Hypotensive and Bradycardic Herbs

Summary

Hypotensive and Bradycardic Herbs

Hypotensive/bradycardic herbs form a heterogenous group, including several potentially toxic botanicals not generally available to the public. Their actions may involve central effects e.g., Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot), or effects on the cardiac conduction system, e.g., Selenicereus grandiflorus (Night Blooming Cactus) or they may have mulitple actions, e.g., Crataegus spp. (Hawthorn).

herbs affecting drug performance:
Hypotensive/bradycardic herbs may theoretically interact with the following drug types (additive effects):
• ACE Inhibitors
• Beta-adrenergic Blockers
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Digoxin
• Loop Diuretics
• Thiazide Diuretics

herbal synergy:
Indirect interaction with herbs in the following groups may take place through various synergistic physiologic mechanisms:
• Hypothalamic-Pituitary Agents and Adaptogenic Herbs
• Vasodilator Herbs
• Sedative Herbs
• Parasympathomimetic Herbs

herbal antagonism:
Indirect interaction with herbs in the following groups may take place through various antagonistic physiologic mechanisms:
• Sympathomimetic Herbs
• Xanthines herb group.



Herbs

Common herbs with hypotensive/bradycardic activity:
• Coleus forskohlii (Coleus)
• Crataegus spp. (Hawthorn)
• Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
• Olea europaea (Olive leaf)

Restricted and unusual herbs with hypotensive/bradycardic activity:
• Aconitum napellus (Monkshood) *
• Anemone pulsatilla (Pulsatilla) *
• Arnica spp. (Arnica)*
• Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot) *
• Selenicereus grandiflorus (Night Blooming Cereus)
• Veratrum spp. (Hellebore) *
• Viscum album (European Mistletoe) *
* toxic

Please read the disclaimer concerning the intent and limitations of the information provided here.
Do not rely solely on the information in this article.

The information presented in Interactions is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of self-care.


References

Brinker F, Herb Contraindication and Drug Interactions, Second Edition. Sandy OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

Hardman J, et al. (eds.) Goodman &Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. McGraw Hill, 9th Edition, 1996.

McGuffin M, et al. (eds.) AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook . CRC Press, 1997.

Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson JD. Herbal medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1996.