5 Herbal Teas to Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians

Avoid these herbal teas and try these lifestyle modifications instead if you have hypertension.

Key Points

• Some teas should be avoided; Ginseng and licorice tea may raise your blood pressure.

• Teas made from ginkgo biloba and St. John's Wort may interfere with your medications.

• To manage your blood pressure, try the DASH diet, lower stress and increase daily movement.

Almost half of American adults—that’s nearly 120 million people—have high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases one’s risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 of adults who have high blood pressure have their blood pressure under control, meaning there is a lot of room for improvement to help these individuals better manage their condition.

While it may seem like the trend to use herbal teas to help manage high blood pressure, this isn’t necessarily recommended. In fact, these five herbal teas may actually do more harm than good for hypertension. In this article, we’ll share just what teas you should avoid, offering lifestyle and nutrition management tips instead from two leading registered dietitians.  

1. Ginseng Herbal Tea 

Ginseng is a popular herb that’s commonly used in Chinese medicine. While it shows some promise for increasing energy levels and promoting well-being, the available science is limited. In fact, the evidence for the long-term safety of using this herb is insufficient. Studies have found that it may either decrease or increase blood pressure, so more research is needed to help clarify the relationship. Toby Amidor, M.S., RD, CDN recommends to “avoid this herbal tea until more conclusive research has been conducted.”

2. Ginkgo Biloba Herbal Tea

You may be considering the herbal tea ginkgo biloba for a memory boost, but it’s important to know how it might affect the medications you’re on. For instance, research shows that ginkgo biloba may interact with a type of medications known as blood thinners, a class of pharmaceuticals designed to thin your blood to prevent blood clots.

While not every individual with hypertension will be on this type of medication, it’s more common for those who are prone to blood clots. If you’re taking a blood thinner, it’s highly likely that ginkgo biloba tea could interact with it and alter its effectiveness.

Plus, depending on the type of tea and processing of the tea leaves, this herbal remedy can be toxic. Err on the side of caution, and always talk to your healthcare team before trying something new. 

3. Licorice Herbal Tea 

Unfortunately for licorice fans, this tea may not be the best choice if you have high blood pressure. According to Sylvia Klinger, D.B.A., M.S., RDN, “licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizic acid which may raise blood pressure and cause other serious side effects, potentially resulting in headaches, fatigue and even heart attacks.”

One study confirmed previous findings, noting that even just 100 grams of licorice may have a significant effect on blood pressure. Amidor shares, “Glycyrrhizic acid found in licorice may cause the body to retain water and sodium, affecting blood pressure. Because glycyrrhizic acid affects an enzyme in the kidney, the body's fluid balance is impacted.”

Since the level of this compound in licorice tea can vary, it’s not possible to give a recommendation of a safe amount to consume. Instead, if you have high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid this tea and look for one prepared with anise seeds instead, which yield a similar flavor without the contraindications.

4. St. John’s Wort Herbal Tea 

Know for its yellow flowers, St. John’s Wort is an herb that has been used in European medicine for centuries to help treat wounds and conditions like depression. However, it has been flagged in the U.S. for its interactions with common medications, specifically statins, which are often prescribed to those with high blood pressure. Klinger advises patients to avoid this herb in tea form, too, as it may cause heart problems. 

5. Yohimbe Bark Herbal Tea 

Native to Africa, Yohimbe is a type of evergreen tree. The bark of this tree has been used as an aphrodisiac and to aid sexual performance. While there are prescription medications sold in the United States called yohimbine hydrochloride, they are different from the supplement form prepared from the bark of the tree. Data on this tea is extremely limited and suggests that it may be linked to heart attacks and seizures.  It’s best to avoid this tea—even if you don’t have high blood pressure—until more data is available.

6 Ways to Manage High Blood Pressure 

There are a variety of accessible, convenient and cost-effective ways to manage high blood pressure through diet and lifestyle habits. Below are a few recommendations shared by both Klinger and Amidor to help lower high blood pressure:

• Eat a balanced diet, leaning into the DASH diet principles. The DASH Diet, also known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, incorporates eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, healthy fats and whole grains. It suggests limiting the intake of saturated fats, sodium and added sugars, and has shown to help improve blood pressure. To help implement this daily, Klinger suggests thinking of what DASH diet foods you can add to your diet, starting with a serving of fruit or vegetable at every meal. 

• Consider an omega-3 fatty acids supplement. The omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) have been found to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. If you’re not eating seafood sources high in these fatty acids (like salmon, tuna and sardines) at least twice per week, it could be helpful to consider supplementing. Speak to your healthcare team about the best option for you.

• Limit alcohol consumption. Consuming alcohol can raise blood pressure. But, if you do drink, the recommendations don’t suggest cutting it out all together. The DASH diet aligns with the recommendation of no more than 1 drink per day for females and no more than 2 drinks per day for males.

• Incorporate movement into your routine. Not only can finding movement you enjoy help lower your blood pressure, but it also may help manage stress which is a win-win for those managing hypertension. Find a form of movement that you look forward to, whether it’s walking, yoga, dancing or something else, and aim for about 30 minutes a day. 

• Manage stress. Stress is a known contributor to high blood pressure. If you are experiencing stress in your life and are unable to cope with it on your own, consider speaking with a trained professional to help you find ways to feel your best. 

• Sip on other teas. Yes, some other popular tea may actually help your blood pressure. For instance, green tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure. However, if you are taking blood pressure-lowering medication, you don't want to go overboard. So, as Amidor reminds us, always check with your healthcare provider before adding an herbal tea or supplement to your routine. 

Our Expert Take

Managing high blood pressure doesn’t mean you have to spend your money on expensive supplements and herbal teas. In fact, specific herbal teas, like ginseng, ginkgo biloba, licorice, St. John’s Wort and yohimbe herbal teas may actually make hypertension worse. Instead, consider lifestyle habits that can help improve your blood pressure, like following the DASH diet, regularly being active, limiting alcohol consumption and managing stress.