Scientists from the Medical University of Lodz report that certain herbal supplements may help reduce high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure affects tens of millions of adults in the United States, and many people do not have it under control.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure, which reflects the force in your arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which reflects the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
A healthy reading for most adults is below 120/80 mm Hg.
Globally, high blood pressure is expected to affect billions of people by the end of 2025. Because of its widespread impact, researchers continue to explore a wide range of strategies to prevent and manage the condition.
Herbal supplements—plant-based products also known as botanical products or phytomedicines—are rich in natural compounds such as phenolics, which have been linked to heart-protective effects.
For this reason, many researchers are studying whether these supplements could support blood pressure control.
In the current study, the team reviewed recently published research to evaluate the effects of specific herbal supplements on blood pressure reduction. They analyzed 31 studies in total, with a meta-analysis performed on data from 16 of them.
Across the studies, the use of several herbal supplements—including resveratrol, cherry juice, beetroot juice, bergamot extract, barberry, and pycnogenol—was associated with reductions in blood pressure.
The results suggest that these supplements may offer a modest but meaningful benefit for people with high blood pressure and may play a role in lowering the risk of heart disease.
However, the researchers caution that proper dosing is important, as some herbal products may cause digestive side effects. More research is needed to determine optimal doses and to ensure safety for long-term use.
The study was published in Antioxidants (Basel) and conducted by Anna Lipert and colleagues.
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