Supplements That Raise Blood Pressure: What to Check First

Short answer: Several popular supplements can raise blood pressure or interfere with blood pressure medication. Mayo Clinic and the NIH name licorice root, ephedra, bitter orange, guarana, ginseng and arnica, and NIH warns that yohimbe has been linked to high blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat. Caffeine can also cause a short spike. If you have high blood pressure or take medication for it, show the full label of any supplement to your doctor or pharmacist before you start it.

Key Takeaways

• Mayo Clinic lists arnica, ephedra, ginseng (Panax ginseng and American ginseng), guarana and licorice among herbal supplements that can raise blood pressure.^[1]
• Yohimbe has been associated with high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, heart attacks and seizures, and most products do not say how much yohimbine they contain.^[4]
• Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, and NIH says even small amounts have been linked to severe effects in people with hypertension.^[3]
• Some herbs change how medicines work. Concentrated green tea, for example, can lower blood levels of the beta blocker nadolol.^[7]
• No supplement has been shown to lower blood pressure as well as prescription treatment, so never swap your medication for a product.^[2]
• The safest habit is simple: bring a written list of everything you take, with doses, to your doctor or pharmacist.^[7]

Can Supplements Raise Blood Pressure?

Yes. “Natural” does not mean neutral. Many plant extracts act on the same systems that control blood pressure: the nervous system signals that speed up the heart, the tone of blood vessel walls, and the way the kidneys handle salt and water. Mayo Clinic puts it plainly: herbal supplements may not be safe just because they are natural, and you should check with your healthcare team before taking any of them.^[1]

There are two separate risks to keep apart:

• A direct effect: the ingredient itself pushes blood pressure or heart rate up (stimulants such as yohimbe, ephedra and caffeine, or licorice through its effect on salt balance).
• An interaction: the ingredient changes how your blood pressure medication works, making it weaker or stronger than your doctor intended.^[7]

The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) also reminds readers that some supplements may interact in harmful ways with medicines, including medicines for high blood pressure.^[2]

Supplements That Raise Blood Pressure: The Main Ones

The table below summarizes what reputable sources report. It is a starting point for a conversation with your clinician, not a complete list.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe bark is sold mainly for sexual performance, and it is the ingredient on this list with the clearest warning signs. NCCIH reports that yohimbe has been associated with irregular heartbeat, blood pressure problems, heart attacks and seizures, and that people in studies experienced rapid heartbeat, anxiety and high blood pressure.^[4] NCCIH also says not to use it with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Labeling makes things worse: most yohimbe products do not say how much yohimbine they contain, and the amount may vary a lot between products.^[4] Our article on yohimbe side effects goes into more detail.

Licorice root

Real licorice (not the anise-flavored candy) contains glycyrrhizin. NCCIH says glycyrrhizin can cause serious adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest, especially with large amounts or long-term use, and that even small amounts from licorice root products have been linked to severe effects in higher-risk people, including those with hypertension, those who eat a lot of salt, and those with heart or kidney conditions.^[3] Glycyrrhizin-free (deglycyrrhizinated) licorice is a different product, but if you have high blood pressure, ask before using any licorice supplement or tea.

Bitter orange and ephedra

Ephedra appears on both the Mayo Clinic and NCCIH lists of supplements that may raise blood pressure.^[1][2] Bitter orange, whose main active compound is synephrine, is often used in weight loss and “energy” products. NCCIH describes the cardiovascular evidence as inconclusive: some studies show higher blood pressure and heart rate and others do not. It also notes reports of abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and strokes, mostly in people taking multi-ingredient products, so the role of bitter orange itself is unclear.^[5] For someone with hypertension, “unclear” is a reason to skip it.

Caffeine and guarana

Caffeine is easy to underestimate because it hides in coffee, soda, energy drinks, pre-workouts and caffeine pills. Mayo Clinic says it can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure in people who do not use it all the time, and suggests checking your blood pressure about 30 minutes after a cup of coffee or another caffeinated drink to see how you respond.^[1] Guarana, a common “natural energy” ingredient, is also on Mayo Clinic’s list.^[1] If a label lists guarana, green tea extract and caffeine together, add them up.

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most common ingredients in men’s vitality products. Mayo Clinic lists both Panax ginseng and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) among herbs that can raise blood pressure, and NCCIH’s hypertension page includes ginseng among supplements that may raise it.^[1][2] NCCIH adds that it is uncertain whether Asian ginseng interacts with blood pressure drugs, statins and some antidepressants.^[7] Its fact sheet lists insomnia as the most common side effect, says it might lower blood sugar, and notes that short-term use (up to 6 months) in recommended amounts appears safe for most people while long-term safety is less clear.^[6] For more background, see our guide to Panax ginseng for men.

Supplements That Can Interfere With Blood Pressure Medication

An interaction does not always show up as a higher reading. NCCIH explains that some supplements decrease the effects of medicines while others increase them, which can make side effects worse.^[7] Examples from its guidance:

• Concentrated green tea supplements can reduce blood levels of some drugs, including atorvastatin and the beta blocker nadolol.^[7]
• St. John’s wort usually speeds up the breakdown of many drugs into inactive substances, which can lower their levels in the body.^[7]
• Asian ginseng has uncertain interactions with blood pressure drugs, statins and some antidepressants.^[7]
• Licorice has reported interactions with corticosteroids.^[3]

Men who take drugs where small dose changes matter, such as digoxin, cyclosporine or warfarin, need to be especially careful to tell their providers about every herbal product.^[7]

Common Medicines That Also Raise Blood Pressure

Supplements are only part of the picture. Mayo Clinic lists several everyday medicines that can push blood pressure up:^[1]

• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Mayo Clinic says that if you have high blood pressure, it is best to stay away from them and choose a cold or allergy product made for people with high blood pressure.
• Pain relievers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Ask your healthcare team which pain medicine is safest for you.
• Some antidepressants and stimulant medicines, which call for regular blood pressure checks.

This matters because a “harmless” stack, for example a caffeinated pre-workout, a decongestant during a cold and a ginseng product, can add up.

Do Any Supplements Lower Blood Pressure?

NCCIH notes that research on cocoa, garlic, fish oil, flaxseed, green or black tea, probiotics and roselle suggests they may help, but the evidence is limited and the effects are small. Its conclusion is direct: no dietary supplement has been shown to have effects comparable to those of drugs used to treat hypertension, and you should not replace prescribed treatment with an unproven product.^[2] Diet, activity, salt intake, alcohol and sleep remain the foundations your doctor will focus on.

What to Check With Your Doctor or Pharmacist

Use this checklist before you add anything new:

1. Make a written list of every medicine and supplement you take, how often, and the dose. NCCIH recommends exactly this.^[7]
2. Read the full label. Look for yohimbe, licorice, ephedra, bitter orange or synephrine, guarana, caffeine, green tea extract and ginseng. Avoid products that hide amounts inside a proprietary blend. Our guide on how to read supplement labels shows what to look for.
3. Ask two questions: “Can this raise my blood pressure?” and “Can this change how my blood pressure medicine works?”
4. Start one product at a time so that, if your readings change, you know the cause.
5. Check your blood pressure at home before and after starting, and bring the readings to your next visit.
6. Stop and call your doctor if you notice a racing or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, severe headache or readings well above your usual range.

For a broader overview, read our articles on harmful ingredients in supplements and monitoring supplement safety.

A Note on Men’s Vitality Supplements, Including Ultra Bann

Many men’s vitality formulas contain ginseng. Ultra Bann, a botanical supplement by DL Bioproducts, contains Panax ginseng (110 mg per capsule) along with six other botanicals. The full label, with every amount listed, is on our ingredients page. Because Mayo Clinic lists Panax ginseng among herbs that can raise blood pressure, men with high blood pressure or who take blood pressure medication should ask their doctor before taking any supplement, including ones that contain Panax ginseng such as Ultra Bann.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which supplements should I avoid if I have high blood pressure?

The ingredients most often flagged are yohimbe, licorice root, ephedra, bitter orange, guarana, high amounts of caffeine, ginseng and arnica.^[1][2][4][5] Your doctor may add others based on your medicines and health history.

Is ginseng safe if I have high blood pressure?

Not automatically. Mayo Clinic lists Panax ginseng and American ginseng among herbs that can raise blood pressure, and NCCIH says possible interactions with blood pressure drugs are uncertain.^[1][7] Ask your doctor before using any ginseng product.

Can I drink coffee if I have high blood pressure?

Many people can, but responses differ. Caffeine can cause a short-term spike, especially if you do not use it regularly. Mayo Clinic suggests checking your blood pressure about 30 minutes after a caffeinated drink to see your own response.^[1]

Can I take supplements with blood pressure medication?

Sometimes, but only after checking. Some herbs make medicines weaker and others make them stronger.^[7] Bring the bottle or a photo of the label to your pharmacist, who can screen it against your prescriptions.

Are there natural supplements that lower blood pressure instead?

Garlic, cocoa, fish oil, flaxseed, tea, probiotics and roselle have been studied, but NCCIH describes the evidence as limited and the effects as small, and none matches prescription treatment.^[2] Do not stop or replace medication without your doctor.

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure. mayoclinic.org
2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). Last updated July 2018. nccih.nih.gov
3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Licorice Root. Last updated April 2025. nccih.nih.gov
4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Yohimbe. nccih.nih.gov
5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Bitter Orange: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated November 2024. nccih.nih.gov
6. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated February 2025. nccih.nih.gov
7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). 6 Tips: How Herbs Can Interact With Medicines. nccih.nih.gov

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for information only and is not medical advice.