acidity).
Sage can slightly lower blood pressure, as it has a slight antispasmodic effect. This effect of the plant is the result of the presence of galenic forms in sage, which allows you to successfully use sage-based drugs for spasms of the digestive organs, urinary system, and blood vessels. Sage is used both independently and in the form of complex collections.
The plant does not have a significant effect on blood pressure readings if you take infusions periodically and irregularly. Frequent and immoderate use of sage can actually destabilize blood pressure, and deviations from the norm can be in either direction.
Does ginger lower or raise blood pressure?
Ginger has gained considerable popularity in recent years. This is primarily due to the fact that ginger root is actively used for weight loss. In addition, ginger is valued for its other beneficial properties. This includes an antiemetic effect, pain relief, lowering cholesterol levels, activating digestive processes, and stimulating appetite.
Ginger tea is a proven remedy for restoring the body during physical and mental stress, as well as a cure for stress.
Due to the fact that ginger has become a much more common food item, many people are wondering whether this plant can affect blood pressure. Does ginger lower or raise blood pressure?
The fact is that ginger root has a truly unique property - to stabilize blood pressure. It thins the blood, thereby facilitating blood flow, improves tissue nutrition and oxygen delivery to them. With low blood pressure, ginger tea activates blood circulation, bringing blood pressure figures to normal. With high blood pressure, ginger expands the walls of blood vessels, which helps to lower the indicators and alleviate the patient's condition. The only condition is that it is not recommended to combine ginger treatment with medications that affect blood pressure, as this can provoke the development of unpredictable consequences.
Does mint lower or raise blood pressure?
Mint is a popular plant that is added fresh or dried to drinks, hot dishes, baked goods and confectionery. The popularity of mint is explained by the presence of menthol in the plant - a pleasant-tasting and odorous substance.
Mint preparations soothe, relieve spasms, normalize bile production, stabilize microflora and somewhat alleviate pain. Thanks to mint, blood circulation in the capillary network is enhanced.
And yet, does mint lower or raise blood pressure? Based on long-term observations, it can be said that mint has a slight hypotensive effect, but such an effect does not play a large practical role. Mint leaves can stabilize only small fluctuations in pressure, but the plant is unlikely to help with persistent hypertension.
Mint lowers blood pressure a little, and this is due to the vasodilatory effect of the plant: vascular spasms are eliminated, the nervous system is calmed. But it is necessary to remember that mint can cause allergic reactions, so it should be consumed with caution.
Does rose hips lower or raise blood pressure?
The therapeutic effect of rosehip preparations can be explained mainly by the presence of a large number of vitamins in the fruits: vitamin C, P, PP, group B, as well as K, A and E. The complex of useful substances in rosehip allows the plant to be used in cases of vitamin deficiency, decreased immunity, after physical and stressful overloads. Rosehip is used as an auxiliary remedy for the treatment of infectious diseases, atherosclerosis, kidney and liver diseases, pathologies of the digestive system, bleeding and diathesis.
How can rose hips affect blood pressure? Preparations based on rose hips affect vascular permeability, eliminate edema and have a slight diuretic property. This can to some extent affect the reduction of blood pressure. However, rose hips do not have a pronounced hypotensive effect, so you should not rely only on this herbal remedy for hypertension.
Does calendula lower or raise blood pressure?
The medicinal use of calendula is based on the bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects of the plant. Calendula infusion is used for rinsing, washing, douching, and also internally to suppress microbial flora, increase the secretion of the gallbladder and stomach.
However, calendula is also often used to treat cardiovascular pathologies. How does the plant affect blood vessels: does calendula lower or raise blood pressure?
The effect of calendula on the function of the heart and the condition of the blood vessels is determined by a clear cardiotonic and hypotensive property. For example, when patients took large doses of calendula-based preparations, a decrease in blood pressure of approximately 35% from the initial level was observed. At the same time, the heart rate slowed down, the amplitude increased, and breathing became less frequent and deeper.
Thus, the positive effect of calendula is noted in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, which are accompanied by high blood pressure, swelling, and rapid heartbeat. Calendula significantly lowers blood pressure. For these purposes, you can use a tincture (10 to 20 drops in 100 ml of water), or an infusion of flowers (2 tbsp. 200 ml of boiling water, take 50 ml up to 3 times a day).
Does valerian increase or decrease blood pressure?
Valerian is known primarily for its sedative and tranquilizing effects. Valerian root normalizes heart function, relieves spasms and regulates bile secretion, and stabilizes sleep.
Does valerian increase or decrease blood pressure? Preparations of valerian root help to expand coronary vessels and reduce blood pressure. However, the effect of valerian does not appear immediately, but steadily increases with regular and prolonged treatment. Patients note the elimination of irritability, improved sleep, and stabilization of blood pressure.
Valerian is generally well tolerated by patients, but in some cases an allergy to the plant may occur. If there is no allergy, it is recommended to take valerian tincture on average 25 drops up to 3 or 4 times a day. If valerian is prescribed in tablet form, you can take 1-2 pcs. per dose (0.02 g). If symptoms such as dizziness and weakness appear, the dose of the drug should be reduced.
Does chamomile increase blood pressure?
Chamomile is an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and sedative herbal remedy. Chamomile relieves spasms of the digestive organs, facilitates bile secretion, reduces swelling, heals ulcers and restores damaged tissue. Chamomile tea is often drunk for stomach ulcers, enterocolitis, flatulence, poisoning, static pain in the intestines.
Chamomile also affects the cardiovascular system: when using chamomile preparations, breathing becomes deeper and stronger, the heart rate quickens, and blood vessels expand. Can chamomile somehow affect blood pressure?
The calming effect of chamomile can also be reflected in a slight decrease in blood pressure. However, this decrease is usually insignificant and does not carry any practical load.
For a more pronounced hypotensive effect, chamomile flowers are used in the form of complex mixtures. In addition to chamomile, such mixtures include valerian rhizomes, calendula, lemon balm and other plants.
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Does bergamot increase blood pressure?
Bergamot tea is a wonderful and tasty drink, which also has a lot of useful properties. Bergamot is an excellent antiseptic, analgesic, strengthening and anti-inflammatory agent. Tea with added bergamot effectively eliminates the effects of stress, removes from depression, normalizes nervous processes. It is recommended to inhale the aroma of the plant to activate mental activity and memory.
In case of a runny nose and sore throat, the smell of bergamot helps to soothe an irritated nasopharynx and relieve swelling of the mucous membrane.
Bergamot will also help with stomach problems: it gently stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and increases appetite.
Does bergamot increase blood pressure? The answer is simple: no, it does not. Quite the opposite: regular consumption of bergamot helps to slightly lower blood pressure, which helps to temporarily alleviate the condition of hypertensive patients.
A single dose of bergamot drink is unlikely to have any effect on blood pressure readings.
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Does oregano increase blood pressure?
What medicinal properties does oregano have? It is a wonderful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and pain-relieving plant. Oregano preparations enhance bile production, increase diuresis, and calm the nervous system.
The herb of the plant is prescribed for poor appetite and weak digestion (especially with low acidity), constipation and increased gas formation in the intestines.
Oregano also has sedative properties: it is recommended for insomnia, stress, irritability. Dry grass can also be added to regular tea - this will help calm the nervous system and make the drink more pleasant to taste.
Does oregano increase blood pressure? Oregano can increase blood pressure only when the plant is used for inhalation: inhalation of essential oils can provoke an increase in blood pressure. If oregano is consumed as tea or infusion, this plant helps to lower blood pressure to normal, which is recommended for hypertension and a tendency to high blood pressure. However, it is not recommended to drink too much oregano tea: the plant can cause allergies.
Does Jasmine Raise Blood Pressure?
Tea with jasmine is recommended for use in depressive states, stressful situations, neurosis and insomnia. The benefits of jasmine for the body are undeniable. It is prescribed for hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, spastic abdominal pain, and infectious diseases.
Does jasmine increase blood pressure? A decoction or infusion of jasmine flowers and leaves stabilizes and levels blood pressure with its slight fluctuations. However, it is not recommended to consume jasmine in large quantities: this can provoke headaches, migraines and deterioration of health.
Making jasmine tea is easy: pour boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers and let it brew. Many people mix jasmine with green tea for taste and aroma: this only enhances the tranquilizing effect of the drink. In the morning, this tea will invigorate you, and in the evening it will set you up for a good and deep sleep.
Whatever herbs that lower blood pressure you choose, if possible, consult a doctor. Measure your blood pressure regularly - this can be done at any pharmacy. Spend more time outdoors, give up bad habits, do not overwork yourself. And herbs that lower blood pressure will always help you feel great at any age.
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