While doctors write more and more prescriptions to treat the rising number of patients with high blood pressure, some people are turning to alternative forms of hypertension treatment. A few herbs and supplements show promise as high blood pressure treatments, but it’s important to use caution when choosing them. Some may have ingredients that aren’t listed on the labels, or an alternative treatment for hypertension may interact with prescription or over-the-counter medication. To be on the safe side, always talk to your health care provider before starting any new treatments. Blood Pressure Treatment Alternatives The following herbs and supplements may be beneficial as alternative hypertension treatments: Hawthorn. This northern European plant has been used as a heart-disease remedy for centuries. Medical research backs up hawthorn’s heart-healthy reputation, and it is commonly used as an alternative treatment. Hawthorn seems to be an effective hypertension treatment due to its anti-inflammatory compounds. “With hypertension, there is low-grade inflammation in the arterial walls, which means the blood vessels constrict and don’t dilate naturally,” explains Paul Kalnins, ND, assistant professor at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore. “The compounds in hawthorn can help relax those arterial walls.” It’s possible that hawthorn may interact with digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin), a medication used to treat certain heart disorders, so do not use these two treatments together without guidance from your doctor. Fish oil. Fish oil has been touted as a worthwhile dietary supplement because it’s a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which, among other things, has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties. This is why researchers are looking at fish oil as an alternative treatment for hypertension. Fish oil also has the added benefit of driving down triglycerides, a type of fat in the body that can be dangerous at high levels. Numerous studies show that diet is the most effective way of getting the benefits of omega-3 sources like fish oil. Due to the high cost of wild fish and concerns over mercury levels of cheaper, farm-raised fish, dietary supplements from reputable sources are recommended as well. “Supplements should come from a source that checks the mercury levels in fish oil,” Kalnins says. Garlic. The compounds found in garlic help regulate the immune response involved in the inflammatory process and have been shown to lower lipid levels. “However,” Kalnins notes, “clinically, I haven’t seen garlic work very well for hypertension.” Magnesium. There is a fair amount of evidence showing diets high in magnesium may lower hypertension risk. Magnesium’s role as an alternative treatment for hypertension is intimately related to calcium. Arterial smooth muscle requires calcium for contraction, but people with high blood pressure tend to accumulate calcium in these muscles — hence, the widespread use of calcium channel blocker medication. Magnesium is thought to be a natural calcium channel blocker: It opposes the effects of calcium by relaxing the arterial muscle. Some health care professionals haven’t seen much success with magnesium as a hypertension treatment specifically. Coenzyme Q10. The supplement coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) is also involved in the contraction of smooth muscle, specifically the efficiency of contraction. “Co-Q10 increases the activity of mitochondria, which is where energy is made, so it essentially gives more energy to the heart muscle,” says Kalnins. However, its role as a hypertension treatment by decreasing blood pressure is unclear and needs further research. Folic acid. Folic acid is sometimes given as an alternative treatment for hypertension because of its effects on the arterial walls. There is some evidence that accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood can damage these walls. Folic acid, typically given in combination with vitamins B6 or B12, reduces homocysteine levels. A recent study showed that women who consumed at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of folic acid per day had about half the risk of developing hypertension as those who consumed 200 mg or less per day. Dietary supplement regulations aren’t the same as regulations for prescription and over-the-counter medication — manufacturers can market a supplement without having to prove safety or effectiveness. That’s why you should research supplements and talk with your regular doctor about potential interactions and side effects before using an alternative treatment for hypertension.
