Keeping high blood pressure under control matters because it lowers the chances of serious problems such as heart attack and stroke. Medication can play a big role, but supplements and herbal products can complicate the picture in ways people do not always expect. Some may push blood pressure higher, while others can interfere with how well prescribed drugs work. Pharmacist Kirstyn Hill has highlighted a handful of popular add-ons that are worth treating with extra caution if hypertension is part of your life.
Vitamin D is often seen as a safe, everyday wellness staple, especially during darker months. Hill notes that trouble can start when people take high doses without a clear medical reason or monitoring. Too much vitamin D can raise calcium levels in the blood, and over time that may contribute to higher blood pressure. She also points out that high-dose vitamin D can interact with certain diuretics used for hypertension, potentially affecting how the body handles calcium.
Licorice root is another ingredient that can sneak into routines, whether as a supplement or as a flavoring in foods and teas. The concern is a compound called glycyrrhizic acid, which can raise blood pressure and cause unpleasant side effects for some people. Hill warns that licorice supplements may also interfere with blood pressure medications and diuretics, and they can disrupt the body’s sodium and potassium balance. For anyone already managing hypertension, products containing licorice root are often better left on the shelf.
St John’s wort is widely used for mood support and sometimes for menopause-related discomfort, but it has a reputation for interacting with medications. According to Hill, it can weaken the effects of certain blood pressure drugs by altering how the body absorbs or processes them. That is part of why it is frequently flagged by clinicians as a supplement that should not be mixed casually with prescriptions. If someone is already taking medication or multiple supplements, Hill recommends discussing St John’s wort with a doctor first.
Bitter orange is commonly marketed for weight loss and athletic performance, but it can act like a stimulant. Hill says it contains p-synephrine, which is similar to ephedrine, a substance the FDA banned after concerns about serious health problems. While bitter orange itself is not banned, experts caution that it may raise blood pressure, speed up heart rate, and increase the risk of severe side effects. Hill adds that bitter orange used in foods and drinks is generally not viewed the same way as concentrated supplement forms.
Because reactions to supplements vary based on age, diet, overall health, and current treatments, Hill’s bottom line is simple: do not add new vitamins or herbal products on autopilot when high blood pressure is involved. If you have ever been surprised by how a “natural” product affected you, share your experience in the comments.
