HERBS THAT CAUSE HYPERTENSION
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.

There are many factors that contribute to hypertension, which is present in at least one-third of adults, and increasingly in children. Indeed, by age 60 at least 54% of Americans have hypertension.

The following herbs are major potential contributors to hypertension:

• Aniseed
• Bayberry
• Blue Cohosh
• Broom alkaloids
• Calamus amines
• Capsicum
• Chaste Berry
• Cola alkaloids
• Coltsfoot
• Ephedra—ma huang
• Gentian
• Ginger
• Ginseng
• Guarana
• Licorice, including DGL
• Parsley
• Pau d’Arco
• St. John’s Wort
• Vervain

And don’t forget non-herbal contributors to hypertension:

• Salt
• Sugar
• Pop
• Obesity
• Inactivity
• Stress
• Smoking
• Anger
• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Magnesium deficiency
• Potassium deficiency