Mediterranean Journal of

Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN: 2789-1895 online

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REVIEW article

Using common medicinal plants to treat high blood pressure: An updated overview
and emphasis on antihypertensive phytochemicals
Majedul Hoque 1 * , Md. Nahid Hasan 2 , and Shomrat Saikh 1
1
Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed

Article number: 213, Received: 13-05-2025, Accepted: 28-06-2025, Published online: 02-07-2025

Copyright© 2025. This open-access article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

HOW TO CITE THIS

Hoque M et al. (2025) Using common medicinal plants to treat high blood pressure: An updated overview and emphasis on
antihypertensive phytochemicals. Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci. 5(3): 1-10.
[Article number: 213]. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo. 15788473

Keywords: Basil, beetroot, garlic, herbal plant, high blood pressure, therapy

Abstract: The primary cause of many fatalities is hypertension (high blood pressure). Many hypertensive
patients are not even aware that they have the condition. As a result, hypertension is sometimes referred to as
a silent killer. Until the harmful effects of high blood pressure, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, renal
abnormalities, and vision problems, are identified, hypertension is typically asymptomatic. Without the use of
herbs and dietary control, conventional medication therapy could not be enough to treat hypertension. The
growing number of persons with high blood pressure can be effectively treated using alternative medicine.
Numerous alternative therapies, such as diet, exercise, stress management, vitamins, and herbs, have been
proven to be effective in lowering high blood pressure. There are several medications available to treat this
disorder however popular antihypertensive medications typically have a long list of adverse effects. Numerous
active ingredients with pharmacological and preventative qualities found in medicinal plants can be used to
treat hypertension. This review discusses an overview of important medicinal plants and phytochemicals with
hypotensive or antihypertensive effects.

Introduction
The two main causes of cardiovascular diseases are atherosclerosis and hypertension (HPT). One of the 21st
century's most discussed and heavily prescribed diseases is HPT [1]. HPT is referred to be the silent killer
since it frequently exhibits no symptoms and is easily missed. When the diastolic blood pressure exceeds 90
mmHg or the systolic blood pressure exceeds 140 mmHg, the National Institutes of Health describes the
condition as HPT [2]. Many variables, including stress, a high-salt diet, family history, increased belly fat,
and excessive alcohol use, might raise the chance of developing HPT. Chronic illnesses including renal
disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea can further raise your risk of high blood pressure [3, 4]. Systemic arterial
blood pressure that is higher than normal is known as HPT, a persistent and frequently asymptomatic medical
disease. As a result, the heart and arteries are put under stress as it must work harder to pump blood to tissues
despite the elevated systemic pressure. Congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism,
cerebral aneurysm, and renal failure are all primarily caused by the extra strain, which over time results in
cardiovascular dysfunction [5]. An individual may prevent and treat HPT in a variety of ways, including by

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changing their lifestyle by losing extra weight, exercising more, and implementing good eating practices [3,
6, 7]. Before prescribing any drug, a health expert would often advise the patient to make certain lifestyle
adjustments. Currently, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is advised by medical
professionals as a way to reduce the risk of HPT. It emphasizes limiting dietary intake of saturated fat,
cholesterol, and total fat in addition to the significance of lowering salt intake. It promotes a diet rich in fruits,
vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes, as well as
vitamins and minerals [8]. The conventional approach has not done much to reduce the number of patients
with this deadly condition in recent years. The growing patient ratio with HPT might be decreased with the
use of natural therapies. Several strategies are effective in treating high blood pressure, including diet,
exercise, stress management, vitamins, and herbs. Many studies on natural remedies for high blood pressure
have been conducted each year [4, 9]. Natural remedies have greatly aided the development of industrial
medication formulations. Natural plants contain several phytochemicals that act as potential hypotensive and
might be used for pharmaceutical applications in the future (Table 1). Today, traditional medicines are giving
way to new synthetic treatments that researchers and medical professionals claim are more reliable and
effective [10-12]. Numerous natural herbs, including barberry, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and arjuna, are used to
cure it. These plants can be carefully used as medications for HPT [13]. The herbs that have been scientifically
shown to be effective in treating HPT are highlighted in this review.

Materials and methods

To find appropriate studies and literature published up until January 2025, a comprehensive literature search
was conducted using Scopus, Google Scholar, PUBMED, and the NIH research website. The search approach
included the following keywords: natural herb, anti-hypertensive plants, medicinal herbs' ability to decrease
blood pressure, the pathophysiology of HPT, hypotensive phytoconstituent, non-pharmacological treatment
for high blood pressure, etc. The search was limited to publications written in English. To discover all the
results, full-text publications were examined, and subjective data was succinctly collected.
Causes of hypertension: Enhanced activity of the Sympathetic Nervous System, boosted production of
hormones that retain sodium and vasoconstrictors, lack of vasodilators like prostacyclin and nitric oxide,
improper and enhanced secretion of renin which results from raised fabrication of angiotensin-II and
aldosterone, genetic disposition, Cushing syndrome, raised intracranial pressure, brain tumors, encephalitis,
respiratory acidosis, thyrotoxicosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic disease, diabetic nephropathy,
and cardiovascular disease. The function of herbs in the treatment of high blood pressure: In many regions of
the world, traditional medicines have been used for thousands of years to address a variety of health issues.
Developing nations continue to use these medicines today. In many developing nations, the use of herbal
medicine has been growing [14-16]. Due to popular discontent with the high expense of pharmaceutical
medications and a desire to revert to natural cures, industrialized nations have also demonstrated a greater
interest in and usage of herbal medications [11, 12, 17-19]. A substantial contribution to the advancement of
cardiovascular research has been made by herbal medications. Patients with HPT, congestive heart failure,
angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, cerebral insufficiency, and arrhythmia have all been treated using herbal
remedies for cardiovascular conditions [20]. Due to their many biological and medicinal properties, ease of
availability, higher safety margins, and lower cost, herbal medicines have become increasingly important in
the treatment of HPT in recent years and are in high demand for primary healthcare in both developed and
developing nations. Herbal plants would have been significant and long-lasting alternative sources of
treatment for high blood pressure given the rising trend of HPT prevalence and burden, severe adverse side
effects, treatment failure, lack of affordable mono-therapeutic anti- HPT medications in use, and their severe
adverse side effects [21, 22].

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Table 1: Important medicinal plants with their antihypertensive phytochemical contents

Medicinal Antihypertensive Medicinal Antihypertensive
plant phytochemicals plant phytochemicals
Tea catechin, epicatechin, Cardamom 1,8-cineole, terpinyl acetate,
(Camellia sinensis) epicatechin gallate (Elettaria cardamomum) limonene, and terpinolene
Basil linalool Roselle anthocyanins
(Ocimum basilicum) and eugenol (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and polyphenols
Garlic allicin, diallyl disulfide, Cocoa Bean procyanidins, catechins,
(Allium sativum) and ajoene (Theobroma cacao) and epicatechin
triterpenoids, flavonoids,
Arjuna Sweet lime limonene,
and oligomeric
(Terminalia arjuna) (Citrus limetta) flavonoids
proanthocyanidins
Beetroot betalains (betacyanins and Saffron crocin, safranal,
(Beta vulgaris) betaxanthins), polyphenols (Crocus sativus) and crocetin
Ginger gingerols Turmeric Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin
(Zingiber officinale) and shogaols (Curcuma longa) and bisdemethoxycurcumin
ginsenoside Rg3 bacosides (specifically bacoside
Ginseng Brahmi
and arginine-fructose A3, bacopaside II, bacopaside X,
(Panax ginseng) (Centella asiatica)
(Arg-Fru) and bacopasaponin C)
Parsley apigenin Black Cumin thymoquinone, thymol,
(Petroselinum crispum) and its glycosides (Nigella sativa) and dithymoquinone
Onion quercetin, organosulfur Coriander
linalool
(Allium cepa) compounds (Coriandrum sativum)
Goldthread berberine Ashwagandha withanolides, alkaloids, flavonoids,
(Coptis chinensis) (BBR) (Withania somnifera) and glycosides
Coconut flavonoids, phenols, and Bitter melon charantin, polypeptide-p, alkaloids,
(Cocos nucifera) alkaloids (Momordica charantia) saponins, and phenolic compounds
Star fruit kaempferol, luteolin, Ashoka quercetin and kaempferol,
(Averrhoa carambola) naringenin (Polyalthia longifolia) β-Sitosterol
leucodin, achillin, jatamansone, nardostachone,
Yarrow artemetin, and various Jatamansi and valeranal, as well as (-)-
(Achillea millefolium) flavonoids like apigenin (Nardostachys jatamansi) aristolone and
and rutin kanshone H.
beta-glucan,
Oats African mammee xanthones, coumarins,
avenanthramides, and
(Avena sativa) (Mammea africana) and flavonoids
phenolic acids
Garden cress lepidine, semilepidinoside Sea thistle apigenin, acacetin, diosmetin,
(Lepidium sativum) A, and semilepidinoside B (Cirsium japonicum) and luteolin
Tagara iridoids, Large-flowered sword plant diterpenoids
(Valeriana wallichii) sesquiterpenes (Echinodorus grandiflorus) and flavonoids
Chokeberry anthocyanins, flavonols, Turkey berry flavonoids, alkaloids,
(Aronia mitschurinii) and phenolic acids (Solanum torvum) and steroidal glycosides
Celery 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) Lemongrass ( quercetin, luteolin,
(Apium graveolens) and apigenin Cymbopogon citratus) and apigenin
Olive tree Nasturtium isoquercitrin
oleuropein
(Olea europaea) (Tropaeolum majus) and quercetin
octadecanoic acid, 9,12- coumarin glycosides (DC-2 and
Virgin bladder Carrot
octadecadienoic acid, and DC-3), phenolic compounds,
(Commelina virginica) (Daucus carota)
phenol, 4-ethenyl- acetate carotenoids, and polyacetylenes
Coin leaf shaftoside and Lavender flavonoids, catechic tannins, sterols,
(Desmodium styracifolium) styracifoline (Lavandula stoechas) and coumarins
Tomato lycopene, chlorogenic Sesame seeds sesamin, sesamol,
(Lycopersicon esculentum) acid, caffeic acid, and rutin (Sesamum indicum) and sesamolin
Mistletoe Chlorogenic acid, caffeic Pomegranate ellagic acid, ellagitannins,
(Viscum album) acid, phenylpropanoids (Punica granatum) punicalagin, and anthocyanins

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Pathophysiology of hypertension: The pathophysiological factors (Figure 1) linked to the development of

HPT include increased vascular resistance, which is primarily identified by decreasing vascular diameter due
to increased arterial remodeling and vascular contraction [23]. The pathophysiology of HPT is caused by a
variety of factors, such as increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), sympathetic nervous
system stimulation, vasopressin, disrupted G protein-coupled receptor signaling, inflammation, various T-cell
functions, and the variety of vasoactive peptides released by other endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells
[24]. Enhanced vasoconstriction may result from increased basal and activated calcium levels via calcium
channels, increased arterial reactivity due to dysregulation in pro-oxidant enzymes and endothelial nitric oxide
synthase (eNOS), and co-occurrence of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hyperplasia and hypertrophy
[25]. HTN and its complications, including atherosclerosis, are promoted by increased vascular stiffness,
suggesting that treatment should target vascular stiffness rather than only peripheral vascular resistance
regulation [26]. Other potential causes of HPT include hereditary disorders of renal sodium secretion,
genetically related disorders of the Na/Ca2+ exchange in artery smooth muscles, and hormonal-neurogenic
vasoconstriction [27].

Figure 1: Pathophysiology of hypertension [37]

Treatment of hypertension with medicinal plants: Products derived from plants, animals, and minerals serve
as the foundation for the treatment of a number of different illnesses. Nearly 80.0% of people in developing
nations rely on natural herbs to cure a variety of illnesses, according to a new estimate. Additionally, these
natural herbs are derived from a variety of plants and animals. Natural medications have become more and
more popular in recent years. Approximately 500 plants and their therapeutic uses have been documented in
ancient texts, and roughly 800 plants have been used in regional medical systems [28]. Because of the negative
impacts of allopathic treatment, there is also a growing need for organic products in Western nations.
Consequently, several pharmaceutical companies are increasingly concentrating on the production of natural
(phytopharmaceutical) medications [29]. There are about 20,000 known plants with therapeutic qualities. The
development of novel medicines derived from medicinal plants has been greatly impacted by the ease with
which chemical standards from natural resources can now be established. Numerous natural medications have

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been used to treat HPT; a few of these are described here. The effectiveness of common herbs in treating HPT
is reviewed in this article, including Allium sativum, Arjuna, Beetroot, Cardamon, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Ginger,
Panax spp., Turmeric, basil, tea sweet lime are summarized in (Table 2). Plants that have been researched or
reported to have antihypertensive activity in animal experiments with possible mechanisms are listed in (Table
3), along with information on their families, modes of action, and references.

Table 2: Brief overview of common medicinal plants used to treat hypertension

Medicinal plant Part used Dose Reference

Garlic (Allium sativum) Fruits 300-1200 mg/day [43]
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) Bark - [31]
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Root powder juice 3-6 g/day [44]
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Crude 3 g/day [34]
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Flower 250 mg-10 g/day [45]
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Root 70-140 mg/kg [38]
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Root 3 g/day [40]
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Root 50-100 mg/kg/day [42]
Brahmi (Centella asiatica) Leaves - [47]
Saffron (Crocus sativus) Stigma 400 mg [48]
Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaves - [49]
Sweet lime (Citrus limetta) Fruits - [50]
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Whole plant - [51]
Cocoa Bean (Theobroma cacao) Bean 40-100 g [52]
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Seed oil 200 mg/kg [53]

Patients with HPT frequently utilize garlic due to its purported ability to decrease blood pressure and prevent
cardiovascular disease. Garlic's anti-inflammatory and cancer-prevention properties have also been touted.
Research has indicated a wide range of physiological effects, such as elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes
and suppression of platelet activity. In garlic formulations, there are most likely many active components. Not
unexpectedly, a number of studies have been conducted to investigate its potential for treating hyperlipidemia
and HPT. According to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality's evidence study on garlic, which
included 37 randomized studies, garlic preparations did, in fact, temporarily cut total cholesterol, but no
decrease was shown after six months [30]. Arjun plant is found across India. Its bark is the portion that has
been used as a medication for almost three centuries to cure various diseases. Gallic acid, triterpenoid
saponins, magnesium, ellagic acid, phytosterols, flavonoids, calcium, zinc, and copper are among its
constituent chemicals [31]. It lowers systolic blood pressure and is used to treat a variety of conditions,
including cardiac conditions including coronary artery disease, HPT, congestive heart failure, stable angina,
and more. It has no adverse effects on the liver, kidneys, or blood [32]. When 200-800 mg of nitrate from
beetroot juice is consumed daily, it may lower clinical systolic blood pressure in hypertensive people who do
not exhibit any symptoms of tolerance. Results should be viewed cautiously because the evidence is not very
certain [33]. The fruit powder of Elettaria cardamomum has been evaluated for its potential to lower blood
pressure. By raising the overall antioxidant status, it has been demonstrated to lower mean systolic and
diastolic blood pressure in pre-hypertensive patients by 19- and 12-mm Hg, respectively, when taken as a
powder (3.0 g) [34].
Hibiscus sabdariffa is used in traditional medicine to treat wounds, bronchitis, diabetes, heart and neurological
conditions, calcified artery repair, antispasmodic, hypochlosterolemic, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer,
muscle relaxant, and more recently, antihypertensive [35]. This plant's extract has antihypertensive properties
through at least three main specific mechanisms of action: diuretic, vasodilator, and angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor). However, hibiscus also has long-term effects as an antioxidant and a
hypocholesterolemic, which are thought to have a cardioprotective effect. As demonstrated by potassium K+

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values, corresponding index, and the saluretic relationship of Na+/K+ [24], HS acts as a diuretic by inhibiting
sodium and water reabsorption. This gives it an advantage over the loop diuretic furosemide in that it does not
cause over-reactivation of the rennin-angiotensin aldosterone system and maintains the potassium
concentration in the body [36].

Table 3: Common antihypertensive medicinal plants with their mechanism of action

Medicinal plant Mechanism of action Family Reference
Garlic Enhance the availability of hydrogen
Alliaceae [54]
(Allium sativum) sulphide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO)
It can increase endothelial function,
Arjuna
decrease oxidative stress, and cause Combretaceae [31]
(Terminalia arjuna)
vasodilation
Its high nitrate content, which the
Beetroot
body transforms into nitric oxide Amaranthaceae [44]
(Beta vulgaris)
(NO), is the procedure
Blockage of calcium channels, nitric
Cardamom
oxide synthesis promotion, and Zingiberaceae [34]
(Elettaria cardamomum)
antioxidant activity
Roselle Blocks the Ca2+ channels and raises
Malvaceae [55]
(Hibiscus sabdariffa) NO. Reduce the levels of plasma Na+
Ginger Blocks calcium channel and inhibits
Zingiberaceae [56]
(Zingiber officinale) peroxidation
Boosting the production of nitric
Ginseng Araliaceae [40]
oxide (NO) in vascular endothelial
(Panax ginseng)
cells
Turmeric Reducing arterial stiffness, and
Zingiberaceae [42]
(Curcuma longa) improving vascular function
Possibly by affecting the RAAS
Brahmi
(renin-angiotensin-aldosterone Apiaceae [47]
(Centella asiatica)
system)
Saffron Activates eNOS
Iridaceae [48]
(Crocus sativus) and blocks Ca2+ channels
Tea Inhibits ACE (AT1 receptor) as well Theaceae
[57]
(Camellia sinensis) as Increases NO
Sweet lime Through the inhibition
Rutaceae [50]
(Citrus limetta) of angiotensin II
The effects of eugenol on the
Basil cardiovascular system are associated Lamiaceae [58]
(Ocimum basilicum) with its capacity
to block calcium channels
Cocoa Bean
Calcium channel blocker Malvaceae [59]
(Theobroma cacao)
Increases the activity of cardiac heme
Black Cumin Ranunculaceae [53]
oxygenase-1 and stops the loss of
(Nigella sativa)
plasma nitric oxide

Commonly known as ginger, Zingiber officinale has been used extensively in everyday diets and for a variety
of medicinal uses. Potassium, which is abundant in ginger, helps to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
Two bioactive components of ginger, (6)-gingerol and (6)-shogaol, can be administered intravenously (1.75-
3.5 mg/kg) or orally (70-140 mg/kg) to produce tri-phasic blood pressure profiles: a quick decrease in blood
pressure followed by an intermediate increase and a protracted fall. (6)-gingerol is now thought to be a novel
antagonist of the Ang II type 1 receptor [37]. Ginger has recently been shown to lower triglyceride, low-
density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol levels. Moreover, it suppresses ACE-1
activity [38].

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Ginseng has hypotensive properties and is utilized in a variety of forms, including tea, dried roots, extracts,
pills, capsules, and oil. Higher dosages of ginseng are hypotensive, whereas smaller amounts raise blood
pressure. Ginseng thereby lowers blood pressure in hypotensive individuals, most likely via altering arterial
baroreflex, regulating autonomic nervous system activity, or changing vascular function [39]. Red ginseng, or
ginsenoside Rg3, increases eNOS, cGMP, and NO levels, and activates Ca2+-gated K+ channels. Additionally,
ginseng exhibits antihypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic properties, as well as an anti-proliferative effect on
VSMCs [40]. Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a plant native to Southeast India that is grown extensively across
South Asia's tropical regions. The compound turmeric, often known as curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and
anti-cancer effects [41]. Curcumin has positive benefits on cardiovascular diseases including HPT. Curcumin
inhibits the progression of HPT by reducing AT1R-mediated vasoconstriction and lowering AT1R expression
in arteries via disrupting SP1/AT1R DNA binding [42].
Safety issues of natural products: When integrating natural products into their practices, practitioners should
keep in mind a number of important factors: standardization, quality assurance, and clinical evidence from the
appropriate authorities (Table 4). Customers and healthcare providers must seek products made by reliable
companies that have earned third-party certification in order to guarantee that the health supplements on the
market are safe, effective, and pure [11, 12, 64].

Table 4: Integration of natural products into hypertension therapies may raise questions and issues
Issues Explanation References
Natural products' therapeutic efficacy varies depending on their source,
Standardization fact content, and quality, which makes it difficult to combine them [60]
with conventional medications for HPT.
Conventional cardiovascular drugs and natural items may interact, producing
Possibility of either antagonistic or synergistic results. For example, anticoagulants and
[61]
drug interactions omega-3 fatty acids shouldn't be used together because they can have serious
side effects, such as bleeding.
The majority of natural substances like curcumin, have low bioavailability and
Bioavailability are therefore poorly absorbed by the body. Therefore, when used in [62]
issues combination with traditional therapy, they are less effective. Therefore,
methods to improve their solubility are needed.
The majority of natural items that show potential in the initial round of testing
Lack of strong have not undergone extensive, double-blind scientific trials
[63]
clinical evidence to ascertain their efficacy and safety when used in combination with
traditional treatment for various diseases.

Conclusion: Medicinal plants are currently the subject of extensive conservation research to determine
whether their traditional applications are based on folklore or real pharmacological properties. Comparing
herbal remedies to synthetic pharmaceuticals, the herbal is less expensive and has fewer negative side effects.
The most widely utilized plants for the treatment and control of hypertension are summarized in this review.
Additionally, it is recommended that patients get appropriate education and information on the usage of herbs
that have been used for a long time, such as garlic, basil, and beetroot.

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15091123

Author contribution: All authors conceived and designed the study. MH & SS collected the data and contributed to data
analysis. All authors performed analysis and interoperated data. MH & MNH drafted the manuscript. All authors approved the
final version of the manuscript and agreed to be accountable for its contents.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a
potential conflict of interest.
Ethical issues: The authors completely observed ethical issues including plagiarism, informed consent, data fabrication or
falsification, and double publication or submission.
Author declarations: The authors confirm that they have followed all relevant ethical guidelines and obtained any necessary
IRB and/or ethics committee approvals.

Hoque M et al. (2025) Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci. 5(3): 1-10. 10