Can Herbal Products Such as Garlic or Hawthorn Replace Blood Pressure Medication?
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and is among the leading causes of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and premature death.
In recent years, especially on social media and the internet, there have been many posts claiming that herbal products such as garlic, hawthorn, hibiscus, olive leaf, black seed, turmeric, and similar products lower blood pressure and eliminate the need for medication. So are these claims true? Scientific research shows that some herbal products may lower blood pressure slightly, but none of them can replace the medications used to treat hypertension. International cardiology and hypertension guidelines also do not recommend using herbal products in place of blood pressure medication.
Can Herbal Products Lower Blood Pressure?
Yes, some herbal products may have small effects on blood pressure. However, these effects:
Are generally mild. Are not the same in every person. Are based on short-term studies. Have not been definitively shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, achieving a small drop in blood pressure is not the same as replacing hypertension treatment.
Does Garlic Have an Effect on Blood Pressure?
Garlic is one of the most researched herbal products. The sulfur compounds it contains are thought to: Help relax blood vessels, Increase nitric oxide production, Have a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect. Meta-analyses show that garlic supplements, in some patients with hypertension, can lower:
- Systolic (upper) blood pressure by about 5–8 mmHg
- Diastolic (lower) blood pressure by about 2–5 mmHg
However, this effect varies depending on the preparation used, the dose, and the individual. Most importantly, garlic has not been proven to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.
Does Hawthorn Lower Blood Pressure?
Hawthorn is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. Some small studies have suggested that it may help relax blood vessels, may have a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect, and may support the function of the heart muscle. However, most of the available studies:
Include a small number of patients. Are short-term. Have inconsistent results. For this reason, routine use of hawthorn in the treatment of hypertension is not recommended.
How Effective Are Other Herbal Products?
Other herbal products that have been studied include:
- Hibiscus
- Olive leaf extract
- Flaxseed
- Beet juice
- Cocoa flavanols
- Green tea
Although there are studies showing that some of them may produce small reductions in blood pressure, there is no strong scientific evidence that these products can be used in place of hypertension medications.
Are Herbal Products Harmless?
No. Being "natural" does not always mean being safe. Herbal products can cause side effects. They can cause blood pressure to drop too low. They can affect the liver or kidneys. They can interact with the medications you take. For this reason, herbal products should also be used with care.
Can They Interact with Blood Pressure Medications?
Yes. Some herbal products:
Can increase the effect of blood pressure medications. Can cause blood pressure to drop too low. Can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners. Can change the absorption of some medications. For this reason, you should always tell your doctor before using any herbal product.
Can Herbal Products Be Used Instead of Medication?
No. To date, no large clinical study has shown that garlic, hawthorn, hibiscus, olive leaf, or other herbal products reduce heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular deaths as much as hypertension medications do. For this reason, stopping the blood pressure medications your doctor has recommended and using only herbal products can lead to serious health problems.
What Are the Scientifically Proven Ways to Lower Blood Pressure?
The strongest evidence for lowering blood pressure exists for the following methods:
- Taking the medications your doctor recommends regularly
- Reducing salt intake
- Losing excess weight
- Exercising regularly
- Following a DASH or Mediterranean-style diet
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Managing stress
- Sleeping regularly
- Strong scientific studies have shown that these methods reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure
.
What Should You Pay Attention to If You Are Considering Using Herbal Products?
Before using an herbal product, ask yourself these questions:
- Have I consulted my doctor?
- Will it interact with the medications I take?
- Do I have kidney or liver disease?
- Has the effectiveness of this product been scientifically proven?
- Am I buying it from a reliable company with standardized production?
Remember, the contents of herbal products on the market may not always be the same. Can garlic replace blood pressure medication? No. Garlic may lower blood pressure slightly in some people, but it does not replace hypertension treatment. Does hawthorn strengthen the heart? Although there are some small studies on this, there is no strong scientific evidence supporting its routine use. Can I stop my blood pressure medication while using herbal products? No. Stopping your medications without consulting your doctor can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.
Is it beneficial to eat garlic with meals?
Garlic can be eaten as part of a balanced diet. However, the effects of normal dietary amounts are not the same as those of high-dose supplements.
Conclusion:
Garlic, hawthorn, and some other herbal products may have biological effects that can produce a slight drop in blood pressure. However, scientific studies to date have not shown that these products can replace the medications used to treat hypertension or that they reduce heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. For this reason, international guidelines do not recommend using herbal products in place of medication. A healthy diet, regular exercise, salt restriction, and regular use of the medications recommended by your doctor continue to form the foundation of hypertension treatment. If you are considering using herbal products, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist about possible drug interactions and side effects.
References:
- •
- •
- •
- •
Varshney R, Budoff MJ. Garlic and Heart Disease. J Nutr. 2016 Feb;146(2):416S-421S. Chang WT, Dao J, Shao ZH. Hawthorn: potential roles in cardiovascular disease. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):1-10. Ellis LR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers. Nutr Rev. 2022 May 9;80(6):1723-1737. Unger T, et al. 2020 International Society of Hypertension Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2020 Jun;75(6):1334-1357.