Although mounting evidence shows that Mother Nature has found solutions to problems afflicting our health, it is still important to be vigilant.

“Remember to tell your doctor about any herbal supplements you are taking or considering to take, to see if the supplement raises blood pressure or interacts with blood pressure medications,” the Mayo Clinic advises.

Examples of herbal supplements that can affect blood pressure or blood pressure medications include:

• Arnica.

• Ephedra (Ma Huang).

• Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius and Panax ginseng).

• Guarana (Paulinia Cubana).

“Herbal supplements are not necessarily safe just because they are natural,” she warns.

“You may need to avoid supplements that raise blood pressure or interfere with blood pressure medications,” the Mayo Clinic adds.

It’s important to note that mounting evidence supports taking certain herbal remedies if you’re looking to lower blood pressure. Garlic supplements have been shown to be as effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients as standard first-line anti-hypertensive drugs, according to a literature review published in the journal Experimental and therapeutic medicine.

The analysis of 12 trials and 553 participants confirmed that garlic supplements lowered systolic blood pressure almost as effectively as standard anti-hypertensive drugs.

In fact, lower blood pressure in people who ate garlic was associated with a 16-40% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, it is important not to rely on one ingredient to lower high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

The NHS advises “Reduce the amount of salt in your food and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.”