Herbal Therapy for Hypertension: A Comprehensive Analysis of Effectiveness and the Identification of Promising Plants Based on Scientific Evidence

Abstrak

Hypertension is a global health problem that contributes substantially to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of hypertension highlights the need for accessible non-pharmacological complementary therapies, including the use of herbal plants. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of herbal plants in reducing blood pressure and to identify the most promising herbal candidates based on the reviewed articles. A literature review was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach involving 10 relevant scientific articles. The data were analyzed through article selection, data extraction, categorization, and thematic synthesis. The review produced three main findings. First, most articles reported reductions in blood pressure following herbal interventions. Second, several plants, particularly bay leaves, celery, and black garlic, appeared more prominent in this review because their blood pressure-lowering effects were reported more clearly and were easier to compare across studies. Third, the potential effectiveness of herbal interventions may be associated with bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, potassium, antioxidants, and vasodilatory compounds, as well as with the form in which the interventions were prepared and administered. However, the strength of the evidence should be interpreted cautiously because the reviewed studies varied in design, dosage, intervention duration, and preparation methods. This study concludes that herbal plants have potential as complementary therapies for hypertension management. Nevertheless, their use requires standardized dosages, preparation forms, and more rigorous clinical evaluation. Future research should employ controlled experimental designs, provide clearer dosage reporting, and evaluate biological mechanisms using relevant biomarkers.