As I have talked about before, you need to think of herbal medications as medication. Many people think herbals do not have power because they are not prescribed by doctors or they are “natural.” Please see my many prior blogs on herbals here.
A new study came out in the recent issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. “Herbal Products That May Contribute to Hypertension.”
Facts:
- Hypertension = high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure around the time of surgery can increase the incidence of bleeding and hematoma
This study was done by reviewing the literature from 1991-2011 on all studies relating herbals and diet supplements to blood pressure. They found 29 articles which looked at the cause, pathophysiology and risk factors.
Findings? There were some listed as common herbals thought to contribute to high blood pressure.
- Arnica
- Bitter orange (adrenergic receptor)
- Blue cohosh (alkaloid effect)
- Ephedra (adrenergic)
- Ginkgo (unclear)
- Ginseng (unclear)
- Guarana (caffeine)
- licorice (inhibits hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase)
- pennyroyal oil (unclear)
- scotch broom (alkaloid effect)
- senna (hydperaldosteronism)
- Southern bayberry (mineralocorticoid side effect)
- St. John Wort ( MAOI activity)
- Yohimbine (blocks a2 adrenoreceptor)
Less common herbals listed were areca nut, belladonna, calamus, chili pepper, coltsfoot, goldenseal, henbane, jimson weed, khat, lobelia, mandrake, mate, scopolia, vervain.
The one on this list which surprised me the most was arnica. Arnica is well known to decrease swelling and bruising. There are two published trials (one of liposuction, another of facelifts) which showed a statistically significant decrease in swelling and bruising after surgery when the patients used arnica. Another trial was done which indicated perhaps not less bruising, but there was less swelling when patients used arnica. I did further research on this, and it is thought when used in low doses for less than 2 weeks it is generally considered safe. There were many citings of it interfering with blood pressure medication and blood thinners.