Some foods will lower blood pressure, while others may actually raise it. The same goes for herbs and other food supplements.



If you suffer from hypertension, you should avoid or reduce your consumption of the following:

1) Siberian and Asian ginseng, panax ginseng in particular. In Chinese medicine, we consider Asian ginseng to be very "yang" or "hot" and should not be taken by those with a yang constitution, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure or people with heart problems.

Some people will actually develop an unnatural ruddy complexion and deep red tongues, suffer headaches, bleeding noses and high blood pressure when taking panax ginseng, especially at night when they are particularly sensitive to its effects and find it stimulates them to the point of affecting their sleep patterns.

2) Ephedra. Also known as "ma huang" in Chinese this herb is also contraindicative for pregnant women. Ephedra contains an active ingredient ephedrine that is primarily responsible for high blood pressure.

3) Licorice root. Known in Chinese as "gan cao," it is often used as a natural sweetener and flavor enhancer in Chinese preserved fruits, as well as in many herbal tonics and combinations. Taken in small quantities, it has little effect, but over several weeks or in large quantities it can cause headaches, potassium depletion, jaundice, retention of sodium and water, and high blood pressure.

4) Birth control pills. One study actually suggests that women taking birth control pills are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease.

5) Night-blooming cereus. This beautiful desert flower only blooms for one evening and makes an excellent lung tonic and heart stimulant, which is also why it is contraindicative for those with cardiovascular disease.

6) Lobelia. Lobelia contains an ingredient lobeline that can raise blood pressure and negatively affect neural conductivity of the heart.

8) Antihistamines. Always consult with your doctor if you have hypertension and need to take an antihistamine.

9) Grapefruit. While taken on its own grapefruit can lower blood pressure, the bitter compounds found in the peel and oil can interact with drugs, antihistamines and calcium channel blockers used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure. A grapefruit and drug combination can actually increase high blood pressure dramatically, so always consult with your physician if you are on any medication before consuming any grapefruit.

10) Yohimbe. This MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor (such as might be found in some antidepressants) should not be taken with foods and alcoholic beverages that contain the amino acid tyramine, including fermented foods, such as cheese, yogurt, yeast, nuts, and chocolate, not to mention meats that have been smoked, fermented, marinated or aged. It is especially contraindicative with antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines, caffeine, amphetamines and the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine —both of which have been known to induce high blood pressure as well — the combination of which can cause blood pressure to rise to dangerously high levels.

Also be aware that recent studies have suggested that blood pressure drugs may actually increase the risk of heart attacks. If your hypertension is relatively mild or moderate, consult with your physician about seeking alternative ways to treating it, including diet and exercise.

There are also other herbs and food supplements that can treat or prevent hypertension. Look forward to my next article that will discuss the many kinds of herbs and other supplements used to treat, reduce or prevent high blood pressure.