Effects of Natural Health Products on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant worldwide health issue and a primary risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Conventional hypertension drugs, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers, provide the fundamental approach to treatment; however, they may be linked to adverse effects and challenges in adherence. Natural health products (NHPs), encompassing bioactive compounds sourced from plants, foods, and dietary supplements, have garnered heightened interest as prospective adjuncts or alternatives for blood pressure regulation owing to their vasodilatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and renin–angiotensin system-modulating attributes.

 Objective: This systematic review seeks to assess the efficacy and safety of natural health products in reducing blood pressure, focusing on their mechanisms of action, clinical outcomes, and prospective incorporation into hypertension therapy techniques.

Methods: An extensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for papers published from 2000 to 2025. The studies that could be used were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case control studies, and experimental models that looked at NHPs like garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, hibiscus, green tea, and other plant-based or nutrient-derived interventions in relation to blood pressure regulation. Two reviewers separately extracted data and assessed its quality, and the results were combined in a narrative manner.

Results: A total of 20 papers satisfied the inclusion criteria, encompassing both preclinical and clinical research. Garlic supplementation showed steady but small drops in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids were linked to better vascular function and minor but clinically important drops in blood pressure. Hibiscus and green tea extracts exhibited potential antihypertensive properties via vasodilation and antioxidant mechanisms. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation produced inconsistent outcomes in trials, indicating some enhancement in endothelial function. Nevertheless, variability in dosage, intervention duration, and study design precluded direct comparisons and conclusive determinations.

Conclusion: Natural health products show promise as additional ways to lower blood pressure and may help control cardiovascular risk. However, differences in the quality of studies and the way outcomes are measured show that we need strict, large-scale clinical trials to set standard procedures, find the best doses, and make sure that treatments are safe over the long term.